The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan (2006, Hardcover)

If you have read Ranger's Apprentice Book 1 The Ruins of Gorlan, Book 2 is a must read! But be warned, The Burning Bridge will leave you begging for more of John Flanagan's wonderful tales of Will, the Ranger's apprentice and his friend Horace the apprentice knight. The Burning Bridge picks up where Book One left off, with the fantasy kingdom of Araluen waiting to go to battle with Morgarath and his dreaded Wargals. Without giving any spoilers to the story, the characters met in the 1st Book, become even more real and the story is full of suspense to the very end! The Ranger's Apprentice books are listed as teen or young adult books but this 40 something mom and fan of fantasy writing, found these to be a refreshing change from some of the more adult fantasies.
If you are looking for something to get your child to read, these are a great change, but be forwarned, you will be seaching everywhere for the sequels that have not yet been published in the US!