Now that they have the Emerald Atlas, siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma are in even more danger than they were before. In hiding at the Edgar Allan Poe Home for Hopeless and Incorrigible Orphans, they are quickly discovered by their enemies--those who wish to control the Books of Beginning. When Kate is forced to use the power of the Atlas to protect Michael and Emma, she winds up in New York City, one hundred years in the past. Determined to find a way back to her brother and sister, Kate discovers a magical world and a mysterious boy who she somehow was destined to meet. Back in the present time, Michael and Emma are in search of the second of the Books of Beginning--a search that will test their courage and their loyalty. And if they are unsuccessful, they may never see their sister again.

Perfect for adventure-loving tweens, The Fire Chronicle is the second installment in The Books of Beginning, a thoroughly enjoyable series filled with magic, action, and humor. Picking up where The Emerald Atlas left off, The Fire Chronicle features an endearing cast of characters, particularly siblings Kate (15), Michael (13), and Emma (12). Each of these children has been indelibly affected by the absence of their parents, and are fiercely protective of one another as a result. Readers who are middle children will relate to Michael in particular and his overwhelming desire to assert his authority and prove himself in the absence of his older sister. Both thrilled and terrified to be thrust into a leadership role, Michael displays resourcefulness, bravery, and intelligence. The story alternates between Kate in the past and Michael and Emma in the present, which heightens the suspense and keeps the pages turning. The plot does involve some violence but the context is pure fantasy. Language is extremely mild (the word "d-mnit" is used once). Sure to capture the imagination of younger and older readers alike, The Books of Beginning (best read in order) would make excellent classroom or family read-alouds. The Fire Chronicle's cliff hanger ending will leave fans eager to get their hands on the final installment in the trilogy.
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