Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo

Nimmo, J. (2002). Charlie Bone: the time twister. New York: Orchard Publishing. 

Summary

Charlie discovers new dimensions of his magical powers as he helps Henry Yewbeam, a magically transported relative from 1916, escape from the Red King's wrath. Just as in the first book, Charlie can hear voices in paintings and now he has discovered that he can enter them as well. Old characters are present as well as new ones like the jealous Ezekiel who uses the time twister to his evil advantage,

Review

I started reading this series after finishing the Potter books but it is still not doing much for me. The story and characters are eerily familiar to the Harry Potter series but always seems to fall a little short. Even re reading this book for the second time, I am still more confused then ever. 

Genre

Fantasy

Reading Age/Interest Level

10-13 years/Tween

Similar Books

Charlie Bone series by Jenny Nimmo

Keys to the Kingdom- Garth Nix

Bartimaeus Trilogy- Jonathan Stroud
Characters

Charlie Bone: Descended from the Yewbeams and a Welsh magician that was friends with the red king, Charlie can hear voices of people in photographs or go into photographs.

Manfred Bloor: A student at Bloor's Academy, he is a hypnotizer.

Asa Pike: A student at Bloor's, Asa can change into a beast at dusk.

Billy Raven: Also a student, Billy can understand and talk to animals.

Lysander Sage: A student, he can call on his spirit ancestors.

Emma Tolly: Until recently, her name had been Emilia Moon. Emma can become a bird. She turns into a fictional bird called the tollroc and saves Olivia and Henry. She has a crush on Tancerd Torrson.

Fidelio Gunn: An unendowed student, although he is the lead violinist at Bloor's and a good friend of Charlie.

Olivia Vertigo: An unendowed student at Bloor's, she's in drama and is one of Charlie's friends.

Tancred Torsson: A student, he can make, bring, or change the weather.

Paton Yewbeam: A power-booster, he is the only Yewbeam that favors Charlie.

Mr. and Mrs. Onimous: Together, they run the Pet's Cafe on Frog Street. Their 5-year-old niece, Una, is endowed.

Cook: The friendly cook at Bloor's Academy who helps Henry when he was at Bloor's after the Time Twister stopped.

Henry: Charlie's unendowed great-great uncle. Henry is transported forward in time by his cousin, Ezekiel Bloor.

James:Charlie's unendowed great grandfather. Brother of Henry and Daphne, who died of diphtheria.

Readers Annotation

Just when Charlie is trying to live with his newly discovered magical powers, he is thrown for a loop when a simple marble can change destiny. 

The Ring of Five by Eoin Mcnamee

McNamee, E. (2010). Ring of Five. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. 

Plot

Danny Caulfield thought his odd features such as elvish shaped ears, sharp chin, and triangular face were the result of a botched operation. Just when his life couldn't get any worse, his parents have decided to send him to Heston Oaks boarding school. Before he even has a chance to voice his concern, a black taxi pulls up to his house and the mysterious drive takes him on a journey that will forever change his perception on real life. Danny is thrown into a world of magic, devious arts, and spy kits and fellow students who have gold tipped wings and other amazing special powers. As he is trying to fit in, he is shocked to find out that he has the marks of everyones worst enemy, the Cherbs, and Danny is the final piece to their taking over of the Upper World. 

Review

I am a sucker for Harry Potter like books. Give me an orphan who turns his terrible life and becomes the absolute force for saving humanity, I am hooked! I was a little nervous as to whether this book would be a sad take on the Potter or Lightening Thief series but I was blown away by the mass differences and dark nature to Danny. He has been destined to be bad and he must now battle (literally) with himself in order to save mankind. This is a fantastic book to hook reluctant readers and I can see this being another bestselling series. 

Genre

Fantasy

Reading Level/Interest Level

5th-8th grade/Tweens

Similar Books

Harry Potter series- J.K Rowling

Percy Jackson series- Rick Riordan

Children on the Read King series- Jenny Nimmo

Readers Annotation

When Danny is given another chance at life, he would never have imagined that this would mean he would have to forgo everything good that he has ever believed in. As part of the Ring of Five he is destined to take over the Upper World and destroy everything in their way. Will Danny have the strength and be able to fight against his own destiny and save humanity and himself?