CHARLIE BONE... AND HARRY POTTER

Book Titles: Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo

                        Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo

                        Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy by Jenny Nimmo

                        Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors by Jenny Nimmo

                        Charlie Bone and the Hidden King (June 1, 2006 Release) by Jenny Nimmo

I have been reading another series of books about a young boy with unique and perhaps magical powers.  Charlie Bone is the hero of this 5 book series (book six will be out June 2006) by author, Jenny Nimmo, and although he may not be quite up to par with our dear Harry, he and his friends, and enemies do conjure up an entertaining few hours of fantasy and mayhem.

Each book encompasses a semester at Bloors Academy, a Hogwartisan castle-school for both genius and “endowed” children. The genius kids do not have special powers, but are gifted musicians, dramatists and artists. Charlie is one of the endowed; his special power being the ability to hear people’s thoughts and conversations in photographs and paintings.  It doesn’t stop there; however, Charlie can also enter the photos and paintings like entering a virtual world. 

All of the endowed children are distant descendents of the “Red King” who lived 900 years before.  Originally from some part of Africa, the Red King, a great sorcerer, eventually settled in England.  He had ten children, but after his wife’s death he wandered the world for 15 years.  In that time five of his children went to the dark side while the other 5 remained loyal and true.  Each of the children were endowed with a unique power, like shape-shifting (ala Remus Lupin – Serious Black combo), mind-reading (wouldn’t Snape be proud…), telekinesis (moving things sans wands), flying (sans brooms); talking to animals, even one thousand year old snakes, and many other special talents.  Ever after, each generation that followed included children who were good and children who were evil.  Some were endowed and others weren’t. 

Charlie’s ability lay dormant until he 10th year which just happens to be where the first book, Midnight for Charlie Bone, begins.  Once Charlie’s new found powers are discovered, his wicked Grandma Bone and her conniving 3 Yewbeam (ah... the infamous Yew...) sisters send Charlie to Bloor’s Academy where his amazing adventures begin.  He is allowed to come on the weekends where he lives with his mother, great Uncle Paton and both grandmothers.  His father is allegedly dead…

Charlie’s best friend, outside of Bloor's is Benjamin Brown, a red-haired boy who lives across the street from Charlie.  Benjamin’s constant companion is his dog, Runner Beam.  Charlie meets many new friends at Bloor's, as well as combats new enemies.

After reading the Charlie Bone books I just had to create a list of interesting Charlie Bone facts and share several similarities with you-know-who.

*Charlie Bone is a nice British boy with thick unruly hair who lives with his mean grandmother (and nice mother, grandmother and great uncle) He doesn’t wear glasses.

*In the first book, Charlie, age 10, discovers that he’s endowed on his best friend’s birthday.  (Endowed means has special powers:  Charlie can hear the voice and thoughts of people in photos and paintings and can talk to them and see them move, and can also enter photos and paintings.)

*Charlie lives with his mother, Amy Bone, 2 Grandmothers, Griselda Bone and Maisie Jones, and Great Uncle Paton.  His father, Lyle Bone, allegedly died in a car crash.

*Grandma Bone is a witch, at least figuratively.  She is not endowed, but controls Charlie and the rest of the household with an evil iron fist. The only reason the others live there is because of Charlie’s endowment.

*Great Uncle Paton is like a magical father figure who really hasn’t been involved in Charlie’s life (even though they live in the same house) until Charlie’s endowment develops. 

*Mr. Onimus is the caretaker for the Aires, Leo and Sagittarius, 3 ancient magical cats called The Flames that can turn into fire.  Mrs. Onimus and his wife run the Pet’s Café for animals.

*Charlie has a habit of saving people.

*Dr. Bloor is the headmaster at Bloor’s Academy.  He is not endowed, but still evil.  His son, Manfred is bad.  His endowment is the ability to hypnotize people, keeping them imperiously under his “spell” for years doing what he tells them to do. 

*Charlie gets a wand in book three.

*In book three we find out about the ancient snake kept secret in Bloors.  It is a blue boa constrictor and it squeezes its victims until they turn invisible.

*In book two Charlie learns about the Time Twister.  It is a beautiful, magical time travel marble. 

*Some of the endowed children (as of the first 3 books) at Bloors are:

            Manfred Bloor: 17, can hypnotize

            Aisa Pike: 17, shape shifter, usually transforms into a werewolf

            Billy Raven:   7, can talk to animals... including snakes

            Lysander Sage:  can call up spirit ancestors

            Tancred Torsson: can create wind, rain and lightning

            Emma Tully (aka Amelia Moon): can fly (turns into bird of her choice or imagination.)

            Zelda Dubensky:  17, uses telekinesis to move things.

            Gabriel Silk:  can feel the emotions of people by wearing or touching their clothes.

*Non-endowed Students:

            Olivia Vertigo - Drama

            Fidelio Gunn – Music - Violin

            Ollie Sparks - Flute

There are lots of other characters in the books, teachers, friends, shop owners, sorcerers, etc.  I will hopefully add to this list as I read on.

It will be quite a while before the last Harry Potter book apparates into the book stores, so if you are looking for something to fill up a few spare hours I recommend reading the Charlie Bone series.  Have fun.