#4: THE ARTEMIS FOWL SERIES
The author:
Eoin Colfer
The first:
Book #1, Artemis Fowl, was published in 2001.
The latest:
Book #6, The Time Paradox, came out in July, 2008.
The basics:
Described as "Die Hard with fairies," these action-packed, high-tech tales pit diabolical boy genius Artemis against various fairy-tale characters. Though he's no wizard, young Mr. Fowl shows that brains, cunning and really expensive computer equipment can take a kid a long way.
The magic:
Colfer develops a whole new mythology around such old enchanted types as elves, goblins, dwarves, trolls and leprechauns (whoops, make that LEPrecons, for Lower Elements Police Reconnaisance) -- and while some have criticized these books for reading more like screenplays than literature, or for containing much cartoon-ish violence, those can be a plus for kids who are more interested in action than fancy language.
- #1: The Magic Tree House Series
- #2: The Time Warp Trio Series
- #3: The Bailey School Kids Series
- #4: You are here!
- #5: A Series of Unfortunate Events
