Shadow of the Moon by Marina Cohen Date of Publication: 2007 ISBN: 9781551251264 Number of Pages: 164

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Junior: Average Intermediate : Low/ Average
GENRES: Adventure/Fantasy
THEMES : Good versus Evil - Sacrifice and Redemption - Family

SUMMARY:
Drake Livingstone's twin sister, Stella, is better than him at everything. When he awakes one night to a light beaming into her bedroom, Drake is more than suspicious.

The next day at school he receives a mysterious note: I saw the light last night. It shone on your house. Before his eyes, Drake's substitute teacher transforms into a fiery creature. She warns Drake that all light in the universe will soon fail and, unless it can be restored, all will be lost. Pursued by slithering shadows, Drake, Stella and their new friend, the geeky Sherman Glutz, suddenly find themselves in a race for their lives. Arriving at a secret spot in the Path of Totality of a solar eclipse, they are sucked through the ring of last light and are transported to an ancient world that now lies in infinite darkness.

The trio braves wraithworms in the Caves of Insanity, enormous Aye-ayes that infest Gloom Forest and sail a giant mushroom cap over Murk Sea to the dark Castle of Imwratheer. It is here Drake faces the most difficult obstacle of all...a choice between Stella and a villain who offers Drake greatness -- in exchange for betrayal...

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...
- loves The Hobbit and other fantasy quest stories
- loves videogames
- is a twin
- suffers from sibling rivalry
- likes to imagine other worlds and creatures
- is into science (especially light, eclipses, and nocturnal creatures)

WHAT ELSE?
This is the first of two fantasy novels featuring Sherman, Drake and Stella. The author has woven science principles into a classic fantasy quest story that is sure to keep kids riveted. The author is from Markham Ontario, and is a teacher as well, so she has a good grasp on the way kids really are, and sound. The text would appeal to intermediates as well as juniors, but the cover and size make it a great choice for juniors especially.

RELATED LINK:
For further information and a detailed teacher's guide, check out www.marinacohen.com .