The Spiderwick Chronicles, Lucinda's Secret, by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, is a great fantasy book about fairies. This book informs the reader about the troubles that Jared, Simon and Mallory are experiencing because they have Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World.

One of the Grace twins is named Jared. Jared is clever. For example, he devised a plan and tricked a wood elf into releasing him after he was captured by this elf.

Jared's twin is named Simon. Simon is an animal lover. He keeps a griffin named Byron in the carriage house.

I enjoyed reading The Spiderwick Chronicles, Lucinda's Secret. This book is one of my favorite fantasy books. I like the way the author at the end of this book writes something about the characters in his next book to gain the interest of the reader and entice the reader to read more about these characters in his subsequent book.

The reading strategies I used in reading this book are summarizing and making mental images. Since I didn't read the first book of the series, I summarized after each chapter to understand the series better.

The authors of the book The Spiderwick Chronicles, Lucinda's Secret are Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. These authors wrote the entire Spiderwick series. I especially enjoyed how the authors make the reader curious to read more.

King Arthur, Excalibur Unsheathed

King Arthur, Excalibur Unsheathed, by Jeff Limke and Thomas Yeates, is an English legend made into a book. Young Arthur spends his days as a squire - feeding the horses and caring for his big brother's armor. Around him is England left without a king. But all this is going to change in one day, when Arthur pulls a mysterious sword out of the stone. This book is about Arthur's life.

The main character is Arthur. He receives the sword Excalibur and wins loyalty of the knights of the round table.

Arthur's friend is Merlin the magician. He guides Arthur on how to be a good and wise king.

I enjoyed reading King Arthur, Excalibur Unsheathed. This book is the first English legend I read. When reading this book the one question I had was if the young king could win peace and freedom for England.

The reading strategy I used when reading this book was summarizing. Reading strategies, such as connecting and making mental images, are useful when reading a book because they help the reader understand the book better.

The authors of King Arthur, Excalibur Unsheathed are Jeff Limke and Thomas Yeates. Other books written by these authors include

Hercules, The Twelve Labors

Isis and Osiris, To the Ends of the Earth

Thor and Loki, In the Lands of Giants

The Trojan Horse, The Fall of Troy

These books are also myths or legends of great heroes.

Atlanta, The race Against Destiny

Atalanta,The Race Against Destiny, by Justine and Ron Fontes and Thomas Yates is a Greek myth converted into an action-packed book. One day, Atalanta went to see the oracle because she could not fit in as she was different than all the other girls. The oracle which, according to Greek mythology, predicts the future, said that "if see gets married she would not be herself." Atalanta did get married and in this book, the reader realizes the oracle's prediction as it comes to life.

The main character in this book is Atalanta. She is very athletic. Atalanta was the fastest runner of her time.


Atalanta's husband was Hippomenes. Hippomenes was the great grandson of Poseidon. So he could win the challenge and ultimately wed Atalanta, he asked for Aphrodite's (the goddess of love) help. The challenge imposed by Atalanta was that she will marry any man that won her in a foot race. I enjoyed reading Atalanta, The Race Against Destiny. This myth shows that some myth gods and goddesses were cruel and mean.


The reading strategy I used when reading this book was connecting. I connected this myth with other Greek myths. By connecting, I enjoyed this book better as I understood it better by comparing it to other Greek myths that I have read.


The authors of Atlanta,The Race Against Destiny are Justine and Ron Fontes and Thomas Yates. Other books written by these authors include:





1. Amaterasu, Return of the Sun
2. Atlanta, The Race Against Destiny
3. Hercules, The Twelve Labors
4. Isis and Osiris, To the Ends of the Earth
5. Jason, The Quest for the Golden Fleece
6. King Arthur, Excalibur Unsheathed
7. Robin Hood, Outlaw of Sherwood Forest
8. Thor and Loki, In the Land of Giants
9. The Trojan Horse,The Fall of Troy
10. Yu the Great, Conquering the Flood



I think all those books are also based on myths.