“The Erec Rex series is the best!”
“No it’s not! Ranger’s Apprentice is way better!”
“No way.”
“Yeah, and there’s more books! There’s Ruins of Gorlan, The Burning Bridge, Icebound Land, Battle for Skandia, Sorcerer of the North, Wrath of the Bloodeye, Siege of MacIndaw, and Erak’s Ransom.”
“Erec Rex has a lot of books too! There’s Dragon’s Eye, Monsters of Otherness, and Search for Truth.”
“See? That’s only three.”
A car full of nine year olds, rattling off book titles like trading card names, warms my heart. The literary battle came to a draw once the birthday party caravan reached our destination. Laser tag and arcade games ensued, but I was left with a glowing feeling, knowing that the Erec Rex series I had signed by my friend Kaza Kingsley and had gifted to my kid’s 3rd/4th grade classroom had found its mark.
Someday, I told my husband, I want to write a whole series of kid’s books that will have children memorizing the titles and boasting to their friends. One step at a time . . .
When I was 9, I would have been arguing for Narnia (or Ender's Game) — there wasn't too much MG fantasy out there back then.
I agree – I didn't even know kid's books existed when I was a kid (mostly because they didn't). Kids have it to much better these days! 🙂
I had not heard of the Erec Rex series. Going ot have to check that out. Neal has finished the Ranger's Apprentice books and we are waiting for the next one's release in May (already preordered through Amazon). He decided to give the Chronicles of Prydain a try and is on the third book now. That was another of those books (along with Ruins of Gorlan) that I bought and then he left sitting around for months. When will he just start trusting me? 😉 I too didn't read much as a kid. It was pretty much just the books I was forced to read and the Little House series. haha I'm so glad it's different or my kids!
I loved how they memorized the titles as well. I just blogged about how surprised I was my 6 year old, after hearing the How to Train Your Dragon Titles twice had thezm almost all memorized.
Boys reading multiple books–my heart is warmed now too!
Rhonda – Kaza has a 4th Erec Rex book coming out soon, and has a contract to do 9! Which is awesome for her, and her small fans! Since Ink rec'd the Chronicles of Prydain, I've had it on my TBR – let me know if your son reviews them and I will link over here.
I think the kids start trusting you when they are 30.
Jackee – How to Train Your Dragon sounds awesome – I'm going to have to check that out for Mighty Mite!
I will let you know if he does Susan. He's been so busy with school projects and Cub Scouts lately that he's amassed a back log of books he's read but not yet reviewed. Fourth grade is harder these days than I remember it!
How wonderful to hear children so enthusiastic about writing! I hope that love of reading stays with them always. Clicked over from Jackee's, enjoyed browsing …
Joanne – thanks for stopping by! I like to think their love of reading has been built by years of parental influence – but it's probably just the awesome books!
Oh, that's a wonderful dream to have! And what a great gift to give to the classroom 🙂
I'm SO glad you're reading Erec Rex. I'm been beating the drum for those books for two years. Also want to know how you like Leviathan.
I have to finish Erec Rex so I can do a proper review/plug. And I LOVE Leviathan. Love, love, love! I want to be Scott Westerfeld when I grow up.