Secret of the Sirens (Book One of the Companions Quartet) by Julia Golding Date of Publication: 2006 ISBN: 9780192754608 Number of Pages: 401

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Junior: High Intermediate: Average
GENRES: Fantasy
THEMES : Good versus Evil - Family - Appearance versus Reality - Coming of Age

SUMMARY:
Connie Lionheart is not excited to be stuck with her unapproachable, eccentric aunt on the coast of England when the rest of her family are overseas. The strange bond she has with animals has gotten her in trouble wherever she's lived, and she doesn't have much hope for this return to her roots to be any different. She's surprised, therefore, when she makes some good friends in her new school, including the very cool Colin, who has different-coloured eyes like Connie. Colin and some of the other people in the town belong to a mysterious society, and though they won't tell Connie anything about it, she is intrigued. When some local oilrig workers go missing, Connie senses things are about to heat up. Clearly something is going on with the Axiol Oil Company, and when she and her new friends try to get to the bottom of it, Connie learns there is much more to the mystery -- and the Society -- than meets the eye. Can Connie fulfill her destiny, accept her gifts, and confront her enemy...and will she survive the encounter if she does?

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...
- loves mythological creature
- wishes he or she could speak to animals
- likes Harry Potter
- thinks he or she might have magical powers (or wishes for them!)
- is into the environment and ecology
- loves dragons

WHAT ELSE?
This is the first in a series of four called The Companions Quartet. Its young heroine is unassuming and shy...until she steps out of her shell and revels in her destiny. The book's thrust on environmental protection and ecological conservation is well delivered as well.

RELATED LINK:
The website, www.companionsclub.co.uk , allows readers to test themselves and see if they have what it takes to be a Companion.