I write a lot of book reviews. I’ve been lucky enough to be working with 3 publishers and 3 blog tour groups, in addition to individual authors and reviewing books I bought or found in the library.

I have been happily reading the current young adult novels, and there is now a subset of young adult novels aimed at the tween age set. Everything that’s being released now seems so well written, especially in comparison to what was available when I was younger. Currently, I’m reading The Law of Three: A Sarah Martin Mystery, which is infinitely better than any of the teen-age mysteries I read when I was a tween myself. The folks at The Dundurn Group, especially, have an amazing section of books appropriate for this age range, but doesn’t talk down to them.

So, my point? Yes. I had read The Ruby Kingdom, by Patricia Bow, and had reviewed it. The girls were fascinated with the idea when I explained what I was reading, so we started reading it together. The chapters are relatively short, which makes it easier to agree to two chapters. We ended up reading three chapters last night to finish.

After we finished, the girls were so excited, and had such big grins on their faces! BG says, “That was the best book you’ve ever read to us!” and MG chimes in, “Even better than Harry Potter!” They were bouncing all over the place in excitement after the story ended (making me glad that their bedroom is downstairs…), and were thrilled that the next book will be released in May – a great birthday present for BG! The older girls agreed quickly that all their friends should read it, too. Right Away.

Yeah, no review, however eloquent, can ever touch that level of praise and the smiles on those faces. I don’t know if you’ll find it in your local library (it’s a Canadian release), but now all 4 females in the house recommend this story of a girl named (get this!) Amelia, her cousin, and his friend as they discover a new world and shape-shifters.

If you’ve found a book that excited your kids that much, please share!