Louie Stowell

I found the book to be brilliantly written and laughed on every page. It is told from the perspective of Loki, who is now a child and has to live on earth as a punishment. His observations on mundane things like school, dog walks, and breakfast cereal are hilarious.
The story is gripping and written in a diary format, with interesting insights on Norse mythology, cars, capitalism, wars, and the internet from an 11-year-old's perspective.
The humorous illustrations and interactive elements show more that comment on Loki's lies and scores make the book even funnier. show less

A satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Kit and her friends learn about responsibility and are ready to take the whole business more seriously. They also learn about the difference between protecting someone and controlling them. (Helicopter parents take note.) Btw, still no parental involvement, but definitely the kids are not on their own.

There's also an exploration of evil. Is it evil to use whatever means necessary to make changes that you know are for the better? (Um - yes - and if you show more don't understand, read the book.)

However, in the beginning, there are bits that indicate they're still kids. They get assigned Chewing Gum duty as punishment* (please do not stick your gum to the underside of the desks or shelves, either at school or in the library). And Kit copies Josh's homework at least once.

*And it is, unfortunately, just a punishment. Not a consequence & no relevance to what they did wrong. But sometimes we adults have to fall back on plain old-fashioned punishment, so, ok.

"Alita wasn't saying anything. She was just squealing like a Guinea pig who's eating too much sugar. Kit couldn't tell if she was scared or having the time of her life, or both."

"Nothing happened.
Nothing happened.
Some more nothing happened." show less

Hey, everyone loves a good story...so why should it be any different for dragons?

Get ready for a fast paced, funny story filled with adventure, and baddies that NEEDED to be defeated...and all that is in addition to a nonreader discovering they have magical type powers that allow them to be transported into the stories that surround them, utilizing them as a sort of portal to...well, I can't really say because to do so would be I'd have to tamper with your memory after you read it and if I show more learned anything from Faith, the ultra cool "librarian" (that really IS one, but also not exactly!), that's ALWAYS a last resort!

Seriously though, readers of Middle Grade Fiction (and beyond!) will be enthralled by the diverse cast of characters, blown away by the mysteries of the library, and gasping for breath as we bounce from discovery to danger to all out you-must-perform-this-magic-or-it-just-might-be-the-end-of-it-before-it-really-begins moments! Kit is her own self, and happy to be that way, as are we to meet her! Her two best friends are different than her, but they celebrate each other's strengths and try to build each other up in times of weakness. She couldn't have asked for a better duo to share this MASSIVE secret with! Speaking of secrets, her new (maybe) instructor, Faith, is SO not your regular old wizened and bearded wizardy type teacher, but is a ROCKSTAR just the same.

All in all, a fabulous MUST READ that I can't wait to visit with again...and when the next installment launches, I AM SO THERE!


*copy received fore review; opinions are my own show less

Three friends discover their local librarian - like all librarians - is a wizard who is willing to show them how to cast spells. Open any book and find it is literally a portal to another world. When the library is threatened with a takeover by an offensive developer the three start a protest to save it. Magic, adventure, and wonderful characters including a dog that is half dragon - a dogon. This captivating book is a lot of fun and will be highly enjoyed by middle grades