refugeinabook: July 2015

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy by Jenny Nimmo

Charlie and his friends learn that a boy is hidden in the school, Ollie Sparks and become determined to sneak him out of Bloor's. The only catch is that he's invisible thanks to a magical boa. His older brother has come to the school as an art teacher in search for him. To make matters worse, a beautiful but suspicious young girl named Belle shows up at school, quickly siding with Manfred and his lackies (Asa, Dorcas and Zelda). And a sorcerer named Skarpo is on the loose and Charlie is to blame.
When it comes to character development, Billy finally admits to what Ezekial Bloor made him do, and decides to no longer be a spy. He and Charlie become friends again, a happy occurrence.
Benjamin Brown takes a holiday from this book (literally), going to Hong Kong with his family. I'm not sure about the author's decision behind this. Maybe this way we can focus on the other characters, after all, there are many.
Belle is creepy new character that we don't know what to think of. She is obviously more than she seems.
Charlie's character development is limited to him making a big mistake when he goes into a painting. Peton soundly scolds him but we're not sure he has learned anything from it.
To see how it ends up with the missing sorcerer, is surprising to say the least. It ends up playing a small role, which confused me. But considering how most of the book is preoccupied with Ollie Sparks, Skarpo simply serves as a way for Charlie to get his new wand. I wasn't sure if I liked this at first but on second thought, he did serve a purpose.
The most dramatic of scenes is when Charlie and his friends head to the Yewbeam Aunts' house to steal a plant that will heal Peton. That and when the aunts' attempt to kill Julia Ingledew (Emma's aunt and Peton's love interest) and Peton confronts them. That's probably one of the most rewarding scenes in the book.
For another story of adventure, creepy villains, and determined heroes, I give "Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy" four out of five stars.

If you want to learn more about the author, check out her website.

Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo

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Charlie Bone is just a normal ten year old boy until he discovers that he can hear voices from photographs and learns he is a descendent of the Red King. From then on, his life is never the same. He's sent to Bloor's Academy, a school for children who are specially endowed in art, acting, or music. And then there's kids like Charlie, who have other...less common gifts. Soon he discovers a missing girl is currently attending the school, and he finds himself on a quest to reawaken her memories and return her to her aunt.
Benjamin Brown, Charlie's neighbor and best friend, is a rather serious boy, who never goes anywhere without his dog, Runner Bean.
Blly Raven, an orphan who can speak to animals (my fave ability) has his friendship with Charlie impeded when he is used by the owner of the school as a spy, with promises of parents for poor, Billy.
Olivia Vertigo is the only female character but she plays that part well, bold and charming and always eager to help Charlie with whatever he needs.
Charlie's Uncle Peyton, is a tall, dark and mysterious figure who only goes out after dark due to his ability of power surging and destroying light bulbs.
Fidelio Gunn, a musically talented student, becomes Charlie's fast friend.
Gabriel Silk, who has the unique talent of reading memories from objects of clothes, becomes friends with Charlie as well.
Tancred Torsson, a blonde weather controller, and Lysander Sage, an African boy who has the power to summon his ancestors, are Charlie's upper classman who look out for him.
Jenny Nimmo presents a wide range of characters, all incredibly unique and likeable as well as a unique world where descendants of the Red King all have abilities unique to them. The only downside is, because of their vast amount, you don't fully get to know everyone, Tancred, Lysander, and Fidelio getting very small roles. The Villains: Ezekial Bloor, Manfred Bloor, and his lackey Asa Pike are mostly in the wings and we only get an introduction to their powers (Manfred, being a hypnotizer, and Asa, a shapeshifter). And of course, there's the Yewbeam Aunts, who seem to be caught up in every misdeed Charlie encounters.
The story is well paced, with enough information coming out, from discovering the lost girl, to reawakening her memories. My only complaint is that you have to get halfway through the book until we even get to Bloor's Academy.
Jenny Nimmo is one of the few authors that I have read that has a sense of humor that easily comes across on the page and more than once I found myself laughing or just smiling at her wit. I give "Midnight for Charlie Bone" four stars out of five.
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If you want to buy her book, you can get it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Children-Red-King-Midnight-Charlie/dp/0545174139/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416650397&sr=1-1&keywords=midnight+for+charlie+bone">Amazon.com.</a>
To learn more about the author and all of her great books, check out her <a href="http://www.jennynimmo.me.uk/">website.</a>
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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy by Jenny Nimmo

Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo