Independent reading level: grades 4-5

Tales of a Fifth-Grade Knight by Douglas Gibson is a story geared to middle grade students. A group of children accidentally discover a hidden underground world. They meet many odd creatures, some fearsome rats and an elf king who does not want anyone to leave this world once they enter it.

Isaac, whose little sister (Lily) is obsessed by elves. When her "gem jewel" falls out of her crown and goes down the stairs into the Bennettsville Elementary School’s basement she, Issac and his friends Max and Emma try to find it. Suddenly they turn around and Lily has disappeared. Max and Emma join Isaac on this search to find Lily before they all get “weirded” out in the land of ‘the Underground.’ They need to escape quickly as they are changing into creatures of the kingdom and if they don’t escape they will have to stay and serve the Elf King. There are some riddles in the story that will make people think which is always a good thing.

I am hoping that there will be more adventures with this group of friends as I think it will be a draw for middle grade students, especially some of those reluctant male readers.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

This book is geared towards the reader age of 9-12. I thought this book was age appropriate. Everything from the characters to the story itself was entertaining. Who knew there was such an intriguing and a little scary world residing under Isaac's school. Yet, I guess I should not be that surprised when your school is an old castle. Besides Isaac; his friends Max and Emma was cool and so was Isaac's little sister, Lily. Although, at times I know Isaac would not think Lily was so cool. He is like any typical big brother but when it really counts he is a good protector.

The Elf King was horrible but all of the creatures of the Underworld were just as horrible if not scary with the spear-wielding rats, talking human-sized bat, and the thumb-nosed prison guard. Which actually having a thumb on the end of your nose could come in handy. As if you could not already tell, I had such a fun time reading this book. I know my nephews will as well. Tales of a Fifth-Grade Knight is a shining gem of a read! ( )