Tag Archives: chris colfer

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell By Chris Colfer

Posted on by
Reply

I read a lot when I was younger and remember many great literary classics. But the book I remember most fondly is The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer.

The series consists of six books and follows the adventures of Alex and Conner Bailey, who find themselves teleported to a magical world through a strange storybook. It was always my favorite book to escape from when I needed a break from reality.

The plot of The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is fun and engaging! Colfer created a wonderful world of magic and wonders with many compelling characters. The characters are well-developed, with distinct personalities and motivations. The story keeps readers hooked with twists and turns, making it difficult to put the book down.

The book revolves around themes of friendship and the power of imagination. Through the characters’ experiences, the novel promotes the values of kindness, courage, and perseverance. For instance, Alex and Conner’s journey to find the Wishing Spell is not only a physical one but a mental one. They learn to trust their instincts and rely on each other, which ultimately helps them succeed in their quest. Their bond as siblings also grows, shown throughout a couple of books.

While The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is entertaining, it can sometimes be predictable. Some story elements may need to be more complex for older readers. Still, it may have been intentional since the series is aimed at younger readers. The book relies heavily on familiar fairy tale characters and settings, which may appeal to only some readers. It is generally intended for younger readers from fourth to seventh grade. It may not be for everyone, and that’s okay!

Finally, The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is a well-written and engaging novel exploring family, friendship, and imagination themes. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of surprises that will keep the reader wanting more. While the book may be predictable at times and may not appeal to all readers, it is an excellent choice for young readers who enjoy fantasy and fairy tales! The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is a fantastic read. I highly recommend it!

Happy Reading!
Bella H.

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: Struck by Lightning, by Chris Colfer

Posted on by
1

struck_by_lightning_coverIn the recently released book Struck by Lightning by Chris Colfer, high school senior Carson Phillips has big dreams, unlike others in the small town of Clover. Carson wants to attend Northwestern University and, then become a journalist for the New York Times. There is one problem: Carson has not yet gotten accepted into Northwestern yet.

In the book, Carson, along with maintaining the school newspaper and his writers club, needs to submit a literary magazine in order to get into his dream school. However, nobody in the high school likes Carson, or writing, and the only way Carson can get people to submit papers for his magazine is to blackmail students in his high school.

This book follows the storyline of a boy who struggles with life; both in school (with his college challenge)and outside of school (with his grandmother who has Alzheimer’s, his only parent mother who is a dysfunctional alcoholic, and his father, whom he never sees).

This book is well written and very engrossing. I literally picked it up and did not put it down until I had finished. This is a read for both boys and girls; however, I would recommend it to people who are at least 14. This a great new book that should be on every teen’s 2014 reading list.

-Will R., 9th grade