Ranger's Apprentice The Early Years: The Tournament at Gorlan

By John Flanagan

When Halt and Crowley discover that the ambitious Morgarath has been infiltrating the Rangers in order to corrupt the Corps, the young Rangers travel north to find Prince Duncan, seeking a royal warrant to stop Morgarath before it is too late. By weakening the Ragners, the most powerful force in support of the King, Morgarath plans to steal the throne.

Yet when Halt and Crowley arrive in Gorlan, they discover just how close Morgarath has a plan to discredit the Prince and alienate him from his father. At the same time, the Baron of Gorlan has been conspiring to win the trust and admiration of the Council of Barons to further his plan. If the young Rangers are to prevent the coup from succeeding, they will have to tread a dangerous path, which leads them to a thrilling climax at the annual tournament at Gorlan, where a series of bitter duels must be fought and won.

This origin story brings readers to a time before Will was an apprentice, and lays the groundwork for the epic battles that will culminate with The Ruins of Gorlan and The Burning Bridge.

YES!!! I love you forever and ever Mr. Flanagan for giving me more Ranger’s Apprentice! Especially since this new series, (yes series!) is all about my man Halt. If you read The Lost Stories, you know the story called The Hibernian, which explains how Halt came to know Crowley and also how he was trained as a Ranger. This book picks up where The Hibernian leaves off, and brings us right into the rise of the evil Morgarath and his plot to take over Araluen. We’ve got sword fights, torture, revenge, chases, escapes, true love…well it’s not the Princess Bride, but it’s just as good! I love this series, and I’ll recommend it to pretty much anybody who likes a warm friendship filled adventure. Keep ‘em coming Mr. Flanagan!

It gets a 4 out of 5

Brotherband 5: Scorpion Mountain

By John Flanagan

Hal, his Brotherband crew, and the Ranger Gilan have freed the twelve Araluens sold into slavery. Returning to Araluen, Gilan is given a new mission by King Duncan: protect his daughter’s life. Princess Cassandra has survived one attempt on her life already, and now whispers of a second attempt have reached the kingdom. A deadly sect known as the Scorpion Cult is thought to be behind the assassination threat.

Not waiting to see if the knife will strike true, the Brotherband again team up with Gilan to track down the would-be killers.

Having loved the 4^th Brotherband I was excited to delve into this latest installation, hoping against hope that there would be a cameo appearance from some of the other Rangers. Sadly, they were mentioned but not seen. It was, however, a fun romp as usual. I enjoyed especially Thorn’s parts in the story. I loved Halt in Ranger’s Apprentice, and now I find myself enjoying Thorn as a Skandian sort of version of the surly Ranger.  What can I say about the story other than it’s chuck full of action, adventure, diabolical schemes to be foiled, friendship, honor, and some good old fashioned brawls? As per usual with John Flanagan, he’s delivered a top notch story that will have readers of all ages begging for more, which they already do! I’m glad Flanagan decided to give Gilan a spotlight in these books, as he wasn’t often in Rangers with a large part to play. Keep on reading they just keep getting better!

I give it a 3.75 out of 5

Brotherband 4: Slaves of Socorro

By John Flanagan

Hal and his fellow Herons have returned home to Skandia after defeating the pirate captain Zavac and reclaiming Skandia’s most prized artifact, the Andomal. With their honor restored, the Herons turn to a new mission: tracking down an old rival turned bitter enemy. Tursgud—leader of the Shark Brotherband and Hal’s constant opponent—has turned from a bullying youth into a pirate and slave trader. After Tursgud captures twelve ARaluen villagers to sell as slaves, the Heron crew sails into action…with the help of one of Araluen’s finest Rangers!

Brotherband has been a fun read from John Flanagan, but it hasn’t gotten up to par with Ranger’s Apprentice for me…until this book. I loved this installment. Maybe it was just that in the previous 3 books I didn’t like the antagonist Zavac. But this just had more of the tone and pacing that I came to expect from Rangers Apprentice. Perhaps it also was the fact that I was familiar with the characters and Flanagan was able to pull more out of them because they were well established. Or maybe it was the fact that Gilan was a consistent character! Yay! When worlds collide eh? Loved seeing a familiar face (so to speak) and it was fun to see Gilan in a more prominent role than in Rangers. He was more of a secondary character and having him as the sole Ranger in this trip was great. I enjoyed the plot as well, saving the slaves from Araluen and having to play cloak and dagger with Hal and the Herons. This was a fantastic addition to the Brotherband series, the best so far, and I can’t wait to read the next book and see some more familiar faces!

I give it a 4 out of 5. 

Ranger's Apprentice 12: The Royal Ranger

By John Flanagan

Will Treaty has come a long way from the small boy with dreams of knighthood. Life had other plans for him, and as an apprentice Ranger under Halt, he grew into a legend—the finest Ranger the kingdom has ever known. Yet Will is facing a tragic battle that has left him grim and alone. To add to his problems, the time has come to take on an apprentice of his own, and it’s the last person he ever would have expected. Fighting his personal demons, Will has to win the trust and respect of his difficult new companion—a task that at times seems almost impossible.

I was incredibly excited when I found out John Flanagan was going to add one last book to my beloved Ranger’s Apprentice series. When I found out that it would feature an older Will with an apprentice of his own I was even more excited. The dynamics of this particular Ranger’s Apprentice was, of course, different and took me a bit to get into as I was expecting a solo Will and a younger one. The jump in time was hard to adjust to, but once done I was right there enjoying seeing old friends and getting to know new ones. Maddie, Will’s new apprentice, is an arrogant spoiled brat. Oh and she happens to be the Princess of Araluen. Her parents are desperate and hope that training as a Ranger will help iron out Maddie’s attitude. Needless to say, it’s fun to see Will in the situation that Halt was in when Will became his apprentice. Will is the greybeard famous ranger now, with more than a little in common with Halt, but thankfully, still very much himself. The best part of this book was seeing old friends and also the epilogue. One thing I really appreciate about John Flanagan’s books, he never leaves you feeling sad or anxious. Everything, while not perfect, is good. He always leaves his readers smiling and hopeful. This has been a wonderful series, and here’s to Mr. Flanagan letting us see his Ranger’s characters in Brotherband every so often!

This gets a 3.75 out of 5- dangerously close to a 4.

Brotherband 3: The Hunters

By John Flanagan

They’d had him in their grasp. Hal and his fellow Herons had tracked Zavac across the ocean, intent on recovering the stolen Andomal, Skandia’s most prized treasure. But after a battle that left the pirate crew counting their dead, Zavac narrowly slipped through the skandian’s fingers. Now, with one of their own recovering from the fight, the Herons take to the seas. But to bring the pirate captain to justice and put an end to his reign of terror, Hal and his crew must bluff their way into the most dangerous stronghold of all—the infamous Pirate Haven of Raguza. In the dramatic climax to the first Brotherband story arc, one crew will lose its captain, and the other will never be the same.

 

I love John Flanagan’s feel-good adventures; these books are especially great for boys, as he started writing his other series for his son. These books have so much nautical information that it can be a little daunting to follow where exactly things are on the Heron. I’m not seafaring at all, and I was wishing for an intricate map of the Heron so I could follow what things looked like and where they were. Imagination is great, but it got a little fuzzy for me. That being said, it was great fun to read about the end of the first journey of the Heron Brotherband and I expect to be more and more entertained as more books emerge. I still prefer Ranger’s Apprentice over Brotherband, mostly because the ships and sea voyages don’t interest me as much and leave me a little fuddled. It really is a great new series with the same fun and adventure of the old. I especially like Ingvar, he is one of my favorite characters.  Content-wise there is a few instances of language and of course they fight and kill pirates, but it is tactfully done and not bloody at all. I would recommend this book for kids 5-6^th grade and above.

 I give it 3.5 out of 5 Because it’s nice to find a wholesome adventure.

Brotherband 2: The Invaders

By John Flanagan

 As champions of the Brotherband competition, Hal and the rest of the Herons were given on simple assignment: safeguard the Skandians most sacred artifact, the Andomal.

They failed.

To redeem themselves, the Herons must track down the thief Zavac and his pirate crew and recover the Andomal. But that means traversing stormy seas, surviving a bitter winter, and battling a group of deadly bandits willing to protect their prize at all costs.



It took me quite a while to get my hands on the second installment of the Brotherband series, and now the third one is out and I am once again behind! At least I know I've got a good book waiting for me at all times.  This second book is great, we pick up with Hal and the crew of the Heron where we left them searching for the Andomal. While a little slow at times, Flanagan does an excellent job at describing the seamanship and training the boys go through in their quest and I was interested if not enthrawlled the entire time. True to form, this book has a great adventure tacked on and ingenuity abounds as Hal must figure out how to help a city get their town back from the terrible pirate Zavac and his men. You see more character development in this book and get to like everyone better, though I still hold a major bias and say that Ranger's Apprentice holds a pretty special place in my heart...along with Will, Halt, and Horace. :)

I give it a 3 1/2 out of 5

Brotherband: The Outcasts

By John Flanagan


Hal never knew his father. A Skandian warrior, he died in battle when Hal was a young boy, but his reputation lives on long after his death.
Hal, unlike his esteemed father, is an outcast. In a country that values physical strength over intellect, Hal’s ingenuity and the fact that his mother was an Araluen slave, only serves to set him apart from the other boys his age.
The one thing he has in common with his peers? Brotherband training. Forced to compete in tests of endurance and strength and to learn the skills needed to become a Skandian warrior, Hal discovers that he’s not the only outcast in this land of seafaring marauders. And that his battle for acceptance has just begun.

So I admit, I had a hard time getting into this new series from John Flanagan because I was going through Rangers withdrawl. (You who read this blog know how much I loved that series) But as soon as I got about 3 chapters in, I was intrigued and not long after I was hooked. Hal's story is so much fun, and who hasn't felt like an outcast at one point in their lives? He is really relateable, and his group of renegades are so much fun. There's the twins, who are constantly impersonating each other and bickering non-stop, the giant of a boy who is pretty much blind, and Hal's best friend Stig, who is a loose cannon but highly loyal to Hal. There is also the brooding Thorn, the best friend to Hal's father, and Hal's mentor. This has all the makings of another blockbuster hit; I'll just say this, I can't wait to see where the next book takes Hal and the crew of the Heron (Hal's ship). Try it out if you like viking stuff! (Or love Mr. Flanagan's books!)

4 out of 5

The Lost Stories of Araluen

By John Flanagan


They were mysterious. Some claim they were merely the stuff of legend—the Rangers with their mottled green-and-grey cloaks and their reputation as defenders of the Kingdom. Reports of their brave battles vary, but we know of at least ten accounts, most of which feature a boy—turned man—named Will and his mentor, Halt. There are reports, as well, of others who fought alongside the Rangers, such as the young warrior Horace, a courageous princess named Evanlyn, and a cunning diplomat named Alyss. Yet this crew left very little behind and their existence has never been able to be proved. Until now, that is…Behold the Lost Stories.

Okay, if you plan to read the Rangers Apprentice series, please don't read down here, I'll give a few things away! That was your fair warning. :)

*Sigh* This was bittersweet to read. The last Rangers book! Sad day, but very fun to read. This is a book that John Flanagan wrote in response to reader's questions throughout his popular series Rangers Apprentice. I'll just tell you about my two favorite stories, but the rest are quite wonderful as well. First, was the story of Horace and Evanlyn's wedding, it was packed with humor, close shaves, intrigue, and of course romance. It was like reading a mini novel in 20 pages! Some of the others weren't quite like that, but still good. I loved reading about their wedding. My second favorite story was about how Halt becomes a part of the Ranger Corps. That was so fantastic I about died! Mr. Flanagan, if you happen to come across this blog and see my remarks, please consider making Halt's life into your next lovely wonderful series (after Brotherband of course!) It was absolutely hilarious looking at Halt as a young(er) buck and taking out the bad guys and saving crowly's neck. :) This series has brought some great entertainment and smiles to my life. One of the few series out there that is just purely...good. You don't get weighed down with crap, it's just a great story about good and great people living their lives and saving the kingdom. I can't recommend this one enough.

4 1/2out of 5 (for this particular book, many are 5 out of 5!)

Rangers Apprentice 10: The Emperor of Nihon-Ja

By John Flanagan

In his brief time as an Araluen warrior, Horace has traveled the known world and fought countless bloody battles. All for his country, his king, and his friends. For all that is right.
When Horace travels to the exotic land of Nihon-Ja to study the senshi fighting technique, it isn’t long before he finds himself pulled into a battle that is no his- but one he knows in his heart he must wage. The Nihon-Ja emperor, a defender of the common man, has been forcibly dethroned, and only Horace, Will, and their Araluen friends, along with a group of untrained woodcutters and farmers, can restore the emperor to the throne.

So this is the final adventure of Will, Halt, and Horace. :( I actually read this one very slowly with that knowledge so I could make every last second count. And Mr. Flanagan still gets kudos from this fan. I did like the previous 2 books better than this last one, but it was still the characters I know and love, so I can't not enjoy reading it. This book follows Horace more closely than in any previous book as he takes up the fight to protect Shigeru, the empereror of Nihon-Ja (Japan) when one of his Senshi (Samurai) Lords rebells against his plan to give the common people more say in their lives. Of course, we get to see Will and Halt along with old friend Selethen. And not to mention the feuding girls Alyss and Evanlyn. A great end to a great adventure.

Want to know something awesome though? John Flanagan is writing a book entitled The Lost Tales of Araluen which will include stories to fill in gaps he left between books...so while this is the official end, this isn't the last we've heard from the Ranger Corps! And Mr. Flanagan is also starting a new book series titled Brotherband about a group of Skandian boys which I think were mentioned at a point in this last book. I'm happy to not have to leave the Araluen world completely. :)

Ranger's Apprentice: Halt's Peril (Book 9)

By John Flanagan

Rangers walk the line between life an death every day, but never before ahs that line appeared so thin or death felt so certain.
Hot on the trail of the Outsiders- a cult that’s been making its way from kingdom to kingdom, conning the innocent out of their few valuables- Will and Halt are ambushed by the cult’s deadly assassins. Pierced by a poisoned arrow, Will’s mentor is near death and in dire need of the one antidote that can save his life. Time is not on Will’s side as he journeys day and night through the harsh terrain to Grimsdell wood in search of the one person with the power to cure Halt: Malkallam the Sorcerer.

Have I mentioned how awesome this series is? This latest installation is no exception to the incredibly fun story of Will, Halt, and Horace. I can't talk too much about the book without giving things away. I'll just say, it's pretty heart-wrenching. But full of laughs as well. Horace will keep you rolling with his sense of humor. My favorite it when Halt gives him an extra camoflage cloak and he grins, pulling the hood up and says, "Can you see me?" I laughed pretty hard. It reminded me of those camo shirts that say, "Ha ha, you can't see me now." It just tickled my funny bone. Great series. Great I say!!

Ranger's Apprentice 8: The Kings of Clonmel

By John Flanagan

When mankind seeks protection from the world’s many dangers, they put their faith in warriors, kings, gods, and even money. In the neighboring kingdom of Clonmel, a mysterious cult has sprung up, promising defense against lawless marauders in exchange for people’s riches. Their sermons are attracting audiences from miles around, but there’s a dark side to this seemingly charitable group, prompting Halt, Will and Horace to investigate. What the trio uncovers could threaten the safety of not only Clonmel, but their homeland of Araluen as well.
In this new installment to the series that has sold millions of copies and garnered worldwide acclaim, secrets will be revealed and battles to the death will be waged. And this is only the beginning…

How long I have been waiting to read this book! Being an avid fan of the Ranger's Apprentice series, I was so happy to find that my local library was finally FINALLY carrying them. While being a poor college student, I wasn't able to buy it, but now I can keep up with my favorite Rangers. :) I am a happy soul.

This latest adventure didn't let me down in the least. Halt, Will and Horace are together once more to solve the riddle of The Outsiders, a suspicious religious cult that is anything but charitable. We find out lots of secrets about Halt's life in this one, for which I was super happy. Won't spoil it though, and I will shamelessly say once more (as I do with each of these books I review) READ THEM IF YOU HAVEN'T YET!!!!!!!!!

Ranger's Apprentice 6: The Siege of Macindaw

By John Flanagan

In Book 6 of the popular Ranger’s Apprentice series, Will, his friend Horace, and a sorcerer/healer join forces with a fierce but loyal troop of Skandians to recapture Castle Macindaw, rescue Alyss from its tower, and restore the castle to its rightful owner. Series fans will relish the familiar details of warfare and comradeship as well as the surprising fireworks in both war and love. While this satisfying novel could be enjoyed as a separate volume, it is best read in series order, as it concludes the story of Will’s first mission as a Ranger, an adventure begun in Book 5.

The climax has approached. Keren is all set for the Scoti to invade Araluen via Castle Macindaw. Will has to think on his feet to figure out an immediate solution to a potentially disasterous situation. Holy crap. I was even wondering how he would pull this one off. This was the first time he didn’t have Halt or one of the other Ranger’s to bounce ideas off of, everyone was looking to him for guidance. Talk about pressure! I liked it because it showed how Will is really growing up, and heck yes, it has some pretty awesome battles and some intenseness at the end between Will and Alyss. I was left feeling very content and with an overall full feeling. I am looking forward to book 8 coming out this year. I love finding new stories that are fantastically told!

Ranger's Apprentice 5: The Sorcerer of the North

By John Flanagan

Will is finally a full-fledged Ranger with his own fief to look after. The fief seems sleepy-boring even-until Lord Syron, master of a castle far in the north, is struck down by a mysterious illness. Joined by his friend Alyss, Will is suddenly thrown headfirst into an extraordinary adventure, investigating fears of sorcery and trying to determine who is loyal to Lord Syron. As Will battles growing hysteria, traitors, and most of all, time, Alyss is taken hostage, and Will is forced to make a desperate choice between his mission and his friend.


This story was pretty fun because it’s the first time that Halt is not a humungous feature in the novel. Will is a Ranger now and has to figure things out for himself. I really enjoyed how Flanagan pointed out that Will, while being very young, is in all reality, a true Ranger and not to be messed with. It’s fun to see Will with Alyss, whom we haven’t really seen since the first Ranger’s Apprentice book. It’s really fast-paced and lots of fun. I didn’t laugh quite so much as the last book, but it was still highly enjoyable. This is also another of his books where you can’t just stop because it just hangs in the middle of the story. It made me immediately search out the next book. So, for future reference, make sure book 6 is handy when you start this one.

Ranger's Apprentice 7: Erak's Ransom

By John Flanagan

What does it mean to earn the Silver Oakleaf of a Ranger? So few men have done so. For Will, a mere boy and apprentice to the most difficult Ranger to please, that symbol of honor has long seemed out of reach. If he is to ever earn it, he must prove himself in ways he never imagined.
Now, in the wake of Araluen's uneasy truce with the raiding Skandians comes word that the Skandian leader, Erak, has been captured by a desert tribe. The Rangers, along with a small party of warriors, are sent to free him. But the desert is like nothing these warriors have seen before. Strangers in a strange land, they are brutalized by sandstorms, beaten by the unrelenting heat, tricked by on tribe that plays by its own rules, and surprisingly befriended by another. Like a mirage, nothing is as it seems.
Yet one thing is constant: the bravery of the Rangers.


First things first: Yes, I read book 7 before book 5. There is a reason. Before the book starts, Mr. Flanagan explains that Erak's Ransom in fact takes place at a time before the contents of books 5 and 6 take place. He was filling in the gap that he felt he had left. That being said, it is my humble opinion that you should just go ahead and read the books in the order that appears on their covers. I was constantly irked when reading 5 and 6 because there was no mention of events that had supposedly taken place already. And there were some pretty significant events. So, I say read them in order. It took a huge leap of faith for me to read out of order, because that totally goes against my mild case of OCD, but I can see why I was recommended to do so, for the sake of having the story go sequentially, but you can tell the order it was written. Keep the course is what I say.
As for the book itself, it was, as usual delightful. I enjoyed the desert theme, as it was different than all previous books. The characters are very rich, and I just love the Skandians can I say that? I don't know why, there is just this almost innocent Neanderthal-like quality that greatly amuses me and makes me laugh. And of course, we get plenty of Halt, Evanlyn, Horace, and Will. Yay! Gotta love these books. I'll say it again, if you haven't started you need to!

Ranger's Apprentice 4: The Battle For Skandia

By John Flanagan

Far from home after escaping slavery in Skandia, Will and Evanlyn’s plans to return are spoiled when Evanlyn is taken captive. Will employs his Ranger training to locate his friend, but soon finds himself fatally outnumbered-until Halt and Horace make a daring, last-minute rescue. But their reunion is cut short by the discovery that Skandia’s borders have been breached by the Temujai army-and Araluen is next in their sights. Only an unlikely union can save the two kingdoms, but can it hold long enough to vanquish a ruthless new enemy?

Have I mentioned that I really really love this series? Mr Flanagan, you are a great story-teller! I am captivated with the twists and turns, the military tactics, and the good old fashioned comradery and friendships. Each character is so well developed and just darn likable (or in some cases unlikeable) that it makes me smile and cringe when the plot takes unlikely turns. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments, that I was in a thoroughly good mood when I finished. I’ve enjoyed Skandia- the fictional mirror of Norway and the Vikings. It’s just fun and completely action-packed. I can’t wait to find out what happens next! If you like fiction at all, if you enjoy knights, swords, bows, and spies, you will adore Flanagan’s series. If I had Jedi mind powers I would wave my hands and say, “you will start reading it now, and you will love it as much as I do." :D

Ranger's Apprentice 3: The Icebound Land

By John Flanagan

Help can arrive from the most unexpected places.

Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as the captives of the fearsome Skandian wolfship captain, Erak. Halt has sworn to rescue Will, and he will do anything to keep his promise—even defy his King. Expelled from the Rangers, Halt is joined by Horace as he travels through Gallica towards Skandia. On their way, they are constantly challenged by freelance knights—otherwise known as thieving thugs. But Horace knows a thing or two about combat, and he soon begins to attract the attention of knights and warlords for miles around with his uncanny skill. But will they be in time to rescue Will from a life of slavery?


Bah! This book just about killed me. I finally got my hands on the 3rd Ranger’s Apprentice series and I honestly was ready to just break down and cry through the whole book. This is the continuation of the story of Will and Evanlyn’s capture on the jarl Erak’s wolfship. They are sold as slaves, and have to rely on each other heavily. While Will makes it his task to keep Evanlyn’s spirits up, when they get to the capital of Skandia, they are both sold as slaves. Evanlyn to the kitchen, and Will to the frozen yard…where no boy has yet survived long. Without giving anything away, this book was absolutely wonderful. This series is fast becoming a favorite. If you haven’t read it, pick it up and I guarantee you will become as addicted as I have!

Ranger's Apprentice: The Burning Bridge

By John Flanagan

For years, the Kingdom of Araluen has prospered, with the evil lord Morgarath safely imprisoned by impassable mountains. For years, its people have felt secure. But the scheming hand of the dark lord has not been idle...
On a special mission for the Rangers, Will and his friend Horace, an apprentice knight, travel to a neighboring village and discover the unsettling truth: All the villagers have been either slain or captured. But for what purpose? Could it be that Morgarath has finally devised a plan to bring his legions over the supposedly insurmountable pass? If so, the King's army is in imminent danger of being crushed in a fierce ambush.
And Will and Horace are the only ones who can help them.



On to book 2! Yup, I found it at the library, and I was just as happy reading this one as the first book. It's an awesome book for kids, I say especially younger boys who like sword fights and good adventure stories. It does have some swear-words in it, which I thought was the only drawback. And I must say that Mr. Flanagan has gotten me addicted enough to be certain of my continuing to read his books. The second book ended with such a wrenching cliffhanger that I was dying to get my hands on the next book immediately. It's fast-paced and fun to read. I haven't read a good knight-like book in some time, it's been great to get into it again.

Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan

By John Flanagan

The Rangers, with their shadowy ways, have always made him nervous. And now fifteen-year-old Will has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. But what he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom who will fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time he will not be denied....

This book turned out to be quite fun to read, and I truly liked the story. It is similar to others, knights, magic, honor and love. Will is very likeable, the 'everyman' of the story, as often happens with the protagonist. But not only is there a strong main character, but many wonderful side characters, including The Rangers themselves. It is a good story, I'd think that younger boys would really like it a lot. So far there are six books in the series, but each book is around 250 pages, so it is a very quick read. I specifically liked the little side story about how this story came about. It was a story that John Flanagan told his son Michael. It has become a best-seller for youths, and I can see why. It has the feel of the old tales around the times of King Arthur, and a heart to match. A fun read for adults and kids alike.