I LOVE this series. It’s the perfect series for kids in the Middle Grades, there’s action, adventure, magic and even a touch of love. The characters in these books are so well written, they feel as though they could be your best friends, I love the way that they are individuals and that they face natural consequences for the way that they act and treat others. I liked the way that Connor was so conflicted in this book, in a way he feels guilty for things that have happened to him, but in the end he’s able to learn that the things that happened to him were not his fault and that they didn’t make him a bad person, the only way that he will be a bad person is if he chooses to be. I know that my 12 year-old daughter and I are both looking forward to the next installment in this series! Can’t wait!

Penumbras is the second book in Braden Bell's Middle School Magic series. I read the first book, The Kindling, over a year ago, so I particularly liked that Penumbras includes some recap (and that it's included in a way that feels smooth and shouldn't be redundant to readers who just read book one).

The story starts off with a bang, and then slows down as the kids are trained and Conner tries to figure out what he's become. I'm a bit of an impatient reader, so I was glad when the action really picked up. I found myself very emotionally involved-I even cried a few times!

There is a little bit of awkwardness with the pet names Dr. Timberi uses with the kids, and Lexa's quest to break down his emotional wall with lots of hugs (what with teacher/student etiquette), but I enjoyed getting to learn about Dr. Timberi's past and what makes him tick.

The ending is pretty exciting (and a bit of a cliff hanger). Sadly, book three isn't written yet, but this is a fun (and clean) series that I'd recommend to middle grade readers.

A bonus to Penumbras is that it's more than just an entertaining story. There is a great reminder about the good in people, and how the adversary wants us to think the worst of ourselves. Readers get to feel the importance of not giving up on the light within. Well done Braden Bell!