I have decided to start recommending mostly middle grade books, as that is typically what I read now for fun and seems to be where parents need the most guidance. I get asked a lot for reading recommendations for preteen and young teens, so follow along in my book recommendations if you are looking something for your kids to enjoy (without having to read them first!).* I also just love middle grade books because they are always clean and a quick, easy read, but they deal with hard things and often have very interesting plots and characters.
The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan is the start of an excellent fantasy series about a boy who joins a highly secretive group of people known as the Rangers. The books are exciting, with good characters and plots. The Rangers themselves aren’t magical, just highly trained and skilled fighters and problem solvers, though they live in a world with magic. And I will admit that I have loved this series even before I thought about sharing them with my kids! My daughter never wanted to read them, because the main character is a boy… but now my 9-year-old son is excited to get into the series! I have promised to read the first one to him (this is mostly selfish, as I want to reread them, and I think my daughter will secretly listen in as well), but I think he’ll take off reading them on his own once he gets into them!
From Amazon:
They have always scared him in the past—the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied. . . .
*I love giving out book recommendations for kids if you ever would like to contact me about it! I am happy to tell you if there is ever anything you might find questionable, as well.
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