JAY
"A fascinating novel, the sequel to the noted author's ME & JAY. In this fast-moving story, Jay, 16, who is missing his friends and the loss of his mother, is on the run. He hops a freight train hoping to California. However, he discovers a dangerous new world of hobos, homeless and gangs of marauders. All this forces Jay to examine his personal values. Though labeled a young adult novel, it has greater appeal because of its unusual subject matter."
- Santa Barbara News-Press

"The author is highly experienced, a retired English professor and reading specialist. He has spent his retirement filling he needs of young reluctant readers with this series and his Rairarubia fantasy series. He knows what will keep his readers and how to pull them through a story before they even realize they've read a book. We applaud his efforts! Four Hearts!"
- Bob Spear, Heartland Reviews

"This is the sequel to a previous teen novel, ME & JAY. You do not have to read the first to enjoy this one though. This book begins two years after the previous book ended. Watching Jay, as his ravels went along, gave me a glimpse into a subculture that I never dreamed existed. This story is a real eye opener. 5 Stars!"
- Huntress Reviews

"JAY, the sequel to ME & JAY should be a book on everyone's bookshelf because of the unforgettable characters, their friendship, and shared adventures."
- Flamingnet Reviews

"Adams handles complicated issues of loss and despair well, on par with Katherine Paterson's BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA."
- Charles King, author

THE COMPUTER'S NERD
"Highly recommended for all middle-grade students."
- Midwest Book Review
"…wonderful guidance about developing relationships with one's peers."
- Heartland Reviews
"…contains the underlying tone of decency."
- The Book Reader

RING FROM RAIRARUBIA (BOOK 5/YOUNG ADULT)

"The RING FROM RAIRARUBIA is an intriguing middle-grade fantasy with many good traits going for it. First, the relationship between Molly and Netty is realistic and syrupy, like may middle-grade character relationships can be. This is important to readers of this age group. It also portrayed Molly as a hesitant hero, which played off Netty's personality nicely and lent a bit of HARRY POTTER feel to her character. Obviously, kids will love this part of the story. Also important is the fact that this series, which young readers love, and I think will be intrigued enough to read all the books in the series. I really enjoyed the imaginative touches he author incorporated into the story, like he ring and the pebbles, and also I enjoyed the different characters, again, with Molly and Netty being my favorites. The ending was really exciting, but bittersweet, and kids will love the way the author makes them think Molly will never get to go back to Rairarubia, but then leaves he door open with the mysterious visit of a person named Richard wanting his ring. A great read for fantasy lovers!"
--Writer's Digest Book Awards Evaluation 2003

"A most engaging and well-written tale, sure to please young adults who have followed the impressively original series by Royce Adams."
--CHILDREN'S BOOKWATCH

"The author has done a great job of combining two different viewpoints of the same story. The twists in this story come even faster than the previous stories....I would highly recommend this series."
--JaKay Greer, McCarty Middle School

Revenge On Rairarubia (Book 4 / Young Adult)
5 STARS!
Molly Doogan and her best friend, Netty Parmet, return on what may be the last of this incredible young fantasy series.

The nine stones formed a circle in Molly's room again. This time within it was a giant bird egg and it was hatching! Thinking quickly, Molly returned it to Bovert in Rairarubia and the adventure begins!

There seemed to be a traitor in the realm training giant birds, Gremerkles, to carry off animals and children. Romey and Sam have married and their daughter, Princess Tracy, was one of the stolen children. The team must rescue the children quickly! Romey and Sam get tricked and become infected with a deadly plague that may kill all in Rairarubia as revenge from an unknown foe! The only hope was for Molly to bring her doctor mother to Rairarubia.

*****
I read this book in one sitting! It was fantastic! I can only hope this is not the last in this series. I have become fond of the characters and the magical realm of Rairarubia. This series is perfect for fifth grade and above. Yes, even adults will love it. I sure did!

Author, W. Royce Adams, has a remarkable talent for writing in a way that teens and pre-teens can easily understand and enjoy! I urge parents to purchase this series and read them with their children. Highly recommended!
*****

-- HUNTRESS BOOK REVIEWS (Reviewed by Detra Fitch)

Royce Adams' "Revenge On Rairarubia" is an engaging fantasy novel for young readers ages 9 and older. The fourth volume in the superbly written "Rairarubia" series, "Revenge On Rairarubia" has a self-contained plot and story that makes it the perfect book to jump in and start following the wondrous happenings on the fantasy world of Rairarubia and the ordinary young girl from our world who becomes involved in its wild ways. She and her best friend must confront giant birds trained to carry off animals and children, a deadly plague, and more in their quest to stop a villain who desires vengeance upon the land and all living things. "Revenge On Rairarubia" is an exciting story for young readers, and if they aren't already familiar with the three earlier volumes by Adams, Rairarubia (1882897366, $10.95), Return To Rairarubia (1882897447, $10.95)), and Raid On Rairarubia (1882897560, $10.95), they will quickly set off in search of them!

-- CHILDREN'S BOOKWATCH: MAY 2002
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575-1129
http://www.midwestbookreview.com

Me & Jay 5 STARS!
(Ages 10 and up / Young Adventure)

Geraldine Thomas was a thirteen year old tomboy. Her best friend was Jay Thornton, who was always too curious for his own good. Geri's other friend was Randy, who was an oddball to others his age due to his high intelligence. During a hot day Geri suggested hunting up, what the locals called, Blue Pool. It was a an isolated, tear drop shaped, crystal blue lake a
few miles away. Many tales circulated about people dying at the lake or disappearing, but Geri and Jay still decide to go. That was only the first of several bad choices the two made that day. Randy was the only one smart enough not to thumb his nose up at danger. He stayed home. Soon Geri and Jay are facing venomous snakes, hopping on and off moving trains, starting a brush fire, finding a new cave, being chased by two mean men out to seriously harm them, and much more! During it all, Geri and Jay become closer and learn some interesting things about each other.

*****
Author, W. Royce Adams, writes the way pre-teens and teens talk in today's real world. This makes the story more believable and smoother for the reader. Readers cannot help but learn a few things while reading the story as well, such as what stalactites, stalagmites, and gypsum grotto are. I would not be surprised to see this book win awards! Many will place this book upon their "Keeper" shelves. I sure will! My twelve year old son could hardly wait to get his hands
on the book once I was finished. Perfect for fans of "Hardy Boys" and "Nancy Drew", or just for those who enjoy a lot of excitement in their stories! Highly recommended reading here! Don't miss this one!
*****

-- HUNTRESS BOOK REVIEWS
(Reviewed by Detra Fitch)

ME & JAY is an action packed book for children 10 years and up. Spoken as two life-like teenagers, thirteen year old, Geri, a tom girl, and her best friend Jay, search for something to do one hot summer day. They find just that.

After deciding to find the off-limit area of Blue Pool, they hop on the side of a freight train, climb a bluff, and find a dark, narrow cave where they encounter a snake, and have a few laughs over smoking a cigarette, thus accidentally starting a brush fire. When they find Blue Pool, they also discover a huge underground cavern where two strange men chase them around
with the intentions of hurting them. They cleverly escape their chasers to the fields of stalactites and stalagmites in the cavern. They find all sorts of crickets and bats as they crawl through the small tunnels. Thinking they have escaped their pursuers, but they find them on the other end of the tunnels. The chase begins again, and then they end up fighting for their lives in one of the train's boxcars. They barely escape alive. As Jay lies in the hospital bed, Geri realizes how stupid they had been, but also realizes the secrets and emotions they revealed toward each other. Is it love?

Mr. Adams has written himself a novel for young adults that they will surely love. He is the author of over twenty-six books. Mr. Adams is an emeritus professor of English at Santa Barbara City College.

I highly recommend this author!

--Reviewed by Jennifer LB Leese, ASTORYWEAVER'S Book Reviews,
http://www.geocities.com/ladyjiraff/aswbr.html

RAIRARUBIA
When Molly asks her father to tell a story to pass the time, he begins a tale about a young woman, Romey, who is captured by a great bird and taken to be tested by magical strangers in a timeless land called Rairarubia. The ongoing story soon takes on an eerie life of its own, haunting Molly during school and in her sleep. One day, items from Rairarubia--an arrowhead and pebbles--start appearing in her hand, and soon she finds herself traveling into the story itself. Is Molly going mad? Adams expertly balances Molly's "real" world with her alter ego in Rairarubia; both characters are likeable and fun. The concise descriptions of Romey's land are fashioned for the shorter attention spans of readers in fourth to seventh grade. Moral lessons about bravery and learning, add educational value to this fine escapist fantasy. Two sequels, Return to Rairarubia (June 2000) and Raid on Rairarubia (Nov. 2000) continue the adventure.

- TODAY'S LIBRARIAN



Return to Rairarubia, the second of the Rairarubia Tales, is an intriguing story mix of real life and fantasy action centered on Molly Doogan and her grade school chum, Netty Parmet. Their real life activities in school and with their families are suddenly changed radically when it becomes apparent that Molly's presumed fantasy world needs her real life help.

Because she needs help, she investigates what she must do and finds support from her friend Netty only after several difficult experiences during which their friendship is severely threatened. During their adventures in the land of Rairarubia, Molly and Netty lead Queen Romey and her consort Sam into strange lands where they encounter unique individuals such as Oro, leader of the Redloub rock people, Tunnelsuit, a gnome who can read minds, and the Giant Bearsark and his friend Qivittoq, who has the ability to change shape into anything. Ultimately, they encounter the bad guys, Jenu the Jenuaq, the bat-like Zingwings and Queen Eleb, feared leader of Aiburariar with whom they have a final confrontation. Told with surprising lucidity, and designed to encourage reading at an early age, this story will have you turning pages long after you would expect. A treat for young and old alike.

- Bob Chapman, SB Family Life


RAID ON RAIRARUBIA
Seeking revenge for the death of her wicked sister Janu, the deceitful Jenuaq, Zenu tries to seize control of the magical realm of Rairarubia. Transforming herself an accomplice into duplicates of Queen Romey and her companion Sam, the two imposters replace the rightful rulers and begin a cruel reign. Sixth-grader Molly Doogan and her reluctant best friend, Netty, respond to a desperate plea for help. The girls must rewrite the story in just one night if they hope to save Rairarubia, but they soon find themselves caught in a struggle between forces much larger and stronger than they are. With the aid of mysterious cloaked figure, they learn a lesson in honesty, and discover the true power of their thoughts to influence both good and evil. Raid On Rairarubia is a superbly written and original fantasy for young readers that continues the "Rairarubia Tales" series under the gifted authorship of Royce Adams. The two earlier, and highly recommended, titles in this outstanding series from Lost Coast Press include Rairarubia (1999) and Return To Rairarubia (2000).

- Midwest Book Review


From earliest times, storytelling has bonded parents and children; in a modern twist, father and daughter together have created a story that captures the imaginations of young readers. The Rairarubia Tales encourages the age-old connection between parent and child, speaker and listener, the known and the unknown.

- Sharon Dirlam, Freelance journalist


Dear Royce,
Thank you so much for writing a book that children my age can read. Your books just keep getting better with every Rairarubia book that I read. Rairarubia is the best book I've ever read! I can't wait to read the fourth one. I've just finished the third one. I love the characters, and I think you're a fabulous writer. Keep up the good work!

Sincerely,
Annie Spirka


Dear Mr. Adams,
I'm reading your new book, Raid on Rairarubia. In my opinion, on a scale of one to ten, this book is an infinity. Thanks.

- Alexander Kayfetz-Gaum, Grade 5, Crane School


Rairarubia is one of those books that is equally loved by boys and girls! Every one of my students could relate to Molly's amazing adventures, the colorful characters, the puzzling riddles, the magic. This book is a gem, delivering humor and suspense.

- Sue Perona, 5h grade teacher, Montain View School


Whoosits! That Rairarubia was a great book. I really hope you make more sequels of it. Keep writing.

- Alex Edstrom, 5th grade, Mountain View


My favorite part in Raid on Rairarubia was when Molly first went to Zzyukka and she noticed that her adventures got all mixed up. I really liked the whole book.

- Sara Montealbare, 6th grade, Monte Vista


My favorite part is in the beginning when Molly is woken up by the dresser drawer coming in and out. I liked how this book was such a funny fantasy.

- Britney Placencia, 6th grade, Monte Vista


I liked how different and exciting and unputdownable Return to Rairarubia is.

- David H., 6th grade, Monte Vista


Return to Rairarubia is fun to read, unusual, different, kept my interest, and I didn't want to put it down. But I didn't like how the chair disappeared. It freaked me out.

- Chase Hay, 6th grade, Monte Vista


Romey was really a strong and skilled girl. I liked how she could fight for herself. I liked the idea of going back and forth between different worlds.

- Shoshi Roselinsky, 6th grade, Monte Vista

Raid on Rairarubia was thrilling, fun to read. and put my imagination to work. It was a very good book and I want to read the rest.

- Brett Smith, 5th grade, Crane School


I liked how exciting it was when Molly and Netty were writing about Romey getting into the castle and explaining she was the real queen. It is a very good book and anybody would love it.

- Nicolas Scozzaro, 5th grade, Crane School


I could never put the book down and I read for hours without taking a break.

- Mina Kaneko, 5th grade, Crane School


I liked that you didn't have to read the first two books to understand the third. I liked Raid on Rairarubia because you never know what was going to happen next.

- Michael Williams, 5th grade, Crane school