{Synopsis} – Pick a book. Grow a Reader!
This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
In book 5 of this fantasy series, the magical Ember Stone is almost complete! There is only one piece left to find. But Thorn’s darkness is spreading faster than ever! Tag, Skyla, and Blaze must cross the dangerous Shadowlands to find the last piece. What-or who-will they meet along the way? Can the friends complete the stone in time to save Perodia? Engaging black-and-white illustrations on every page bring the action alive in this fast-paced early chapter book series!
{My thoughts} – Tag, Skyla and Blaze are still on their quest to complete the Ember Stone. They have managed to find nearly all the missing pieces and have gotten them added back to the first Ember Stone piece that they had started with. In this book they are going to go in search of the last piece and they have to travel through the Shadowlands which is occupied by mostly all of Thorn’s spies. Will they be able to make it through the Shadowlands? Will they be able to find the last piece of the Ember Stone? Will they be able to help save Perodia from Thorn and his followers?
There are so many things I love about this book series. I love how vibrant the cover art is. I love how nearly ever page has and illustration of some sort that helps to further engage the reader into the story. I like that the chapters are short so that it helps children to see that they are making progress while reading the books. I like that the stories are quick paced and help to hold a child’s interest. I have been reading these books to my two year old daughter since I have been getting them. She really seems to enjoy being read these older books. I think that the illustrations on the pages help to hold her attention while I am reading to her. That in she has a natural love for being read to at this point in her life.
This book and the series are incredible beginner reader books. I highly recommend them for any child’s library. I also think that teachers could benefit from having this series in their classroom library. It’s a fun series and I look forward to reading the next book in it in the very near future.
Final Conclusion: 5 Star Rating.
