Knightscares #1: Cauldron Cooker's Night by David Anthony & Charles David Clasman
Reviewed by: Chris Singer
About the authors:
David Anthony is the co-author of Heroes A2Z and Knightscares. Along with Charles David, he's written 19 books for children with many more to come. David lives in Southeastern Lower Michigan, not too far from Detroit (Go Wings!). He started writing for children after he had his own. Being a parent of three boys gives him a perspective he didn't have earlier in life. It also cleans out the fridge in a hurry!
Charles David Clasman is the co-author of Heroes A2Z and Knightscares. Charles lives in Southeastern Michigan with his wife, daughter, three cats, and a horse. When he isn’t writing, he plays guitar, juggles, gardens, and makes short films for You Tube and the realheroesread.com website.
About the book:
It's Cauldron Cooker's Night, a holiday for witches, and Josh and his sister Jozlyn can't sleep. When they hear a noise outside their window, they know it's a witch coming for them.
But the witch is only the beginning of their troubles. Soon they head out on a dangerous adventure to save their townsfolk from a terrible spell that has turned everyone into frogs. Along the way, they'll face a hungry ogre, a creepy swamp, a mischievous black cat, and much more.
Worst of all, the witch is waiting for them at the end.
My take on the book:
This is the first book in the Knightscares series of which there are eight books. If the entire series is like Cauldron Cooker's Night, then young middle readers are guaranteed an action-packed and fun-filled read featuring more dangerous adventures for the story's two young heroes, a brother and sister duo named Josh and Jozlyn.
This is a true winner in my opinion for several reasons. The fast pace and action will be sure to please even the most reluctant of readers. Secondly, it's a terrific way to introduce young readers to the fantasy genre. Readers will also find the characters very recognizable and relatable as they share similar anxieties, strengths, weaknesses, hopes and feelings as the characters in the story.
According to the authors, the Knightscares series is aimed for strong 3rd grade grade. I definitely would agree with them, but I wouldn't shy away from trying this out as an evening read aloud for younger school age children. If it catches on with your child, there will be seven more books (and counting possibly) which will make for many adventure-filled nights of reading time. That seals the deal for me in calling this series a true winner.
Real Heroes Read:
David Anthony and Charles David Clasman might just be the two of the hardest working children's book authors in Michigan. As the co-authors of the Knightscares and the Heroes A2Z book series (review coming shortly), they've written 19 books with a 20th being published soon. They also travel all over Michigan visiting schools, libraries and book stores and sharing their love of reading and writing. I'm hoping to catch David and Charles some time in the near future and will be sure to share my experience with you. In the meantime you can learn more at their website: Real Heroes Read.
