The Secret of Certavus (Bionicle Growing Reader, Level 3) [Paperback]

Greg Farshtey (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

LEGO'S most successful property -- now in books for younger fans!

The Glatorian Vastus has always been a fighter who believes that being a fighter is really about is having the best moves, being the fastest, being the most agile or knowing the best tricks. Then he goes on a search for a legendary scroll.

Along the way he encounters moments where his tricks aren't enough, and he begins to doubt himself. But when he finds the scroll, he discovers that it does contain a secret on it -- and it is that the best fighter is the one with the courage to keep going even when his skills desert him. Vastus heads back to his village, wiser for the adventure.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (March 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545093368
• ISBN-13: 978-0545093361
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Series > Fantasy & Adventure > Bionicle

More About the Author

Born in New York State, grew up there before moving to PA and now CT.
Graduated State University of New York at Geneseo, 1987, with a degree in Communications.
Worked as a journalist, senior editor/writer at a game company, and copywriter before my present job, Editor in Chief for the Community Education Direct division of The LEGO Company.
Married, no children (yet)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, January 23, 2010

By 

DBS - Chicago - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Secret of Certavus (Bionicle Growing Reader, Level 3) (Paperback)

I bought this book along with "Desert of Danger" and "The Challenge of Mata Nui" for my son who was very interested in the Bionicles and we wanted to learn more but I did not believe the movie would be appropriate so I bought these. Reading is better than watching. These three books are like old Greek lessons with excellent messages about personal control, perseverance, determination, patience and respect, of yourself and others. Hard to believe but true. All the lead characters are nice and have something to learn and overcome. No one is really hurt, no one dies and the "bad guys" are robot/monsters. Is there some "fighting", of course, these are warrior heroes and boys just like fighting and beating bad guys. We discuss the lessons that the hero learned. In this one it's about where a warrior's real strength lies and the answer is, In your BRAIN!!! It tells the kids that the best "fighters" are thinkers!! That's a good message. Can't recommend them enough. Old fashion message but in a modern context that appeals to todays boys. Depending on your child, appropriate for 4 and up.

4.0 out of 5 stars My son loved it., October 12, 2011

By 

AnalogDog (Mountlake Terrace, WA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Secret of Certavus (Bionicle Growing Reader, Level 3) (Paperback)

My son loves to play with Bionacles and was thrilled to get this book. While it was being read to him (he's 7) he listened in rapt attention, even thanking me when the book was finished.

8 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Caution Parents: Bionicle Obsession, October 14, 2009

By 

Victoria Carrington "Homeschool Parents" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secret of Certavus (Bionicle Growing Reader, Level 3) (Paperback)

When I first found that my 8-year old son was interested in Bionicles, I wondered why because they seemed to be dark, mean-looking figures, very unlike the typical LEGO figures he had liked previously. I went along with it anyway, assuming that they could not be that bad.

Over time, I learned that I was wrong. Not only are these Bionicle figures and their stories filled with dark images of death and cruelty, the paranormal, occult aspects are very liberally seen throughout the books. This dark world comes with an entire alternate reality, including it's own language, geography, religion and politics. It is very easy for boys of any age to get all caught in this dark world and the consequences could be very disturbing.

Both my son and his friend voluntarily stopped playing with their Bionicles. My son could not tell me why except to say that he did not want to get "addicted" to them. After doing some research on my own and taking the time to read through some of the books (which I should have done in the beginning!), I began to see why my son was drawing away.

We are Christians who teach our children the Bible and undoubtedly my son could sense how the themes of Bionicles were very different than those we were teaching at home and what he was hearing at church.

My advice is that ALL parents thoroughly review the Bionicle books before giving them to your children to read. My previous work in the field of child counseling showed me that children of today have enough problems with dark thoughts and tendencies (ie. the skyrocketing rates of childhood depression and suicide, boys getting "lost" in fantasy worlds, etc.) and do not need books with dark themes.

Christian parents who value raising children with a biblical worldview might well consider avoiding the Bionicle series as it will send messages that will conflict the views you desire your children to grow up with.