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Finding good quality reading material for my tween children is tough. Most of us love reading, but honestly, this age group doesn’t have a lot of material that I want them spending too much time reading. And while there are always the classics, I understand this age group wants something that they can relate to and not just the “old stuff” as my crew call the classics. This holiday season, we have a new book that is on the top of our holiday break reading list. Yes, we do have a reading list of required books during the school break.
My thoughts on the reading list before you get upset.. They have to do something all day during the two week break. And I don’t mean video games and being a couch potato. So we have a list of books they read on their own (or in a group) and then we have discussions on the books and if possible find a movie that goes along with the storyline.
So this book, Prince Dustin and Clara: Deep in the Black Forest was sent to us by the publisher and let me tell you this book hasn’t spent much time on the shelf. The cover alone is enough to grab your attention. It screams excitement and mystery to a tween girl. Our nine year old little guy saw the uniform with the sword and picked it up. We have used it for reading aloud practice as well as independent reading.
You know a book is going to be good when you can’t walk by it without picking it up. They nailed the cover jacket!
Book Summary:
To escape the wrath of Egon, Clara finds herself Deep in the Black Forest. It is a world of mystery and magic; creatures and animals, fairy tale princesses, and a Snow Queen. Prince Dustin, the Nutcracker Prince, is determined to protect Clara from Egon. Vicious and vile, Egon is not far behind and determined on getting revenge.
Clara, a sweet and timid 12-year old, soon discovers that her uncle is a wizard in this far away land and that he is at the center of the chain of events. This thrilling fantasy adventure re-tells the story of the fairy tale, The Nutcracker, taking the reader along for the ride…a classic for all seasons!
About the Author:
Daniel Lee Nicholson was born and raised in the Midwest. He has been a performer and ambassador of the performing and fine arts ever since his first performance as a soldier in The Nutcracker in Chicago. He resides with his wife in the Los Angeles area and works in the Media and Entertainment industry. Deep in the Black Forest, is his debut novel in the series: Prince Dustin and Clara. The mission of Fossil Mountain Publishing LLC is to captivate and entertain; engage and inspire young readers and readers of all ages by publishing family-oriented books that promote reading and literature; technology and the arts. We strive to develop applications and to incorporate technology into our platforms so that our readers can fully immerse themselves in great stories.
My Thoughts:
Prince Dustin and Clara is a story of being brave and true to your friends. It is based on the Nutcracker Prince and will instantly have you drawn into the fantasy.
The story is about a young girl named Clara Stahbaum. She is a sweet little girl, around twelve years old. Growing up quickly, but still a little girl at heart.
This story is based around the family annual Christmas Eve holiday party and Clara’s Uncle Drosselmeyer (who is a famous doll maker) brings her a Nutcracker doll. She falls in love with it right away. It is the most beautiful doll she had ever seen. He was a Nutcracker Prince in full uniform. She danced around with him until her little brother grabs the doll and breaks him. Her uncle patches him up but Clara is even more enthralled with her gift.
Following the party, after everyone in the house had gone to bed, Clara tiptoes back downstairs to check on her Nutcracker Prince doll. And as the Nutcracker tale goes, the doll is really an actual prince who was turned into a doll by her wizard uncle to protect him from the evil Mouse King.
While Clara is checking on her doll, the Mouse King and his army show up looking for the prince. Oh the battle that takes place!
But, was it real or just a dream? You will have to read the book to find out.
This book has taken a classic tale and added a few new twists. It is exciting to read and a book that you just don’t want to put down. As in the original tale, the moral of the story is that being brave doesn’t mean not being afraid, it means not letting the fear stop you from doing what is right.
Written on a middle school age level, it is perfect for independent readers, family reading time, or for your 9-12 year old to read to younger siblings.
According to the book jacket, this is book one of the Deep in the Black Forest series. My crew can’t wait to see what comes next.
Published by Fossil Mountain Publishing, the Prince Dustin and Clara: Deep in the Black Forest is available through your local library and in favorite retail bookstores. It is also available on Amazon in both Paperback and Hardbound versions.
Don’t have a Kindle? Grab one for yourself. They are so nice to use for reading. I love my Kindle Fire and my little one uses the e-Reader version (just for reading without the added games and internet options).
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We’ve added Fossil Mountain Publishing to our MEGA Christmas Gift Guide! Check it out here!