Escape from Arylon (The Silverskin Legacy Series) [Paperback]

Jo Whittemore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 8, 2006 | Series: The Silverskin Legacy Series (Book 1)

Megan and Ainsley have lived next door to each other their whole lives, but their relationship is anything but neighborly. Ainsley is the cutest, most popular guy in school, and even has a group of girls who call themselves his fan club. Outspoken and fiery, Megan is an individual who thinks Ainsley is full of himself-and she doesn't mind letting him know what she thinks.

The two stumble upon a neighbor who is performing some sort of strange magic, and find themselves transported into a magical new world. Stuck together in an unfamiliar land with no escape, Megan and Ainsley encounter floating cities inhabited by magical creatures of all kinds-and find themselves pursuing a thief who has stolen a staff with magical powers. Can Megan and Ainsley work together to find the staff of power and save the kingdom, or will they find that there is no escape from Arylon?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8–On their way home from junior high, Ainsley and Megan spy on their neighbor, Mr. Niksrevlis, after overhearing part of a conversation dealing with heirlooms and kingdoms. While eavesdropping, they are transported through an interdimensional portal to the land of Arylon where they discover that their neighbor is really a powerful wizard and a king of the Silverskin family, sworn to protect the Staff of Lexiam, a magical relic used to control the elements and open portals to other worlds. While waiting to return home, the kids become involved in a quest to return the Staff after it has been stolen. During their journey they meet a variety of strange creatures, talking animals, and magical peoples. Readers will enjoy the bloodless action sequences and following Megan's and Ainsley's discovery of the magic within themselves. An enjoyable read.–Michele Capozzella, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Jo Whittemore (Texas) lives in Austin, and is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She earned a degree in Business from Texas A & M University. However, from the first time she dragged a crayon across her parents' living room wall, writing has been her passion.

Visit her website at www.jowhittemore.com

Read her blog at http://jo-no-anne.livejournal.com/

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (March 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738708690
• ISBN-13: 978-0738708690
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,074,504 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jo Whittemore started her writing career as a toddler, dragging a crayon across the living room wall. She has since switched to pen and paper and is now the author of three published fantasy novels: Escape from Arylon, Curse of Arastold, and Onaj's Horn, as well as the humorous contemporary novel, Front Page Face-Off. Her fifth book, Odd Girl In, will be released March 2011.
Jo has been a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) since 2003 and is one of the founding members of AS IF! (Authors Supporting Intellectual Freedom) as well as a Texas Sweetheart. She has been featured in the national magazines For Me, East West, and Audrey and loves all things chocolate, most things sparkly and nothing that involves the words "mayonnaise" or "back hair".

Check out Jo's website:
http://www.jowhittemore.com

Check out AS IF!'s blog at:
http://www.asifnews.blogspot.com

Check out the Texas Sweethearts:
http://www.texassweethearts.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Escape From Arylon, March 22, 2006

By 

Rica "Reil" (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Escape from Arylon (The Silverskin Legacy Series) (Paperback)

This book got me from the start when I realized that it was something people my age could relate to. With the best friends gone wrong situation to where they now pick on each other. The magic and well described places also made me love this book. Though there are a few minor (and by minor, I mean things that wouldn't really make a difference to how well the book is) mistakes but it is still great. The many different names and situations these two main characters get into are sometimes funny but it left me hoping that they will get closer. The places and difficulties that are described sometimes left my heart thumping or made me want to flip forward to see if everything turned out okay. I really would recommend this book to young readers and I can't wait to read the next book in this trilogy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Escape from Arylon, June 13, 2006

By 

Ted Forrester "Edward" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Escape from Arylon (The Silverskin Legacy Series) (Paperback)

This book is outstanding. I am an avid fantasy reader, and while I have grown up surrounded by these types of books, they all share a common strand... many of them struggle to capture the minds of the "general audience." Similar to Harry Potter, this series brings together both the "real" world and the world of Magick. The author, Jo whittemore, does an outstanding job of making each of the characters realistic, to the point you almost forget you are in a fantasy world. We all knew the kind old neighbor, that "extra grandparent," or who was just a friend with great stories. We have all fought with someone we were friends with. Everyone has dealt with loss and change in their daily life, regardless of how much they fought it. This book brings all of that out in the characters, and more. Each one of us grew up knowing the "cool kid" or the "tomboy." Some of us may have been that person, yet we get the chance to see them in a different light.

I am 29 years old. I have been reading fantasy since I could get my hands on a book. My wife is not a fan of fantasy. She likes Harry Potter, which is a start. So when I see her eagerly turning the pages of Escape from Arylon, I know that this book is one that can bring others to the genre.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Debut Novel!!!, June 5, 2006

By 

JR - See all my reviews

This review is from: Escape from Arylon (The Silverskin Legacy Series) (Paperback)

This book was great and I'm glad I took the time to read it. I loved the characters Megan and Ainsley, since both had personalities were identifiable with someone we've either encountered or known. The popular guy that craves attention and affection, and the fiercely independent female that refuses to follow the flock just to be one of the sheep. I found myself really drawn into the Author's story about these former friends turned enemies, b/c part of me loved the idea of reuniting friends that had grown apart due to the differences in the personalities they were developing as teenagers. The teenagers encounter plenty of action and adventure during their trip to Arylon, so as the reader I was never left bored with long dead chapters. I do not usually read young adult fantasy, but I am very glad I did this time b/c the twist at the end of this has left me dying to continue the story. I'm so excited that Book two is coming in July, b/c I won't have to wait a year to continue the story. That rocks!