"Between Two Ends" by David Ward

"Between Two Ends" (to be published May 1, 2011)

Written by David Ward

Description:

When Yeats and his parents visit his grandmother's creepy old house, Yeats reunites a pair of pirate bookends and uncovers the amazing truth: Years ago, Yeats's father traveled into The Arabian Nights with a friend, and the friend, Shari, is still stuck in the tales. Assisted by the not-always-trustworthy pirates, Yeats must navigate the unfamiliar world of the story of Shaharazad--dodging guards and tigers and the dangerous things that lurk in the margins of the stories--in order to save Shari and bring peace to his family.

David Ward has created a fantasy rich with atmosphere and full of heart-stopping drama.

David Ward was born in Montreal and grew up in Vancouver. He was an elementary school teacher for eleven years before completing his master's degree. He is the author of the Grassland trilogy and is a writer and university instructor in children's literature. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and their three children.

My thoughts...
I really enjoyed reading this book...it was definitely my guilty pleasure every night after everyone went to dream land - I stayed up for an hour or more, not wanting to put my NookColor down!

The story was very unique and took you on a journey that as a reader you will never forget. As a lover of many books, young and old, I am now wanting to go read "Arabian Nights"...and another classic book listed at the end of the story (you will have to read this book to find out!). The ending sets the reader and author up for a sequel, which I cannot wait to read!

I loved everything about this book! I loved the adventure and the humour, I loved the courage and the self-sacrifice of the young hero of the book, I loved the realism of his grandmother and the moodiness of his father. I loved the magic and the use of poetry throughout the book as well - it really kept you yearning for more.

I was so scared for Yeats (a 12 year old boy) who just wants to help his distressed family. I couldn't wait to see what would happen to him, Shari and her grandfather in the story...what an amazing adventure they all went through and for Shari it lasted 20 years. Could you imagine being stuck inside of a story for 20 years??? Thinking and believing that you were the main character? Everything in this book was very real - the descriptions, the characters. It made me feel along with them, the danger, the anguish, the sorrow, the redemption.

Thank You so much Net Galley and Abrams Books (Amulet Books) for allowing me to read this book! I cannot wait to read more books from you in the future!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received these books free from the publisher through the Net Galley review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."