Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard

From the moment Danny sees the beautiful Irish setter, he knows Red is the dog for him. Fast and smart, strong and noble, Red is the only dog Danny wants by his side. Soon, neither boy nor dog can stand to be apart. Together Danny and Red face many dangers in the harsh Wintapi wilderness that they call home. But the greatest test of their courage and friendship will come from an enemy more cunning than any they've known before--a bear who is the undisputed king of the wilderness, a savage killer called Old Majesty.

Stichley's Rating:
I went through a massive animal craze as a kid.  I think I read every single animal book that the librarian could find me at the county library.  Some of them were the books by Jim Kjelgaard.  These books are good for any animal lover.  Unfortunately they are not as easy to find as when I was a kid.  I looked online a bit trying to track down a copy in the local library and ultimately had to get it from amazon because they didn't have any books by Kjelgaard.  These books are almost all about Danny and his Irish setters.  Either Red himself or his pups.  The first in the series is this one.  They are fun, easy reads that all dog loving kids should love.

Instances of Swearing: 

• Bitch is used 6 times but it is in the proper context of a female dog.

The Dark Elf Trilogy, Book One: Homeland by R. A. Salvatore (Forgotten Realms: The Legend of Drizzt, Book I)

Drow ranger Drizzt Do’Urden, first introduced in The Icewind Dale Trilogy, quickly became one of the fantasy genre’s standout characters. But Homeland first reveals the startling tale of how this one lone drow walked out of the shadowy depths of the Underdark, leaving behind a society of evil and a family who want him dead. It is here that the story of this amazing dark elf truly began.

Stichley's Rating:
I never played Dugeons and Dragons, so I didn't know that this was a character from that genre until I'd read a lot of the books.  So if you like fantasy books this series is worth reading whether or not you are into that game series.  The character of Drizzt is very compelling and his story is rather interesting.  He is a very innocent character born into a world that worships evil and darkness.  In this world he has to learn to survive and decide whether he is going to live in the world or abandon everything.  I found this first book to be exciting and enjoyable.  I think older teens and adults who like fantasy would enjoy it.  Even though he lives in a world of evil it is nothing like the evil we live in or see in modern world, it is more of pain and suffering so it isn't shocking like many of modern evils.

Instances of Swearing: 

• Hell: 5
• Damn: 11
• Fantasy violence and action, some instances of torture

Adventurers Wanted, Book One: Slathbog's Gold by M. L. Forman

The sign is small, tucked into the corner of Mr. Clutter s bookshop window: Adventurers Wanted. Apply Within. No one but fifteen-year-old Alex Taylor even seems to notice it is there. And for Alex, who has wished for a change in his life, it is an irresistible invitation. Upon entering Mr. Clutter s shop, Alex is swept away to a faraway land filled with heroic warriors, mysterious elves, and hard-working dwarves. Alex becomes the eighth man in a band of adventurers seeking the lair of Slathbog the Red an evil dragon with a legendary treasure. Along the way, Alex and his new friends must battle dangerous trolls and bandits, face undead wraiths, and seek the wisdom of the Oracle in her White Tower. Alex's adventure takes him to distant and exotic lands where he learns about courage, integrity, honor, and, most important, friendship.

Stichley's Rating:
This story is just easy reading and fun.  There is not any real bad guy, or distinct evil antagonist that can be pointed at through the book.  The character often has everything go his way, but if you read future books you will see how this easy reading story is setting up the scenario for the future books.  Think as this book as the prelude to the story and it makes a lot more sense than as a book on its own.  Just as many books published by Shadow Mountain it is a candy novel.  I found the later books in the series more enjoyable than this first one but this one essential to understanding the background of future books.

Experiment 429's Rating: THUMBS UP

Instances of Swearing:

• I don't remember any swearing, just action adventure.