School Library Journal07/01/2014
Gr 4–6—Though the general premise is familiar, there are some engaging elements in this first book of a planned trilogy, as a boy discovers he has magical powers and teams up with other kids to save the world. Eleven-year-old Albert enters the magical underground realm of the Core, where young Balance Keepers use their powers to safeguard the earth. Each Keeper receives a tile that instills a particular ability, such as super-memory or speed, but Albert gets an extra special tile that allows him to use multiple powers. Brisk plotting and multiple action scenes are the strengths here, as Albert and his friends first compete against rival bullies in training sessions, then the pace accelerates as they embark on a real quest to save New York City.
