The Whispering Oak: A Branches Book

The Last Firehawk #3

by Katrina Charman, Jeremy Norton (Illustrator)

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!
This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
In the third book in this page-turning series, Tag, Skyla, and Blaze journey to the Whispering Oak in search of the next piece of the Ember Stone. There, they find strange creatures called grumblebees. But where is the magical stone? Thorn's dark magic continues to spread. If Tag and his friends don't find all of the pieces soon, Perodia will be destroyed! This action-packed series makes a great introduction to fantasy and quest stories for younger readers. Realistic black-and-white artwork appears on every page!

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Chapter Books, Fiction, Middle Grade, Adventure, 2nd Grade

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not like this book because I do not like bees. I also did not like this book because I did not like the part when the bears said that if Tag, Skyla, and Blaze gave the bears the last beehive, the bees had then they wouldn't give them the third piece of the ember stone. I enjoyed the book because I liked the part when they got the third piece of the ember stone.

[Crew Barrett]

What is the book about? You don't need to tell the whole story over — just give an idea of what it's about. It is about three friends trying to get the ember stone to defeat a bad guy named thorn.

Do you think other people would like it? if they like book 1 and 2 they would, because they are still doing the adventure.

What emotions did you feel while reading the book (sad, funny…)? I felt happy while I was reading the book, because it was fun.

Did you learn something from the book? I learned that there is a mega beetle.

Did you think it was interesting? I did because the bears had the ember stone.

Would you want to read it again? I would want to read it again because I like it.


Would you want to read other books by the same author or about the same subject? I would want to read other books by the author.

What was your favorite part? my favorite part was win the tiger bats attack.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tag and his friends continue their journey to gather all the pieces of the Ember Stone in this third book. After running into more of Thorn's evil spies and barely escaping, they discover the keeper of the stone has no intention of giving it up without getting something in return. But the bears who have the stone want the last honeycomb the grumblebees have made and the bees refuse to give it up. Can Tag, Skyla, and Blaze sort out this problem before more of Thorn's spies turn up to take the Stone from them? While lacking in depth, this light, fun fantasy has enough tension and action to keep younger readers entertained. This series works best with readers who aren't yet into the big, thick, more detailed fantasies. It works well as a read aloud for younger readers who aren't yet ready for chapter books on their own.

[zapkode · Rating 5 out of 5]

{My thoughts} – Tag, Skyla and Blaze get to go on a longer adventure this time. They are looking for the third piece to the Ember Stone. It seems that whenever they get close to finding parts of the stone they run into some of Thorn’s spies. Aside from having to outsmart them, they also run into animals in despair that they take the time to help.

I am really enjoying this series. It shows that if you want something you have to work hard to get it. It also teaches children that you make more friends by being helpful and helping those in their time of need. It shows that you can accomplish almost anything if you think about ways in which a task can be completed.

I think that any child that enjoys animals and adventures with enjoy reading this book.

[Kirsten Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the series really gave Mr7 and I something to sink our teeth into. A much more complex adventure and set of problems for our heroes to solve... and they did.. phew! MR7 has taken to loaning the first 3 books of this series to any of our family who "like to read good books". Thank you Katrina for writing such a wonderful adventure for my small reader.

[Pink Seal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was cool when they went to the whispering oak and talked to the angry grumble bees, and then they said the bears would only give them a piece of the ember stone if they gave the bears the last honeycomb, and they did. The bees found a new home, and the bears gave them the ember stone. Then they headed off to Lullaby Lake.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one feels a little meandery. To get to the next Ember Stone, Tag, Skyla, and Blaze travel first through a desert, then a magical field, then some caverns, and finally to the Whispering Oak, where the land has gone fallow. They encounter grumblebees, but other than being able to talk, I don't get what makes the grumblebees special.

[Jessie (Saffity) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I read to chat with my daughter (6) about. A very good first fantasy series for kids. The pictures on each page make for easy reading, but the language and word choices help expand the kids' vocabularies. My daughter devoured this book so fast and the chats I've had with her about it has been wonderful.

[Sarahs Reads ToKids · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Firehawk books are a wonderful series for both boys and girls that enjoy animals, magic, mystery, and adventure. This a classic tale of two friends who go on a journey to help defeat evil, save their home and protect the last firehawk.

[Jessica F · Rating 3 out of 5]

We are only to Book 3 and already the formula is getting a bit old! Tag & Co. set out on quest, get beset by Thorn's spies, Blaze discovers a new power and saves the day. 😴 Ready for the trio to find all the pieces of the Ember Stone so we can move on with life.

[Bea La Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read to my 5yo. I quite enjoyed the story and how imaginative it is and when 5 could pay attention he did too. I need to get the next one because I need to know where the last piece of ember stone it. Both 5 and 1 were really interested in the grumblebees, tiger bats, and the bears

[Robyn Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading this series with my 5 and 2 year old and we love it. The writing is wonderful and perfect for the age group. We love the pictures throughout the books too. They are seamlessly integrated and add enough to keep the boys fully engaged. We will continue the series - all 12!

[Theo F · Rating 4 out of 5]

My name is Theo and I am 7 years old. This book is about Tag, an owl, Skyla, a squirrel, and Blaze, a Firehawk. They go through shifting sands to get to Whispering Oak. They find friends on the way. They also found another piece of the ember stone! I love their adventures.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute third installment in which the three friends head to the Whispering Oak in order to find the next piece of the Ember Stone. They run into grumbling bees and hungry bears among other things and continue on their quest.

[Annie Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my six-year-old: i like when Blaze is brave in the story to help rescue her friends. Im glad that Tag was able to figure out how to help the bees and Im glad the bears finally gave up the next piece of the Ember stone. I cant wait for the next book.

[Alice Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictures were good. I liked when Blaze was brave and saved her friends from Thorns spies. I liked that Tag found a way to save the bees and found the bears food. Blazes powers are so cool. I can’t wait for the next book!

[Vincent Giunta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating for my 6 yo

This series has been great fun for my son and me. We have enjoyed the characters and the suspense as the heroes stay one step ahead of Thorn

[Round Mountain Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This part of a very popular Easy chapter book series. You can check it out today at the Library.

[Danielle Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another journey to find more pieces of the Ember Stone! I loved the “grumblebees” and the bears. Super cute!

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple bedtime story for my boys. Easy chapter book for kids to read too.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. The questions at the end were a great starter for getting my kid to recall things.

[Claire Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part is seeing the bears.

[Sadie]

it was really good!

[Ann Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute characters and great problem solving in this one. My 8 year old and I love these adventures!

[Tyson]

awesome i am reading the entire series i am on the third book!!!!!!

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm on book 4

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like it 3/5

[Worm of the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick fun read. Was funny how the bees were grumbly but in the illustrations they were smiling.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are fun. My 8yr old and I are really enjoying reading them together.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and rated with Xavi