by Candace Salima, Senior Contributor US Daily Review
“Exciting, well-written and a page-turning mystery that will leave you breathless.” Candace Salima
 
Book: Red Shirt Kids
 
Authors: Bryce Clark and Kim Clark
 
It's not often you end up reviewing a “first novel” written by a television writer and the president of a university, but here I am reviewing Red Shirt Kids by two such men. I'll state right off the bat, I'm not certain tweens and younger should be reading this book. In fact, I'm going to recommend no one under thirteen read Red Shirt Kids without their parents having read it first. That being said, this is an extremely well-written, exciting book.
 
We open with the kidnapping of a brother and sister from a small town by an extremely creepy, apparently magical, guy. Fast forward to a new family moving into a home that suddenly, mysteriously, went on the market, and another brother and sister finding themselves in possession of some pretty amazing red shirts.
 
That's all I'm going to say about the story, I don't want to give anything important away. Just let me say, once you pick the book up you won't put it down.
 
The backliner reads:
 
Mike and Amy Smith are nervous about moving from their nice house in Boston to a dilapidated old mansion in Falton, New Hampshire. They know they'll have to start junior high school not knowing anyone, and their new house is just plain creepy. 
While searching their dusty attic, Mike and Amy uncover an old wooden chest with a mysterious lock, inside they find magical red shirts that give them special powers. Together, with a new friend, Sam; Mike and Amy must figure out how to harness their newfound gifts while keeping them a secret from their parents. As their powers grow, they begin a search for two missing kids–pitting them against a powerful adversary with mystical powers of his own. Will Mike and Amy be able to unlock the ancient mystery of the shirts? And will they be able to find the missing children before it's too late?
 
The writing is crisp without being overbearing. The dialogue is sharp, and the characterization is well-done. The overall arc of the story trips right along without being bogged down in any section. It was a very easy read, which is always good.
 
The authors, Bryce and Kim Clark, are a son/father combination, with Bryce taking the stories his father told him growing up and turning them into a book and television series. Kim is the president of Brigham Young University Idaho, my alma mater (when it was still called Ricks Junior College); and the Red Shirt Kids stories were created originally as bedtime stories for Bryce and his siblings by Kim. I can see this book being the first of many that could emerge into a fabulous series. Without question, this could make an amazing television series on either the Disney Channel or Nickelodeon. I'll be making room on library shelves for a series of books by the Clarks.
 
This is a book that will intrigue and delight all, from teenagers to those of us who are much older. In fact, the book was so good I'll be reading it again! Red Shirt Kids receives a 4 out of 5 stars.
 
- Age Range: 8 – 12 years
- Hardcover: 192 pages
- Publisher: Sourced Media Books (August 1, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1937458571
- ISBN-13: 978-1937458577
- Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 1 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #447,596 in Books
Candace E. Salima is an author, columnist, public speaker and political activist. A frequent radio guest on shows around the nation, she is valued for her viewpoint on a variety of subjects, particularly politics. Follow Candace on Facebook, Twitter or Google+. Learn more about her at www.candacesalima.com.
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