The Return BOOK TWO: Legacy of Secrets by: Ridley Pearson

Book one in Ridley Pearson's newest series ended with a cliff hanger so I had to read book two as soon as I could.  The Legacy of Secrets picks up where Disney Lands ended and it didn't disappoint this reader.  I loved it and I look forward to book three!

Finn, Charlene, Maybeck, Willa and Philby (all who are DHIs) find themselves in the Disneyland park on opening day 1955.  They are there to retrieve a fountain pen owned by Walt Disney but soon find themselves working with a young Wayne the man who creates the DHIs in present day.  An old Hotel that reminds them of the Tower of Terror seems to be headquarters of what will become the Overtakers.  Finn tries to find a way to stop the Overtakers before they begin but what will that mean to their own futures?

The DHIs encounter a few problems because of the lack of technology of the 1950s and this causes a few problems as they work to find Walt's pen.  They do their best to blend into the guests at the park but find that hard to do.  Some of their adventures become quite dangerous.  Will they ever be able to complete their task?  It is an important task as it will save all of the Disney parks.

In the present time Jess and Amanda are attending imagineering school and are trying to find a way to bring their friends back to the present.  Jess and Amanda work with a few new friends and begin to figure out who is responsible for the creation of the Overtakers.  When Finn is able to send a message to Amanda and Jess through time the girls work on finding as much information as they can without getting caught and losing their place in the school.  They also must find a way to communicate with Finn.  They are able to find a way to communicate but can they also save their friends?

This is one action packed story that will have you staying up late turning page after page.  I think any fan of Disney will love this book but if you like adventure you will love it too.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

The Return BOOK ONE: Disney Lands by: Ridley Pearson

If you are a fan of the Kingdom Keepers series you will want to pick up The Return BOOK ONE: Disney Lands at your local library or bookstore very soon.  I didn't realize that Ridley Pearson had written the first of a new series with the Kingdom Keeper characters until I attended the 2016 LA Times Book Festival.  It was a highlight to meet Mr. Pearson, take a photo and get my book signed.

The five Kingdom Keepers (Finn, Philby, Charlene, Maybeck and Willa) have graduated from High School and will be headed off to different colleges soon.  Finn is convinced that their friend, Wayne, has one more assignment for them.  Finn crosses over and figures out a couple of clues left by Wayne, Finn is taken back in time to Disneyland's early years.  It takes awhile for Finn to convince the others that they need to find Walt Disney's fountain pen and put it where they can find it to save the Disney parks.  The others know they have already saved Disney parks and were able to get rid of the villains.  Finn knows they have done this but in all the photos of Walt's office the fountain pen isn't there and he believes they need to place it on his desk so that it is there when they need it in the future.  Soon all five are crossing over and headed back in time to opening day of Disneyland.  The park in 1955 is very different than the park they know today.

Friends of the Keepers, Jess and Amanda, are attending Disney's School of Imagineering and are soon helping them again.  They are trying to be careful about what they are doing so that they can stay in the school but they are learning some interesting secrets about Disneyland.

Fun and adventure fills this book.  I had to go and buy book two of the series the day after finishing book one.  Keep looking here for my review of book 2.

Happy Daily Reading!
Deanna

Ridley Pearson and me at the 2016 LA Times Book Festival

The Lincoln Project by: Dan Gutman

Flashback Four is a new series by author Dan Gutman and the first in the series The Lincoln Project will have you eagerly waiting for book number two.

Luke, Julia, David and Isabel receive invitations from Chris Zandergoth (Miss Z) and even though they don't know who sent the invitation they are curious enough to go and learn more.  It is at Miss Z's company that the four meet for the first time and are surprised to learn that they have been selected to go back in time to get a photo of an American historical event.  Miss Z has invented a smart board that takes people back in time and she believes that children can get the job done better than adults.  Miss Z wants a photo of President Abraham Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address.

Once the four arrive in Gettysburg it isn't as easy as they think it will be.  They arrive one day too early and they need to try to fit into the 1863 lifestyle.  Which is VERY different than life in 2016.  A couple of them are tempted to take an item or two from 1863 and bring it back to the future.  This cannot happen!   When President Lincoln gives his speech they must act fast, it is a short speech.   But, do they get the photo for Miss Z?  Miss Z is a collector of photos she believes that if you don't have a photo you don't have proof that the event really happened?  So, come along on a great adventure with the "Flashback Four" to see if they get the shot for Miss Z.  The adventure is worth it as you learn more about our history as well as enjoy the adventures of our four time travelers.

After Reading this book go and read some more about President Lincoln.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Blast to the Past LINCOLN'S LEGACY by: Stacia Deutsch & Rhody Cohon

Authors Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon have written a great time travel book in the first of their series Blast to the Past, Lincoln's Legacy.  Mr. Caruthers begins his elementary school lessons every Monday with a question "What if...?".  This week he asks "What if Abraham Lincoln quit and never issued the Emancipation Proclamation?"  Students are asked this question and they talk about what the United States might be like today if that event had never happened.  Four students are asked to come after school to Mr. Caruthers' class and it is then that they are able to travel back in time and meet Abraham Lincoln.

The Civil War isn't going well and Lincoln isn't sure he should give his Emancipation Proclamation.  The students  help convince him that he is doing the right thing and that he must move forward even if he thinks the Union might lose the war.  The students return to school and cannot wait for next Monday, when they once again have the opportunity to answer "What if...?"

Fans of Magic Tree House books will enjoy this series.  At the end of the stor, the authors tell the reader about the historical facts in the story.  I enjoyed learning a little bit of history through the eyes of these four young students.

Stacia Deutsch and me

After reading this book go and read more about the life of Abraham Lincoln.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna