MS Review – Bryce and the Lost Pearl – middle school fantasy
Holser, Derek and Zach Fay. Bryce and the Lost Pearl. Illustrated by George Ermos. Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2025.
Lightglider series
Guide to Categories – MS Review – review of books for older elementary-aged and middle school-aged children
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Summary
Journey through time and space to the world of Glideon, where a group of teen Lightgliders are tasked with saving a mysterious land filled with Gliddles, talking spiders, and diabolical Machines.
Victor Harbor, Australia, 2024
Life is full of responsibilities for fifteen-year-old Bryce Holland. Between working at his uncle’s horse stables, playing his newly earned spot on the varsity basketball team, and leading a Bible study, the juggling act of his life is on the verge of a crash. An injury ends his season prematurely and the girl he likes starts hanging out with the guy who sprained his ankle. The stress sends Bryce over the edge and he thunders away on his uncle’s Clysdesdale without permission. When the horse gets away from him, the search to find the missing animal sends Bryce wandering deep through the woods and into a strange new land.
Bryce suddenly finds himself in the alternate realm of Glideon where he meets other teens who have been tasked with rescuing the Gliddles from an army of Machines that threaten the land. Along the way, Bryce and his new friends discover the mysterious pearl that will guide them in their journey to resurrect Lightglider Academy, rescue the Gliddles, and restore the land.
- First of seven books in the Lightglider Origins series for ages 8–14, telling the stories of teens from different time periods and locations around the world who are transported to the mystical land of Glideon to become Lightgliders.
- Fantasy adventure stories with relatable, authentic characters that affirm a biblical worldview and positive values.
- The Lightglider Origin series is based on the characters and story found in the Lightgliders virtual world of Christian faith, games, and community for kids. www.lightgliders.com
Purchase Bryce and the Lost Pearl on Amazon – https://amzn.to/3FRx8HW
My MS Review
Holser and Fay have created a fantasy story that will appeal to preteens. The book starts in Australia so readers will get a taste of what life is like in that country. The plot later moves to a fantasy world where Bryce meets two other young teens who are from different time periods and different locations. Together they learn how to fight the evil in the fantasy world they have entered.
The black and white illustrations by George Emos will make the story more appealing to this age group as they do break up the text.
Bryce and the Lost Pearl is the first book in the series. The ending left me wanting to read more so I look forward to the next book.
Bryce and the Lost Pearl would be a great addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for fourth grade and up.
I received a complimentary copy of Bryce and the Lost Pearl. This is my honest review.
About the Authors – Derek Holser and Zach Fay
| Derek Holser, MEd, MTh, JD, is an author, educator, and attorney. He and his wife, Leah, and their three teenage children live in Bainbridge Island, Washington. His many works include Atlas Forman & The Necessary Dream and BOY 39. He is dedicated to producing works of inspiration and education, which lead to personal and societal transformation. Zach Fay, MDiv, MBA, is the creator of Lightgliders, a virtual world of Christian faith, games, and community for kids. He and his wife, Margaret, live with their four young children in St. Louis, Missouri. He is inspired by the intersection of faith, reason, and imagination. |
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