Charlie Bone and the Hidden King - by Jenny Nimmo

Ok, all of you Harry Potter elitists out there who refuse to pick up the Charlie Bone series because you think it's just another Harry Potter rip-off, get over it and pick up these books because they are good! I know this series has a lot of similarities to Harry Potter (an outcast boy with black hair suddenly discovers he has magical powers and is whisked away to a private school for children with special abilities), but is that really such a bad thing? Back in my days of working in the children's section at Borders I can't tell you how many parents came up to me and told me their child really liked Harry Potter, but wasn't interested in reading anything else so they had nothing to read until the next Harry Potter came out, and the parent wondered if there was a book that I could recommend that their child might enjoy. There should have been a button that I could push that would turn on a spotlight shining on the Charlie Bone books while a chorus of angels played in the background.

As the story goes, long ago lived the magical Red King who had ten children who each inherited a magical power. After the death of his wife, he lost control of his children and they battled against each other. The Red King disappeared and ever since his ancestors have been locked in a fight of good verses evil. Charlie learns he is one of these descendants. He has the power to step into pictures and interact with them. Once he learns of his powers he is sent to Bloors Academy where other ancestors of the Red King can keep an eye on him.

Charlie Bone and the Hidden King is the fifth book in the series. The plot maintains just as much excitement at the first book in the series. At the beginning of this novel Charlie receives a message that something bad has been set free and he must keep watch. Charlie is further perplexed when he discovers that all of the animals have fled the city. Meanwhile his mother starts acting strange, and he's still searching for information about his missing father.

Fans will be delighted to know that I huge secret is revealed in this book. I'm going to have a tough time waiting for the next book in the series. Hurry Jenny Nimmo, we need more!