Charlie Bone And The Shadow (Charlie Bone)

Charlie Bone and the Shadow by Jenny Nimmo was a great addition to her series. I teach Science and also run the Literary Guild Reading Club for our school. So I like to read what the kids are reading. I also like to be able to recommend books to them that I think they will like. I have enjoyed the Charlie Bone series. Her writing is easily read and she has a nice use of words. The characters are well developed and the students relate to them well. She has a nice mix of good and evil characters with a lot of humor thrown in. The book is a nice length and the ending makes you anticipate the next book.

Not my favorite work of Ms. Nimmo. While some of the action in the book is exciting (such as when dagbert starts drowning people), Charlie takes more of a backseat in this story. He doesn't seem to be very effective in this book and the ending reveals a limited resolution at best. Poor Charlie isn't able to control his impulsiveness and he and Runner Bean get stuck in Count Harken's picture. His poor wand/moth gets stolen again as well. Charlie tries to save his friend and one of his ancestors from Count Harken's picture with limited success. Count Harken was at his devilish best in this book and it is unclear that Charlie can overcome Count Harken's new tactics. I left the book with the feeling that it ended in the middle of the story. Be prepared,there is a drowning in this story.

I thought this book was the best one yet. Charlie has grown up a lot and takes alot more responsibility. The villans are meaner, the good guys better, stronger and smarter than ever before.

Review by Ben age 11

From the very begining of this series i was hooked and they seem to just get better every book, the best part is how Jenny Nimmo leaves you hanging and wanting more!

Great childrens book series. My grandson read the original six books and has been anxiously awaiting the new book. He was not disappointed!