I could go through the nitty gritty of this week’s competition, but it all comes down to this:

Keeper

vs.

Ring of Solomon

vs.

Conspiracy of Kings

I’ve never read ALL the books in the SLJ’s Battle of the Kids’ Books before, and so I’m actually quite giddy about this. And I’m going to try my hand at predicting. All three books have their strengths: Keeper is deliciously understated, Kings is full of twists and turns and is like reading historical fiction, and Ring of Solomon is, well, Bartimaeus. All are engaging and amazing and unputdownable. But which one will Richard Peck choose?

Keeper has the whole middle grade thing going for it. The writing is gorgeous, the story compelling and moving. It’s subtle and magical, without really being an outright fantasy book.

Which is also something you can say about Conspiracy: it reads like historical fiction. No matter that these places don’t really exist. And while Gen isn’t really a major presence in the book, Sophos is an absolutely winning main character. And the twists and turns; Turner knows about plotting. The real problem here is whether or not this book can stand on its own. (Full disclaimer: I voted for it in the Undead Poll.)

Ring of Solomon is really the only true fantasy book: djinns, magic, unbelievable circumstances. And Bartimaeus. Snarky, fun, endearing Bartimaeus. He’s knocking down his competition right and left, and everyone who previously hasn’t read or even heard of him is falling over in total adoration. He totally deserves every bit of it, too.

So, which one will take it?

I have suspicions that Peck will choose Keeper, but I’m going to go with Ring of Solomon. (Go Bartimaeus!) We’ll find out tomorrow!