The Secret of the Portals

The Adventures of Bruten & Tommy #1

by Brant Waldeck

Bruten Stone and Tommy Staunton discover secret portals to other worlds... right in their own town! It's an adventure like no other that leads them to amazing worlds and untold riches, but it soon becomes clear that they will have to defend the worlds from those that would like nothing more than to exploit them for profit. As two recently graduated 5th graders, are they up for the challenge?

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2012

About the author

Brant Waldeck lived in a small town in rural Ohio until he was fourteen years old. From there he moved to a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. After high school, he attended Miami University (OH) and graduated with a degree in marketing. After five years working at advertising agencies, Brant set out on his own to be a freelance designer. His business evolved into a successful marketing agency. His life revolved around creativity, but it wasn’t until he had kids of his own that Brant began to explore the idea of writing. Brant credits his children as the key to his creative inspiration. The minds of children see possibilities that adults tend to shut out. The trick to being creative... never stop thinking like a kid.

Brant currently resides in a suburb of Charlotte, NC with his wife, Jenny, and three kids, Gillen, Brannen and Braelyn.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of two best friends, Tommy Staunton and Bruten Stone. The boys make the perfect team in complementing each other’s abilities, brawns and brains. One day, Tommy and Bruten came across a secret portal to another dimension. Excited about this other world, they rush to Tommy’s Uncle Ron who had explored many countries throughout his lifetime. Uncle Ron tells them about all of the secret portals in the woods and introduces him to his friend, Branford, a talking squirrel. Branford, Tommy and Bruten set out to explore all of the other portals. What they found exceeds any of their expectations, but it also puts them in grave danger. But is the real danger at home in their world?

Waldeck has written an exciting book for children and young teens. Waldeck subtly throws in geology and science lessons that will coincide with fifth grade subjects. The battle between doing the right thing while someone else is being greedy is a classic tale, but this story has a modern twist. This book is written for a younger, pre-teen audience. I recommend this book for young readers and anyone else who is looking for a fun adventure.


Notes:

I read and reviewed this book for the bookstore, My Sister's Books. To learn more about this bookstore, please visit their website at http://www.mysistersbooks.com

To learn more about my reviews, please visit my website, Ariesgrl Book Reviews, at http://ariesgrlreview.com

[Aaron C]

I liked the book called "The Secret of the Portals." It was very interesting because Bruten and Tommy had just graduated from the 5th grade and they spent their summer exploring in woods. They found caves which had portals that lead to other worlds. On their adventures to these dimensions they had to fight other beings. Sometimes they fought to get away and sometimes they fought to survive. The book was good because every day was a new discovery and adventure.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the very first page of this book I was hooked. I immediately thought “my son will love this book” as it is full of adventure, fantasy, and suspense. This lovely book is well written and moved really quickly because of the way in which it is written. Within the first few chapters there are more than one “adventure” and in these adventures the suspense pulls you to the edge of your seat.

I would actually say this book was Dan Brown–ish but for kids. The boys in this story are in grade 5. The reading level depending on your child could be anywhere from grade 3 to the tweens and possibly even older if you’re reading for the sake of enjoyment.

As a Christian mom I was quite pleased with this book. Though it was fantasy and not faith based (which I knew when I picked it up) it was rather wholesome and didn’t have swearing or anything that raised a red flag about allowing my children to read it (that I can recall). This book is now on my “read” shelf and on the “to read” shelf of my children. I am very excited to have been asked to read this book and I look forward to reading more from Brant Waldeck!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, great read for children of all ages! I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.

[Brant Waldeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is non-stop action. Kids get into the adventure and don't want to put it down,

[Amy_Read to My Heart's Content]

review coming soon