James Patterson’s Daniel X
OK, those who know me know that I am NOT an avid reader… actually, I do not consider myself a reader at all (it’s a shame, I know). However, both of my children are book worms. My boy has always been an accelerated reader. He can get lost in a book anyplace, anytime. My girl loves to read and be read to. I think she’ll follow his footsteps, in reading. Even though I don’t like to read, I DO read to my children. That started when I was pregnant. Hubs and I would read to them while I was pregnant. I still read to them, both. I think it’s paid off! =)
My son recently read The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson. It is about “a boy who has always used his hidden superpowers to survive, but he carries with him a deadly secret and the fate of the world rests on whether he succeeds at his mission”.
It’s available on Amazon. Why is it that one must review one book “badly” because it’s different from other books by the same author? I wouldn’t know since I’m not an avid reader or book reviewer. I know this book is geared toward younger boys… and I assume that’s why. However, it’s good enough for adults, too. Anyway, we feel the majority of the reviews on Amazon does not reflect this book. My son says it has became his new favorite book and he wants to share his positive review in hopes that other boys will find this great read.
His review:
I thought the book may be boring, at first, but the small summary on the back cover peeked my interest. I thought the one line summary was different than the usual paragraph telling about the book. I think it was better with less information as it made you want to read it, more, to find out what it was all about. The main character was believable because of his cool, never-give up personality. I don’t think the author could have made the book better. I enjoyed it from the prologue to the end. My favorite part was in the first chapter, involving the main character, Daniel. He used his secret power to accomplish a task. You’ll have to read it to find out what it was. The ending was really cool and was unpredictable to me. I’d love to read a sequel of this book!!
I’ve taken the book to school with me and all of my friends were interested in it. My library teacher said she’d order a copy for the school! I think the book will appeal to others because it’s about a dude who kills aliens. I’d recommend it to all boys 10 and up (I’m 10!). Girls may enjoy the book if they don’t mind reading about aliens.
I love to read. Sometimes, it’s hard to find a great book to read. This book has made me want to read even more and I already read a lot! I’m glad my Mom got it for me. Daniel X made me wonder if aliens really do exist! It taught me more about needing to be careful with what you do in life. If you are not careful you may end up risking your life. You need to always make good choices, pretty much.
So, there you have it =) Straight from a ten year old. I was going to offer it as a give-a-way today… but he isn’t ready to depart with it yet (sorry!).
Anyone else read this book?
Check out the book trailer: HERE
September 4th, 2008 at 10:44 am
that’s so cool that he did his own review!
September 4th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
It’s great to hear about kids reading when they’re surrounded by technology.
I was an avid reader and it was a part of my growing up and my all-round education that I simply could not have done without.
It probably even inspired me, in part, to write the novels that I do.
More power to your son.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I have always loved to read. But in school, I always hated the book reports. Oral ones were the worst, but I didn’t like the written ones either. Somehow, knowing I had to do a book report, spoiled the reading of the book. I said all that to say this: Your son is 10 and he just got an A+ for this “book report”…. That is if I were his teacher… LOL
September 5th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Tell your son that I’m very impressed, not just because he loves to read but also by how excellent that review is! Maybe he should start a blog of book reviews because I bet kids would much rather know what other kids think. I’m going to make a note of this book for when my nephews get a little older – they love to read and really love superpowers and aliens. Thanks for the review!
September 5th, 2008 at 10:06 am
I’m glad your son liked the book. I loved his review. I have a review blog, and I try to only give positive reviews and never give away the plot. Some times that is a difficult assignment. Patterson gave me a copy of Daniel X, in May and I haven’t read it, yet. I’ll have to read it soon. You are lucky to have children who read.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
As a recently retired school librarian, let me tell you that I would have been delighted to receive such a review from any of my students. Very good job. I hope he posted it at Amazon. I love junior novels, and it is good that some of our good adult authors are trying their hand at them.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
It’s good that both your kids enjoy reading. I love to read, but surprisingly none of both my kids enjoy reading at all.
I’m ashamed to say though I enjoy reading, I didn’t really have the habit of reading to them when they’re young. A big mistake!!!
I’m really glad you did read to them and not commit my mistake
September 5th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
James Patterson is just the latest on an ever increasing list of traditionally adult authors who have discovered the magic of writing for young readers.
I work in a bookstore and spend my days with great children’s literature. I’d like to recommend a few authors to your son:
The three books in the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull
Also, his stand alone book: The Candy Shop Wars
The Peter & the Starcatcher series by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Also Ridley Pearsons, Kingdom Keepers
September 6th, 2008 at 12:48 am
I’ll check this out! I love James Patterson but I haven’t really indulged in reading ever since I went back working again. This one could get me back.
Thanks for sharing!
September 6th, 2008 at 1:31 am
I like his review. I admit that my favorite Stephen Kings are the ones that appropriate for ten years old. Like Eyes of the Dragon. I love that book, and I still read it to this day. It’s like a fairy tale with suspense.
My recent favorite is Eragon by Christopher Paolini. I didn’t enjoy Eldest as much as I did Eragon. I’m going to read Brissngr (sp?) anyway because he’s a clever writer.
September 6th, 2008 at 2:12 am
Yay! Good for him! Reading has always been such a treat for me. I don’t leave the house without my current book – you never know when you’ll get stuck in traffic!!!
It’s a good thing until you move. I parted with probably over 300 books this last time. They’re like good friends and you can’t just dump ‘em…
Anyway, tell your young man to keep up the good work – he’s not alone!
~~~Blessings~~~
September 6th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Sounds like an interesting book. I’ll have to check it out. I don’t think readers should be limited to their reading material based on the books targeted audience. Look at me, I’m an addict to the Twilight Series, which is considered a young adult book. While I like to think of myself as youthful, a young adult I am not. I think it’s great when books (and their respective authors) can interest a child in reading. That’s usually a positive thing.
September 10th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Wow, i think it is so great that both your children are into reading, i can’t even get mine to go within 5 feet of a book without hearing them complain. I’m actually a big fan of James Patterson’s books. They’ve made a game based on his Women’s Murder Club series, i think your kids may like it. I’ve played it online but decided to buy it in the store because it has all this extra stuff on it like a bunch of chapters from Patterson’s next book and a novella. I thought I’d share an excerpt from chapter 1. Let me know what you think!
“The elevator doors whisked open on the eighteenth floor. The killer padded down carpeted hallways past plush offices, seeing no one. The last person had left hours ago.
The girl had walked these same hallways, only minutes before.
A metal door led to a flight of cement stairs, and then out onto the rooftop. The killer stopped there, drinking in the sight.
The girl stood at the edge of the roof, facing away, staring out at a breathtaking view of the city. Half-lit skyscrapers marched out to the bay, glimmering in the moonlight.
The killer waited. The girl would not turn. Her instructions were to remain facing away, and she would follow them.”