I kinda wish I was still ten years old because, besides the obvious benefits of not being a poopy grown-up, I could huddle under the covers with a mini flashlight stolen from the kitchen so I could read after my bedtime (I did that for years, Dad. Sorry). If I were still ten, Tales of the Broken Moon: Bean’s Song is a book I would sneak past my parents, probably by hiding it under my stuffed Fozzy Bear (he was good for that). At my age now, huddling under the covers with the flashlight is just silly.
My idea of adulthood when I was a kid was so much better than the reality. I thought I’d have a hoverbike by now.
Bean’s Song, co-written by Travis Hanson and Aimee Duncan, is young adult fantasy fare, with ogres, trolls, elves, humans, and fairies, a magic sword and a young boy on a journey. It’s also fully illustrated by Hanson, with his illustrations popping up every two pages or so.
When I met Hanson at the Phoenix Comicon last January we talked about Terry Brooks quite a bit, and how his work on the Shannara series has influenced Hanson. Being very familiar with the Brooks books myself, I could see the influence immediately, from the Silver Dagger Inn (reminiscent of the inn at Shady Vale) to the Collector (vaguely threatening and mysterious, like Allanon always was) to the reluctant, parentless hero, Bean (reminiscent of Shea Ohmsford, but not half-elf).
Brooks started off modeling his first story heavily on Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings, and Broken Moon authors Hanson and Duncan seem to be taking a similar action here, putting a very “youth reader” bend to it, not only with the characters and writing style, but with Hanson’s illustrations as well.
I’d recommend Bean’s Song for a kid who really digs stuff like Eragon or Bridge to Terabithia, but hasn’t reached that age where she’s embarrassed to be seen reading. I wouldn’t buy Bean’s Song for my fifteen year old nephew, but I’d get it for my ten year old nephew (if I thought he would sit down for more than three minutes to read something).
Tales of the Broken Moon: Bean’s Song is available for purchase through Amazon and at the Beanleaf Press website. Also at their website, you can also preview the first chapter of the book, explore the world and view Hanson’s illustrations.
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Lisa Fary's earliest influences are Princess Leia, Rainbow Bright, Astronaut Barbie, and her 6th grade teacher, Ms. Palmer. She's angry that it's 2011 and she still doesn't have a hovercraft, but will accept a jetpack as consolation. That jetpack had better be pink with a rhinestone monogram. 
Reading was better than going out at night! Like your BRO