Tyler Whitesides
288 pages
hard copy edition
From the Publisher:
Now, more than ever, Spencer, Daisy, and even Dez must fight to save schools everywhere. The Bureau of Educational Maintenance (BEM) is after Spencer, and the only place he is safe is within the walls of the New Forest Academy. Or so he thinks. In this fast-paced adventure, the kids must figure out where their loyalties lie and who they can trust as they fight to discover the true secret of the New Forest Academy and what it means to the future of education.
Review:
I read the first book in this series out loud to my boys last year, they loved it. We finally got around to reading the second book out loud and to say they enjoyed it is an understatement Unfortunately for them, there have been more than a couple nights lately where my husband is gone at bedtime, and putting 5 kids to bed by myself get a little tricky. When I’m doing bedtime solo, their “read out loud” book time always gets cut short. But they didn’t let this stop them, they started reading it on their own. Both boys (5th grade and 2nd grade) finished reading the book before me! They have each moved on to book 3 and book 4 and if they keep it up will finish the series way before me!
Let me back up a little big and explain a little background about the whole series. I read the first book last year, a small review is on our family blog. Maybe I will post a throw back review here on book one. It’s about a boy, Spencer, who moves to a small town in Idaho, and at school one day uses special soap, which then allows him to be able to see magical creatures that live in his school. He, along with his friends, and some help from the janitors, are able to use magical janitorial equipment to fight these creatures and the bad custodians. (there is a difference between janitors and custodians!)
It’s such a fun series, and so creative. My boys are always laughing and trying to guess what will happen next. I have never had them read a series like this before, they like reading, they like being read too, but they will not put these books down. I keep telling them it’s time to eat dinner, or go to school, or practice piano and they keep reading and say “What’s wrong with reading?”
Nothing boys. Nothing at all. But you just have to learn to balance it all.
I really enjoyed this second book. I thought the first book was good, but not as good as I expected it to be. But I really did enjoy this second book. I thought it was cleaver that Dez, the bully from book one, got to come along with them to the new school. I really liked Dez and hope we get to see what happens with him in the next couple books. Daisy is funny. She makes me laugh. Spencer’s quirks with germs crack up the boys. They are always laughing at him. I don’t want to write any spoilers, but I was very happy with the ending in this book and some characters that came back. I am anxious to read book 3. (when I can get it away from my boys!)
If you like Fablehaven, Candy Shop Wars, Spirit Animals, if you like anything by Brandon Mull or middle reader fantasy fiction, these are some fun books that I think you would enjoy. They are magical and funny and hard to put down.
Final score:
