Penumbras (Middle School Magic) -- Braden Bell

Conner, Lexa, and Melanie are back! Just when they think life is normal again, a dangerous shadow creature begins to hunt them. The trio must develop their powers in order to conquer this new peril and protect their school. Filled with action and even more magic, this book continues the exciting adventure in the Middle School Magic series. (GoodReads)

Another fun book in the series by Braden Bell. Middle school students who have already read The Kindling will enjoy this one too. As the story continues, the kids work to balance not only their newly discovered capabilities to Kindle which allows them to protect their school, but also work in time for music rehearsals and auditions for The Sound of Music. Oh, and don’t forget the budding romance that Conner and Melanie develop, despite his twin sister Lexa’s jealousy and feelings she’s no longer part of the group.

The crafting of story and development of character was much better this time around, something that adult readers will especially notice. Middle school readers will appreciate the action scenes galore, although at times I felt like we should have less action and more understanding of how the characters were feeling. About halfway through it seemed we were sitting back, watching the action from the sidelines as event after event was being thrown at us, almost as though we were watching a highlight reel from this summer’s action movies.

But no matter, my students loved The Kindling and I think they will not only love this one as well, but be anxious for more, a treat Bell promises us in the final line.

An exciting second book, worthy of being added to the library shelves.(Review copy provided by NetGalley)

 

The Kindling - Braden Bell

Home work? Of course. Crushes? Sure. But who knew seventh grade included superpowers?

All thirteen-year-old Conner Dell wants is to pass pre-algebra, play lacrosse, and possibly kiss Melanie Stephens. He didn't mean to set anyone's gym shorts on fire, or make school lunches explode. But now that the strange powers inside him have been ignited, Conner's normal teenage life is about to go up in flames!

One “dark and stormy night,” Conner, his twin sister, Lexa, and her friend Melanie are studying at home, and all is well, despite the storm. Until Melanie opens the front door. 

Waiting in the street is danger, and they all three sense it. The lights go out, the dogs bark furiously, then mysteriously stop, and a lone man, dressed in black, is standing in the street. A coincidence? A scene right out of a scary movie? 

Perhaps it's all innocent enough, until the same man is spotted near their school. Who is this guy, and what does he have to do with magi, kindling, and the Dark Force? 

Bell weaves magic and telepathy into what most would consider the mundane world of middle school in this easy-to-read novel. Although at times as an adult reader, I felt the world-building needed to be a little stronger, and occasionally the telepathic talk was confusing, the book was enjoyable and has received great reviews from my students who are curious about what will happen next in the lives of Conner and Lexa. 

Years of teaching middle school students has helped the author target the voice he gives to the characters, as well as the emotions they experience at discovering their lives are now special and in danger. The Kindling   could serve as a gateway for young readers interested in moving from juvenile books which average 100 pages, toward heftier novels such as Harry Potter, helping readers build their skills in text complexity. 

Recommend for grades 5-8, depending on the student's independent reading skills.