SBlack

Beautifully written and narrated

Revisado: 07-28-15

What made the experience of listening to Song of the Mountain the most enjoyable?

This book was a pleasure to listen to. It is elegantly written, with word choices and language that evoked the time and place of ancient China with a touch of magic thrown in. I found myself caught up in the story of Song and his journey to uncover his mysterious past. He is a character to whom many children can relate, and I think they will feel his successes and failures as keenly as I did. The author seemed to have great insight into human character in portraying Song’s struggles to forgive old enemies and take on his role to fulfill a prophecy.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Song of the Mountain?

The author painted vivid, descriptive scenes without weighing down the prose that left me with many poignant memories. In my mind, I could see the river and the mountain where Song lived, his little hut, and the opulent grounds of the Lord who owned it all. With some books, I find myself forgetting early details of the plot once I've reached the climax, but not so with this book. It has made a lasting impression on me that I won't soon forget.

Which scene was your favorite?

I especially loved the character of Karina, Song’s only friend, and the inspiring example she is for him. My favorite scene happened when Song must face Karina after his thoughtless actions wounded her feelings. Somehow, she finds it in her to forgive, and the two are strong friends once again. I think this teaches children that even though they will make mistakes, they can make amends and all will be right with the world again.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I really enjoyed listening to the audio version of the novel during a recent road trip, and thought the length was perfect for children. The narrator did a superb job of reading the story, with distinct voices for each character, so it almost seemed as if more than one person were reading. I would definitely recommend this audio book to children and parents alike.

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A pleasure to listen to!

Revisado: 07-22-14

What did you love best about The Dreamstone?

My daughter is an auditory learner, and she prefers audio books to the printed variety. For kids like her (who may struggle with reading the traditional way), this series is an excellent choice for hooking them on books! It has action, magic, strong characters, and life lessons all rolled into a neat little package that is sure to please any middle grader. Beyond that, the audiobook is a quality piece of work. The narrator was expressive and highly skilled. He gave a distinct voice to each of the characters that fit them perfectly. It was a pleasure to listen to!

What did you like best about this story?

With each book the author releases, his writing quality gets better and better! I've read all of his middle grade books, and I thought Mikey Brooks really hit his stride with this one! All the characters are solid, with real problems they’re struggling to overcome, like Parker’s anger at his estranged dad. Through the course of events, he learns how to begin the forgiveness process. I love it when a character grows and becomes a better person by the end of a book, and I found myself cheering for Parker and Kaelyn as they made the difficult choice to stand up for what’s right, pitting themselves against the more popular crowd at school. Moreover, their friendship continued to grow and develop in this novel, and I can’t wait to see where they’ll go from here.

Which character – as performed by Anthony Bianco – was your favorite?

Even though she doesn't make frequent appearances in this installment, Cerulean was my favorite character, for her spunk and her big heart. I liked the accent the narrator gave her. It fit her personality perfectly!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

In Dreams, no one can hear you scream.

Any additional comments?

The plot was well-paced and flowed naturally from one hurdle to the next. The only problem I have with this series is that the author likes to end on cliff-hangers, leaving us poor readers begging for the next installment! (Do I hear an evil laugh?) Kids aren’t the only ones who will gobble up this series faster than a plateful of pastries. In my mind, it’s right up there with Fablehaven, Far World, and the host of other National bestsellers that have graced the middle grade shelves in recent years.You won’t be disappointed by The Dreamstone!

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