James the Adventure Series, Volume I:
Diamond in the Rough
by Marc J. Loranger
Diamond in the Rough
by Marc J. Loranger
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH by Marc J. Loranger
Category: Action-Adventure
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 2004
Publisher: Skyway Productions
Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose
Rating: 4 Stars
Eleven-year-old James Miller has developed a major attitude problem over the past two years. Not only did he and his
mother have to pick up the pieces after casting out his abusive, alcoholic father, but the kids at school have labeled James as
an egghead loser. Fighting back has already gotten him expelled from one school, and, now that the school year is over,
James is looking forward to a nice, quiet summer with his TV and hockey cards.
All of that changes when his mother sends him to a summer camp in Colorado. It’s only for a few weeks, while she attends a
work-related conference, but James couldn’t be more against the idea. Fighting all the way, James finally relents, and begins
the summer that changes his life permanently.
I’m not sure what to think of this book, since some of the situations seemed rather unrealistic to me, and it could have used
some thorough editing and character development. This is the first book in a series, though, and I’m hoping that the second
rounds things out a bit more.
Category: Action-Adventure
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 2004
Publisher: Skyway Productions
Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose
Rating: 4 Stars
Eleven-year-old James Miller has developed a major attitude problem over the past two years. Not only did he and his
mother have to pick up the pieces after casting out his abusive, alcoholic father, but the kids at school have labeled James as
an egghead loser. Fighting back has already gotten him expelled from one school, and, now that the school year is over,
James is looking forward to a nice, quiet summer with his TV and hockey cards.
All of that changes when his mother sends him to a summer camp in Colorado. It’s only for a few weeks, while she attends a
work-related conference, but James couldn’t be more against the idea. Fighting all the way, James finally relents, and begins
the summer that changes his life permanently.
I’m not sure what to think of this book, since some of the situations seemed rather unrealistic to me, and it could have used
some thorough editing and character development. This is the first book in a series, though, and I’m hoping that the second
rounds things out a bit more.