I just finished The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens yesterday, and I must admit, I was impressed. Try to stay with me here, this is going to get complicated...
Imagine three siblings who are torn from their parents at quite a young age to be shuffled from orphanage to orphanage for ten years. What keeps them going is the promise that their mother made to Kate, the oldest: they will come back for them.
When the three are sent to an old, run down mansion in Cambridge Falls, they think they have hit rock bottom. There are no other children at the orphanage - in fact, there are no children anywhere. The landscape is barren, the people are openly hostile, and the weather is abominable. While exploring the old mansion, the students come across a mysterious book - one that can transport them to different times in history. They are immediately sent back in time 15 years, and Cambridge Falls is completely different. The landscape is beautiful and the mansion is gorgeous. The children of the town have all been taken hostage by an evil witch who will stop at nothing to find the mysterious book - the one that just brought Kate and her siblings back to the past! Kate must figure out a way to save her brother and sister, the town, the children, and find out where her parents are located all without the witch taking possession of the book. She does not get all of these tasks accomplished, but three out of four ain't bad! There will definitely be sequals!
There is action, adventure, magic, monsters, and even dwarves!! I found the book to be entertaining and an easy read. I have already recommended it to some of my fantasy kiddos, and I hope they come back with raving reviews!
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