It's Here!
Welcome to the 3rd annual Middle Grade Summer Book Club and I think I have some GREAT books lined up for kids to read this summer... we have some mystery, chic books, and some great ones for guys & girls! Check out this great read!
by Dalen Keys
ISBN: 978-1937756765
Age 9-13, 216 pages
$12.06 (paperback)
Acts of valor endure across the centuries . . . waiting, as secrets in a grave from long ago.
From his adventures in The Sacred Mountain (Deep River Books 2011) fourteen-year-old skateboarder Will Evans learned to love history. Now, while visiting a civil war museum in the South, Will and his friends become fascinated by an old sword on display bearing the emblem of a sea monster. When they stumble upon the same strange emblem again—this time, on a tombstone near the ruins of a plantation home—the friends are swept up on an exciting journey of discovery.
As clues to the mystery of Leviathan unfold, they meet Juanita, a wise African American woman, and her son Michael, and relive the dangerous quest of those who risked their lives to help slaves escape many years ago. But what does Leviathan have to do with slavery, racism, and segregation? And what does any of it have to do with a young skateboarder from Philadelphia?
Unexpected twists lead to surprising discoveries, as Will and his friends learn from the past what it means to stand strong and courageous today.
From his adventures in The Sacred Mountain (Deep River Books 2011) fourteen-year-old skateboarder Will Evans learned to love history. Now, while visiting a civil war museum in the South, Will and his friends become fascinated by an old sword on display bearing the emblem of a sea monster. When they stumble upon the same strange emblem again—this time, on a tombstone near the ruins of a plantation home—the friends are swept up on an exciting journey of discovery.
As clues to the mystery of Leviathan unfold, they meet Juanita, a wise African American woman, and her son Michael, and relive the dangerous quest of those who risked their lives to help slaves escape many years ago. But what does Leviathan have to do with slavery, racism, and segregation? And what does any of it have to do with a young skateboarder from Philadelphia?
Unexpected twists lead to surprising discoveries, as Will and his friends learn from the past what it means to stand strong and courageous today.
My thoughts:
Leviathan. I'll be honest I really didn't know what to expect when I received this book. The write up I received from the publisher & the back of the book sounded great and very interesting since it was about history and the lives of people who made an effort to make a difference in the lives of others but when I saw the cover I was like ho hum and then I began to read...
The writing and the dialogue weren't what caught my attention but the Civil War background and the story of the people who helped save escaping slaves is wonderful. It's a great way to introduce young people to that sad period of American History and a perfect opportunity for parents to open discussion for how we can help others who need help in so many ways. There are sections of the book that take the reader to a battle field and the story overlaps with actual battles that are about to take place and show the emotions and feelings of a 15 year old bugler during the war and some of the other soldiers, there is the story of a woman and her "staff" (yes, she refused to call them slaves or servants even) and how she set into motion a group of men who committed their lives to keeping secret how she helped slaves escape.
This is a very interesting story and I would love to read The Sacred Mountain which is the first book in this series. Very very interesting. I would say this book is for kids that have strong reading skills and the ability to stick to what they are reading. I found the dialogue a little hard to read personally but I think kids would definitely connect with this story if they enjoy history and "true story" type books about heroes.
Read on:
Be sure to check out the other books in this years Middle Grade Book Club. They have all been donated by either the authors or publishers as some of the best of the best Middle Grade Fiction that has come out this year!
Week 2: Middle Grade Summer Book Club: Leviathan - WIN the Super Prize! US - 7/20, 2 Winners! US @ #Giveaway familyliteracy2.blogspot.com/2013/06/week-2…
— Tina Peterson (@familyliteracy) June 12, 2013
Disclaimer: I was offered a copy of the book to read and review on CCB. I was not required to post a positive review and no $ exchanged hands. Thanks for reading CCB!
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