The Ranger’s Apprentice

So many people have recommended that I read The Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan, I’ve quite forgotten who first mentioned it to me.  But it wasn’t until after reading book recommendations from my writing classes – almost a third of whom chose to write about The Ranger’s Apprentice – that I finally picked up the first book to read it.

Will has been raised in a castle, as a foundling.  He knows he was brought to the castle by someone, but he doesn’t know who.  And he knows nothing about his parents.

He is not alone at the castle – several hundred orphaned children are being raised there.  He is closest to the children in his class – two other boys and two girls.  They each know where they will apprentice – the Battle School, the Kitchen, etc.  But no place seems right for Will.  He desperately wants to join the Battle School, but deep down, he knows he is not big or strong enough.

Soon after Choosing Day, Will suddenly finds himself apprenticed to a Ranger.  He’s not sure how he feels about that – those rangers are mysterious, strange and unsettling.  Over time he learns to appreciate Halt, the Ranger to whom he’s apprenticed.

And when Lord Morgarath, an evil enemy, starts making trouble in the kingdom, Will must use all his courage and newly acquired skills to save the kingdom, and Halt.

Highly recommended for ages 10 and up.