The Camelot Kids: Part One
Written by Ben Zackheim
First book in a new middle grade series that mixes medieval history, knights, castles, adventure and coming of age with a modern twist. Protagonist Simon Sharp is a fourteen year old who becomes an orphan at the age of twelve when his archaeologist parents die in an airplane crash over Scotland. Simon finds himself in a New York City orphanage and foster care. He is clever, smart and streetwise, though he is bullied by Brad. When strangers ask how his parents died, he replies, “King Arthur killed them.” Their lifelong mission had been to find Camelot.
Simon’s unlucky situation becomes more mysterious, when he gets a letter from an uncle in Scotland who claims that he has just found out about the accident and will assume responsibility for Simon. The boy is soon on a plane to Scotland and a new life in a mysterious castle. Though he now attends a private school, the bullying situation is the same. Simon will discover hidden passages and meet mysterious creatures like gargoyles, trolls, and magicians. Who are they and what is his connection to them?
This book of slightly less than one hundred pages has charming black and white illustrations that add to the depth of the characters and setting of the tale. The writing of the plot is well-executed and the characters are interesting and endearing. Zackheim seems to have found the right combination of modern day grit and medieval fantasy in setting the right tone for the series. I think tweens and teens will want to get involved with this story. I know that many adults like me have fond memories of Camelot.
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6 responses to “SUBWAYS TO SCOTLAND”
Catherine Johnson
June 17th, 2015 at 17:07
I love the sound of this, Barbara.
Catherine
June 17th, 2015 at 17:47
This sounds an interesting story. I’m intrigued to read the book after reading your review 🙂
Hopping over from the kid lit blog hop.
The Logonauts (@thelogonauts)
June 17th, 2015 at 18:39
Sounds like an attention-getter for sure! Thanks for sharing this with #KidLitBlogHop.
bamauthor
June 17th, 2015 at 21:13
Thanks, Catherine. I do hope that you will enjoy it, if you decide to read it.
Julie Grasso
June 20th, 2015 at 08:20
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and have only the 4th to complete, but am reluctant as do not want the tale to end. Thanks for a great review and for sharing it with us on the Kid Lit Blog Hop
bamauthor
June 20th, 2015 at 11:51
I have some catching up to do!