Let's Get This Party Started!

[library_jim, Creator & Organizer]

So I created a Goodreads Group for middle grade (3rd - 8th) SF/Fantasy Fiction. I created a blog about it. I have been trying my hand at podcasting. I tweet and G+ about it. This month, when I tweeted about us reading The False Prince, I was even re-tweeted by the author!

So I figure this is the point where either this Goodreads group takes off, we get some actual conversation going about these books and more people join in and things get rolling...or I may pull the plug (or hand over the keys to one of you guys). We'll see how it goes.

This isn't a threat! I love the response I've gotten so far. It's just a bit echo-chamber-y for my taste. I'm going to actually read this book again this month with some of my 5th graders and get their input. That should liven things up a bit.

So it's time to do your part. Share this group with your friends on social media and comment and question away as you're reading. Or think about what you might do if I put you in charge next month...

Thanks,
Jim

[library_jim, Creator & Organizer]

I've got a group of 5th graders I've just started on reading this. I've told them there are some twists and surprises and NOT to ruin it for anyone until we've all read it. We'll see how that goes.

[Beth, Moderator]

Are they checking in here? My elementary book club doesn't start till next month (we just went back to school last week) but I might push to start with our October SF pick.

I've just started my reread of this -- I remember my kids loved it and I liked it but thought the main character was a bit unrealistically competent. My son thinks I underestimate children. I thought the kid seemed thirteen going on thirty.

[library_jim, Creator & Organizer]

I doubt I'll have them sign up for Goodreads, but I'll tell them about it and share their comments her in the forum.

I agree he was absurdly competent and the whole thing is pretty implausible. But it sure was fun and the kids seem to like it so far. We don't actually start meeting until next week but when I see them I ask how it's going. So far so good. I've warned them that those who finish first need to keep their yaps shut...

[Cliff, Moderator]

Just curious, did all of you read all three books in the Trilogy? These were fairly quick reads, so I did.

And I can understand the claims of mega-competence when you get into Books 2 and 3, but I think it's still kept fairly plausible in this first book.

What I'm curious to know is whether or not any of the surprises were truly that surprising to anyone? I don't know if it was because Jim said that he was reminded of this book when he read The Thief, but I pretty much saw through all of the plot twists fairly early on. In fact, I think that while I was reading the book, I would think to myself..."Oh, the author is going to make...such and such happen." And I was invariably right, throughout all three books. Maybe that attests to good writing on the author's part, that she was able to clue me in very quickly. But I think it's more likely that I had already seen most of the plots twists before.