When the former Baron Morgarath escaped to avoid punishment for treason, an uneasy peace fell on Araluen. But Morgarath, now in hiding, is already planning his next move, recruiting an army of savage, overpowering beasts known as Wargals. Newly crowned King Duncan knows he must assemble his troops for battle.
Intermediate (ages 9-14)
Material appropriate for intermediate age groups
The Head Of The Saint
Having arrived in Candeia, Brazil, starving and footsore, after walking sixteen days to fulfill his dying mother’s last wishes, young Samuel takes up residence in an enormous, broken statue of Saint Anthony and finds that he can hear the prayers of the townspeople, despite his lack of faith.
Featured in WOW Review Volume IX, Issue 3.
Rooster Joe And The Bully
Seventh-grader Joe López, a promising artist, stands up to a bully and survives, thanks to his Grandpa Jesse’s advice about “la lucha.” A bilingual flip book with Garza’s black and white sketches depicting bullies, heroes, and the roosters that Joe loves to draw.
The Navajo Code Talkers
Amidst a complicated history of mistreatment by and distrust of the American government, the Navajo people–especially bilingual code talkers–helped the Allies win World War II.
Silo And The Rebel Raiders
Ten-year-old Silo Zyco doesn’t know much about his relatives — his father was a mysterious stranger, and the rest of the Zycos were killed in a disaster involving a terrible wave and lots of mud. All he has inherited is a family reputation for thieving, and webbed feet. But Silo, last of the Zycos, does have one thing that others envy. He can see things. Things that will happen in the future.
The Tin Snail
Thirteen-year-old Angelo knows that his father’s job is in jeopardy. Only one thing can save it: inventing a car the world has never seen before. On vacation in the French countryside, Angelo gets an idea. So far, cars have only been made for the rich. Someone should create a car for everyday working people. Angelo thinks he’ss up to the challenge!
Stef Soto, Taco Queen
Mexican-American Stef Soto is hoping to break free from her overprotective parents and embarrassing reputation from her family’s taco truck business, but she soon learns that family, friendship, and the taco truck are important and wonderful parts of her life.
The Voyage To Magical North
Twelve-year-old Brine Seaborne is a girl with a past if only she could remember what it is. Found alone in a rowboat as a child, clutching a shard of the rare starshell needed for spell-casting, she’s spent the past years keeping house for an irritable magician and his obnoxious apprentice, Peter.
Sunker’s Deep
Sharkey is a Sunker–he was born on a fortunate tide, and everyone in the giant submersible Rampart knows it. The trouble is his life is based on a lie. He’s been a fake hero for years, but when tragedy strikes, he must become a real one. And he has no idea how to go about it.
The Only Road
Twelve-year-old Jaime makes the treacherous and life-changing journey from his home in Guatemala to live with his older brother in the United States.
This book was reviewed in Volume XI, Issue 1 of WOW Review: Reading Across Cultures.