Introducing Brandon Mull

I met Brandon Mull when he came to Iola, Kansas, during his nationwide book tour in September 2011. At the time he was promoting  his Beyonders series, now a New York Time Bestseller. I had a wonderful time getting to know him and asking him some penetrating questions about writing. We have kept in contact through the years as I read and reviewed many of his books. Brandon is an awesome guy with an outstanding imagination. It's a thrill to meet someone putting their amazing potential to work in creating incredibly original literature. He has a brilliant future ahead of him!

Here is his bio from his website:

“Brandon Mull is the author of the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling Beyonders and Fablehaven series. Brandon resides in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his wife and four children. He spent two years living in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile where he learned Spanish and juggling. He once won a pudding eating contest in the park behind his grandma’s house, earning a gold medal.”

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Through my correspondence with Brandon, he's answered many of my writing and reading questions regarding his work:

1. What helps you to keep writing?
Good scenes keep me writing. Make every scene count. Make sure every scene engages you (because it is funny, or revealing, or amazing, or tense, or whatever). Pay attention to how your favorite writers build their scenes--how they start, how they handle dialog, how they work in backstory, how they paint on your imagination with descriptions, how they end the scene, and what they skip dramatising in a scene. If you write good scenes, then string them together in a smart way so that as a whole they convey a complete story, your readers will have a good time.

2. Do you ever come to your writing with a problem you are dealing with in your life and then try to write through it?

I do let things on my mind (troubles, issues, etc.) drift into my writing, and sometimes it has helped me clarify my thinking on certain issues or principles.

3. How did you start up the Spirit Animals series?
Scholastic came to me with the premise, but I served as architect for the series, creating the characters, the world, and outlining all seven books. I then wrote book one. There will also be a bonus book of stories about the Great Beasts, and I wrote one of those stories.

4. What other books do you have coming out soon?
(With the Candy Shop War) there will probably be a third and probably final novel called The Carnival Quest, but it is four or five years away due to contracts for other books.

Scholastic released, like 39 Clues, Spirit Animals, written by a team of authors. I wrote book one and the outline for the other six books. See more here http://oomscholasticblog.com/2013/03/spirit-animals-cover-reveal.html

Then I have the series called Five Kingdoms, a five book series where our main character crosses over to another world, but with a lighter feel than Beyonders. It'll be true middle-grade like Fablehaven, but the world where he goes will be really different from anything we've seen. The first three books will come out only six months apart from each other.

And then in 2015 there will be a sequel series to Fablehaven called Dragonwatch. It will be five books and will continue the main storyline of Fablehaven, following Kendra, Seth, and the other main characters.

Discover more about Brandon Mull at http://brandonmull.com/site/

The Candy Shop War: Arcade Catastrophe by Brandon Mull

The clues of John Dart's and Mozag's disappearance lead Nate, Summer, Trevor, Pigeon, and Lindy to the newly opened Arcadeland. On the outside it may look like a regular arcade, but the kids can sense foul magic behind the establishment. Once a player gains a certain amount of tickets, they can use their winnings to buy a hand stamp that gives them the powers of the stamp’s image: tank, race car, submarine, or jet. However, once stamped the players are forced into a deadly competition to find magical artifacts for the wizard Jonas White, Mrs. White's brother. As the missions get harder and players disappear, Nate is the only one left to stop Jonas White.

Fans of the first book will welcome this deeper and more detailed world in which Nate and his friends live. But this story exceeds its prequel in terms of action, adventure, suspense, danger, and humor. Readers will be able to see the personal progression of the main characters from the first book. Nate and his friends have learned to be more mature and courageous from their past magical challenges and they use these strengths in solving more mystical dilemmas. And with that added maturity and courage, Nate and his friends teach it to other children caught in Jonas White's clutches. Like the first book, this story is also a great read-aloud book the whole family would enjoy. Mull will release a third and final book in the near future.

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

A new ice cream and candy shop has opened in town and four friends—Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon—are naturally interested in the establishment. After several visits, the owner, Mrs. White, decides to share with them some special candy she keeps in the back. This candy gives the children magical powers, such as the ability to defy gravity or be unbreakable. But to earn this candy, Mrs. White enlists the children into doing some strange tasks, such as steal certain items around town. The children begin to question Mrs. White and her motives and break their deal with her. As soon as they end their commitment with Mrs. White, the children get mixed up in a magicians’ war. Only with their clever use of the magical candy can they help end it.

Mull has created an enchanting and tantalizing read with The Candy Shop War. The four friends grow and progress realistically as they see the deception through the sweets. Instead of letting go of the problems they created, they take responsibility for their actions—even to the point of sacrificing themselves to make things right. Few books today showcase this honest progression from innocence to maturity. Mull does it splendidly while adding immense suspense and drive to the story. This book can be a helpful resource to teachers, librarians, and parents as they use the reading guide at the end to spark conversation and lesson plans about the book. The second book is called Arcade Catastrophe.

(Full review found on The Children's Book and Play Review: https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/spc/index.php/CBPR/article/view/19130/17824)

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Kendra and Seth are sent to stay the summer on Grandpa Sorenson’s preserve called Fablehaven. But this is not an ordinary preserve. Fablehaven is the home to both good and bad magical creatures like centaurs, fairies, trolls, and demons. The preserve is relatively safe, but on Midsummer’s Eve demons trick Seth into letting them into his grandparents' house. Grandpa Sorenson is kidnapped and the evil creatures wreak havoc to the house. It is up to the children to regain control of the creatures on the preserve, find their grandfather, set their Grandma Sorenson free from a spell, and recapture an evil witch.

Mull’s story is imaginatively written with great characters and a well-paced, exciting storyline. Kendra and Seth definitely represent a realistic brother and sister relationship. When the two siblings are put into a problematic situation, they realistically make many mistakes until they can find a solution. Fans of Harry Potter, the Alchemyst, Percy Jackson, and Ranger’s Apprentice series will enjoy this new world where mystical creatures and magical artifacts take center stage. Fablehaven is an addictive introduction to Mull’s five book series.

(Full review found on The Children's Book and Play Review: https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/spc/index.php/CBPR/article/view/19130/17824)

The Youngest Templar: Orphan of Destiny (Book 3) by Michael Spradlin

Even though Tristan and his friends escaped Sir Hugh in France, it seems that every stop they make in England was ravaged by Sir Hugh and his men, including the total destruction of St. Alban's monks and monastery. Tristan knows he must eventually face Sir Hugh. And when Tristan's band arrives at the intended monastery in Scotland, Sir Hugh and his forces are waiting for them. Tristan must rely on his courage, his determination, and his friends to help him finally complete his quest of protecting the Holy Grail.

Orphan of Destiny is a satisfying, well-written end to Spradlin's Youngest Templar trilogy. Readers will see the friendship and teamwork, born in the first book, come into full bloom as Tristan, Robard, and Maryam face any challenge. Aside from the three teens' growing comradery, readers will also see more characters and elements of the Robin Hood legend come into play, like Little John, "Brother" Tuck, and Sherwood. A well-researched but action-packed story that deftly mixes history and legend into a fascinating read.

The Youngest Templar: Trail of Fate (Book 2) by Michael Spradlin

After falling overboard, Tristan washes up on the shores of Southern France. He is discovered by a group of riders lead by Celia, a beautiful Cathar girl whose people are constantly attacked by the Catholic Church for their beliefs. Robard and Maryam meet up with Celia's group and are reunited with Tristan. After witnessing the persecution of Celia's people, Tristan, Robard, and Maryam all agree that they must stay to help defend them, even at the cost of delaying their Holy Grail quest.

Spradlin’s second book maintains the excitement, action, and suspense that started in the first book. But even though this book is a rousing adventure, the story itself has real heart and character depth. When Tristan is reunited with his friends again, he realizes the power and protection that comes from true friendship. This protective friendship is something he desperately needs while transporting the Grail through enemy territory. But that friendship is constantly threatened while Sir Hugh is in the picture. Readers will be glued to Tristan's story as he and his friends help Celia's people and keep the Grail away from Sir Hugh's greedy hands. The final book in the series is Orphan of Destiny.

The Youngest Templar: Keeper of the Grail by Michael Spradlin

Stories of the Crusades have reached fifteen-year-old Tristan and the monks at St. Alban's monastery. But King Richard is calling for reinforcements to defend the Christian settlements in Jerusalem. A group of Templar knights acting upon the king's request lodge at St. Alban's. One knight, Sir Thomas, meets Tristan and convinces him to be his squire. After a treacherous voyage, the Templar knights arrive in Jerusalem to witness a losing battle with the Saladin. During a siege, Sir Thomas reveals to Tristan that he has the Holy Grail and he entrusts it to Tristan to take it to a Scottish monastery. Tristan escapes the battle in hopes of securing a passage back to England.

Spradlin’s expertly mixes both history and legend to create an intense, well-written start to The Youngest Templar series. Readers will be fully immersed in the culture and life of an orphaned teenage boy as they follow Tristan in and out of the failed Crusade. But besides successfully exhibiting the time period, Spradlin also includes major players from the Robin Hood legend. Tristan's friend, Robard Hode is a King's Archer and a Saladin maiden, Maryam, joins their quest to return the grail. Because of the description of war and violence, this book is more appropriate for ages 10 and up. The second book in the The Youngest Templar trilogy is Trail of Fate.

Reading Challenge #4: Historical Fiction

As I mentioned in my reluctant readers post, books can be a doorway leading into the vast reading world. Sometimes the book that leads a child into the reading world is a historical fiction book: a book based on real events or people in history but the story itself is fiction. So to help parents, librarians, and readers looking for more great historical fiction, I have listed several books and the historical event or place it is based on to help fuel the reading flame. Enjoy!

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (WWII in Denmark)

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti (WWII in Germany)

Boston Jane series by Jennifer Holms (Early settlement of Washington territory)

Jason’s Gold and Down the Yukon by Will Hobbs (Alaskan Gold rush)

Double Eagle by Sneed B. Collard III (set in 1970’s but searching for Civil War gold)

Elephant Run by Roland Smith (WWII in Burma)

Al Capone Does My Shirts series Gennifer Choldenko (teenage boy living on Alcatrtaz Island)

The Kilpfish Code by Mary Casanova (WWII in Norway)

March Toward the Thunder by Joseph Bruchac (Abenaki Indian fighting in the Civil War)

Don’t You Know There’s a War On? by Avi (WWII in New York)

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (1830’s London)

Crispin series by Avi (Fourteenth-century medieval England)

Year of Impossible Goodbyes and Echoes of the White Giraffe by Sook Nyui Choi (WWII in Korea and South Korea)

Titanic: The Long Night by Diane Hoh (1912 Titanic disaster)

A Long Way from Chicago series by Richard Peck (series starting from the Great Depression to 1950s in rural Illinois)

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (1930s Dust Bowl)

Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls (1900s rural Oklahoma)

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor (1930s Mississippi)

The Guild of Specialists series by Joshua Mowll (1920s China)

Pie by Sarah Weeks (1950s Pennsylvania)

Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys (1940s Lithuania & Siberia)

Time of the Witches by Anna Myers (Salem Witch Trials)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (1960s South Carolina)

Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy (WWII in Poland)

Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt (Civil War)

Sarah Bishop by Scott O'Dell (Revolutionary War/Early America)

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (Salem Witch Trials)

The Youngest Templar series by Michael Spradlin (Crusades in Jerusalem and medieval England)

Island of the Blue Dolphins and Zia by Scott O'Dell (Early Native Americans)

Little Women series by Louisa May Alcott (Civil War America)

The de Granville Trilogy by K.M. Grant (Crusades in Jerusalem)

Out of the Hitler Time series by Judith Kerr (WWII in Germany)

Breathing Room by Marsha Hayles (1940s tuberculosis epidemic in United States)

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis (Runaway slave colony in Canada)

Chu Ju's House by Gloria Whelan (traditional China)

Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan (traditional India)

When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park (WWII in Korea)

Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman (Swiss Alps)