The launch of an exciting new fantasy series for 7-12 year olds. Cole Randolph was just trying to have a fun time with his friends on Halloween (and maybe get to know Jenna Hunt a little better). But when he and his friends break into a spooky house with the scariest rep in town, it turns out to be the start of an adventure on a whole different level!
As his friends are mysteriously sucked away into another realm Cole dives in after them and finds himself in a magical place called The Outskirts. Made up of five kingdoms, The Outskirts lie between wakefulness and dreaming, reality and imagination, between life and death. It’s an in-between place. And once you find your way to the Outskirts, it’s very hard to leave…
MOVE OVER PERCY JACKSON, THERE’S A NEW HERO IN TOWN!
Available as paperback from your prefered book retailer for $14.99
Adventurous, intriguing and insightful into the pre-tween world.
Looking at a boy with a glowing sword and a massive scorpion calls to you from the front cover, it calls out to you…Adventure! Epic Battles! Fantastical Creatures!
From the very first words that jump off the page…’weaving down the hall, Cole avoided a ninja, a witch, a pirate…’ Our imagination take flights! We are engaged! We meet our main character, we know it’s Halloween, we meet his mate Dalton and we know about a girl-friend (emphasis) on the friend – Jenna. We are transported and already relating to the characters – our new friends.
In the very first pages we get a sense of who Cole is, a very smart boy who may or may not have a little crush on this girl and to prove he’s ‘cool’ like the other kids sets up to meet at the ‘Spooky alley house’…but don’t forget the haul of candy!
For a group of kids in a haunted house on Halloween you know and feel something is going to happen. Even if you’re too cool for trick-a-treating, don’t really like that girl ‘more’ than a friend, cause you really want to hang…but also cause you’re not afraid…You know you want to…Go on! Open that ‘white door with a plain brass knob’…read on, you know you want to know what happens…go on I dare you!
My eleven year old nephew absolutely loved this book. I bought it to encourage him to read now he wants to read more. Great fantasy book that is fun to read for kids and the young at heart. Brandon Mull writes in such a manner that you are drawn into a magical fantasy world.
This is a great book for pre teens, teens and adults (I’m a kid at heart), anyone who enjoys fantasy mystery. Brandon Mull is a great writer and it’s hard to put the book down once you start reading. He transforms you into another world so you enjoy reading. Great book to encourage children to read, that’s why I gave it to my 11 year old nephew,
I have finally manged to pry this book out of my son’s hand so that I could actually look at it! He ploughed through the book in records speed and then gave it to Dad to read as well – huge thumbs up all round in this household. Suitable for readers 9 to 99 and my nephew is currently reading it. Yes, we will be tracking down the series as it is a Fabulous adventure!
My son is just starting to read books and he couldn’t put this book down it keep him on the edge of his sit, and he loved it that much he read it again
My daughter loves these types of books so was very excited to receive the book yesterday. Her first impressions after reading a few chapters is that the book is very exciting! She tells me so far she really likes the story which is about a boy named Cole. She didn’t want to give all the details and spoil it for other readers but it starts with Cole and his friends going into a haunted house where they get kidnapped. Cole goes down a ladder to rescue his friends and finds himself in another universe. She couldn’t wait to keep reading it today and took it to school for silent reading time. She recommends it for kids over nine.
I dared to drop into the darkness with Cole…and I was transported…engaged…and ready to see this adventure out with him. You are immersed with the need to help his friends, to learn more about the place that couldn’t possibility exist – but it does and each word and each step that Cole makes, you need to know what happens next! Its a page turner and a tale twister! The immersion into this strange new world, the adventures he undertakes but with the final end game to rescue his friends always at the back of your mind. There is courage and determination and sheer luck on Coles part. You feel his sense of defeat of being sold as a slave, scared when he runs his first mission, relieved when he survives another day and that eventually he makes friends in a strange world.
It’s his story, that crosses with another character, to help him reach his end goal but to perhaps enable him to help someone else along the way. There is no guile to who he is or his lack of bravery, he is indeed an accidental hero but with a heart of gold that bonds you to him. To travel with him to rescue his friends, to help others along the way and to really live the adventure of the Outskirts! There are lessons to be learned in these books, that resonant outside of the covers of this magnificent novel.
The imagination of the author, the detail and the ability to keep the reader engaged is a testament to his wordsmith. His ability to capture the imagination of young readers has branched out to capturing the imagination of a mother of two! I have been given the opportunity to revisit my childhood through this book, to read through the eyes of a male author (very rare for me) and to learn a little more about my pre-tween son’s world of books and maybe find a common bond not just in reading by the adventures of these books with him.I cannot wait for the next book in the Five Kingdoms Trilogy: Skyraiders series. A need to know that Cole and his band of mismatched friends will complete their next quest, my curiosity of the world in which he is trapped in, what is shapecraft and if they can save his friends and topple the HighShaper! If you’re not reading Brandon Mull, you need to get on it – NOW!
I bought this book for my 11 year old nephew as a present, hoping he would develop a love of reading as his mother and Auntie have. He absolutely loved it and now I’m keen to borrow it and see what it’s like. I will be tracking down the other titles in the series for Christmas presents.
My 11 year old son loved this book. He can’t wait for more to come out. Read it at night and also over the school holidays. I was very surprised that he wrote a book review about it at school as well. Told me doesn’t wanna give to much away to me as he wants me now to read it. Gr8 book, thankyou for allowing us to read it and review it..
My eleven year old nephew absolutely loved this book. I bought it to encourage him to read now he wants to read more. Great fantasy book that is fun to read for kids and the young at heart. Brandon Mull writes in such a manner that you are drawn into a magical fantasy world.
This is a great book for pre teens, teens and adults (I’m a kid at heart), anyone who enjoys fantasy mystery. Brandon Mull is a great writer and it’s hard to put the book down once you start reading. He transforms you into another world so you enjoy reading. Great book to encourage children to read, that’s why I gave it to my 11 year old nephew,
I bought this book for my 11 year old nephew as a present, hoping he would develop a love of reading as his mother and Auntie have. He absolutely loved it and now I’m keen to borrow it and see what it’s like. I will be tracking down the other titles in the series for Christmas presents.
I got Five Kingdoms: Sky Raiders for my nephew who said he thought it a good book. Loving science fiction / adventure novels myself I was keen to find a book out there that catered to young kids so this was a great find. It’s easy for them to relate to the characters and the story is interesting.
My nephew loved this book and it was his first introduction to science fiction / fantasy adventure novel. Being a fan of this genre myself it was good to find something that I could surprise my nephew with. He found it really absorbing and intriguing and couldn’t put the book down till the end. A great read for a ten year old! I wish there had been more young child friendly science fiction adventure novels when I was younger!
My 11 year old son loved this book. He can’t wait for more to come out. Read it at night and also over the school holidays. I was very surprised that he wrote a book review about it at school as well. Told me doesn’t wanna give to much away to me as he wants me now to read it. Gr8 book, thankyou for allowing us to read it and review it..
I only got half way through the first chapter before my son lost interest but he is only 7 and if it’s not star wars or Lego at the moment it’s just not cool! I got through 3 chapters before I ran out of time to sit and read (I also have a 2 yr old and a 4 month old so reading time is few and far between) But from what i did read it was captivating, so I donated the book to my son’s library and so far it hasn’t touched the shelf! One of the students read it and now her mum is asking where she can find them!
My ten year old daughter loved this book so much that she can’t wait for the next one to come out! I’ve tried asking her about it but she doesn’t want to give to much more away than I have in the previous review. She finished the book and said it was amazing. As stated previously probably better for kids over 9 or ten because of the content. She would definitely recommend this book for boys or girls.
This is one of those books that both tweens and parents could enjoy together. Love that there is strong female character and lots of twists and turns. I also like that it will carry on over several books in order to get to the other worlds!
I have finally manged to pry this book out of my son’s hand so that I could actually look at it! He ploughed through the book in records speed and then gave it to Dad to read as well – huge thumbs up all round in this household. Suitable for readers 9 to 99 and my nephew is currently reading it. Yes, we will be tracking down the series as it is a Fabulous adventure!
My son is just starting to read books and he couldn’t put this book down it keep him on the edge of his sit, and he loved it that much he read it again
I found this book rather in ticking as now each evening I get time to sit down with my eldest daughter and read to her which is connecting us more, it’s even better that it’s a book that we can talk about together, I would define toy continue to buy this series and read with her.
The first few chapters were a bit difficult to get into as the ‘love story’ is established and Cole gets through the shock of the new world, but from about the middle of the book onwards the writing smooths out into the adventure and the second half is a good easy read. Looks like this is the first of at least 5 books, so it is worth considering how your child will deal with waiting for the next book to continue the story (if they are more than 6 months apart then your child will probably outgrow the series before it ends).
Even I was excited when we opened the package, with the cover catching our attention straight away. It seemed to be in line with the style of story my son enjoys, so off to his bedroom armed with snacks!
After a speed read of the first couple of chapters – I left him to it! So far, so good as he hasn’t put it down, so hopefully this will become a favourite for our family
I thought this sounded like a great book for my 9yr old, who loves fantasy stories, and devoured all the HP books and is a great little reader. Unfortunately the first few chapters started off with the lead character being romantically attracted to a girl, and my 9yr old son wasn’t impressed. If your child is still in the ‘girls are icky and gross’ stage they may find it a little hard to get into. We haven’t finished reading the book yet, as it only arrived a few days ago, so hopefully when we finish it we’ll be able to give it a more positive review.
A well written, engaging book aimed at the "tween" reader.
I just got this book today and after reading two chapters was hooked!
The language is simple and engaging and I will be interested to see what my 12 year old son thinks of the story line. I think, if he can get past all of the “words”, that the plot will be one that is relate-able – boy likes cute girl, wants to be the hero and save her and his best mate – with enough twists and turns and excitement to keep him engaged and reading.
My daughter loves these types of books so was very excited to receive the book yesterday. Her first impressions after reading a few chapters is that the book is very exciting! She tells me so far she really likes the story which is about a boy named Cole. She didn’t want to give all the details and spoil it for other readers but it starts with Cole and his friends going into a haunted house where they get kidnapped. Cole goes down a ladder to rescue his friends and finds himself in another universe. She couldn’t wait to keep reading it today and took it to school for silent reading time. She recommends it for kids over nine.
Thanks MOM for this book. We got it yesterday and my son is very excited to start reading it. He is 7 so not sure if this book is going to be up his ally just yet as it looks for kids a little older maybe 10+. I know they say not to judge a book by its cover but it draws you in. Can’t wait to update everyone on our progress and happy reading!
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Genius Beach And Pool Tips Every Aussie Mum Should Know
Summer beach and pool days are core childhood memory creators, but getting the kids out the door, not so much! From wrestling wriggly toddlers into rashies to arguing with teens trying to dodge sunscreen and cramming half the house into the car, the exhaustion can kick in before we’ve even set foot on the sand!
But there are some very clever tips that will make even the most stressful summer days smooth sailing – and the Mouths of Mums community know them all! Which is why we asked our mums for their hints, hacks and tips – from sand removal to stress-free sunscreen application (we’re going to introduce you to the fabulous new Banana Boat SmartMist Sunscreen Sprays that will make your life so much easier).
You’ll want to take note before you next hit the beach or pool!
Pack Smart, Not Big
Do you feel like you take waaayyy too much when you head to the beach or pool, and then you seem to forget a couple of key things that would have made life so much easier?
Our Mouths of Mums community swear by this fab list of essentials which should be in every mum’s beach kit, and
A plastic bag for wet towels and bathers
A dry bag for clothes
A bucket or basin to wash off sandy toys
A ‘clean zone’, sand-free blanket or mat for eating and changing
A pop-up tent for changing
Waterproof phone case
Talcum powder to get sticky, wet sand off little feet. Just pop it on and brush it off – it’s magic!
A hand-held car vac for quick sand cleanups!
“The amount of times my kids have gone home in wet chafing swimming costumes because they didn’t want anyone to see them changing is unbelievable! Our pop up tent has been life changing! We all drive home comfy and cosy! Lastly, a sand proof picnic blanket is so perfect for a sand reprieve! The sand literally falls right through them!” – MoM Member
Get Safety Sorted Before The Fun Starts
It’s pretty hard to get the kids’ attention once you’re at the beach or pool, so the safety talk should really start at home. Our mums recommend chatting to the kids about:
Swimming between the flags at the beach
Setting a meeting spot in case anyone gets separated
Sunscreen: Always apply sunscreen 20 minutes before heading outdoors. And set alarms to reapply every two hours throughout the day. Reapply immediately after swimming or using a towel.
Applying sunscreen at the start of the day and regularly throughout is so important, but it usually causes the most arguments. Kids don’t want to stop, teens assure you they ‘did it already’.
That’s where Banana Boat’s new SmartMist™ Sunscreen Spray SPF50+ actually makes a difference. The iconic sunscreen brand has just launched its newest product, which turns sunscreen time into something simple and fun. It’s an easy and convenient way to tick off sun safety – which isn’t always easy when it comes to kids!
Why Banana Boat SmartMist Sunscreen Spray makes sunscreen easier
The Smart Control Spray gives you the choice of a short spray for tricky spots or a long spray for larger areas like those wiggly little legs, making application simple and convenient. It also sprays from any angle – just spray, rub in and you’re ready for playtime.
Clear, lightweight formula that absorbs fast and with no greasy feel.
SPF50+ broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and 4-hour water resistant.
Kids SmartMist™ is mild and gentle for kid’s sensitive skin, fragrance free and contains Aloe and Vitamin E.
Sport SmartMist™ features high-performance Powerstay Technology™, designed to stay on through sweat and water.
Banana Boat SmartMist makes those important sunscreen stops much easier and effective and is perfect for active Aussie families this summer.
Prep & Time It Perfectly
There’s nothing worse than kids itching to get to the beach while you’re trying to remember everything you need to pack – it makes everyone frazzled. So get prepped early – even the night before. And time your departure to minimise the amount of time in the car (and the amount of times the kids ask ‘are we there yet?!’.
“Packing the car the night before, always a huge help getting the bucket, cabana, and bag of spare clothes/towels in the boot. We usually leave straight after breakfast to avoid heavy traffic as the beach is an hour away.” – MoM Member
Pack Smart Snacks
Snacks are a must, but it can be tricky to know what’s going to survive a hot, Aussie summer day – and what’s good for hungry tummies. Here’s what our mums recommend:
Chopped fruit
Crackers
Boiled eggs
Drink bottles that have been frozen overnight
“We have a few allergies/intolerances, so being prepared with food is helpful and saves us the search and some money. I pre-chop carrots, cucumber, apples, boiled egg, in a handy separating container, a packet of chips, dip, and bring water bottles. If it’s a longer day planned at the beach I’ll bring lunch too.” – MoM Member
A chaos-free beach day. Yes please!
You don’t need a military-style plan to enjoy a sunny day out. A beach trolley, some prep, and an easy sunscreen like SmartMist™ are enough to help things run calmly – or at least calm-ish!
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Wear protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses in addition to sunscreen. Reapply frequently every 2 hours or more often when sweating and immediately after swimming or using a towel. Avoid prolonged high-risk sun exposure.
Mouths of Mums is proudly working with Banana Boat to bring you this article.
Some really good tips here! I had no idea about the talcum powder hack – who would have known! That is amazing and I will definitely try it next time we go to the beach! It is definitely worthwhile getting things ready the night before though, especially if you want to leave before midnight lol.
7:20 pm
Adventurous, intriguing and insightful into the pre-tween world.
4:42 pm
Fun reading
11:27 pm
Recommended book
2:22 pm
Fantastic Five Kingdoms
6:50 pm
Just love it
10:25 am
Exciting reading for kids
9:19 am
Age has no limit when reading this book!
5:10 pm
Best book I read my whole life
10:37 am
Nephew is now reading
2:49 pm
Fanastic read..
4:42 pm
Fun reading
11:27 pm
Recommended book
10:37 am
Nephew is now reading
10:29 pm
loved this read
8:47 pm
Good read
11:19 pm
Great little escape for kids!
2:49 pm
Fanastic read..
11:42 am
Great Older Child/Young Teenager Read
1:06 pm
Loved it!
12:15 pm
Great Book
7:26 pm
awesome read
2:22 pm
Fantastic Five Kingdoms
6:50 pm
Just love it
9:25 am
Intriguing
8:44 am
Starts slow but does get better
1:09 am
Kingdom Saviour and Scorpinan Lord!
7:34 pm
Is this a kissing story?
2:55 pm
A well written, engaging book aimed at the "tween" reader.
10:25 am
Exciting reading for kids
4:20 pm
Can't wait to get into this book
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