October 20, 2006

Midnight for Charlie Bone


By Jenny Nimmo
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Seemingly ordinary Charlie Bone suddenly discovers that he can hear the thoughts of people in photographs. Once this talent is revealed, Charlie's Grandma Bone and her sisters have him sent to Bloor's school which includes other "endowed" children who are descendants of the fabled Red King. These "gifts" that the other children have are often quite odd. Despite some of the friends he makes, Charlie has a hard year at the new school for he also makes some enemies. Charlie ends up drawn into searching for a girl who has been missing for many years, while his aunts and other villains try to stop him. Although many readers will be reminded strongly of Harry Potter, this book isn't quite as well written. However, Charlie is very likeable and his adventures are fast-paced so readers will be drawn into the story. This is the first book in the Children of the Red King series. If you like magic, adventures and Harry Potter-like stories, you may like this one and its sequels.

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