As a homeschooling mom who adores reading to my kids each and every day, choosing our read-aloud books can be a bit tricky.
Sure, there are lots and lots of great books out there, but I want to find high quality books that I know are going to hold the interest of my adventure-seeking children. While some children will merrily sit for any read-aloud time, my kids like to make me work for it. 🙂 So whenever I come across a book or, better yet, a series, that will captivate my children’s attention, I am one happy mama.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.)
Jorie and the River of Fire and the two previous books in this series by A.H. Richardson – Jorie and the Magic Stones and Jorie and the Gold Key – fit the bill!
The stories are focused on a young girl named Jorie and her best friend, Rufus, who discover another world beneath the tarn, or lake, on her Great-Aunt’s property.
(For reviews of the first two books, click here and here.)
Jorie and the River of Fire picks up about a year after Jorie and Rufus’s last adventure. Having been apart for awhile since Rufus went away to school, they soon find themselves back in the world of Cabrynthius beneath the tarn, this time to save their beloved friend and powerful wizard, the Great Grootmonya, from a prison by the River of Fire and the clutches of the evil sorceror, Lord Fodomalk.
Along the way they meet up with old friends and band together to find and rescue Grootmonya and restore the land of Cabrynthius.
Having read all three books in this series, I have really enjoyed watching the characters grow and mature while still maintaining a lovely innocence about them. In the first two books, Rufus, while lovable and loyal, was a bit of a fraidy cat. In this installment, however, he is quickly turning into a courageous young man who is willing to do anything he must to help his friends.
I highly recommend this book for any older child who enjoys adventure, thrills, and a bit of mystery. These are books I know we will read again and again!