Kristen Gwen
Jack Zulu feels stifled and stuck in his little hometown of Myrtle, West Virginia. His father was killed in the line of duty several years ago. His mother is fighting cancer, and it’s not looking good.
But things are about to get interesting when the unassuming bookstore owner, Mr. Wheeler, asks Jack to watch a box until he returns. This sets in motion a grand adventure of going to an in between land with gates to each of the twelve realms. Jack, and his best friend Benny, become students at the school in Waylander, where they learn that the various creatures and forces of evil Jack has read about in Mr. Wheeler’s books are actually real. There is a villain in the Waylander prison, and he’s brought great pain and suffering to realms. Can Jack stand strong and do his part to fight against this evil and bring peace to the Wayland, and save his mother at the same time? Or will he give in to the darkness and put everyone in danger?
S. D. Smith’s Green Ember series is one of my favorites, and I really enjoyed Jack Zulu’s story as well. There is a real battle between the desire for self-glory and humility in these books; of being helpful versus being revered (or greatly feared, in some cases). In all of Smith’s books, you can be sure that he won’t hand your kids some fluffy lesson, but will get to the heart of matters as he desires to build character in his readers. I’m in the middle of book 2, and it’s equally adventurous and delightful.
Grab your copy today to start the adventure!
Laurie Germaine
Misha
Michelle Kaderly Welsh
I have seen these books around (I love Smith’s Green Ember series!), but I haven’t nabbed a copy, yet. Thanks for giving us a book recommendation. If you liked it, I’m sure we will, too!