Hamelin Stoop: The Eagle, The Cave, and the Footbridge (Book 1)
Hamelin Stoop: The Lost Princess and the Jewel of Periluna (Book 2)
So let's it break down for you:
Who read this series in your home?
I did! Initially I started Sidge (age 10; fourth grade). However, it became evident that it was just a little too old for him.
Did you like the books?
Firstly I should say I only finished the first book and surfacely had delved into number 2 when it came tie for my review. The answer is a definite yes. It is incredibly well-written, interesting, engaging, and constantly left me waiting fo the next evening (because that is usually the only time I can read) to find out what is going to happen.
Who is the author?
Robert B. Sloan -- a popular educator and non-fiction writer tries his hand at fiction with the Hamelin Stoop Seriesfrom 12 Gates Publishing. A father of 7 and a grandfather of 20, this is his first piece of fiction. And it's a good one! While Sloan is a Christian and has a passion for higher education and spiritual formation of young people, this book is not overtly Christian. (And honestly not even subtly.) Christians and non-Christians alike will find the good clean message of these books a ton of fun!
What ages is this series for?
While I couldn't find an exact age-number on their website, after reading all of Book 1 and getting just a few pages into Book 2, I think this series, when read independently, is set for ages 12 and up. The content is pure enough for children of all ages, however, so if an adult was reading it to children, I think it could work for kids as young as 5. That is the design behind the Hamelin Stoop Series Many middle schoolers jump to young adult fiction but the content is usually not appropriate for their maturity.
That's where the Hamelin Stoop Seriesis different. Middle schoolers can read this without worry about the content! It is designed as a middle school young adult fantasy series. I believe the idea was that it would bridge a gap by providing something that kids in the 12-16 year-old age range would love. And I think Sloan did just that.
Will you have your kids read the book?
I sure will! My next step is actually to let my niece and nephew (who are in the middle school genre right now at 12 and 13) read the book and see what they think about it. I then think I would like to have my husband read it with my four kiddos (ages 5-11) during their before-bed-reading sessions. I really think my boys (fourth grade) need to get a little older to truly be able to read it and embrace it without their dad reading it to them.
Don't ruin it, but what is this about?
Honestly, one book in, and I am not quite sure what is going to happen in this series, but I am excited to keep reading and find out. I am also really excited to allow my children good clean fantasy-fiction with a solid message.
I know there is an awesome little boy named Hamelin who was named after the Stoop he was found on. He is delightful and an engaging character that you want to cheer for. While the setting seems like modern-day America and there is a reference to different States in the USA, there is an "other world" that we are still waiting to discover the details of. We know Hamelin's parents are alive. Who are they? How did his mother get where she is? Will Hamelin be able to find them? Why does Ren'dal need them exactly?
We follow Hamelin's life in a children's home as years flow by. One of the things I really loved about this book was that while the years were flying by, Sloan did a good job really letting you participate in the years. I didn't feel like Hamelin grew up without me allowing to watch him do so. I feel I can't really put this into words accurately, but I will say this: Sloan lets the years go by quickly but still doesn't seem to have you miss out on Hamelin's aging.
As Book 1 develops, you cheer for this young boy; you feel for him, and relate to the characters that come in and out of his life. You also know that somehow, they are all going to tie together, but you just aren't sure how. As I read I couldn't help but wonder who Charissa was and how her world paralleled to that of both Hamelin and his parents? Would her sisters factor back in or were they just a passing glance. Is Charissa fighting the same battle that the Stoop and his parents are or is her story unrelated. And who is the Eagle?
Are there any "triggers" we should be aware of?
This is the story about loss. Abandonment (although apparently necessary) and being raised in a children's home. These things did not "trigger me" at all, but it is always important to be aware of possible "triggers" as you read something.
1 comment:
Thanks for reading the book and writing a review, Wendi. Based on your questions at the end, we think you'll like Book 2!
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