Story Thieves by James Riley - ADVISABLE

Riley, James Story Thieves, 383 p. Aladdin (Simon), 2015.  $17.

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG. 

Because she is half fictional character, Bethany has the power to jump into any book.  SHe has always been cautious with her power and only when she is upset and distracted does some suspect that Bethany is something other than normal.  Owen is determined to garner fame and admiration for himself.  When he sees Bethany appearing from a book, he decides to use her to write himself into his favorite novels - Kiel Gnomenfoot - with Owen replacing Kiel as the hero.  Of course he will have to trick Bethany into taking him in.  Disaster follows, as the book’s character don’t like the idea of some Author controlling their lives all this time.  One of the characters has the magic to take over the human world and bring characters out from all over literature.  How can Bethany and Owen stop him?

Wow - Owen is so very irritating.  I almost threw the book across the room in disgust with his antics and hubris. Bethany’s courage more than makes up for Owen, however, so I read until the end.  I was still not Owen’s fan by the end of the book, but both characters experience growth and the excitement and danger are palpable.  A good choice for lovers of The Lightning Thief and other such series.  

EL, MS - ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS.