As a digital subscriber, you’ll receive unlimited access to Horn Book web exclusives and extensive archives, as well as access to our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database.
To access other site content, visit The Horn Book homepage.
To continue you need an active subscription to hbook.com.
Subscribe now to gain immediate access to everything hbook.com has to offer, as well as our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database, which contains tens of thousands of short, critical reviews of books published in the United States for young people.
Thank you for registering. To have the latest stories delivered to your inbox, select as many free newsletters as you like below.
No thanks. Return to article
154 pp.
| Greenwillow
| April, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-200629-5$15.99
(4)
4-6
Six Crowns series.
Illustrated by
Gary Chalk.
In the third installment of the quick-paced series, hedgehogs Trundle and Esmeralda continue to flee from evil Captain Grizzletusk while seeking the next crown in their quest. This time they work to wake up a sleepy phoenix in an attempt to find the Crown of Fire. Exaggerated characters are sometimes more annoying than humorous.
282 pp.
| HarperCollins/Harper
| September, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-125222-8$16.99
(4)
4-6
Milly, Michael, Jason, and Jess, the stepsiblings from Be a Genie in Six Easy Steps, have the world's only phoenix roosting in their garden. While collecting magical egg-hatching aids, the children stumble into a sinister trap to sap the phoenix's power. Some flat characterizations and a moralizing tone detract from the adventure, but the plot has good pacing and plenty of suspense.
308 pp.
| Random
| September, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-375-86718-7$10.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-86718-4$13.99
(4)
4-6
Looking Glass Library series.
Illustrated by
H. R. Millar.
These sturdily bound editions include the full texts of children's literature classics with their original illustrations. Each title opens with an introduction by a contemporary children's writer; brief "About the Author" notes are appended. The compact trim size makes the font a little hard to read and the pictures a bit small. Otherwise, a decent selection. Review covers these Looking Glass Library titles: The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles and The Phoenix and the Carpet.
48 pp.
| KidHaven
| March, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7377-4045-5$26.20
(4)
4-6
Monsters series.
Each book introduces background myths and contemporary examples of the title creature, providing an overview of how stories have changed over time. Despite the volumes' dry writing, fans of Riordan's Percy Jackson books or similar adventures may enjoy learning more about mythical creatures. Photographs and illustrations enliven the texts. All but Pegasus includes website resources. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Monsters titles: Phoenix, Hydra, Pegasus, and Cerberus.
138 pp.
| Houghton
| September, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-23865-4$16.00
(3)
4-6
Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series.
Illustrated by
Kelly Murphy.
When his adventurer parents are declared lost at sea, Nathaniel Fludd is sent to live with an unusual relative. He promptly finds himself on a rickety plane to Arabia where he helps birth a phoenix, befriends a gremlin, and finds out exactly what it means to be a Fludd. LeFevers's droll text is accompanied by Murphy's well-textured black-and-white drawings.
40 pp.
| McElderry
| September, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-5347-0$21.99
(4)
K-3
Feng Huang wants to draw a phoenix, but she can't capture the essence of the mythical bird until she discovers "the phoenix powers of Wisdom, Clear Sight, Equality, Generosity, and Right Judgment." Demi's dramatic illustrations, with their signature touches of gold, help illuminate the concepts introduced, but the purposeful story remains rather abstract.
(3)
4-6
Tess, who has the ability to switch between human and animal forms, tries to free her old friend Kevin from captivity in a zoo while fending off the evil advances of Martin, a fellow switcher assuming the role of a vampire. Although this sequel to Switchers doesn't explain every plot twist satisfactorily, it's still a tighter, faster-paced novel than the first book.