Red Shirt Kids: Review & Giveaway

Red Shirt Kids by Bryce Clark & Kim B. Clark

I received a copy of this book free of charge. All opinions expressed are 100% my own. 

Sixth-graders Mike and Amy must learn to use their special powers to save other children

Mike and Amy Smith are nervous about moving from their nice house in Boston to a dilapidated old mansion in Falton, New Hampshire. They know they’ll have to start the sixth and seventh grade not knowing anyone, and their new house is just plain creepy.

While searching their dusty attic, Mike and Amy uncover an old wooden chest with a mysterious lock. Inside, they find magical red shirts that give them special powers. Together with a new friend, Sam, Mike and Amy must figure out how to harness their newfound gifts while keeping them secret from their parents. As their powers grow, they begin a search for two kids who had gone missing in the summer, pitting them against a powerful adversary with mystical powers of his own. Will Mike and Amy be able to unlock the ancient mystery of the shirts? And will they be able to find the missing children before it is too late?

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My Thoughts:

Born from Kim Clark's imagination as he made up those bedtime stories every child asks to hear, Bryce Clark has taken his fathers' adventures and turned them into a great novel for children ages 8-12. Though, truth be told, even reading it to myself, I enjoyed the story. I could picture reading this with my niece and nephews, and one day, when she's a bit older, Emily too. 

Through his stories, Kim managed to pass on valuable lessons of being a good person, being kind, helping others, and so much more. 

The premise of this book stuck out to me and that's why I wanted to review it. I thought it sounded a little mystical, and I love mysteries in general, so it seemed the perfect mix. The thought of children disappearing in a book, movie, or any situation for that matter, gets under my skin. I was hooked right from the prologue and read through it very quickly.

Mike and Amy were the typical sister-brother characters. Mike's little hints of jealousy towards his sister, and the attention she gets from their parents was well portrayed. I could really feel their bond grow deeper as I read further.

Sam was my favourite character. I liked him right from the beginning. He was the target of school bullies, and I think a lot of kids would be able to relate to him. I couldn't help feeling bad for him when he was enduring the bullying. I'm glad the author didn't  make bullying sound positive, even from the bullies point of view.

Ben surprised me the most, the way him and his father lived was sad. But, his true character began to show throughout the book, and he definitely gets the most improved character award. 

Overall, the story was a little predictable for me (obviously, since it's intended to entertain an 8-12 year old :) ) but I know that so many kids would love to read this, and the adults reading along would enjoy too. Everything was described in great detail, but not so much that it became confusing. I could easily picture what was happening. I can see these adventures being turned into a movie or television series one day!

I hope to see many more Red Shirt Kids adventures and I hope that the characters from this book carry on into the next book as well. I liked where they wound up, and would like to see how things go for them. 


About the Authors:

Bryce Clark wrote and directed the independent dramatic comedy, Beauty and the Least. He has also written for the children's show, Yo Gabba Gabba, and is a partner in the production company, StoryLand Entertainment. Bryce and his wife live in the Salt Lake area with their five children.

Kim B. Clark is the former dean of Harvard Business School and is currently the president of Brigham Young University-Idaho. He and his wife live in Rexburg, Idaho.

Find Bryce Online: 

Website  *  Twitter

Giveaway

To celebrate the release, you have the chance to win a $75 Amazon.com Gift Card and a copy of this wonderful book! Just fill out the rafflecopter and your all set! Good luck everyone :)

Ends 10/10, Open to US/CAN.

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