Okay...lemme preface this with that I am older than most of you...Most...my youngest just graduated High School. But way back when, around the time I first tuned into Battle of the Planets (I was already in eighth grade, and if the bus wasn't late, and I didn't have a list of chores when I got home..) on an independant channel out of Detroit. After that, I found myself drawn more and more to books (I am an avid reader) especially those that were science fiction/fantasy in nature, and esp those that featured a team of kids working toward a common goal... A favorite being..."The Ash Staff," by Paul Fisher. http://www.amazon.com/The-ash-staff-Paul-Fisher/dp/068930708X A three book series that had this team of kids behaving a lot like kids, and a lot like I expected the BoTP clan to act. But unlike BoTP endings were not always what whe expected or wanted...and often not all that happy. As an added bonus..I remember finding out that the author, when he wrote these and published them...was only a few olders than I was. Anyone else..anyone else have some great kid lit that features a team working together... (yeah, yeah, Harry Potter..and all his ilk..but this predates it by at least a decade.)

There used to be a series of books and it was a TV series too that my son liked for a short period of time called the Animorphs. They were teens who either naturally or with alien help could turn into animals. I got the impression they were helping one group of aliens fight another with the Earth as the prize. I don't know what the actual story was. I like the YA book series I am Number Four. It's interesting how the kids find each other and team up against the aliens who destroyed their world and now want to take over Earth,

We could go all the way back to Enid Blyton and The Secret Seven...

Originally posted by Transmute Jun We could go all the way back to Enid Blyton and The Secret Seven...

We could! But do you have any favorites? I was just musing over my summer reading and that particular series by Fisher reminded me of Gatch..that's all.

Diane Duane's YA Series "So You Want to be a Wizard"... Up to 9 in the series, with three additional side stories using a team of felines... No shying away from the challenges of life either - in the fifth book, one of the parents suffers from a medical crisis... Not everything in black and white - enough hope to keep the reader engaged... and I feel the content is much stronger than the Harry Potter version. But that is my opinion - your mileage may vary....

Enid Blyton's Famous Five! My nickname was "George" for a long time and my sister still calls me that sometimes. I had short curly hair, and I was a tomboy, climbing trees and playing soccer in the park. So George it was! Edited to correct spelling of "park". Duh!

By the way, K2, I was very intrigued by your post and I just bought "The Ash staff"! I'll let you know when I read it.

How about `The Roman mysteries ` series? www.romanmysteries.com For pre teens but sharp enough to engage Classicists.

Originally posted by Daniella T By the way, K2, I was very intrigued by your post and I just bought "The Ash staff"! I'll let you know when I read it.

Woo! That book is hard to find anymore. I can't wait to hear what you think.

Originally posted by Tengu How about `The Roman mysteries ` series? www.romanmysteries.com For pre teens but sharp enough to engage Classicists.

Will look out for them, thanks Tengu.

Just thought of another one: have you heard of the "Tomorrow" series by Australian author John Marsden? It's about a group of Australian teenagers who fight against an unnamed enemy who takes over their country. The first one, "Tomorrow when the war began" has been made into a movie, but there's many more books in the series.

Originally posted by Daniella T Just thought of another one: have you heard of the "Tomorrow" series by Australian author John Marsden? It's about a group of Australian teenagers who fight against an unnamed enemy who takes over their country. The first one, "Tomorrow when the war began" has been made into a movie, but there's many more books in the series.

No, but it sounds like a good one. Thanks.

I saw that movie! It was kind of the Australian Red Dawn.

Originally posted by Daniella T Just thought of another one: have you heard of the "Tomorrow" series by Australian author John Marsden? It's about a group of Australian teenagers who fight against an unnamed enemy who takes over their country. The first one, "Tomorrow when the war began" has been made into a movie, but there's many more books in the series.

I saw that film too and when I saw it was based on a book, I felt compelled enough to track it down. I enjoyed the first one and ended up reading the entire original line of books. I think there's a spin-off with the main character, but I haven't checked those out yet. The series is more based in reality, no fantasy type elements. Quite enjoyable though. The Other Jason www.battleoftheplanets.info

Yes, Jason is right! There's a spin-off (three volumes) about what happens after the war. It's called "The Ellie Chronicles".

Originally posted by ChrisW I saw that movie! It was kind of the Australian Red Dawn.

Yes...but in a good way!

I liked the original Red Dawn. That was a compliment.

Originally posted by Daniella T Just thought of another one: have you heard of the "Tomorrow" series by Australian author John Marsden? It's about a group of Australian teenagers who fight against an unnamed enemy who takes over their country. The first one, "Tomorrow when the war began" has been made into a movie, but there's many more books in the series.

I came across that movie a few months ago channel surfing, but didn't watch it. That brings up the original 'Red Dawn' with Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen, the American kids fighting the Russian who have invaded. - I jumped the gun, not realizing it had already been mentioned.