A sweet and fairly easy read, The Six Crowns: Trundle's Quest pleasantly surprised me! It's always nice to find a fantasy story that younger readers can enjoy as well. Weighing in at less than 200 pages, this is the perfect fit.

Trundle is a humble lamplighter who loves his job. His quiet existence is very much to his liking. Enter Esmerelda! A princess whose sole purpose in life seems to be adventuring and, unfortunately for Trundle, causing lots of trouble. These two unlikely heroes set of on an fantastic adventure. Filled with pirates, explosions, and even the occasional sword or two.

To me, the best part was definitely the characters. Trundle and Esmerelda are like night and day. They compliment one another perfectly. I also liked very much how Allan Jones gave Trundle a conscience. He is unwilling to steal, even when it seems the only way to get things done. Overall I'd say that this is a perfect fit for a reader around the fourth grade mark! Just enough story and action to keep them intrigued, without overburdening them. Pick this up. It's adorable. ( )

The perfect gateway book for younger children to introduce them to a life long love of epic fantasy. Game of Thrones, and Lord of the Rings for 8 year olds. LOVE! ( )

Like many a reluctant hero, Trundle is a bookish homebody of a hedgehog, happy to live his lamplighter life. A mysterious princess/gypsy hedgehog named Esmeralda barrels her way into his life, cajoling him into a quest to find six mythical crowns. I included this in the pirate roundup because the hedgehogs' main adversaries are dastardly pirates in the form of hogs, rats, and shrews. Trundle and Esmeralda manage to elude the pirates, save a mineful of slaves, and test their abilities. The best part of this book was the relationship between Trundle and Emerald, including their witty banter and their growing friendship. This is a nice introduction to fantasy for young readers. ( )

An okay fantasy book for younger readers. Will be part of a series. ( )

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

Trundle is a lightkeeper whose highlight in life is going home to his cabbage soup and tea. One evening, when he goes home for the night, he meets Esmeralda, a Romany hedgehog who is on the run from a nasty group of pirates.

She claims that Trundle is the lightkeeper in a prophecy that involves the two of them finding the six badger crowns that will save the world. The pirates who are after her, however, are bent on her not reaching her goal.

Can Trundle and Esmeralda find the six crowns and save the world?

A fun adventure for early chapter-book readers. The characters are well-developed and memorable, and the plot is fairly well-done for a beginning fantasy story. Those who like fantasy, action-adventure, animals, or pirates will enjoy reading TRUNDLE'S QUEST. ( )