Another Review at MyShelf.Com

The Hound of Rowan
Book 1 of The Tapestry

by Henry H. Neff



      Max McDaniels is a perfectly ordinary boy who lives with his father in the suburbs of Chicago. Well, until the day his father and he made their annual pilgrimage to Chicago's Art Institute to view all of the paintings Max's mother loved best. There Max discovers someone is following him. He also discovers he can enter rooms and see things no one else can see.

Soon after, Max is invited to Rowan Academy - a boarding school in New England for "potentials." There Max learns of his possible role in an epic battle of good versus evil. The book is bursting with fast-paced adventure and quirky magic. Readers can't help but notice some strong parallels to Harry Potter, but there is enough difference to make this an exciting story ride all on its own.

I particularly loved the idea of rooms that shape themselves to the user - I would have found that especially appealing as a kid. I also appreciated that the book felt intact, with a satisfying ending, as I'm often disgruntled with series books that leave you feeling like you only read part of a book.

With the end of the Harry Potter series, this would be a great book to give the kids moping in withdrawal from their favorite magical boarding school - they just might enjoy the transfer to Rowen Academy. I know I did.

The Book

Random House
September 2007
Hardcover
0375838945 / 978-0375838941
Children, Ages 9 - 12
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Excerpt
NOTE:

The Reviewer

Jan Fields
Reviewed 2008
NOTE: Reviewer Jan Fields is the editor of Kid Magazine Writers emagazine and has written dozens of stories and articles for the children's magazine market.
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