Hollow Earth by Carole Barrowman (and a book birthday announcement!)

Have you ever stared at a picture or painting and wondered what the artist was thinking when he painted it?  Or have you wondered what it would be like if you had been part of the scene depicted?  In Hollow Earth, twins Matt and Em don’t have to wonder, they can do so much more than that.  The twins have the ability to enter a painting and become a part of that world.  They can even bring art to life!  Sounds like a fun, but harmless activity, right?  Wrong!

For most of the first 12 years of their lives, their mother, Sandy, has kept the twins hidden away in London.  The twins have no idea just how special they are until one day they enter a painting to take a swim, and draw some unwelcome attention.  Suddenly two very sinister groups that want the twins and their powers for very different reasons are hunting them.  The twins and their mother escape to a secluded island off the coast of Scotland where they will be safe.  But will they?  Their grandfather, who they haven’t seen since they were babies, is a powerful man and should be able to protect tem.  But why wasn’t he able to protect their father?  What happened to their father?

I first discovered this book last December when one of my students emailed me that she had received it as a gift.  She declared it to be the best book since the Percy Jackson series! (This is high praise as she is a very avid reader!)  On her recommendation, I immediately purchased the book and started reading.  I could not put it down.  Our sixth grade book club (30+ students) ended up reading and discussing the book.  We then had the excitement of welcoming the author, Carole Barrowman, to our school for a book talk and signing in March.  The students were captivated!

 Tomorrow, July 9 is the “book birthday”, of the second book in the series, Bone Quill.  While I do not assign summer reading to students, I know many will be reading this!  (I might even see a few former students at the bookstore tomorrow!)