Written by Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen
I gave this book to one of my Black sixth grade students to read and review. I am always looking for books that have characters that look like our diverse student body here at our school and this book filled that niche. My student told me that he really enjoyed this story of Yared, a lonely student, being raised by his uncle. He likes to game, and when his gaming triggers a real world attack on his city, he must team up with his gaming nemesis Ibis. They have to find his uncle, who has disappeared, and find their place in this galaxy-spinning war.
My student told me that he loved the descriptions in the story, which made it easy for him to use his imagination and picture everything that was going on. He enjoyed the battle scenes and all of the adventures in the book. He said he recommends it for 5th grade and up, for any one that can read longer fiction books, and for anyone that likes adventure and gaming. He would give it 5 stars and would like to read another book by these authors.
Reviewed by Heather B Arauzo, Media Clerk, and 6th Grade Student, Granger Elementary
Review shared in 11/09/2021
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 5-8
Last Gate of the Emperor
Written by Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen
Scholastic Press
289 pages
Release Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 9781338665857
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
