A Guide to the Ranger’s Apprentice Series for Budding Rangers

With the release of the prequel, The Tournament at Gorlan, just last month, there’s never been a better time to pick up the series. Now, don’t be alarmed by the fact that the series has twelve books. It’s insanely readable, and you or your kids will fly through it. Besides, with all the holiday breaks coming up, it’s a great time to begin up a long series. And the best news: Flanagan is currently working on a new series called the Brotherband Chronicles set in the same world, which already consists of five books. I know it sounds overwhelming—but don’t worry. We’ve created this handy introduction to help you and your kids get started.

But what is the Ranger’s Apprentice series about, specifically?
The series is the tale of Will, who starts as an insecure, fifteen-year-old orphan and grows into a confident young man as the series progresses. Will grew up without his parents, and the only thing he knows for sure about his dad is that he was a Hero, but he has no name or family history. As a ward of the state, he must participate in Choosing Day—a ceremony where he is offered the chance to choose his profession.
Will has great dreams of becoming a knight at Battleschool (so he too can be a hero), but his small frame and ability to sneak around unseen lands him a position as a Ranger’s Apprentice instead. The lore of the Rangers—that they use magic, are creepy, and cannot be trusted—ensures Will’s reluctance.

But Will soon discovers there’s more than one way to be a hero, and that the Rangers aren’t what they seem. With values like honor, courage, and dedication, it’s hard not to believe in the Rangers’ code. The Rangers fight the wars before the wars can reach the people and ensure the safety of the realm, offering Will a chance to prove his greatness by focusing on his own strengths. So what if Will isn’t big and strong? He can still be powerful and smart and brave, which makes him an easy character to root for.

So is this just another story about a boy destined for greatness?
No, because we don’t just get Will’s perspective. The series seamlessly moves between all of the characters’ perspectives, allowing you to better understand the world in which Will lives. You learn that Will, despite his many positive traits, can also be mean, and you learn that his enemies also have their own motivations and reasons for behaving poorly. Instead of seeing characters as good or bad, we get to see them as they really are—multifaceted individuals with both good and bad character traits.
There are so many memorable characters, who all must team up and learn to work together to accomplish their goals. This isn’t a one man mission to save the world; it’s a team effort. And, realistically, all of the kids have plenty of help from adults, who are also given plenty of page time.

Who is the book appropriate for?
While Will is fifteen when the book starts, the series is marketed to kids as young as ten. It’s perfect for the middle grade reader who loves fantasy but maybe isn’t ready for Lord of the Rings series. There is some light swearing, a couple of violent scenes, and some scary moments that could be unsuitable for younger children. But the book is also filled with positive role models and great messages—like the value of teamwork and the importance of being true to yourself. There is also enough action and character development to please older readers, meaning this is definitely one of those series that you can happily read along with your kids so you can discuss it together.

What makes Will a great role model?
Like so many of us, Will starts his teen years feeling unsure of himself. He has goals that don’t line up with his strengths and fears, but he learns to accept and value his own strengths. Will has a fantastic relationship with his mentor Halt, who teaches him the importance of honor and courage as a Ranger, but even more importantly, takes the time to notice Will’s own natural gifts even when Will himself doesn’t.
Through Halt’s unwavering support of Will, Will learns that being small isn’t always bad, and going unnoticed can also be an advantage. Sometimes, it’s nice to be reminded that the things we think are faults about ourselves, are actually our greatest strengths.

Why will you and your kids love it?
Besides the fact that the series is a well-paced adventure, full of action, great characters, and solid thrills, it’s also part of a truly epic world. The author’s website provides extra details on the types of weapons used by the characters, as well as an opportunity to further explore the world with an interactive map. You can play games, find out more information, and even take quizzes.
It’s also one of those series that offers plenty of discussion for the dinner table. Themes of personal responsibility and loyalty enter the series repeatedly, providing great conversation starters and a helpful way to relate to reluctant readers. There are bullies and bad guys; there is also war, loss, friendship, triumph, and even first love. What more could you ask for?

So what books are in the series?
The Ranger’s Apprentice series consists of 12 books. The first is The Ruins of Gorlan, and it’s followed in order by The Burning Bridge; The Icebound Land; The Battle for Skandia; The Sorcerer of the North; The Siege of Macindaw; Erak’s Ransom; The Kings of Clonmel; Halt’s Peril; and The Emperor of Nihon-Ja. The Lost Stories, number 11, is a slightly different format. It consists of a collection of stories starring readers favorite characters, almost more like a companion novel. The final book in the series, The Royal Ranger, takes place with Will as a fully-fledged adult Ranger, whose time has come to take an apprentice of his own. Then of course, there’s the recently published prequel, The Tournament at Gorlan, which focuses on Will’s mentor Halt.
Does reading the Ranger’s Apprentice series sound like a great way for your young reader to spend winter break?