Children's Books Too Cool for School

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

2011-01-11T11:23:00.002-06:00

Talk about a dark horse Newbery winner...

As of this writing, there is precisely one and only one review on Amazon.com. There are none on LibraryThing. This is all about to change.

I guess the lucky side of having a Newbery winner that no one was expecting is that the book was right on the shelf here at the local library, so I grabbed a copy and dove in right away. I remembered the book from when it was new -- the cover and a quote from Patricia Reilly Giff caught my eye -- but I was overwhelmed at the time and opted to display it rather than read it. Ah, for missed opportunities.

So what's all the soon-to-be-fuss about?

Moon Over Manifest begins with rough-and-tumble, Depression-era stock heroine, Abilene Tucker, arriving in her father's hometown of Manifest, Kansas. She's used to hopping trains, poor living conditions, a rough life and being a little rough around the edges. You know the type. Her father has taken a railroad job in Iowa, and claiming that the situation isn't proper for a young lady, has sent her to spend the summer with his old friend, bootlegger-turned-pastor, Shady Howard. Or, at least, her father says it is only for the summer... (At this point, I almost couldn't resist comparisons to a childhood-favorite film, The Journey of Natty Gann.)

Looking for clues to her father's past, Abilene instead stumbles instead on a little tin filled with some keepsakes and letters, piquing her interest in a couple of young men named Ned and Jinx, and a spy called "the Rattler."

And this is where the story comes alive...

Through the recollections of an old Gypsy fortune teller, Abilene learns about the lives of Jinx, Ned, and about the once-lively town of Manifest, Kansas. Vanderpool manages to effortlessly weave in the stories of Manifest in 1918, on the brink of the Great War, with the Depression-era Manifest of 1939. Sometimes, stories with multiple narratives can be frustrating -- just as you start to get into one story, the author switches to the other -- but Vanderpool balances both very well, never sinking to obvious cliff-hangers nor spending too much time in one "place."

However, both places have their elements of excitement and mystery that keep you wanting to read about both. Best of all, both are full of some really great and memorable characters. This is one of those novels that is just chock full of people (there's even a handy character guide in the front of the book, but the characters are so vivid and real, you won't much need it) that really give the impression of, well, the life of a whole town.

Meanwhile, in terms of historical fiction writing, Vanderpool couldn't have picked a more exciting couple of decades to write about. There's war, depression, labor issues, prohibition, poor race-relations, orphan trains, immigration, and Hoovervilles. All of it filtered through the very relatable character of Abilene Tucker, who is, admittedly, still something of a stock heroine. However, she'll seem fresh enough to the younger set.

Overall, this is a fine novel that I really enjoyed reading, and it kept me interested enough to blow through it in less than 24-hours. Only time and a little perspective can really tell how a Newbery will do in the overall scheme of things, but I think that it is a fine choice, and congratulations to first-time author Clare Vanderpool, from whom I look forward to reading more.

A book about a girl I think you could get a boy to read, best for ages 10-14.

Keeper by Kathii Appelt

2010-11-04T09:00:00.001-06:00

I think it is safe to say that Kathi Appelt isn't my bag. If she's yours, just go ahead and ignore the rest of this post. Or read it and seethe. Or maybe, just maybe go ahead and read what I've got to say, and see if you can find any truth in it.

Last time I found myself complaining about Appelt (And I don't, usually. I like her picture books! See Bats Around the Clock.) it was because she wrote a weird novel featuring malignant forest spirits, animal cruelty, and a drunk named Gar Face who was beaten mercilessly by his father. None of this is, inherently, a problem.

But I was left with one burning question: Who on earth is Appelt's intended audience?

I had high hopes for Keeper, at first. It seemed like a simpler, less... inappropriate story. Sure, it features some complex relationships and situations, but nothing on the level of The Underneath's vivid description of the burning sensation of bad vodka. (Yes, really.)

The titular Keeper is ten years old, living just outside of the tiny town of Tater, Texas (I love that alliteration!) on Oyster Ridge Road, a "world unto itself." She lives with an adoptive parent, of sorts, named Signe, and spends her days helping her neighbor, Dogie, wax surfboards, or helping the only other resident of Oyster Ridge Road, Mr. Beauchamp, care for his flowers. Throw in two dogs (Keeper's BD or "Best Dog," and Dogie's Too, shortened from "Best Dog Too"), Mr. Beauchamp's cat, Sinbad, and a seagull named Captain, and you have the sum total of Keeper's world.

Keeper is surrounded by love, but feels that she has "ruined everything," on a blue moon day that started out so promising. Signe was to make her famous blue moon gumbo, Mr. Beachamp's night-blooming Cyrus was to have its once-yearly flowering, and Dogie was going to sing his "two word song," (that is, "Marry me") to Signe. Finally.

But then, the crabs Dogie caught for the gumbo call out to Keeper, asking her to free them. Keeper knows she can hear the crabs because she is (she believes) part mermaid. The last time she saw her real mother, who leaves Keeper with her friend Signe when Keeper is three, was out in the sea. Therefore, she believes her mother was a mermaid who has returned to the sea. Signe has let her believe this, apparently in an attempt to protect her from the emotional truth -- that Keeper's mother abandoned her.

So when Keeper "ruins everything", she heads out in a small boat in the middle of the night, hoping to find her mermaid mother, Meggie May, to make everything all right.

My concerns about intended audience come less from the weight of the subject matter this time -- Appelt actually deals rather deftly with issues like non-traditional family structure, child abandonment, and even post-traumatic stress syndrome -- however, the structure of the story as a whole, still failed to feel like it was written with actual child readers in mind. (I'd like to add here, that homosexuality is a topic that comes up, briefly, in the story. This isn't one of my objections, although many others have found it objectionable. I think she deals with the so-called "issue" very well.)

The language is both too slow-paced and poetic for your average elementary or middle grade kid, while lacking the kind of complexity that might engage an older child. The plot had almost no real movement -- the story was far more character-driven, and the pacing was very slow -- but the language and Keeper's personal world-view were entirely more juvenile.

Once again, Appelt has written a book whose only real audience is adults who read children's books, and once again, I'd be willing to bet good money, just as I was with The Underneath, that this will be on the Newbery's shortlist.

And I will continue to be frustrated with modern Newbery winners and their lack of kid-appeal. And the world moves on.

Keeper is more of a "girl book," than anything, although I could see broader gender appeal, and would be best for a really precocious 10 or 11 year old... or an adult who reads children's books.

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan

2010-08-16T16:31:00.002-06:00

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan (A "Top 50 Post")

I'm always afraid Sarah, Plain and Tall gets read for all the wrong reasons, namely that it is Newbery, Simple and Short.

But it really is a beautiful tale about family and love that is told in an authentic child's voice. Sarah, much to the interest of my younger self, is a mail-order bride. She may be plain and tall, but like the prairie that surrounds her, there is great strength and depth to her character. There isn't much to the story: It is mostly the tale of two motherless children, a sweet father, and a loving woman who get to know, and then love, each other.

It may be the only "quiet book" I've ever really loved.

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald

2010-08-13T16:25:00.003-06:00

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald (A "Top 50 Post")

I clearly remember one of my elementary school teachers reading Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle to us every day before nap time, and that I thought she was riotously funny.

I'm glad to discover that, upon revisiting these tales of the mysterious neighbor who has the cure for every parenting problem, I was a school-age child of taste.

Generations have enjoyed Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and sequels, and generations will hence. It's just that kind of story.

Hidden Talents by David Lubar

2010-08-11T16:20:00.000-06:00

Hidden Talents by David Lubar (A "Top 50 Post")

This is one of the more modern titles on my list, but I think it's a great story with potential for staying power.

At its core, Hidden Talents is a classic misfit tale told from the point of view of a misfit among misfits. Martin has been expelled from so many schools, he's been placed in a super-weird alternative school. Slowly (a little too slowly for an adult reader, I'm afraid) Martin realizes that his core group of friends aren't really bad kids, they actually have... ahem... hidden talents! However, Martin just feels like more of a misfit than ever, after he realizes he doesn't have a super-power of his own. Or does he?

This book is just a lot of fun, and an easy one to sell to the guys. There's not a yucky girl in the book!

The Giver by Lois Lowry

2010-08-09T16:19:00.003-06:00

The Giver by Lois Lowry (A "Top 50 Post")

This remains not just one of my favorite children's book, but one of my favorite books or all time. Dystopia never read so well.

A "modern classic" if you will, The Giver tells the story of Jonas, who lives in a perfect world. All the parents have 2 children -- a boy and a girl -- and are the perfect parents. There are no smoggy cars, instead they all ride bikes and are all trained on the same schedule. And everyone is assigned the perfect career.

In Jonas's case, this means he's apprenticed to the Giver -- a keeper of memory of sorts. And through the Giver, Jonas begins to learn that utopia isn't so perfect, after all.

This book has lovely subtleties even an adult reader can enjoy, and from my first read in middle school, I've never ceased to enjoy re-reading this novel. As a side note: This was my first book I ever read that didn't have a definitive ending. I'm always curious what readers think happens.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis

2010-08-07T16:13:00.001-06:00

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis by Gail Carson Levine (A "Top 50 Post")

While I have my share of issues with the later Narnia books, this book is a true classic. Religious? Sure, but in a subtle (at least to kids) way. Magical? Absolutely.

It's hard not to steal a peek into old wardrobes even to this day, isn't it? I always know that, just like Lucy, somewhere back there is a whole magical world waiting for me, where it turns out I am royalty. Or at least a deliciously wicked lady wielding Turkish Delight.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

2010-08-05T18:41:00.004-06:00

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (A "Top 50 Post")

You've already caught me singing the praises of Shannon Hale. Well, now it is time to talk about the fairy godmother of re-imagined fairy tales, Gale Carson Levine.

Ella Enchanted re imagines the Cinderella story as the tale of a young girl blessed with (or cursed with) the fairy gift of obedience. This, you see, is why Ella is such a compliant servant to her stepsisters. But a chance meeting with a charming prince changes Ella's life forever, and puts her and the prince in danger!

Obviously, the tale of Cinderella has been told a million times, but this one is a retelling worth reading--truly original.

Mea Culpa

2010-08-04T20:30:00.000-06:00

I sorta lost the thread of that Top 50 thing, didn't I? Can you tell I've been hitting the busy season at work? I simply come home too exhausted to make any more work for myself.

Luckily, in a quiet moment, I was able to knock out a few posts, so keep your eye on the blog. New material coming soon.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle

2010-06-26T18:33:00.000-06:00

A Wrinkle in Time Madeline L'Engle (A "Top 50 Post")

This is like the grandaddy of all children's books. Trying to describe why I like it is like trying to describe the universe.

I don't really have to tell you why this book is so awesome, do I?

Okay. Fine. Look it has a great female lead, science, magic, fantasy, time travel, evil aliens, and three cool witches. That should do it.

This is a series, actually, but I think this is the standout book. As an older reader, I really appreciated A Swiftly Tilting Planet and Many Waters may actually be my favorite book about Meg's family, but as a children's book, nothing touching Wrinkle in Time.

From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Koningsburg

2010-06-24T18:24:00.000-06:00

From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Koningsburg (A "Top 50 Post")

Raise your hand if this book made you want to try and live in a museum! If you didn't raise your hand, you've either never read this book or you are just... weird.

As a child this was one of my all-time favorite books, and I still enjoy revisiting it from time to time. Obviously I was drawn to the strong female "lead," but I also loved the book's sense of mystery and adventure. And it still holds up. I know this because one of my favorite things I ever heard anyone say about this book was that it was so very dated. The reader read it in her childhood and now couldn't get past how 80s the book was.

It was published in 1967.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

2010-06-21T10:29:00.001-06:00

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (A "Top 50 Post")

To some, the inclusion of this book on a "Best Kids' Book" list is almost sacrilege. This? Hold a candle to A Wrinkle in Time?

Well, no. But didn't anyone ever tell you about apples and oranges?

Here's what I like about this book. It's funny. (The Cheese Touch most of all!) It's realistic. Boys actually request and read it. But it doesn't mention underpants.

Boys are dying for stuff to read out there. This is why we can't keep a Captain Underpants book on the shelf. This is why Percy Jackson's rise in popularity has been meteoric. Who am I to tell them a funny book that they enjoy isn't "worth reading?"

(For all that, I list this as a single book and not a series, because, from Roderick Rules on, Greg just gets too mean for me.)

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

2010-06-20T10:23:00.001-06:00

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (A "Top 50 Post")

I love Wynne Jones' sense of humor, and how all her characters approach the absurd as if it's simply another thing that happens in their day. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Howl's Moving Castle. It's both fantastical and a laugh a minute.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

2010-06-19T10:18:00.000-06:00

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (A "Top 50 Post")

Hale is one of my favorite authors in the children's market today, and no one can beat her in the overdone genre of "re-imagined" fairy tales. However, for all that, I'm not willing to list her "Books of Bayern" as a series, because The Goose Girl is such a standout, while the latest Bayern book was something of a let-down.

The Goose Girl is simply a magical book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I will say, though, I was hard-pressed not to add Hale's terribly-named Princess Academy to the list (I promise, it's not as vapid as it sounds -- it got a Newbery Honor Medal!). But, in the end, the Goose Girl leaves them all in her dust.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

2010-06-17T10:14:00.000-06:00

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (A "Top 50 Post")

Apparently there are Graveyard Book People and Coraline People. Obviously, I'm Graveyard Book People. I sobbed like a baby at the end of this book. But in a good way. Touching, simple, coming-of-age story. Set in a graveyard. That's it, really!

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

2010-06-16T10:05:00.000-06:00

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman (A "Top 50 Post")

I am of two minds about the length of The Whipping Boy. On the one hand, it really annoys me when any kid asks me, "What's the shortest book on this list?" As a library worker-bee, I love to be asked, "What is the best book on this list?"

On the other hand, The Whipping Boy gets read by a lot of kids, as it deserves to be! I actually came to this one as an adult, but even a grown-up reader will remember the sense of childhood frustration that Fleischman invokes in this great Prince and the Pauper-like tale.

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

2010-06-15T18:19:00.001-06:00

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (A "Top 50 Post")

Another book I just completely wore out as a child. Competes with From the Mixed Up Files..., in my opinion, for best. book. ever. I just love Harriet's spunk and I went around trying to spy on my neighbors for weeks after reading this novel, disappointed that none of them appeared to have a dumbwaiter. (You'll be glad to know my efforts were fruitless.)

I still feel a little betrayed by Miss Golly.

The Books of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

2010-06-11T15:46:00.003-06:00

Books of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau (A "Top 50 Post")

Post-apocalyptic fiction for young people!

Seriously original. DuPrau, in City of Ember, made me scared of the dark for the first time in 20 years. I don't mean to suggest that the Books of Ember are scary, but to praise how effectively DuPrau paints her picture of an underground city with dying light. It was all so wonderfully oppressive.

As a whole, the series is enormously satisfying and ultimately hopeful.

I'm also a weirdo because unlike everyone else in the universe, I really enjoyed Prophet of Yonwood. Perhaps more than I enjoyed the books before and after it, actually.

(But the series favorite is still City of Ember. Sure they story arc as a whole is great, but who can resist the coolness that is an entire society living underground?)

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

2010-06-10T15:45:00.000-06:00

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (A "Top 50 Post")

This is exactly the sort of books librarians like. I don't know a children's librarian who doesn't like it.

It is, after all, a magical story about the power of books.

It's also really, really cute. I mean really cute. It's got talking mice in, so what more do you need, really?

The BFG by Roald Dahl

2010-06-09T15:43:00.002-06:00

The BFG by Roald Dahl (A "Top 50 Post")

This may be the only Dahl book (WARNING: Heresy ahead!) that I really like. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory weirded me out. I never did read James and the Giant Peach. Matilda... just didn't engage me. And the Witches gives me the creeps, even today.

But the BFG had farting. In front of the Queen!

20 some-odd years after I first read it, this is the thing that still sticks with me.

So, there you are. Toilet humor. I thought it was hilarious. I think I liked the way he talked, too.

Ramona Books by Beverly Cleary

2010-06-08T20:00:00.000-06:00

Ramona Books (Series) by Beverly Cleary (A "Top 50 Post")

A set of books I read so much, they quite literally fell apart.

As far as I was concerned, I was Ramona Quimby for awhile there. I don't know how Cleary does it, but somehow she manages to both remember and communicate not just the behavior of children, but their motivations.

As a somewhat quirky child myself who didn't always have the vocabulary to explain herself (so frustrating!) I resonated with Ramona. A crown of burrs? Having to make a paper towel shoe? A compelling need to make a curl go "boing"? These things made sense to me.

And I liked that Ramona lived a real life where her family had money problems, her father struggled to quit smoking, and sometimes, no one understood Ramona.

I am so glad they are releasing Beezus and Ramona as a movie soon, even if they are calling it Ramona and Beezus and Selena Gomez is a bit too old for the role. It's time these great books gained a new generation of fans, and there's nothing like a film for that!

I am NOT alphabetically challenged!

2010-06-08T17:52:00.000-06:00

Blogger decided to stop publishing my scheduled posts. When I tried to make it, it sought revenge by putting Cleary after Colfer. I am well aware that "L" comes before "O." Blogger is toying with me.

Just when I get things rolling again... Hopefully, I'll get this kink worked out and we can go back to daily top 50 posts.

Artemis Fowl (Series) by Eoin Colfer

2010-06-08T15:39:00.000-06:00

Artemis Fowl (Series) by Eoin Colfer (A "Top 50 Post")

The truth is, I just like these books because I'm a sucker for puns. (Artemis kidnaps a leprechaun, or rather, a member of the Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance team. You know, LEPrecon. I can hear you groaning now. Don't even ask about Fission Chips, then.)

They're just... clever. I enjoy that Artemis is actually an evil mastermind. You can't always read about the good guys, right? They are funny, exciting, fairy tales for boys.

(Series favorite? The first one. I admit they get a little repetitive at a certain point, but the first one was simply so fresh and exciting!)

My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier

2010-06-08T15:37:00.000-06:00

My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier (A "Top 50 Post")

I feel like I'm being a little unfair, here. I didn't put Johnny Tremain on my list, and that's unfair because 1) I loved Johnny Tremain in 5th grade and 2) My appreciation of My Brother Sam is Dead is probably because of the contrast it makes with Johnny Tremain.

So, let's pretend I put Johnny Tremain at number 51, okay? Then let's discuss why I think My Brother Sam is Dead is a better book.

In the end, it all comes down to ending. Sure, Tremain is a compelling story but it just wraps up too nicely. This is war we are talking about, right? That's what the Colliers give the reader -- a real picture of war.

More to the point, they avoid over-exaggerated "America YEAH!" depictions of the American Revolution, showing not only all the warts, but frankly depicting the fact that a great number of colonists were not on the side of G. Washington and crew.

To be fair, this means that My Brother Sam is dead is also appropriate for an older audience than Johnny Tremain. Let's call this one a tie instead.

Fortune's Folly by Deva Fagan

2010-05-30T16:58:00.000-06:00

This clever little novel -- an almost-fairy-tale that reads like historical fiction -- is a great addition to a fun genre. I must admit, I adore re-imagined fairy tales, but once the genre hit its stride with great books like Ella Enchanted (from the children's side of things) or Wicked (from the adult), there were suddenly a lot of (bad) copycat novels to wade through.

Read far back enough and you'll find one I didn't like -- a mishmash of fairy tales pieced together into some barely entertaining frankenstein of a hot mess. Well, Fortune's Folly succeeds everywhere Into the Woods failed -- in part because instead of using bits and pieces of every fairy tale ever written, it tells its own story

A girl, Fortuna, who has lost her mother and whose father can no longer work, is forced into becoming a fortune teller by the devious leader of a troupe of traveling entertainers. She's good at what she does. So good, in fact, that the owner makes a promise on Fortuna's behalf that she may not be able to keep. He has promised that she can reveal the quest a prince must go on in order to find his princess and take over the leadership of his kindgom.

Fortuna comes up with something, but then discovers that the something better come true or her life and the life of her beloved father are forfeit! So Fortuna sets out to make her predictions come true... and encounters the unpredictable!

The true delight in this story comes from finding the myriad of little fairy tale references sprinkled throughout the novel. It's not heavy handed (although more obvious at times than others), and they are fun to look for.

Best of all the book has a great message -- you make your own fortune -- without working too hard to deliver it. Who likes didacticism, especially in their fairy tales?

Girls, of course, aged 9-12 will like this one.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

2010-05-27T18:09:00.001-06:00

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (A "Top 50 Post")

Man, this book...

Okay, I still read this book every few years. It's just that good.

The other day, my storytime kids were talking about heroes and one girl said hers was Mary Lennox. My heart melted.

This book, without a doubt, is far superior to A Little Princess. I like A Little Princess, but, compared to Mary, Sarah just isn't a real girl. We may not all be as sour as Mary, but I think we all feel like Mary sometimes.

Frankly, I never felt like Sarah Crewe. I'm just not that nice.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

2010-05-26T18:05:00.004-06:00

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (A "Top 50 Post")

Yes, the illustrious Ms. Bloom makes the list twice. Because she totally knows childhood.

The Fudge books probably resonated better with kids who had younger siblings than it did for me, but I will never, in all my born days, laugh as hard at anything as I did at this book -- especially the infamous turtle incident.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

2010-05-25T17:53:00.002-06:00

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume (A "Top 50 Post")

This isn't a book. This is girlhood distilled. Perfectly described. I can't even begin to tell you when it was written, either, because it just exudes timelessness.

I don't know what it is about books either, but so many of them seem to be about girls who are terrified of having a chest, shaving, and, of course, starting their periods. I'm sure those girls are out there, but Blume captures what I remember -- that all consuming desire to grow up. NOW!

We must! We must! We must increase our busts!

Nonfiction Roundup

2010-05-25T10:05:00.000-06:00

Here's some more non-fiction kids' books that have caught my eye recently:

The Great and Only Barnum by Candace Fleming

I had a great time thumbing through this, sacrificing time I really should have used to do other things, because Fleming has put together such a visually appealing book here. Chock full of photos, reproductions of images, and information.

Down, Down, Down : a Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins

Steve Jenkins, if you are not familiar with him, does this really great cut-paper art thing. It is generally almost photo-realistic, sometimes leaving me to wonder why a particular work is illustrated by Jenkins rather than just photo illustrated. However, what Jenkins does really works here, giving brighter images that we often only get to see murkily. Nice.

The Vermeer Interviews as imagined by Bob Raczka

Man, this book is awesome. I read it cover to cover, turned around and read it again. In it, Raczka imagines interviews not with Vermeer himself, but with the subjects in his paintings. It's great art history, and if you are a Vermeer fan, you'll really enjoy it.

The Duel by Judith St. George

I fully admit I didn't get a chance to read any of this, but what a great cover! Despite what "they" say, it is one of my favorite ways to judge a book. Of course, a great cover would be nothing without a great subject to cover, and this looks like a good one doesn't it? I'll have to read it eventually!

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood

2010-05-24T17:50:00.001-06:00

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood (A "Top 50 Post")

Man, everyone writes novels about the bard. I bet he's second only to Queen Elizabeth as a subject of historical fiction. So if you write one, it has to be solid.

Of course, Blackwood's book is solid. As an adult reader, I even managed to learn a thing or two about Elizabethan England. Impressive because I bet Shakespeare is only second to Queen Elizabeth in terms of people I've read the most about.

The sequels are worth reading, and the last even posits a fun reason for why linguists think one of Shakespeare's plays was only partially written by him, but the first really stands out from the bunch.

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

2010-05-23T17:46:00.001-06:00

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks (A "Top 50 Post")

What can I say? It's a really silly premise, but really easy to get in to. Yes, it really is about a boy who brings a plastic Native American to life via a magic cupboard.

A *tiny* plastic Native American.

Even at a young age, I appreciated that the titular indian had an actual tribe and didn't wear a headdress. I liked that he built a longhouse and got ticked off about the teepee the kid tries to give him.

On the other hand, even as a kid, I recognized the sequels were more or less worthless.

True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

2010-05-22T17:42:00.002-06:00

True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (A "Top 50 Post")

I must have worn my copy of this novel out as a girl. I liked it so much, I was an adult before I even discovered Avi had written other books. Apparently, I was perfectly satisfied with the one.

Avi manages to bring real life to historical fiction, probably setting me on the path to be the historical fiction reader I've become today.

Also, Charlotte Doyle kicks some butt.

Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez

2010-05-21T17:40:00.001-06:00

Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez (A "Top 50 Post")

Really, I like everything Alvarez has ever written. This just happens to be the one she wrote that qualifies as a children's book. Barely. Just barely, but I'm gonna let it slide.

I love the way Alvarez explores the Trujillo dictatorship from all sides, and many viewpoints.

Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander

2010-05-19T18:32:00.002-06:00

Prydain Chronicles (Series) by Lloyd Alexander (A "Top 50 Post")

Well, right up here at the top. Makes it look important, no? Well, it isn't number one, or even my favorite youth fantasy series, but it definitely has its "classic" status going for it. Many a young man started his nerdy fantasy-reading career on these.

I, on the other hand, came to these books as an adult. Which probably warps my opinion somewhat.

(Series favorite? The first. The rest all get increasingly serious. I like the humor of Taran, assistant pig-keeper.)

My Top 50

2010-05-19T18:19:00.005-06:00

In honor of School Library Journal's user poll which generated a list of the Top 100 Children's Novels, I thought I'd like to share my favorites. However, my rules are a little different from the SLJ poll.

Mine aren't ranked. I just couldn't do it. So like any obsessive library-worker, I simply put them in alphabetical order by author. Secondly, while the SLJ poll had users list books in a series separately, this only makes sense if you are ranking them in order. I just put series names. Well, except for a few times when I thought there really was a series standout and the rest could be taken or left.

Of course, I almost always do have a series favorite, so if you ask real nice, I might tell. Also, I'm sure I forgot something, but this is as complete as I can get it for now.

So, without further ado....

Prydain Chronicles (Series) by Lloyd Alexander (More Info)

Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez (More Info)

True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (More Info)

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks (More Info)

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood (More Info)

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume (More Info)

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (More Info)

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (More Info)

Ramona Books (Series) by Beverly Cleary (More Info)

My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier (More Info)

Artemis Fowl (Series) by Eoin Colfer (More Info)

The BFG by Roald Dahl (More Info)

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (More Info)

Books of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau (More Info)

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (More Info)

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne-Jones

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Koningsburg

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Hidden Talents by David Lubar

Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan

A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin

Winnie-the-Pooh Books by A.A. Milne

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Patterson

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell

Harry Potter Seies by J.K. Rowling

Holes by Louis Sachar

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznik

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Bella at Midnight by Diane Stanley

The Queen's Thief Series by Megan Whalen Turner

The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White

Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman

2010-04-14T13:02:00.002-06:00

Those approaching this book as fans of Cushman's medieval works may be initially disappointed by Meggy Swann, who is not a medieval character. (The title is somewhat ambiguous. I do, in fact tend to think of medieval characters when I think of alchemy.) Instead, Meggy lives in Tudor England, is crippled, has a mother who doesn't want her and a father who didn't even know she existed. If you've read Cushman's Rodzina, Meggy might feel a little familiar. In fact, Cushman's reputation as a medievalist is somewhat undeserved, as she's written just as many books not set in medieval England as she has written those that do date from that time and place... but I digress.

Meggy's literary ancestor is certainly Francis Hodgson Burnett's Mary Lennox, of Secret Garden fame. Like Mary, Meggy isn't very likable from the get-go, even if the reasons behind her tough exterior are somewhat understandable. Mary's parents don't care much about her, nor does her guardian, and nor do Meggy's. It takes someone capable of sparring with Mary on her own level to draw her out, and the same with Meggy.

The growth of Meggy is great to see, and entirely believable, even in so short a story. Just as Cushman had a knack for making medieval England come alive for us, she's done the same with Tudor London and I'd say Meggy even feels a little more authentic than Catherine, called Birdy.

The story is charming, suspenseful, informative, and funny. Only gripe? Ye toads and vipers! Do all Cushman's characters need to have a catchphrase?

Good for, I'd say, around 12, and probably for girls because it's got a girl on the cover and all. Sigh...

Nonfiction Roundup

2010-04-06T10:19:00.002-06:00

Nonfiction can be a lot harder to "review" in the traditional sense. Because of this, a lot of great nonfiction not only gets ignored, but is often viewed by parents, teachers, and kids as not being "reading."

So, I'd like to call some brief attention to some great NF books I've had a chance to peruse lately.

How Many Baby Pandas? by Sandra Markle

A great one for the younger set, this is a counting book with a twist! An adorable panda twist. Using photos from the Wolong Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center in China, this book will make you squeal out loud like an idiot. See also: Panda Kindergarten by Joyanne Ryder, which uses some of the same shots for an older audience.

America : The Making of a Nation by Charlie Samuels

This might be one to hand sell those "ology" readers. It is real history, but laid out much like an "ology" book with cool pull outs and pictures. I do wish it had a few more bells and whistles, but at least the cover is eye-catching. Librarians, on the other hand, will love the lack of bells and whistles, because it means less stuff to lose!

Flags of the World by Sylvie Bednar

I was always a nerdy child, and I'm a nerdy adult, too. But this book is just the kind of thing that fascinates me. It isn't just a listing of the flags, (which are presented on large, full-color, glossy pages), there's also a little information about the whats and whys of the flags' designs. This would be useful even for adult reference.

So, that's this week's... month's... decade's? nonfiction roundup. I'll try to throw some more of these in from time to time, but I can't make any promises for when!

A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner

2010-04-06T10:15:00.001-06:00

I'm going to have to get this out of the way right up front: I was disappointed when I finished this book. It was about 2 am, I was slap-happy, and I kept waiting for Megan Whalen Turner to leave me with my jaw on the floor, as she did in her previous books. Since the last Attolia novel managed to surprise me by making me think I had already been surprised, I guess the next clever trick was to surprise me by not surprising me at all. SURPRISE!

So, Attolia addicts be warned: There is no "WOW!" moment in this book.

After a few hours sleep and further reflection, I decided not to be disappointed after all. Because this book can stand proud next to any of the other Attolia novels in terms of the quality writing, fast-paced storyline, complex politics, and everything else that has made the Attolia novels some of my favorite reads since I first encountered them a few years ago.

Here's what you do have: The pleasure of meeting with Sophos again. Sophos is a great character, although, admittedly, a little pitiful.

He's smart, loves to read, and is very introspective. So, of course, he is expected to fight, council and read. He is still very much a boy.

A Conspiracy of Kings gives us the chance to watch him become a man, and none of that experience is boring. There are several interesting, distinct phases here, but none of them drag. As usual with an Attolia novel, there is a good constant sense of suspense and mystery.

Whalen Turner also continues her tradition of playing with narrative structure. The first part of the novel is told from the first-person perspective of Sophos to an unknown listener... just one of the many fun mysteries for the reader to ponder. Then the we get a chance to delve a little into the minds and motivations of others with a 3rd person semi-omniscient perspective. The narration eventually is given to Sophos again, and concludes in 3rd person. Thankfully, Whalen Turner is skilled at this, so it becomes fascinating rather than confusing.

All in all, this is a fine Attolia novel, even if it will never be my favorite. More to the point, it was nice to just relish being in that world again. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Great for all genders.

Liar by by Justine Larbalestier

2009-12-28T13:13:00.003-06:00

I'd like to tell you the truth about how I felt after reading Justine Larbalestier's dynamic new novel, Liar. But the truth is, I can't.

I'm still reeling from this fast-paced mystery that is quickly garnering fame for having the most unreliable narrator on the planet.

Liar is told from the point of view of Micah, a seventeen year-old compulsive liar with a dead (mabye... sort of) boyfriend. Besides the dead guy, there are other mysteries in Micah life, like why does her extended family live like pioneer folks, why does she have such a deep dislike for her brother, and what, oh what, is the "family illness"? (One is tempted to think it is compulsive lying, but in any case...)

The story's pace is lightening fast, almost hard to keep up with -- there are so many twists and turns as Micah keeps revising what she promises is "the truth." I enjoyed this aspect of the story very much.

Yet, I had difficulty connecting with Micah herself. Not because she's an unreliable narrator (I've read, and connected with plenty of these in the past), but because there's so little I share with her. Perhaps, were I seventeen, the case may be different, but I don't think so. I'm not so senile yet that I forgotten the feeling of teenage-hood. Without being able to quantify it well, I'll have to leave it at "Micah and I didn't really connect." Maybe this is because the overwhelming impression I get from Micah isn't that she is talking to me, and trying to convince me of the truth, but more that she is trying to convince herself. I, the reader, am really irrelevant in this scenario.

As for the other characters, well, Micah isn't a very good narrator, in addition to being unreliable. That is to say that none of the rest of the people she describes have any real flesh to them. Not a keen observer of character, that Micah.

Yet, for all this, I probably would have felt better about the whole story, if it weren't for a certain moment I'm going to have to be coy about. Suffice to say that about halfway through the novel, there was a moment between three teens in a cave that I was still trying to digest when the novel started a new section and declared a "truth" that left me going, "Really? No, really?" Yes, really.

I'm not sure if it was clever... a gimmick... a clever gimmick? It was certainly interesting, and added a whole new dimension to the idea of the narrator's credibility, but, oh I can't explain it. You may have to read it for yourself, despite my less-than-glowing review. Otherwise, I'll ruing the whole story. Now *that* is the sort of thing that novel-buzz is made of, n'est-ce pas?

As for the moment in the cave: That led to a sort of dispensable bizarre subplot of dubious veracity that I didn't much enjoy. But I'm coming to discover that I'm something of a literary prude, anyway. Be forewarned that this novel is full of sexual situations, adult language, and a whole lot of violence.

The long and short of it is, my feelings about this book are about as unreliable as Micah, but what can be said for it is this -- Liar will stick with me for a long time to come.

Boys are usually reluctant to read novels with a female protagonist, but I think that they'd really enjoy this one if you can get them past that. A late YA novel for sure, say ages 15-18.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

2009-10-01T18:26:00.004-06:00

Boy howdy is this book garnering some attention. Well-deserved I might add. Brown's book is in the spotlight for one simple reason -- she's decided to tackle one heck of a subject. What makes a school shooter? What are the justifications? Why does one kid barely toe the line, and what makes another step over the edge? What happens to those left behind?

Valerie Leftman is the left-behild line-toer, in our case. Several months ago, Valerie's boyfriend Nick went into a crowded area of their high school known as "The Commons," and opened fire. Valerie is the one who ultimately stops him, saving the life of one Jessica Campbell, but the media and the town have a field day when they discover that she is also the one who "inspired" him. The victims all came straight off Valerie's own "Hate List."

There are also incriminating emails bashing classmates, discussing death and suicide. And, even to Valerie, they don't look good in hindsight. She's pretty sure she didn't want those people dead, but she's also pretty sure that she did not, indeed does not, particularly like them. She's also pretty sure she's still a little in love with Nick.

This book covers a lot of tough, emotional ground and it feels very authentic. Motivations ring true to life, as does most of the storyline. It isn't comfortable, however. Not what I'd call a "good" book in the traditional sense. I was glued to the page, but more with a sense of catharsis than enjoyment.

Some parts of this book rang all too true for me, as a once-bullied outcast myslef. I once "joked" (a grim joke indeed) that if anyone had ever shot up my high school Colombine style, it would have been one of my friends. Although I don't think I ever came too close, I could have been a Valerie Leftman. Add that to the fact that I wrote (vented, really) some of my own questionable material about my classmates, and know that this story hit home.

However, a few things lacked a feel of authenticity. The story picks up as Valerie is about to re-enter her high school after the summer off. In reality, I'm not sure anyone would think this is a good idea. Sure, it makes for more interesting plot, but also for more psycological trauma for everyone involved, don't you think? Secondly, the whole thing is, well, a little emo. But I didn't expect less from a book called Hate List. It may not be my thing, but it will suit the target audience. There are other issues, but I don't want to discourage you, nor give away too much of the story. Suffice to say I wasn't completely thrilled with the ending.

But other things couldn't possibly feel more true, including Valerie's experience with pshychology. I'm glad she has a therapist she can work with, and also glad she has some negative experiences. All too often psychology is either portrayed as the easy fix-it-all method, or more like something from One Flew Over the Cucoo's Nest. Brown avoids either extreme.

Most engaing is the character of Valrie. A deep, real, complex character dealing with real life, albiet on a more exaggerated scale than most of us have to experience. I suspect this book will be a huge hit, especially with teen girls. Not a bad read for parents, either, and almost a must-read for school offcials.

This is firmly a YA book for a minimum of age 14. A "girl book" by virtue of the main character being female, if your male reader can get past that, then it certainly is worth reading.

Still Here, Need Time and Books

2009-09-14T14:36:00.002-06:00

I just realized exactly how long ago my last update really was! Appalling.

Rest assured, this isn't a "dead" blog. However, previously mentioned staffing issues and time constraints still mean that I'm having trouble making time in my life for books. Also, my source for children's advance copies has dried up.

If you know of any good kids' ARC programs I can get into, please let me know.

I do have a review for you soon, though, so stay tuned!

Emmy and the Home for Troubled Girls by Lynne Jonell

2009-04-29T12:39:00.005-06:00

When we last saw Emmy, everything in her life was just about perfect. After all, her horrible Nannny, Miss Barmy, had been turned into a rat along with her odious companion Cheswick Vole. Emmy's parents had returned from their endless vacation, and Emmy had finally made some friends.

However, all was not as sunny in Emmy's world as it seemed. For one thing, even if Miss Barmy is only a rat, she's still a horrible manipulative rat. And what of the Home for Troubled Girls she once mentioned to Emmy, along with all the poor girls that Miss Barmy's nannying tactics caused to disappear long ago?

And when will Emmy make some real friends. After all, Joe is nice, but he's off playing soccer a lot. His little brother Thomas is a dear, but he is a little brother. And the animals of Rodent City? Well they don't count at all, do they? In fact, Emmy wishes they'd stop coming around so much, so that she can appear to the outside world as a more "normal" girl.

It is this desire to be "normal" that causes Emmy to stand by when some of her new "friends" pelt one of her rat pals with a rock, setting in motion a chain of events that causes Emmy to become isolated while Miss Barmy, the rat, dazzles the residents of rodent city and offers to host a beauty pageant for them.

While the many intricacies, twists, and turns of this sequel to Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat were well-done, I can't say I enjoyed this read as much as the first in the series. I accused the first of being a little preachy vis a vis the issue of children being enrolled in too many extracurricular activities. If the first was a bit preachy, than this one was a collection of sermons. The whole message about "true friendship," and values was way to heavy handed. We didn't need poor Sissy the rat to be stoned in order to drive the point home! (Alright, I realized the stoning serves other purposes, but Emmy's internal narrative about her guilt over the incident really got boring.) I did really enjoy the plot about the "Home for Trouble Girls," although I never did quite understand what was up with Miss Barmy's mother.

The beauty pageant plot was both a little odd (I'm not sure why it was such a temptation for the rodents, for instance), and again the message about internal vs. external beauty was a little heavy handed. Meanwhile, Miss Barmy's "plot" really paled in comparison to the last one. I don't want to ruin anything for anyone, but let's just say it didn't really compare at all to the plot of the first book -- namely to cause Emmy to disappear and usurp her position as inheritor of an estate.

The only thing that really pleased me was the continuation of the really cool flip-book margin illustrations.

The upsides are that this will have broad appeal for ages 8-10. And that kids always like sequels more than I ever do!

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

2009-03-03T13:41:00.005-06:00

I may like this book more than any of the other award winners and honorees I've read this season. The pace is great, the story is engrossing, and the whole thing is very compelling. I think it teaches some very interesting lessons without being too didactic, as well.

Katya, like a few others in her world, is "graced," meaning she has a sort of special gift or power. In Katya's case she is a fighter -- a killer, really. And everyone knows. You see, they can tell by the look in her eyes. No, not the murderous glint, but the fact that her eyes are two different colors, as are the eyes of all "gracelings."

She lives in a dangerous world of five scheming kingdoms, and is used by her uncle, King Randa, to mete out his own brand of harsh justice. For Randa she must break arms and intimidate, and she leads a lonely life. Gracelings are generally mistrusted, and a graceling who can kill with such ease....

However, in her own way, Katya is trying to fight back. She's created a council of do-gooders, who try to counteract the evil the squabbling kings have inflicted upon the world. It is during a mission for the council, saving a kidnapped foreigner, that she first meets Po, another graced fighter.

Po makes Katya's world a little less lonely, and a little more mystifying. She enjoys a fellow fighter who is a true challenge to her skills, and who seems to share her sense of justice. So it seems natural that they set out together to discover the mystery behind the aforementioned kidnapping and end up on a mission to make the world a better place.

I feel a little handicapped in that I don't want to mention too much and ruin the fun of reading this great story for yourself. There are simply all sorts of twists and turns and surprises that make this story great.

Like others, I'm very taken with Katya as a heroine. She's strong, she's smart, and she doesn't depend on anyone. (Although, I'd like to see, for once, a sort of feminist hero who isn't quite so tomboyish. I'm a feminist and I still enjoy wearing pretty dresses. The two aren't mutually exclusive!) I like that she never sacrifices her ideals.

Perhaps my only complaint is that although the fast pace was exciting, I might have enjoyed a little slowdown in exchange for a longer book. However, I'm not a teen or a reluctant reader, so there are trade-offs.

I also don't like Po's name... but I got over it.

The ending was a little deus ex machina, but I got over that too. At least Katsa dealt with it in an emotionally complex manner.

A word of warning: there is a great deal of violence, horror, evil, and a bit of sexual activity in this story. Don't say I didn't warn you. It is really an older YA story. I don't usually review such mature books here, but I realy want to spread the word!

Great for boys and girls ages 15 or older.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

2009-02-10T15:55:00.004-06:00

As a Gaiman groupie, I can't tell you how thrilled I was to have Gaiman win the Newbery. As a Gaiman groupie, I'm embarrassed to tell you that I didn't read his award-winning novel when it came out. But, hey, that's easily rectified!

The Graveyard Book is easily the most touching "ghost story" I've ever read. Yeah, I cried at the end. It was funny. It was adventuresome. It was suspenseful. It was totally deserving of the Newbery. At its heart, it is really nothing more than the typical bildungsroman. Child is born, grows up, has to strike out on his own... But, of course, it is what's between those lines that really counts.

Nobody Owens lives in a graveyard. Yes, really! His parents were brutally murdered when he was a child, but the hardy toddler escaped to the local cemetery, and was adopted by the ghosts of Mr. and Mrs. Owens. Although it does take a village to raise a child -- or in this case a graveyard -- and all the inhabitants adore their live boy and take excellent care of him.

But, of course, there comes a point when Nobody (or Bod) yearns to leave the graveyard, even though he knows that the world is not safe for him. You see, the man Jack who came after Bod's family so many years ago is still trying to finish the job.

The episodic nature of this book is interesting, and makes more sense when you read how the book came together. Gaiman wrote a little story for a magazine (which became one of the best chapters in the book) but when he read it to his daughter she wanted to know, "What next?"

And so will you.

Ages 10-14, roughly. The only thing that gives me pause in terms of younger readers is the novel's rather gruesome beginning. For boys and girls and, frankly, anyone who loves a good story. Go Newbery!

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt

2009-02-09T16:55:00.002-06:00

This book is for children?

Its happy yellow cover with the doggy and the two kittens on the front aside, there is nothing child-like about this story. Here's a conversation with a member of my family:

"What are you reading?"

"The Underneath. Newbery Honor Book."

"Oh, any good? What's it about?"

"Well, it is about a cat whose owners dump her in the woods just before she's about to give birth and she follows the singing of a hound dog to a house owned by a horrible man. Named Gar face. Abused as a child, abandoned by his mom, and an alcoholic. Listen to this! (I then read a very graphic paragraph from the book to him about what it feels like to drink cheap vodka.)"

"You said this was a Newbery?"

"It gets worse. Gar Face totally shoots his own dog and now he keeps the poor thing chained in the front yard 24/7 and doesn't feed him half the time. And the cats have to hide under the porch so Gar Face won't drown them or something. He also beats the dog."

"Good god!"

"Also, for no reason I can discern, there's a funky subplot about some snake-woman who has been trapped in a jar for a thousand years. Also lots of trees."

"And this is for children?"

Really. I couldn't have said it better myself. At least it ends on a redeeming, if gruesome, note. Beautifully written, though. I do have to admit that. Supposedly it is for ages 9-12. Girls or boys, I suppose. Please read this one yourself first, though.

The Books of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

2009-02-07T16:11:00.005-06:00

Although I finished most of the books quite some time ago, I was anxiously awaiting my library's copy of the last book in the series, The Diamond of Darkhold. I'm almost regretting my decision to review the series as a whole now, since some of the books are of a very different tenor, but what's done is done and I refuse to write four separate reviews!

I was immediately taken with the first book in the series, The City of Ember. Formerly my go-to dystopia for youngsters was Lois Lowry's The Giver (still one of my favorite books), but Ember can capture an even younger audience and I have to admit the basic concept is enchanting.

Ember is a post-apocalyptic city under the ground. Meant to last about 200 years, the instructions for leaving Ember are long-lost and its inhabitants know nothing about the world outside -- as in they don't even know there is one. Problem is, Ember is dying. The canned food supplies are running low, as are most other durable goods. This is slightly surmountable, since they do have greenhouses. The bigger problem is that the generator which runs the lights of Ember is going. The whole city is lit by electric light bulbs and now periodically goes dark for terrifying minutes at a time.

Into this city are born Doon and Lina, now embarking on their first jobs in Ember. Lina is a clever messenger with a keen observational eye, and Doon is down in the pipeworks and hoping to discover how the generator works so he can save Ember. One day Lina discovers her little sister, Poppy, gnawing on an important-looking piece of paper. Sadly, it is mostly destroyed. Can she and Doon piece it together. Does it contain the solution on how to save Ember?

This first novel was tense, amazing, and wonderfully detailed. The whole idea of Ember is fascinating, and the notion of a city whose doom is to go dark probably works for a lot of children, for whom the dark is still a scary thing. (I might as well admit it -- I'm still a bit scared of the dark, so the thought of a pitch-black Ember was a really visceral image for me.) The joy you feel when Lina finds those instructions for exiting Ember, then that sinking feeling as you realize Poppy has gnawed them to a pulp, and then the nail-biting second half of the novel as Lina and Doon try to figure out what it all means are fascinating. This is a fantasy with everything going for it.

Okay, from here on out, I'm going to have to give some things away as I discuss the sequels. You've been warned!

The People of Sparks picks up when Lina and Doon finally figure out how to get out of Ember and then locate one of the few surviving towns in the world. Sparks is considerably more primitive than Ember -- electricity is gone, there are no flush toilets, and the folks live a hardscrabble agrarian life. However, Doon, Lina and the rest of the surviving Emberites are amazed at the big world out here with its blue sky and greenery. They are less enamored with the work it takes to live in it.

The people of Sparks agree to shelter the Emberites for a time while they learn how to survive, but tensions grow as the Emberites tax Sparks' food supply and their hospitatlity. Soon they are on the verge of war -- the very thing people on the topside have always dreaded will happen again. When tensions overtop, how will the people of Ember and Sparks survive?

I found this book just as engaging, if not as enchanting, as the first. Again, the tensions really keep you on the edge of your seat, and Duprau has done a wonderful job of fleshing out her post-apocolypic world.

The third installment, The Prophet of Yonwood is a prequel, and one I could have initially done without. The books of Ember would read just fine without it. However, I may be being a little unfair. It was a fine story in its own right and I would recommend reading it, it's just that it's... a prequel. Yick.

The Prophet of Yonwood starts many years before the disaster that would drive a whole society underground, but the buildup and precursors to this disaster are already there. It takes place in the small town of (duh) Yonwood, where a women name Althea Tower has a had a fiery vision that her neighbors think is from God. I appreciate the way DuPrau captures the panic and terror that seize the town -- a panic that almost feels a little too close to home -- but I was disappointed in the way the tension was diffused. Knowing that ultimately society is going to annihilate itself in this storyline, it was frustrating to see this book tend toward happily ever after.

The last book of Ember is the aformentioned Diamond of Darkhold which, despite my frustrations with Prophet of Yonwood, might actually be my least favorite in the series. On the upside we are back with Lina and Doon again. On the dowside, they really are dealing with the same issues as they were the last time we saw them. A weather event has lessened the supplies in Sparks and now the tensions are mounting again. Lina and Doon decide to revisit Ember to gather supplies and also to puzzle out what a torn up book found by a scavenger might mean for them. Sound familiar?

Problem is, Ember is occupied by an unfriendly and stupid family who capture Doon and completely misue the thing meant to guarantee the future of the Emberites. Can Doon get free and figure out what the thing does?

Nothing wrong with the story except that it is really just more of the same. It ends on a completely unnecessary note about aliens and a reference to Yonwood. Totally skipable. Makes me enjoy Prophet of Yonwood a lot more, really.

Well, I've gone and reviewd all four books in one post, haven't I? Oh well. Overall, I have loved the books of Ember and can't wait to recommend them to as many folks as possible. With the books' dynamic duo of hero/heroine, the books will also have great appeal to all sexes. Good for roughly ages 10-12, it could definitely appeal to much older readers.

Budgetary Blues

2009-02-04T13:53:00.002-06:00

Budgetary Blues

I had two sorts of posts/apologies in mind, but I've come to realize that the two are related. Firstly, I have obviously slacked off on the posting. While one expects one's initial enthusiasm to abate a bit, I am still, frankly, reading and thinking on books. Just not writing about them. Secondly, I was not prepared to offer thoughts on the Newbery or the Caldecott this year. I really hate that.

However, both problems have essentially the same source -- the budget.

It is the bane of public workers everywhere and this year ours has been tight, tight, tight. The first problem this has lead to is that we are now terribly short-staffed at work, meaning I am now busier, meaning when I get home the last thing I want to do is more "work"-- even if it is self-imposed. So I simply haven't been writing the reviews. Also, I am committed to try and find new and interesting things to review and with the library's restricted budget, newer stuff simply isn't making it into my hands.

This brings us to the worst part -- why I have no thoughts on the Newbery or the Caldecott. I haven't read them. Our restricted budget means that I am much more out of the loop on the latest greatest things in children's lit. It isn't that this year's winners came out of left field -- most of them were making the rounds of "Best Books of '08" lists -- but that my source of books, the library, has either not ordered these books, or has ordered very limited quantities. I've been on the waiting lists for some (The Graveyard Book) and simply haven't even heard of others (House in the Night).

So here is where I am. I will try to make a little more time in my life for reviews, but as fewer new books come into my hands the reviews will also necessarily be fewer. And we'll just look to the future and imagine a time when maybe I'll be cash-flush again and we can all enjoy the benefits of that!

House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones

2009-01-08T18:47:00.004-06:00

The popular Wynne Jones hardly needs my review or any reviewer's approval. She's a perennial favorite, and the film version of Howl's Moving Castle, to which this is a sequel (to the book that is, not the film), is never in at the local library. The book does far better than average too, as do most of Wynne Jones' offerings. However, I enjoyed this book so much, I just wanted to write about it.

For those expecting a direct pick up from where we left Howl and Sophie, it is not quite that kind of sequel. Instead we are initially introduced to Charmain Baker, an overprotected girl who has never done anything interesting in her life, but who is now taking care of her Great-Uncle's house while he has surgery.

The house itself is weird enough -- the doors don't always open to same places, and there are dishes and dirt everywhere -- then the apprentice wizard who suddenly shows up on the doorstep is even weirder. Weirdest of all are the blue creatures and the evil lubbock that Charmain encounters outside.

Charmain also secures some minor employment at the local castle, and ends up smack in the middle of the royal family's hunt for the "Elfgift," which is supposed to help solve their monetary problems. Called in to help with this issue is our old friend Sophie, with her son and crazy husband in tow. See! It is a sequel after all.

As with Howl's Moving Castle, I love the delightful chaos of this story, as well as the heroine's charmingly practical reactions to the chaos around her. In this respect, Charmain is much like Sophie, although Charmain has a bit of a journey to get to the caliber of a Sophie, it's true. The apprentice who shows up on Great-Uncle William's doorstep, on the other hand, is definitely not a couterpart to Howl. However, his bumblng ways are almost endearing, and watching his growing friendship with Charmain is fun.

The whole book is marked by the good humor and fun that is the trademark of Wynne Jones and ought to have good appeal for both boys and girls ages 10-13.

Canned by Alex Shearer

2009-01-07T18:47:00.001-06:00

I loved the back cover of this book, that had a can label with nutrition information on it. I loved the front cover of this book, with its bright colors.

I loved the beginning of this book, wherein we meet Fergal. Fergal, whom adults think must be clever because he collects cans.

Yes, cans.

Cans without labels, to be exact. He found his first one in the bargain bin, and it was so cheap, since one really couldn't know what was in the can. Fergal liked the idea of the promise the cans held, and had soon amassed a collection of fifty. That's when his mother told him he must open one before he could purchase anymore.

And that's how he found the finger in the can.

It was while snatching up a new can that made an interesting rattle that he discovered Charlotte, another can collector! It turns out Charlotte had found a few interesting things in cans as well, and now they had a mystery to solve.

I loved the gruesome humor in this book, I loved Charlotte, and I loved the mystery.

I did not love the end, which felt a little weird and rushed, although it was the most natural and obvious conclusion. I did not like the sections that began as "Fergal's Diary" because they added no action or content to the story. I have no idea why they were there.

But I loved the last line.

Canned is definitely for the dark-humored among us, will be great for male and female reader (I'd say more of a boy book if you forced me at gunpoint), and best for ages 10 - 13.

After the Train by Gloria Whelan

2008-12-03T19:20:00.002-06:00

I was distinctly underwhelmed by this little post-Holocaust tale set in Germany shortly after the war. Although it seemed to want to have a strong didactic bent, trying to drive home messages about tolerance and the importance of history, the story's very distance in time, location, and circumstance to its own ideal reader makes that message likely to fall flat. It is a highly literary little volume, but for all that, I wonder who's going to read it? And more to the point, love it?

After the Train tells the story of a young German boy sick of hearing about the Jews. Not that he suffers from any antisemitic notions, but rather that for a young boy who doesn't really remember the war, the whole thing seems so distant now. However, a few things in his life make him begin to question these feelings. He notices that not everyone seems to have moved beyond Jew-hatred. Then the real bombshell drops -- he finds he's adopted, and (not surprisingly) Jewish.

So what does that make him? Should he eat pork? Should he go to synagogue? And how will this change how the world around him reacts to him?

While interesting in premise, the whole thing may be just a wee bit to cerebral for this age. There isn't any real driving crisis or moment of tension. It really is mostly a quick read about a boy's image of himself after he discovers the story of his rescue from a cattle car headed to a concentration camp. It's very well-written, but, again, it doesn't really seem to have an audience.

On the plus side for those that like to introduce a subject like the Holocaust with gentleness, the book is remarkably free of violence and only very lightly touches on the subject of Nazi behavior towards Jews.

Good for girls and boys around 10-12.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

2008-11-01T10:33:00.002-06:00

I had the best time reading this book. From the delectable title, the wry narrator, the fabulous Frankie herself, to the deeper messages carried in a fun story, this book just rocked. I devoured it. I was quite "gruntled" when I finished. (You'll just have to read the book for that one.)

Frankie Landau-Banks is entering her sophomore year at the exclusive boarding school, Alabaster prep. And her life has gone from 0 to 60 as she's finally had that female growth spurt. Suddenly, she's the hot girl on campus and dating the most popular senior guy.

However, Frankie isn't just a pretty face. And she'd really appreciate it if her boyfriend and his guy pals would realize that. Enter the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, an all-male secret society present on the Alabaster campus for over 50 years.

Frankie wants in on it. She's tired of the "old boy" network, and she's determined to prove herself. However, how will the Basset boys (including Frankie's boyfriend) feel when they discover a little sophomore girl is trying to join their ranks?

Both irreverent, and extremely relevant, The Disreputable History delivers a very serious message about women's rights, personhood, and self-discovery in a very funny package. I loved the voice of the narrator, which had a lot of dry humor, and I couldn't help but love Frankie and even the guys in the Order. However, what started out as hilarious actually made me feel a little inspired at the end.

A great one to get into the hands of teen girls (and older tweens -- there are some mentions of sex, drinking, and so forth, so keep that in mind) in your life, for sure, but don't forget to read it yourself! I'm sure this book has accolades in its future and I know you will enjoy it.

The Calder Game by Blue Balliett

2008-09-13T13:15:00.004-06:00

In the newest installment of Blue Balliett's art-themed mysteries, we are again treated to the endearing presence of Calder, Petra, and Calder's best friend Tommy, as they move on to the next grade, away from the delightful Mrs. Hussey and on to the more traditional Mrs. Button. When Button takes them to an exhibit of sculpture by artist Alexander Calder, she won't even let them bring paper and pencils to sketch and takes notes with! And she won't let them play the museum's "Calder Game," which asks participants to construct their own mobiles.

However, young Calder will soon be traveling to England, where he will come face-to-face with a Calder sculpture and an even more dangerous "Calder Game" in a small town that knows how to keep its secrets. When Calder the boy and Calder's statue both disappear, it will be up to Petra and Tommy to solve the mystery. Or will they too fall victim to the Calder Game?

In some ways this newest book addresses my concerns about the previous two novels -- namely that the mystery here is perfectly solvable and (more or less) within the bounds of credible realism. No one dreams the answer and the motivations all make sense. The largest exception is the idea of Petra and Tommy being asked to travel to England to help find Calder.

"Everyone agreed," it says in chapter 18, "Bringing Calder's best friends to Woodstock [England] to help the police figure out where he might be was not only sensible, it was the only thing to do."

Well, no it isn't. It isn't very likely or realistic either. Two middle-graders helping the police find a missing boy? Traveling across the world without their parents? Yeah. Right.

However, whether or not the novel addresses my concerns (obsession?) with realism, compared to the first two installments, it falls very flat. Maybe this is because I don't like Calder sculpture the way I love Vermeer and Frank Lloyd Wright. Maybe I liked the magic after all. I just know I utterly failed to feel engaged. It got a little more interesting as the story developed, but by that point, I didn't much care.

The primary motivation for this story to even exist is to force Tommy and Petra to make friends, and it does that well enough, but in a way that fails to create a satisfying whole. I liked it better when they argued.

This will probably be the last Balliett adventure for me. Given my ambivalence about the first two and my dislike of this one, I can't say I'm compelled to seek the series out again.

The Bronze Pen by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

2008-08-30T12:47:00.006-06:00

I have to admit, I glanced at this one and almost put it back down again, but then I caught the words, "Loathed by Lemony Snicket" on the cover. Well, that did it.

I was hoping the hook that drew me in meant that this was going to be a nice, sarcastic, dark, little volume along Snicket's lines. It was not.

However, what it turned out to be was good in its own right, if not the perfect book for the grown-up kid's book reader.

Audrey Abbott is an only child -- very smart, very imaginative, and a little lonely. She wants to be a writer, but it is a dream she keeps from everyone, even her father. Maybe especially her father. Ever since he had the heart attack and had to quit work, she doesn't want to do anything that might worry him. Announcing plans to be something as unusual as a writer might make his heart hurt again.

She's grown away from her friends, she has to stay home with her father in any case, and instead she spends most of her time reading and writing. This fact is not changed the day she follows an intelligent duck who leads her to a cave where she is given the bronze pen.

She loves writing with this pen, but notices pretty soon that strange things happen when she uses it. Could it have some sort of power?

She works on the mystery when she meets her new best friend, a transfer student whose drawing compliments Audrey's writing. Can they figure it out? Or is using the bronze pen, "wisely and well," as she was instructed, impossible?

This was a charming little story, and perfect for its target audience, if a little predictable. It is hard not to feel like Audrey is being a bit dim on more than one occasion, but I should probably give small children a bit of a break.

Very sweet, magical, and clean without being lame. Perfect for girls around 10 or 11.

The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman

2008-08-30T12:46:00.008-06:00

So, it's basically Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in a toy factory with a few twists. Not as dark. Nobody gets possibly sent to the incinerator, for instance, and there are no characters you'd really want to see go there.

But the influence is obvious. You have a boy, maybe not poor in money, but poor in friends. You see, his father was accused of embezzling money from the Gollywhoopper Toy Company. Never mind that he was acquitted, the town has already tried him and sealed the verdict. Charlie, called Gil Goodson here, wants to win the games so his family can have enough money to move away from all those who keep calling his father a thief.

You have a fantastical toy company hosting a special event. One way to get in is to find tickets in their products. (Cue "I've Got a Golden Ticket.") The kids will compete to win prizes. You've got your Veruca Salt type who gets in by buying so many products he has to get a ticket. You've a character who would be Augustus Gloop if Augustus were hooked on winning and not candy. A Mike Teavee (I guess she would be a Moovee, since she's hoping to be in films) with the spunk of a Violet Beauregarde. Perhaps the only odd man (or girl) out here is the character of Lavinia, an overprotected bookworm.

Although the book is put forth as realistic fiction -- I mean embezzlement is hardly a fantasy crime -- the Gollywhopper factory is just as fantastical as Wonka's chocolate factory. It almost overpowered the story for me at times. I kept thinking things like, "But they couldn't have built up and then torn down a waterfall that quickly," or, "Did they have rooms that revolved before the games or did they (unbelievable) build them for the competition?" And so forth.

Yet I can see the book's appeal. First of all, it is just a fun story. Just as every kid dreams of stumbling upon Wonka's amazing factory some day, I know the idea of this fantastical toy company will follow them to sleep.

The puzzles are quite fun, if not very challenging for the adult reader. In this respect, the books are quite different from Wonka. I think fans of Chasing Vermeer or they Mysterious Benedict Society might enjoy Gollywhopper for this reason, as well as the teamwork.

The teamwork is another key difference. The reader hardly feels sorry when Violet eats that gum and swells. She deserved it, right? But all the characters here, even cheaters like Thorn, have their redeeming points. And Gil can't get where he needs to without them.

However, the ending is more or less the same (if I wasn't sure that Felman was working with Wonka in mind from the beginning, by the time the ending comes complete with a Slugworth-like turnaround [yes, I know Slugworth was only in the first film] I was quite sure). This is sort of unsatisfying, as I was hoping for something a little more... original.

Gollywhopper Games isn't a wast of time -- far from it. It is riveting, and highly entertaining. If there was only time to read one or the other, I'd choose classic Dahl, but fortunately for us, there's time, and room, for them both.

Boy-oriented, but great for girls, I'd say these games would be best enjoyed by kids 9-12.

P.S. -- Check out this great website: Golly Toy and Game Co.

Mouse Noses on Toast by Daren King

2008-08-20T16:41:00.004-06:00

Short and sweet, Mouse Noses on Toast is bound to have those of you with slightly twisted senses of humor laughing your noses off!

It only took me around a half hour to read, but it was a very happy half hour in which I laughed out loud many times. Mouses Noses introduces us to Paul Mouse who is allergic to, of all things, cheese. (It makes his bottom turn blue and his tail turn up like a question mark.)

He doesn't live with the other mice because of this, but instead spends his time with a Christmas tree angel named Sandra and the Tinby, a mysterious toy. He visits his mice friends in a plastic wrap suit, which they think is the height of mouse fashion.

After one particularly stressful visit in which Paul's fashionable suit fails to protect him, Sandra suggests that Paul, the Tinby, and the dog next door (Rowley Barker Hobbs) go get a nice, posh dinner. Instead, they discover the horror that is mouse noses on toast. While many mice think that it is a myth, like caviar or colorful parrot soup with extra beaky bits, it turn out that humans do eat this dreadful delicacy.

Can the mice stop this horror? When a slightly hippie activist mouse comes on the scene, and the Tinby goes in to battle mode, then maybe, just maybe, they can get to the bottom of this. If they can get anyone's attention, that is.

The humor here is, obviously, dark. I'm not going to make comparisons to Lemony Snicket in terms of writing or content, but I think those that enjoyed the macabre humor of the unfortunate series are bound to enjoy this little book. Although the reading level and length may be suited to slightly younger ages, the humor and subject matter of this book make it more likely to appeal to readers 10 - 12, and even more likely to appeal to adult readers of children's stories. There's a lot younger readers will miss. It would make a great read-aloud for younger kids, with you on hand to answer the inevitable questions, I think.

A Great Book Giveaway

2008-08-20T15:19:00.002-06:00

Check out this cool chance to win a signed copy of The Big Splash by Jack Ferraiolo!

I love this question and answer in the post:

What is your one line pitch for The Big Splash?
The Big Splash is like a hardboiled detective novel meets Goodfellas set in a middle school.

Good luck!

I'm Still Here!

2008-08-09T08:58:00.002-06:00

I'm experiencing "technical difficulties" with my blogging software, but hope everything will be sorted out before too long. I've got some great new titles to share with you, and hope to be back and blogging soon!

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi

2008-07-19T15:46:00.007-06:00

Boy, these books really were written for 8 year-olds, weren't they? (A side note: Amazon must be on the good stuff, because they have them marked ages 9-12, but these are way, way, way too easy for a 12 year old.)

I know, I'm light years behind the rest of the world, but I finally got around to reading The Spiderwick Chronicles. I had to fight small children to get my hands on copies and everything. Just wanted to know what all the fuss was about.

I must say, I both understand, and am yet left a little perplexed.

On the one hand, Black and DiTerlizzi have created a really great fantasy world. I like how they draw so much on traditional fantasy lore.The creatures the children encounter, good or evil, really pop.

I'm alarmed, though, that I got a better feel for the wee, winged, and wicked things than I did for the Grace children, the ostensible "stars" of the novel. The point of view in these books is that of young Simon Grace, so you might expect that while Mallory (the older sister) and Jared (Simon's twin) don't get quite the same development, it is surprising that Simon stays a little flat as well. For instance, Simon has real anger issues that I feel like we never got to the bottom of. Shouldn't we understand such an important facet of a character's motivation?

On the other hand, these are books for 8 year olds. So maybe I'm over-thinking it. And they aren't nearly as bad as a lot of the children's series out there in terms of content and complexity. (Hey, I had my days of reading The Baby Sitters Club too!)

On the third hand (the one I haven't got), I read a lot of children's books, and I don't think you have to sacrifice complexity of development, just to deliver something that kids can understand.

Oh, I'm so confused!

I guess the main thing here is that kids love them. And I'm never going to blast anything that kids legitimately enjoy reading. But these are definitely *not* for the adult connoisseur of children's literature.

Mostly, I think, you'll just read all 5 in about an hour and then be left feeling, "Well, gee, I was just getting in to that."

Maybe that's why everyone is clamoring for more Spiderwick! Besides, how much fantasy is there for the wee set? At least it is something to give them when they gripe about the fact that they can't read their older siblings' copies of Harry Potter.

Great for kids of all genders, and for ages 8 - 10 or so, no matter what Amazon says.

Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing With Fire by Derek Landy

2008-07-19T15:23:00.006-06:00

Short and Sweet? Not as good as the first one.

A little longer and more complicated? A lot like what I was afraid the first one was going to be.

A lot longer and bitter? This book really lacked the fun, the mystery, and even the good sense of writing that I so appreciated in the first novel.

It mostly was a collection of fight scenes, relying on the "cool factor" of a flame-hurling skeleton to make it interesting. Plus, it is hard to believe that so soon after making the world safe from old enemies, Stephanie... sorry Valkyrie and Skulduggery find themselves doing it all again.

Let me start over. Stephanie, now going by her chosen name Valkyrie Cain (which seemed so cool in the last book... but repeated over and over it just seems like too much) has become Skulduggery's detective partner. She spends a lot of time away from home and family -- her mirror reflection living her "real" life for her.

Meanwhile, the magical leaders, having mostly been killed off in the last book, are down to one untrustworthy fellow. Nonetheless, he sends Skulduggery, Stephanie (sorry, Valkyrie) on a mission, for which they team up again with Tanith Low. Basically, they are trying to stop someone from getting a hold of something that will summon the power of the Faceless Ones again. Sound familiar?

This novel lurched from battle scene to battle scene. I'm not surprised to have learned that Landy is a screen writer -- because I'm sure what he writes in those scenes would be really fun to watch. To read... no so much. It is hard to keep track of the action, which just led to a lot of skimming on my part.

The repartee between Stephanie and Skulduggery was still there, thank goodness, although, much to my disappointment, there wasn't as much of it. I was really hoping that maybe these two could just do some more "normal" type detective work in this book, and we'd get to spend a lot of time with them and their conversations.

Landy also introduced some elements of internal conflict, and then left them frustratingly unresolved.

Of course, maybe he plans on picking those up in the next book?

I certainly hope so, and I will be reading the 3rd installment. The first was simply too good to let a slightly limp sophomore edition get in the way. But the third time will tell. If the world is in peril yet again, and the next novel reads like a catalog of fight scenes... I'm afraid I'm done.

Like the previous novel, this has good boy appeal despite its female lead and is good for ages 10-14.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart

2008-07-15T22:52:00.007-06:00

I think anticipation isalways bound to mess things up a little. I thought the first book was simply fab. Actually, it was the first review I ever posted on this blog, so I have a bit of a soft spot for it. I had such a fun time reading it and meeting all the characters.

I didn't have such a fun time meeting all the characters again.
I understand some re-cap is always going to be necessary. I also understand that you don't want to alienate readers who have not read your series before. However, a significant chunk of the first part of this book was bogged down by reintroducing us to the characters, their life situations, and reminding us how things ended up in the last novel.

Once you get past that, a fairly cool adventure begins. See, Reynie, Sticky, Constance and Kate are all supposed to meet up at Mr. Benedict's house for a surprise, but when they get there, they get a really big surprise -- Mr. Benedict and Number 2 have been kidnapped! Mr. Benedict had been
laying some clues for a fun scavenger hunt for the kids. Now, can the kids use that same trail to find Mr. Benedict? And can they keep out of the way of the scary "Ten Men," so called because they have 10 different ways they can kill someone?

Once it got rolling, the clues in this one were probably even better than in the first. The story will really keep kids guessing -- even I was in for a surprise or two. A caution: there are some pretty tense and violent scenes here. Those "Ten Men" are scary! So even though everything will probably end
in what feels like a satisfying manner, this really isn't an easy or lighthearted journey.

Well, except for when it is being lighthearted. I loved the humor in the first story and this sequel does not dissapoint. It still has that nice, wry, Lemony Snicket sort of feel with lots of wordplay and cleverness.

Like the previous book, this will have appeal for all genders, although it still isn't the book for reluctant readers. "Misunderstood" smart kids will likely revel in identifying with Reynie and the gang for another go-round. Ages 9-12.

Grooves (A KInd of Mystery) by Kevin Brockmeier [Books that Didn't Get Enough Attention]

2008-07-15T22:38:00.004-06:00

The book had a large picture of the back pocket of some jeans on it. And a dialog bubble coming out of the middle of the pants saying, "Please. You must help us. He's stealing the light from our eyes."

My dialog bubble would have said, "What the..." when I saw this. This was an ARC I had to read.

Grooves was slated for release in February of 2006, though. And despite great reviews from Booklist ("...a compulsively readable story with charmingly eccentric characters") and School Library Journal ("With its crazy deadpan humor, the novel is a hoot, and one of the best candidates for booktalking to come along in a long while."), I heard nothing further about it.

While cleaning off my bookshelves today, I noticed it lurking in a corner. "Now there's a book I wish I'd reviewed," I thought. Then I thought, "And why shouldn't I?"

Grooves is the very wacky story of Dwayne Bridges, who accidentally discovers that the grooves in his blue jeans, and even in his potato chips, can play messages like a phonograph record. They are all pleading for help, and claiming that a mysterious "he" is "stealing the light from our eyes." How weird is that?

Probably as weird as the fact that Dwayne notices that local businessman, Howard Thigpen, is always surrounded by a cloud of sparkles. And doesn't Thigpen own the jeans factory and the chip factory?

Yes, this makes perfect sense, right? Well, no, it doesn't. But that is the wonderful wackiness that is Grooves. It really is an intriguing mystery, and, oddly, not one so insane that the reader can't pick up the clues and hints. At the same time it delights in weirdness and wordplay.

Another delightfully odd book, The Neddiad, puts me in mind of Grooves. But while, thanks to its semi-popular author, The Neddiad came out with a fanfare, Grooves quickly faded from memory. And that's sad, because Grooves is really a jewel.

Great for all sexes -- it even has a nice, gender-mixed trio at its center -- and a good, broad age range (Amazon says 9 - 12, but I can imagine older kids enjoying it), Grooves deserves to be a sleeper hit.

13: A Novel by Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish

2008-07-01T12:47:00.001-06:00

Originally Posted: Apr 23, 2008
Publication Date: July 1, 2008

Just a few months shy of his 13th birthday, native New Yorker Evan Goldman is doing pretty well, he thinks. For instance, he's finally made contact with his crush's upper lip. But his celebratory bubble is burst when his parents announce an imminent divorce, and then his mother insists on moving him to middle-of-nowhere Indiana.

To make matters worse, Evan's mom is now insisting he have a Bar Mitzvah, even though there aren't even any other Jews in Appleton, and the only site available for the ceremony is the basement of the Methodist Church! But at least they found a nearby rabbi on the internet.

Still, things begin to settle, as they will. Evan makes a summer friend, Patrice, and then finds himself in the Dan Quayle Jr. High "cool" crowd headed by local football star, Bret. (Although this does limit his interaction with the outcast Patrice, who eventually stops talking to him.)

Now he's thinking that maybe the Bar Mitzvah won't be so bad, what, with a huge crowd of local, popular kids around him -- even if they aren't sure what a Bar Mitzvah is. But then, a misunderstanding makes him a pariah, and he is left wondering if he will ever fit in anywhere. And whether his mom and the rabbi will be the only people at the Methodist Church in a few days.

Interestingly, this novel is based on a musical. Sadly, it is a little trite. It's not quite so bad as, "Wait, I've seen this before. Wasn't it called Keeping up with the Steins?" (A charming little film, by the way.) But it isn't going anywhere that can't be seen a mile away either. The tension falls a little flat when you don't seriously believe that he'll never get a speech written, his Bar Mitzvah will be empty and Patrice will never talk to him again.

However, this might not be so bad for a twelve year-old audience, most of whom would be sorely disappointed in an ending where, say, nobody does show up to Evan's Bar Mitzvah. The themes are simple, "becoming a man" obviously chief among them, and should appeal strongly to those around Evan's age. Also, these are tween-aged worries. I remember having some of the same myself.

With the whole plot centering around the upcoming Bar Mitzvah, I was afraid that this might be solely a Jewish-niche book, but the themes are surprisingly universal. Replace the religious event with a big birthday bash, for instance, and you have a story that could be about just anyone. Moving, divorce, popularity, friendship, fitting in, growing up, family... this is the stuff YA literature is made of, and it is all here.

One aspect in which 13 really soars is the humor. Evan is a very sharp and witty narrator. The subplot with the terminally-ill Archie is often heartwarming, but more often hilarious. (Not at the expense of Archie, mind.) I'll forgive a book almost anything if it is funny.

I enjoyed 13, for the most part, and think it will serve it's target audience, 11-13 year old boys, very well. I think, as a fairly simple and quick read, it might be an easier sell for reluctant readers, especially those who will see themselves in the text. For adults, like myself, who enjoy reading a lot of children's and YA lit, not so much. It isn't a waste of time, but there are better things out there.

On the other hand, if the musical ever comes into town, I'm totally seeing it.

Troll Blood by Katherine Langrish

2008-06-18T16:26:00.001-06:00

Originally Posted: May 7, 2008
Release Date: Jun 17, 2008

I'm still wondering what the description for this book said when I requested it for review. Neither the words "Troll" or "Blood," or a cover with a looming Viking ship, are the sorts of things that make me go, "Oooh! I wanna read that one!" Of course, if it had a really good description, that's because it deserved a really good description. Being really good, and all!

Troll Blood is actually part of a series, and I have not read the previous two novels. Yet, a major mark in the book's favor is that that didn't really seem to cripple me. Sure, I may have missed some depth, or some allusions, but this was its own self-contained story.

The story is mainly told from the point of view of a teen-aged Norse boy named Peer, who is very much in love with a girl named Hilde. A girl he's known all his life, whose family has recently taken the orphaned Peer in, and who introduces him to people as her "foster brother." Uh-oh. When the wife of a Viking captain asks Hilde to journey to Vinland to keep her company, Peer also comes along, mostly to prevent Hilde fromgetting too close to a member of the crew that is rather fond of her.

However, there are deep mysteries surrounding the trip. Why is the captain so afraid of ghosts? What's the thing that it seems everyone but the new crew members know? Why is the captain's son Harald so violent? Is it true that he goes berserker? And is it true that the captain's wife is part troll?

Other parts of the story follow a little Norse boy whose family was massacred in Vinland, and who has taken shelter with a local Native tribe. The tribe is very worried about the site where all the white men were murdered, and fear strange undercurrents and even stranger creatures are on the loose. What will happen if those who killed the little boy's family return again?

There aren't a lot of surprises here (in fact, I'm afraid as vague as I've tried to be in my description, some things are still just obvious), but it is well-written and well researched. Although there are many fantasy elements here -- local legends and creatures are treated as if they actually exist -- there's some interesting history here too. Not that, as the author warns, this is historical fiction. But she's done her legwork, and it shows.

This is very much a boy's book, although the mushy romance stuff is a little pervasive, and should appeal to ages 10-13.

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall

2008-06-07T21:05:00.001-06:00

Okay, so I totally hated The Penderwicks, in case you didn't notice. Why I decided to check out the newest book about the Penderwick girls, The Penderwicks on Gardam Street, I have no idea. But I'm glad I did.

So, the book is still lily white and squeaky clean. But that aside, this book has some serious advantages over Birdsall's first offering.

For one, there are actual moments of tension and real moral quandries in the novel. Sure, they revolve around Mr. Penderwick going on dates, and some of the girls cheating on homework, but it's better than the escape of the bunnies that was the central moment of tension in the first book. The characters are a little more alive here, rather than stock representations of "the mature one," "the sporty one," "the creative one," and "the baby." (Sounds like I'm describing the Spice Girls there.)

Most surprisingly, the novel actually managed to throw in a little plot surprise that caught me off guard. While the meta-plot, that of Mr. Penderwick's romance, was predictable from a few pages in, there was a neat little subplot that required more work.

Mostly this second edition traces the dating adventures of the Penderwick girls' father, with great pressure from his sister to move on from his wife's death. It isn't all the sister's idea, though, but is encouraged in a missive that Mr. Penderwick's wife wrote to him, with instructions that it be given to him some time after she died. She felt he was too likely to get wrapped up in being a father and forget the company of adults. So Mr. Penderwick and the aunt agree that he will go on three dates to at least try out the concept.

The girls, eldest sister Rosilind especially, aren't too keen on the idea of a stepmother, and after a disasterous blind date, come up with the devious "Save Daddy Plan." The plan is beautifully simple -- the girls simply have to find equally horrid dates for their father until he decides to give up. However, their father then meets a woman he calls Marianne, (and for adult readers who have read Jane Austen, Marianne's identity becomes very obvious all too soon) and is spending an awful lot of time with her. Will Marianne soon be a part of the Penderwick brood?

Other important conflicts include when Skye and Jane to switch homework, with rather disaterous consequences for Skye; Rose's oblviousness to the neighbor boy's crush on her; and introductions to the widowed astronomy professor next door. This woman has a very cute baby boy and gets along quite well with the Penderwick brood. This is the thing that makes the overall plot rather predictable... again.

All in all, the series at least managaed to convince me that it took place in the 20th century this time. Even if I still had a hard time getting it past 1952.

These are never going to be my favorite books, obviously. Not that I'm against squeaky clean, but again, if you want something that reads like a classic, read a classic. It was almost a little sad how many classic novels were referenced in this Penderwick story (the family is a rather literarary bunch), as what, I'm sure, was meant as homage. Instead, it just reminded me of all the other books I'd still rather give my time to.

Still very girly, and still for readers 9-12, although, like the previous edition, obviously written for adults with a nostalgic bent, rather than actual children.

Coraline: The Grahpic Novel by Neil Gaiman and Illustrated by P. Craig Russell

2008-06-07T13:03:00.004-06:00

Release Date: 06/24/08

I've been very bad. I should have reviewed this ages ago -- in fact made a sort of promise to do so. The truth was, I just wasn't that into it. I tried, oh so very hard I tried. I would pick it up, doggedly read a few pages, and then my eye would be drawn to the shiny new cover of whatever novel I had checked out recently. "Oh," I would think,"This won't take me long to read anyway, so I'll just pick up this novel and read Coraline on my lunch break!"

Of course, I did not. And the problem isn't really the book's. It's me. No really! I just don't think I'm a graphic novel reader. I know, I know, they are the hot thing in the publishing industry and I'm struggling to stay hip and relevant, and so I was just dying to read it. I'm just biased in so many ways here.

For those who've never read Coraline in any form, it is a great horror story, but not a gory one. Just very, very creepy. It all starts when Coraline's family moves out to a big house in the country, already occupied with a few boarders. There are the slightly batty old ladies next door -- former Vaudeville performers -- and the even more batty man upstairs who trains rats.

Then there is the door to nowhere. Coraline's mother explains that the entrance was bricked over when the house was busted up into flats and that all that is on the other side is another, empty apartment.

However, when Coraline, bored for the day, fishes down the keys and opens the door, it leads instead to a dark murky tunnel and a creepy world where she has an "other mother" and an "other father," who both have buttons for eyes. They beg Coraline to join them, showing her the buttons they will bestow her with, but when she refuses, they kidnap her real parents. Now Coraline must save them.

The graphic novel follows the plot of the book exactly, using what looked to me like the same wording, dialog etc. The illustrations were sharp and vivid, if not as dark and murky as I'd hoped. However, they were suitably rough and scratchy to match the character of the book.

Mostly, I think this is a problem of having read the novel before. I already had my own visions of Coraline and her world, and so, of course, no illustrator's vision was going to match up to, or even live up to, my own imagination. This is, I think, part of the reason I struggled so hard to muddle through the graphic version.

Yet, this is unfair. Coraline:The Graphic Novel has the power to bring Gaiman's great story to a whole different set of readers. We in the library business are always touting the power of graphic novels to draw in that elusive creature, the reluctant male reader. And even with its main character being a girl, I think this book could very well succeed in doing just that. I almost feel devious -- disguising a great novel as a comic book, luring in the unsuspecting. Maybe they will like it so much they will try some more Gaiman, without pictures. A gal can hope.

So, despite my own reluctant readership in this case, I think this was a great collaboration, and a very cool idea. I'm sorry I took so long to get over my own issues instead of thinking of those who are graphic novel readers and those who have not read Coraline before. (In fact, I feel like I should point out there are some graphic novels I have loved, but they've all been original to the format. I really think being a Coraline fan hurt me here.)

This book is great for all sexes, and, despite being creepy, isn't gory or anything, so is a good horror story for younger readers. The popular format will extend the story's upper age reach as well. I'll say around ages 9 - 14.

Troll Blood by Katherine Langrish

2008-05-07T17:45:00.004-06:00

Release Date: Jun 17, 2008

I'm still wondering what the description for this book said when I requested it for review. Neither the words "Troll" or "Blood," or a cover with a looming Viking ship, are the sorts of things that make me go, "Oooh! I wanna read that one!" Of course, if it had a really good description, that's because it deserved a really good description. Being really good, and all!

Troll Blood is actually part of a series, and I have not read the previous two novels. Yet, a major mark in the book's favor is that that didn't really seem to cripple me. Sure, I may have missed some depth, or some allusions, but this was its own self-contained story.

The story is mainly told from the point of view of a teen-aged Norse boy named Peer, who is very much in love with a girl named Hilde. A girl he's known all his life, whose family has recently taken the orphaned Peer in, and who introduces him to people as her "foster brother." Uh-oh. When the wife of a Viking captain asks Hilde to journey to Vinland to keep her company, Peer also comes along, mostly to prevent Hilde fromgetting too close to a member of the crew that is rather fond of her.

However, there are deep mysteries surrounding the trip. Why is the captain so afraid of ghosts? What's the thing that it seems everyone but the new crew members know? Why is the captain's son Harald so violent? Is it true that he goes berserker? And is it true that the captain's wife is part troll?

Other parts of the story follow a little Norse boy whose family was massacred in Vinland, and who has taken shelter with a local Native tribe. The tribe is very worried about the site where all the white men were murdered, and fear strange undercurrents and even stranger creatures are on the loose. What will happen if those who killed the little boy's family return again?

There aren't a lot of surprises here (in fact, I'm afraid as vague as I've tried to be in my description, some things are still just obvious), but it is well-written and well researched. Although there are many fantasy elements here -- local legends and creatures are treated as if they actually exist -- there's some interesting history here too. Not that, as the author warns, this is historical fiction. But she's done her legwork, and it shows.

This is very much a boy's book, although the mushy romance stuff is a little pervasive, and should appeal to ages 10-13.

Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli

2008-04-28T16:52:00.000-06:00

Originally Posted: 01/15/08

Release Date: 04/29/08

“For I have promises to keep,” B.T. recites in Jerry Spinelli’s new children’s offering, “And smiles to go before I weep / And smiles to go before I weep.” Although Will Tuppence’s close friend B.T. is more prepared than usual for his recitation in English class, something is not quite right (although it is prescient) about his recitation of Robert Frost’s Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening, just like nothing is quite right in Will Tuppence’s life.

For one, the rock hard foundation of his (and everything’s) existence, the proton, is dying. For another, he isn’t quite sure how he feels about his friend Mi-Su, but thinking about her and B.T. kissing at the star-watching party makes him feel on less solid ground. And, as if everything in his life wasn’t enough of a mess, he has to contend with a little sister who bursts into his room, breaks his things, follows him around, and is a general nuisance. And all the while, protons could be dying.

Will Tuppence really isn’t too different from your average teen novel hero, and nothing about the overarching structure here is really original here – the sibling fights, childhood friendships blossoming into teenage romances, skateboarding, finding one’s place in the universe… all really your typical fodder for a coming-of-age novel. Even some of the more specific details, such as the novel’s climax, will hardly surprise more veteran readers of the genre.

However, this one was authored by Jerry Spinelli, who has given us the likes of Stargirl, so you can expect him to bring his own brand of magic to this all too common story. For one: the proton. Protons are not the usual concern for your average young protagonist, but Will Tuppence runs with a slightly geeky crowd (although this is not remotely the focus of the novel), and he himself has always been fascinated with the proton. It reassures him to know that even when he decomposes, particles of Will Tuppence will always be floating about the universe.

But like a stand in for a dead dog, or a dying uncle, when Will gets the news that protons can die, it is like the ground drops out from under him. I love how Spinelli uses this tidbit to reflect the uproar of Will’s internal, and eventually external, world.

The characters, mostly Will’s best friends and fellow Monopoly players, B.T. (who just cruises through life, “Wheelin’ and dealin’,” as he says during their weekly monopoly games) and Mi-Su, really pop. I especially love Mi-Su for her cavalier, time-to-play attitude about romance, rather than the love-me-or-I’ll-die puppy-loves presented in so many YA/Children’s novels.

I could go on. I won’t. It is a great read and really worth anyone’s time. While it is being marketed as a children’s book, I’m seeing it as really more for the tween/YA market. I honestly cannot remember whether the characters are in middle school or high school, but the feel of the book was more on that level. Will have great boy appeal, although may be a harder sell for reluctant readers.

13: A Novel by Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish

2008-04-23T13:29:00.004-06:00

Publication Date: July 1, 2008

Just a few months shy of his 13th birthday, native New Yorker Evan Goldman is doing pretty well, he thinks. For instance, he's finally made contact with his crush's upper lip. But his celebratory bubble is burst when his parents announce an imminent divorce, and then his mother insists on moving him to middle-of-nowhere Indiana.

To make matters worse, Evan's mom is now insisting he have a Bar Mitzvah, even though there aren't even any other Jews in Appleton, and the only site available for the ceremony is the basement of the Methodist Church! But at least they found a nearby rabbi on the internet.

Still, things begin to settle, as they will. Evan makes a summer friend, Patrice, and then finds himself in the Dan Quayle Jr. High "cool" crowd headed by local football star, Bret. (Although this does limit his interaction with the outcast Patrice, who eventually stops talking to him.)

Now he's thinking that maybe the Bar Mitzvah won't be so bad, what, with a huge crowd of local, popular kids around him -- even if they aren't sure what a Bar Mitzvah is. But then, a misunderstanding makes him a pariah, and he is left wondering if he will ever fit in anywhere. And whether his mom and the rabbi will be the only people at the Methodist Church in a few days.

Interestingly, this novel is based on a musical. Sadly, it is a little trite. It's not quite so bad as, "Wait, I've seen this before. Wasn't it called Keeping up with the Steins?" (A charming little film, by the way.) But it isn't going anywhere that can't be seen a mile away either. The tension falls a little flat when you don't seriously believe that he'll never get a speech written, his Bar Mitzvah will be empty and Patrice will never talk to him again.

However, this might not be so bad for a twelve year-old audience, most of whom would be sorely disappointed in an ending where, say, nobody does show up to Evan's Bar Mitzvah. The themes are simple, "becoming a man" obviously chief among them, and should appeal strongly to those around Evan's age. Also, these are tween-aged worries. I remember having some of the same myself.

With the whole plot centering around the upcoming Bar Mitzvah, I was afraid that this might be solely a Jewish-niche book, but the themes are surprisingly universal. Replace the religious event with a big birthday bash, for instance, and you have a story that could be about just anyone. Moving, divorce, popularity, friendship, fitting in, growing up, family... this is the stuff YA literature is made of, and it is all here.

One aspect in which 13 really soars is the humor. Evan is a very sharp and witty narrator. The subplot with the terminally-ill Archie is often heartwarming, but more often hilarious. (Not at the expense of Archie, mind.) I'll forgive a book almost anything if it is funny.

I enjoyed 13, for the most part, and think it will serve it's target audience, 11-13 year old boys, very well. I think, as a fairly simple and quick read, it might be an easier sell for reluctant readers, especially those who will see themselves in the text. For adults, like myself, who enjoy reading a lot of children's and YA lit, not so much. It isn't a waste of time, but there are better things out there.

On the other hand, if the musical ever comes into town, I'm totally seeing it.

Repost: Bird Lake Moon by Kevin Henkes

2008-04-22T14:34:00.002-06:00

Originally Posted: 01/21/08
Release Date: 4/22/08

Bird Lake Moon is the newest novel-length offering from author Kevin Henkes -- an author usually associated with his fabulous picture books such as Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse or Chrysanthemum . However, one of his other works for older kids, Olive’s Ocean did receive the Newbery Honor Award. I must admit that, although I am a huge fan of Henkes' picture book work, I am not at all familiar with his novels. So, I wasn’t sure what to expect with Bird Lake Moon.

Perhaps I am trying to stress here that I began reading this novel with few preconceived notions about Henkes’ novel-writing, and a largely positive attitude towards Henkes in general. However, I was sad to discover that the man who seems to communicate so brilliantly with pre-shcoolers failed me a little when it came to books for older readers.

Bird Lake Moon begins from the point of view of Mitch, a twelve year-old boy whose father has just left home. He and his mother are going out to his grandparents' house at Bird Lake for a little R&R, and when they arrive, Mitch can’t help but be a little curious about the abandoned house next door. He builds up fantasies around it, imagining him and his mother buying the house and living in it. Until one day some “intruders” (that is, the house’s owners) move in.

We then hear from Spencer, the ten year-old son of the “intruders.” Spencer is excited to be back at Bird Lake, although he was more or less too small to remember the last time they were there. That was the year his older brother, who would have been twelve this year, drowned. Ever since, his family has maintained the old Bird Lake property, but refused to go back. Now, they think, it may be time to heal.

Mitch initially treats Spencer like the “intruder” that he sees him as. And makes a vague attempt to make Spencer’s family think they are haunted (an attempt that, thanks to the death of Spencer’s brother, works a little too well for a while) before eventually meeting up with Spencer live and in the flesh. Not surprisingly, they become great friends, although Mitch himself is a little haunted by the tricks he played on Spencer before they met.

Let’s get the bad part over with. I felt like the storyline was a little nebulous. My favorite books will have a good, solid climax, and thorough resolution. This is one of the reasons I like children’s books, which tend to favor traditional narrative structures, since most people don’t want to throw something too experimental at little readers. However, Bird Lake Moon’s plot reminded me more of some of the novels for adults I’ve been reading lately. There was no strongly climactic moment, and the ending sort of tapered off.

The second issue is the subject matter. With its heavy focus on introspection and emotion, this simply isn’t going to be the book for your average 10 -12 year-old. While the main characters are boys, this is certainly not something to hand to those ever-evasive reluctant, male readers.

Now: The good. The writing is great -- incredibly skillful -- and I was really along for the ride with these boys. The sensory detail was wonderful. And while this may not be the book for the average reader, it might be a good choice for those dealing with divorce or death. Any child that really enjoys reading for its own sake will enjoy this book (although they may, like me, wish for a firmer ending).

All in all, I would recommend Bird Lake Moon for adults who don’t care what the age of a protagonist is, children who really love to read, or anyone who might need a good book on divorce or death. However, it just isn’t the book for the general population.

Red Glass by Laura Resau

2008-04-08T09:45:00.003-06:00

Sophie's unusual family group -- she lives with her English mother, Latino stepfather, and Bosnian refugee great aunt -- becomes a little more unusual when a small boy, Pablo, is found in the desert with Sophie's father's business card in his pocket. Poor little Pablo has seen his parents die trying to cross the border, and barely survived himself. Sophie, whose favorite book is The Little Prince, decides that Pablo is her pricipito who came from parts unknown, and is thrilled when he becomes part of their family.

However, Pablo's surviving family is eventually located in a tiny Mexican village, and it is decided that Pablo should see his family, and make a very difficult decision for a very small boy.

It just so happens that Great Aunt Dika's boyfriend, and his son Angel, were planning a trip South of the border, and it seems an opportune time to make a road trip. Just one problem -- Sophie is afraid of almost everything. Germs, car-accidents, other people... This road trip will be another kind of journey for Sophie, as she learns a little bit about
herself, and the lives of others.

This book had an uphill battle, because I had just finished What is the What and that was
a tough act to follow. However, I was immediately engaged with the story, and couldn't bear to put it down.

The prose was so lyrical, and although Sophie is sort of your stereotypical, unsure, preteen heroine, she has a great voice that pushes past all that. The descriptions of people and places were intense and vivid, really putting one right in the story. And the characters -- well, that's the most important part. This is a very character-driven novel, and they all just sparkle.

One minor complaint: As usual in these books, Sophie will need a boy to convince her of her true worth. A boy which, I'm sure, we are supposed to be convinced is her teenaged soul mate, or something. However, I'll get over it. The story, if conventional, was beautifully told.

Very much a girl book for girls around Sophies age -- 13 to 16.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff KInney

2008-04-03T22:30:00.004-06:00

I really liked the first installment in the wimpy kid series, so I was very anxious to get my hands on this sequel. (As were a lot of people -- I had to wait awhile on the Library's list). I took it out to lunch with me, knowing from the last one that this would be a good, quick lunchtime read.

I defended Diary of a Wimpy Kid against a lot of complaints I heard -- namely those about its meanspiritedness. The protagonist struck me as more often genuinely clueless than purposefully clueless, and when he was mean, it was more in a typical middle-school boy kind of way. Certainly nothing that wasn't being modeled all the time for the book's target audience any way.

This book primarily chronicles Greg's ongoing conflict with his teenage brother, Rodrick, who is holding a secret over Greg's head that could make his life hell. So Rodrick is getting his way more than usual. These parts were fine, if not as funny as some of the moments in the first. However, Greg's relationship with his best friend has degraded even more. Greg's interactions with him made me wonder why on earth Greg even bothered with him, if he disliked him so much. His antagonistic relationship with his baby brother seemed more pronounced here too. I was really upset to see him engaging in borderline bully behavior at school as well.

This just didn't pack the punch for me that the first one did. The humor was all a little cruder and crueler -- crossing that line that the first book teeters on. However, I suspect middle school boys will still go wild for it. Mind, I probably sound like I hated it more than I did. I didn't, but I liked the first one so much more and this one failed to live up to those expectations.

The Attolia Trilogy by Megan Whalen Turner

2008-04-01T09:55:00.002-06:00

Wow.

I'm tempted just to leave it at that. There are certain book that make notions of categorization like "Children's Book" seem just silly... and these books are some of them. These aren't just great Children's Books -- these are great books.

All three follow the life and journey of The Thief who travels through a greek-inspired series of nation states. The first novel begins in the kingdom of Sounis, where the thief has been imprisoned for being, well, a theif. But he may earn his freedom if he accompanies an expedition through the kingdom of Eddis, and into Attolia, to regain an important, (and possibly mythical) item. For a journey story, it is really intense, and full of political intrigue, personal conflict, and mystery. These are good books for those ready to move on from Harry Potter.

The kingdoms Turner has created have a very real feel -- especially considering the fantasy locations. The people have pretty detailed histories, religions and mythology, and cultural traditions, which add up to a very realistic fantasy trilogy.

Although, to label these stories fantasy may be slightly is slightly deceiving, since there is only a little bit of the supernatural, and the the setting, while imagined, is wholly realistic.

All three of these are real page-turners, with perhaps the exception of the last -- The King of Attolia -- which gets bogged down in a few sections. The Queen of Attolia is probably my favorite of the three, as it was terrificly suspenseful. However, all three are full of great writing, fascinating storytelling, and fabulous twists. That is my favorite part. The endings of all three novels are totally unexpected.

These books will have really broad appeal -- the fantasy and adventure aspects will appeal to boys, but they don't have the usual feel of a "boy book." Instead of being targeted at a certain age, or sex, or group, they are just good books. Ages 10 and up.

And I think they may be my new favorite kids books.

Wild Girls by Pat Murphy

2008-03-18T22:58:00.002-06:00

Joan is not a Wild Girl when she moves from Connecticut to California. She's a very normal sort of 1970s girl who generally does what is expected her. Then, wandering in the lawns and woods behind her new home, she meets Fox, who is a very Wild Girl. Fascinated by Fox and her biker-looking father, Joan names herself Newt, and together, in the woods, she and Fox become the Wild Girls. One of the Wild Girls' favorite activities is making up stories, and when one rather unconventional story (and a very unusual public reading) gets them accepted into a writing workshop in Berkley, the girls' fiction will take them places inside themselves, each other, and ever their families.

The plot of Wild Girls may not sound very exciting, now that I look at it, but in this case the greatness is in the details. The relationship of Fox and Newt in the woods, versus in school. The way the Wild Girls persona allows them to create a mask -- and explore more ideas than they normally might. The meticulously documented journey of self-discovery. Watching Newt's mother move from a cardboard mom-figure to a real person in her daughter's eyes. The exploration of female relationships... Oh, I could go on! It was just so satisfying!

"A sweet, compelling, coming-of-age story" sounds like a boring way to sum it up, but I'll have to leave it there. I want you to discover how Wild Girls ripens all by yourself! Great for girl readers (this is really not a boy's book) in that difficult cusp now known as "tweendom" and a GREAT choice for the budding writer in your life.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

2008-02-20T19:32:00.002-06:00

Ah, the lovely tale of the little motherless Penderwick girls, renting a cottage on the Arundel estate. Oh, the adventures of Jane, Rosemary, and young Jeffery, among others. My, the villainy of Mrs. Tifton and even more so the man trying to claim her affections, who might send dear Jeffery off to a boarding school! This is some English book from 1837, isn't it?

No, oddly enough, The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, was published in 2005, and appears to be set in America and, ostensibly, in modern times. Yes, of course. I know lots of little boys named Cagney, don't you? Every family I know goes on summer hols and rents charming little cottages on manor-like estates. Don't you live a charming, idyllic life?

Okay, sarcasm aside, The Penderwicks doesn't feel a bit like a modern book. To some, this means it hearkens back to a "simpler time." It reminds them of the books they read as children. It is a very innocent little story. The raciest thing that happens in the whole novel is the slight crush the oldest sister develops on the gardener. The scariest moment an almost-encounter with a bull. It's like A Little Princess ,or Anne of Green Gables, or something, maybe. Except I loved those books and still enjoy reading them.

I thought it was monumentally boring. I mean, the part where the bunnies almost got away may have raised my pulse a whole beat a minute! I'd describe the plot, but really, NOTHING HAPPENS. Any possible moment of tension was undermined by the fact that the results were so completely predictable. Even something as innocuous as Charlotte's Web, has a little more going for it than that. And I might have been at least a leeeeetle happier if the book had been set in the '30s England or something. I couldn't get British accents, pinafores, and old Studebakers out of my head as I read it anyway. So any modern or American reference was actually rather startling.

I can't believe they gave the National Book Award based on nostalgia. I think old people will love this book and actual children will look at you like you are crazy. I think if you want to give a child a book that is like one of those wonderful old classics you remember, you would be better off giving them one of those wonderful old classics you remember.

This is not 1922. Sorry, it just isn't.

A very girly book that Amazon says is for ages 9-12, but a 12 year-old would probably throw it at you and blow smoke in your face before going to hang out with their gang or something. Might be good as a read-aloud for the younger set, but again, why read something that reminds you of Elizabeth Enright when you can just read Elizabeth Enright?

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

2008-02-20T17:02:00.007-06:00

For a book that covers such depressing subject matter, this book was really funny. There's an interesting opening line for you, but it's true!This premier Young Adult offering by celebrated novelist and essayist Sherman Alexie is, I've heard, partly autobiographical.

Arnold Spirit, more commonly called Junior, has lived on the Spokane Rez (reservation) all his life -- just like all those around him. He was born with water on the brain, and would be subject to a lot of teasing, if his best friend wasn't one of the Rez's top bullies, Rowdy. However, Arnold is quite good at basketball, and even better at school. Which is why it is so tempting when one of the teachers at his school suggests he transfer to the primarily white school, Reardan, 22 miles away.

Thus Junior becomes a "part-time Indian," spending part of his days in the white world of Reardan, where he gets on surprisingly well after a rough start, and his evenings and weekends on the Rez, where things are becoming increasingly depressing. But the real test will come when Junior's Reardan basketball team must play his old team -- and Junior is the star player.

This novel covers so many weighty issues -- like those of racial heritage, treatment of Indians, and conditions on their reservations. There's some emotionally heavy stuff here, such as Junior coming to terms with his identity, his "betrayal" of his best friend by transferring to Reardan, being at odds with both his fellow Indians and the white community, the highly symbolic basketball face-off, drinking problems, and even death.

However, as mentioned, this novel is also laugh-out-loud funny, as Junior brings his supreme sense of irony, and slightly dark sense of humor to the table. He jokes that since Reardan's mascot is an Indian, he, Junior, is now the only other Indian in town, for instance. Without quoting, it is impossible to give the full idea of his humor, and, sadly, I don't have a copy of the book handy. You see, it is so darn popular, that all copies of it are checked out of the library.

As race-centric as this novel is (and I think that is important -- why not have a little understanding of another kind of life?), I don't think it lacks that ever-important universal appeal. Feeling like the odd man out in one's freshman year is hardly limited to Native Americans in white schools. Balancing the life you have with the life you want to make for yourself isn't either. And certainly the crushes and friendships of Junior will ring true for many a teenage reject.

Before I let this one go, I must mention the illustrations/cartoons. Junior is a budding artist, and "his" cartoons are brilliant. Rarely do they serve to simply illustrate the action. They are part of the action, and really emphasize the diary feel of the novel. Also, they are often hilarious. The cartoons alone are worth the investment.

I think this book could be sold to a reluctant reader (Hey, it has pictures! And lots of short sentences!), but it still has a lot of intellectual heft. After all, it did get a National Book Award. It is a mature book, with mentions of death, drinking, and, yes, masturbation. However the details never come off as simply purient. Poignant and funny, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is great for male readers 13-16, although adult and female readers should really like it as well.

Bird Lake Moon by Kevin Henkes

2008-01-31T18:10:00.000-06:00

Release Date: 4/22/08

Bird Lake Moon is the newest novel-length offering from author Kevin Henkes -- an author usually associated with his fabulous picture books such as Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse or Chrysanthemum . However, one of his other works for older kids, Olive’s Ocean did receive the Newbery Honor Award. I must admit that, although I am a huge fan of Henkes' picture book work, I am not at all familiar with his novels. So, I wasn’t sure what to expect with Bird Lake Moon.

Perhaps I am trying to stress here that I began reading this novel with few preconceived notions about Henkes’ novel-writing, and a largely positive attitude towards Henkes in general. However, I was sad to discover that the man who seems to communicate so brilliantly with pre-shcoolers failed me a little when it came to books for older readers.

Bird Lake Moon begins from the point of view of Mitch, a twelve year-old boy whose father has just left home. He and his mother are going out to his grandparents' house at Bird Lake for a little R&R, and when they arrive, Mitch can’t help but be a little curious about the abandoned house next door. He builds up fantasies around it, imagining him and his mother buying the house and living in it. Until one day some “intruders” (that is, the house’s owners) move in.

We then hear from Spencer, the ten year-old son of the “intruders.” Spencer is excited to be back at Bird Lake, although he was more or less too small to remember the last time they were there. That was the year his older brother, who would have been twelve this year, drowned. Ever since, his family has maintained the old Bird Lake property, but refused to go back. Now, they think, it may be time to heal.

Mitch initially treats Spencer like the “intruder” that he sees him as. And makes a vague attempt to make Spencer’s family think they are haunted (an attempt that, thanks to the death of Spencer’s brother, works a little too well for a while) before eventually meeting up with Spencer live and in the flesh. Not surprisingly, they become great friends, although Mitch himself is a little haunted by the tricks he played on Spencer before they met.

Let’s get the bad part over with. I felt like the storyline was a little nebulous. My favorite books will have a good, solid climax, and thorough resolution. This is one of the reasons I like children’s books, which tend to favor traditional narrative structures, since most people don’t want to throw something too experimental at little readers. However, Bird Lake Moon’s plot reminded me more of some of the novels for adults I’ve been reading lately. There was no strongly climactic moment, and the ending sort of tapered off.

The second issue is the subject matter. With its heavy focus on introspection and emotion, this simply isn’t going to be the book for your average 10 -12 year-old. While the main characters are boys, this is certainly not something to hand to those ever-evasive reluctant, male readers.

Now: The good. The writing is great -- incredibly skillful -- and I was really along for the ride with these boys. The sensory detail was wonderful. And while this may not be the book for the average reader, it might be a good choice for those dealing with divorce or death. Any child that really enjoys reading for its own sake will enjoy this book (although they may, like me, wish for a firmer ending).

All in all, I would recommend Bird Lake Moon for adults who don’t care what the age of a protagonist is, children who really love to read, or anyone who might need a good book on divorce or death. However, it just isn’t the book for the general population.

Thoughts on Award Winners Part 2

2008-01-16T18:55:00.001-06:00

Like the winner of the Caldecott, the winner of the Newbery award (awarded for most outstanding contribution to children's literature) was a very atypical choice as well. Newbery has almost become synonymous with "best children's novel," but this year's winner is not quite a novel. Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz is a book of monologues, many poetic, with fabulous footnotes, and beautiful illumination type artwork -- and will probably be found in the non fiction section of your local library. It is really a fabulous work. I remember when it appeared on my order list being very apprehensive. It seemed like a really cool book, and the reviews were good, but it was so unusual that I really felt like I was making a gamble when I ordered it. Now, of course, I am glad I made that gamble!

By the way, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! is by a librarian. That's two years in a row, as The Higher Power of Lucky was also librarian-penned. Schlitz seems like a really cool lady. One of her novels that I read right before I started this blog, A Drowned Maiden's Hair is really great too. Maybe I'll review it one of these days.

I am very pleased to note that a book I had pegged for a Newbery, The Wednesday Wars did get an honor medal. I may not have picked the winner, but I'm proud of myself for coming close!

Up Next: All the other minor awards, many of which you haven't heard of, but happen to be really cool!

Thoughts on Award Winners

2008-01-16T13:28:00.000-06:00

Well, what kind of kid's book reviewer would I be, if I didn't have any thoughts on the recent ALA award winner announcements? I certainly do have some! The two biggies this year were great, but unusual choices, weren't they?

First up is the Caldecott Medal winner The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. Well, I think it is obvious from my review that I loved that book. I seriously thought, as soon as I read it, that it had good classic potential. Yet, I am a wee bit surprised at its selection as the Caldecott winner. The Caldecott is, and I quote the ALA here, "for the most distinguished American picture book." While there are pictures, and it is a book, I wouldn't actually call Hugo Cabret a picture book. Mostly, I'm just afraid it might confuse people who order the book without having actually seen it. They are going to be expecting something like My Friend Rabbit and end up with a 500 page tome for tweens.

My pick would have been Knuffle Bunny Too (I must admit, I am a huge Mo Willems groupie), and I am pleased to see that it got an honor medal.

It isn't, obviously, that I don't like
The Invention of Hugo Cabret, and I certainly think it deserves all sorts of awards and accolades, I'm just a little thrown that it got this one.

Next up: The Newbery!

Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli

2008-01-15T16:50:00.000-06:00

Blogging About Books and Everything Else

2007-12-22T16:40:00.000-06:00

You may have noticed I have not posted any reviews for like, a month. One reason is that I am lazy. Another is that I have been trying to launch a companion blog, B.A.B.A.E.L.

I say trying because I still can't find a template I like, and, although I have several reviews of adult books that I've been meaning to put on there (they are, at least, already written), I haven't yet. That brings us back to the lazy part....

However, I've decided to give it its official launch anyway.

I also forced myself to review several children's books before I was allowed to write this post, so sit back and prepare for the onslaught. I was going to try and actually clear my backlog, but then I realized I had a really huge backlog. I may never clear it.

Anyway, enjoy.

The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

2007-12-22T15:55:00.000-06:00

So, I really can’t resist the urge to start this particular review with something really snarky like, “the name of the book may be secret, but the style of this book is derivative.” Or, “the name of this book may be secret, but the techniques used in this book are tired and rather well-known.” Or, “the name of this book isn’t secret – it was called Chasing Vermeer last time.” But I don’t do that sort of thing.

This book, the name of which is secret, presents to us children that we’ll call Cass and Max-Ernest, who, due to their interest in an antique box labeled “the Symphony of Smells” are led to try and uncover the mystery behind the death of an old magician, the disappearance of a classmate, and a strange spa that may or may not hold the secret to eternal life.

I tried describing more of the plot but 1)I hate giving too much away. I’m such a plot-miser, and 2) it kinda bores me.

I can classify this one, for me, as just barely “not a total waste of time,” but that is probably because I read really fast. The snarky narrator’s oh-so-clever name seems to be drawing on Snicket fandom, while his style certainly does. Only Snicket’s humor was more refined, edgy, and funny. The plot mimics that of several kid’s puzzle mysteries from The Mysterious Benedict Society to Blue Balliet’s books, to some of Ellen Raskin’s. The tone (and the “Don’t Read This” sort of thing on every other page) is pure Snicket. Granted, if author’s didn’t take (ahem) inspiration from one another, then we’d run out of books rather quickly. I realize Shakespeare copied his plots… but at least he did something interesting and new with them.

One thing I did like: Cass is staying with her two "grandfathers" (they are not blood-related) in their antique shop while her mother is away. They are probably gay, but this is never at any point mentioned. I’ve been saying for years that I’d like to see some gay couples normalized in children’s fiction instead of having books built around the subject of being gay. Alternately, for anyone who is uncomfortable with the idea , since it isn’t mentioned (or ever important) I suppose you could pretend they are just two really good old men friends who run an antique shop.

I must say, after all this ranting, I suppose the target audience will like this book. Kids never seem to grasp the concept of “enough of a good thing” anyway. If they like it, they will read a million like it, you know. And it is funny, and exciting, and fast-paced, and kinda cool. With it’s tag-team main characters, this book will have broad appeal, and is best for readers 10-12.

The Princess and the Peabodys by Betty G. Birney

2007-12-22T15:10:00.000-06:00

I was fully expecting The Princess and the Peabodys to full-out be the dumbest book I had ever read. I’m not even really sure why I checked it out! It is very pink and has a cheerleader/princess on the (admittedly, well-designed) cover! Was I feeling extra-girly? Brain-dead? Like making fun of something?

This surely has to top the time I bought Princess Academy, because I had reason to trust Shannon Hale and the Newbery committee. I know absolutely nothing about Birney. I think she wrote a series about a hamster.

Whatever my insanity, I must say, The Princess and the Peabodys exceeded my expectations. Now, don’t get too excited. Remember, my expectations weren’t very high. But you know what? It was a cute book, darnit!

The story deals with one princess Eglantine (quickly re-christened Egg by most of the Peabody family) who was the victim of a spell gone awry. A young court magician accidentally traps the medieval princess in a box, which becomes a portal the the 21^st century. Casey Peabody and her grandmother are antiquing, and purchase the box that unleashes Egg into the unsuspecting community of Pine Glen.

Casey is particularly rankled by the Princess’s presence, since Casey has to share her room, look out for her at school, and put up with her constant demands. Didn’t Casey have enough wannabe cheerleader-princesses to deal with?

However, as much as Casey tries to teach the Princess about 21^st century life, it seems that Eglantine may have some lessons for Casey and Pine Glen up her (puffy, pink, beribboned) sleeve.

Nothing overly-complicated here, and a moral that could have probably been wielded a little more lightly, but all in all a fun read. Good maybe for princess readers who could expand their horizons a little. Ages 9-12, and (should I even have to say it?) definitely a girl book.

ETA: Minor complaint. Princess does very well in French class. Of course, medeval Princess would not speak modern French. I know... I'm a nerdy dork.

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis

2007-12-22T15:04:00.000-06:00

Emma-Jean Lazarus (what a delicious name!) is not quite like her seventh grade peers. While a keen observer of their behaviors and social interactions, she nonetheless remains a little aloof from them all. Highly literal, and almost painfully logical, Emma-Jean doesn't really attract the friendship of her peers either -- they think her just a tad weird and mostly remain indifferent to her. However, one day, Emma-Jean finds a fellow classmate crying in the bathroom, and Emma-Jean perceives (in the classmate’s various wailings about a best friend's betrayal) a plea for help. Ever the logical problem-solver, Emma jean applies her analytical mind to the issue and soon comes up with a, frankly, morally dubious solution. However, to Emma-Jean, it seems she's done just the right thing -- solved her new friend's problem.

Emma-Jean soon finds other problems to solve for her classmates, but doesn't realize the ripple-effects her various unusual-if-logical solutions are creating. It seems that there is one problem Emma-Jean hasn't been able to puzzle out quite yet -- the mysteries of the human heart and mind.

This book is charming and chuckle-worthy (with the occasional laugh-out-loud moment), but without stooping to humor at the expense of others -- especially the rather obvious target of Emma-Jean. Emma-Jean, while not formerly diagnosed, would be familiar to most reader's who know someone diagnosed with some of the milder forms of Autism or Asperger's syndrome. While the humor often derives from the disconnect between how Emma-Jean perceives her world and how the world is really structured (a sort of dramatic irony), the subtle jabs are more often aimed at the rather silly ins and outs of "normal" human behavior, rather that Emma-Jeans clearly logical analysis.

Emma-Jean is a very short read, but manages to pack lots of action, humor, and even several very touching moments into a small little package. The pacing is great (and I don't often concern myself with pacing), but Emma-Jean's larger-than-average vocabulary will rule out reluctant readers, and some portion of its target audience who doesn't want to read with a dictionary handy. Frankly, it may be one of those children’s books that has more appeal for its adult readers... but then again, that’s what I am! Best for girls, of course, and I'm going to go against the ideas of most reviewers and recommend it for 11-13. Think of it as a younger kid’s Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford

2007-11-13T15:54:00.000-06:00

Sunny Lea does not love Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little. I mean, I liked it, but love isn't quite the word I could apply to a book that gives so little to love. I don't mean that there's nothing to love about it, or even that everything that is there isn't love-able. Well, to keep it short, I'm trying to say that Moxy Maxwell (etc, etc) is short. Very. There aren't a lot of short stories in this world that inspire deep feelings from me. I like big, meaty novels in my "grown up" reading for instance, that give me a lot to work with. Multi-generational sagas are always bound to catch my attention. And, once you reduce the font, work out the whitespace, and get rid of the adorably illustrative, but not particularly necessary photographs, Moxy M. (etc, etc) reveals itself to be something like a short story. Add the photos back in, and it might be fair to call it a picture book for middle-graders.

Moxy Maxwell is facing the immanent return to school after a nice summer break, and she has just one last task to do: read Stuart Little -- all 144 pages of it. Of course, Moxy means to get down to business right away. Her mother promises, if she does not, there will be consequences. Like not getting to perform as a daisy petal in her water ballet. So, Moxy gets to work right away... cleaning her room. She can't be expected to settle in and read Stuart Little -- all 144 pages of it -- in a messy room, can she? One thing leads to another, and Moxy does have an awful lot of things she needs to do (train the dog, plant a peach orchard), and she never quite actually begins reading Stuart Little. Uh-oh. Will she now have to face the consequences?

Moxy is a charming little girl. Spunky and full of ideas -- not the she ever completely follows through on any of them. As a character, despite the grandeur of her delusions, she rings very true. Readers will snicker at Moxy, and probably squirm a bit in self-recognition. After all, who among us has never put off a task? The photos are great, supposedly taken by Moxy's twin brother Max, and document the story in a way that is probably more interesting than the usual small line drawings.

However, because Moxy is so charming, because she rings so true, and because the whole package was so delightful, I am left a little disappointed. Perhaps I'm greedy, but I just couldn't help wanting more. So while I cannot Love Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little, I can like it. And I do... a lot.

Girl-heroine and daisy swimsuit aside, Moxy could actually have very broad appeal, and is best for procrastinating middle-schoolers like Moxy herself. The relative shortness of the story should appeal to those ever-elusive reluctant readers. Ages 8 - 11 or so.

Billy Creekmore by Tracey Porter

2007-10-23T15:40:00.000-06:00

Billy Creekmore is a wonderful storyteller (or liar, depending on how you look at it), is very unlucky, and can sort of talk to dead people. He was born at midnight on Friday the thirteenth, and his entrance into this world was the cause of his mother's exit. Shortly after, Billy's father fled, depositing Billy in a dreary orphanage, where the boys are overworked and underfed. Like the other boys, Billy dreams of the day he will be old enough to work in the neighboring glass factory as an apprentice. However, when one of the lucky chosen ones bumps into Billy in the middle of the night telling him tales from the glass factory that make the orphanage sound like a paradise, Billy Creekmore is really stuck. Luckily for the usually unlucky Billy Creekmore, a long-lost uncle shows up to claim him. Billy loves his uncle's coal mining town, but soon a mine collapse and some union work stir up more trouble for Billy, who must run away -- and blunders into the circus of all things. Circus life, like mining life, is great as far as Billy is concerned, but life isn't done surprising Billy yet!

I'm afraid that this novel is yet another one that receives my "not at total waste of time" seal of ambivalence. It is merely okay in terms of plot, pace, and character development. No one, besides Billy (and even with him, only occasionally) really seems to shine in terms of personality. Instead, Billy Creekmore is a novel full of stock characters. Billy the poor orphan, the nefarious orphanage owners, the greedy and gregarious factory owner, the poor but hardworking mining relations, and so on and so on. The plot is a stock plot as well. Poor orphan unlucky and unloved, claimed by loving relatives, must lose loving relatives to come into his own, etc. etc. Of course, then he joins the circus. The circus! Really! The book pretty much lost me at that point. Nothing could possibly shock, surprise, or amaze me past that, and since the general direction of the story was glaringly obvious, nothing did.

That said, the period details of Billy Creekmore are clearly well-researched and many individual situations in the novel, if not all of them strung together, had the ring of authenticity. Yet, there are probably better books to go to first if any of these particular subjects catch the interest of you or your child. Of orphans and terrible working conditions, the children's novel industry abounds.

Billy Creekmore is more or less a boy's book, although lacking some of the excitement and pizzaz that would entice your average reader, and would be most appropriate for ages 9-11. Watch out for some mildly upsetting scenes/mild violence.

Update

2007-10-11T13:24:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to let you know that the last post (for Into the Woods) just underwent a major overhaul. Sorry, that was bad. I'd like to say I was busy, or sleepy, or under the influence of something, but, alas, sometime really bad writing happens. It makes me wonder why I have the chutzpah to review the writing of others sometimes. Then again, I know I would be a bad novelist!

Into the Woods by Lyn Gardner

2007-10-10T18:13:00.001-06:00

I think I’m starting to feel like something of a freak. You see, I just finished Into the Woods and I, well, really wasn’t all that enchanted.

It’s a shame, too, because Into the Woods has all the makings of a very great send-up of all one’s favorite fairy tales. It draws from numerous sources including the Pied Piper, Hansel and Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Jack and the Beanstalk... just to name a few! This, I think, runs the risk of creating a story that is either exiting or cluttered and, sadly, I think cluttered was the result. It also treads the fine line between homage and derivative, and I bet you can guess what I think about that, too.

The story begins with two sisters -- Storm (rather aptly, or perhaps obviously, named) and Aurora Eden (fans of Disney should have no trouble guessing which fairy tale character’s fate Aurora is supposed to succumb to) -- who are about to be joined by a third. Sadly, their beautiful mother (it is rumored their father was so captivated by her that he climbed her lovely hair to rescue her) is not very strong and childbirth takes its toll on her. As she lies wasting away in bed, she calls the irrepressible and irresponsible Storm to her side and entrusts her with a small, unremarkable pipe, which she warns Storm has incredible powers. Even Storm is unsure why she, and not the staid and stolid Aurora is being entrusted with this, but her mother assures her that Storm is the best choice for possession of such a powerful object. Then, alas, the beautiful mother, Zell, passes away.

Their father is mad with grief and locks himself away. Aurora, however, feels compelled to ask him what to name their new sister. "Anything," he replies. So they do, but they call her Any, mostly. Then, one day, their father simply disappears. And so they are orphaned, more or less. However, since their parents were always distant and neglectful, and Aurora always took care of the day to day business of running the household and caring for her sisters, little changes for the Eden family.

Then one day Storm sneaks off into the woods (despite her sister's dire warnings of the dangers that await there) and stumbles upon a nearby hamlet that is having a problem with a rat infestation. They've called in a man, Dr. DeWilde, to lead the rats away, despite what happened to the children of the town the last time someone was called in to rid them of rats. Of course, the astute reader will have noted that DeWilde will probably need a pipe to lead the rats away, and that Storm happens to be in possession of a magical pipe. Unfortunately for the Eden sisters, it appears the evil doctor will stop at little to obtain the pipe and he has a pack of trained, bloodthirsty wolves on his side.

So, the sisters must run into the relative safety of the woods in order to save the town, the pipe and their lives.

There were some nice twists and turns and it was certainly fun, on occasion, to find the fairy tale references sprinkled everywhere. Nonetheless, there was very little about Into the Woods that felt particularly original to me, down to its title. Of course, the author should be familiar with the charming Sondheim musical, since she herself wrote a review of it. (This is Gardner’s first novel – she is known as a theater critic.) Sure, thanks to Ella Enchanted and its myriad of followers (or even the adult novels of Gregory Maguire), re-imagined fairy tales are a pretty hot thing in kids books these days, but, frankly, I’ve seen it done so much better. Anything by Ella’s author, Gail Carson Levine, or another favorite of mine, Shannon Hale, receives my hearty recommendation. However, with Into the Woods, the magic just really didn’t seem to be there. The novel was too busy, trying too hard, too derivative, and, apparently for me, lacking that je ne sais quoi. That is, apparently, French for “an ending that isn’t so cheesy it makes me want to hurl.”

So why do I feel like a freak? Because everyone else seems to love it, so far. Not just kids either. I’ve seen reviews by perfectly sensible and competent adults who think it is just fabulous. So maybe it is just me. I think I’m losing my confidence! This book will sell best to girls – after all it is a fairy tale – in about the 9-11 age range. It’s fun. It’s fast paced. It’s not a total waste of time.

PS-- As far as I can tell, the book's cover in the UK edition is exactly the same, only the background is red, not blue. Very odd. The illustrations are really great, by the way.

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell

2007-10-02T15:34:00.000-06:00

I really should be writing about other things, but I just finished two shiny new kids' books and, well, it's just more exciting to write about those.

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat has a great title, doesn't it? Really, the whole package practically screams, "Here is a fun book!" and it doesn't disappoint, either.

Emmy and her parents live quite the lavish life. They have a huge house, Emmy's parents travel everywhere all the time, and Emmy has her own personal nanny, Miss. Barmy, to look after her. But Emmy remembers a time before they inherited all that money, when they lived in a cozy apartment over a bookshop, Emmy's parents were around her all the time, and she didn't have to put up with the horrible Miss Barmy. She also had friends. Oddly enough, none of the kids at her new school seem to notice she even exists. No one talks to her except for the class pet -- a rat. Of course, Emmy can't be sure she isn't imagining that.

But then, one day, two special things happen. A boy named Joe notices Emmy, and he also hears the rat talk. With help from her new friends Joe and Ratty, maybe Emmy can finally put her finger on what disquiets her about Miss Barmy, and solve some mysteries (like what is "the usual" that she hears her nanny ordering at a strange shop called The Antique Rat, why does no one seem to notice her, and why do her parents never come home anymore?). She will also make some new enemies -- like the owner of The Antique Rat, who wants to kidnap Ratty, has a back room filled with unusual rodents, and who seems oddly attached to Emmy's nursemaid.

This book is very adventure-filled and fun, fun, fun, and fun. It has a sort of over-the-top quality that reminded me of some of the Series of Unfortunate Events, but wasn't nearly as grim. I was also amused by some of the messages of the story -- like letting kids have time to be kids and not enrolling them in every extracurricular activity possible and, of course, that money can't buy happiness. Perhaps a little trite but true. (Hahaha -- I mad a very bad pun.) The character names were cracking me up, although I suspect they would sail right over most kids' heads. But I knew nothing good was coming from anyone named Barmy, let me tell you!

And speaking of barmy, I just loved the really quirky, kooky, crazy nature of this story. Rats with magical powers, crazy plots thought up by a crazier nanny, a sinister antique shop owner, a very cool underground rat city, and a game called pawball are just part of it. In some ways, it put me in mind of Roald Dahl's Matilda, although in others it is simply incomparable. The plot was a little convoluted at times, but I think it hung together quite well. I'm not, I admit, the best in the world at noticing little tiny slip-ups, but I didn't notice any glaring errors either. I think this book could have broad appeal, even though the main character is a girl, and would recommend it for ages 9-11.

New Look!

2007-09-24T21:02:00.000-06:00

Just a quick thank you to Exotic Mommies for the new template. I feel all fancy now!

Letters From Rifka by Karen Hesse

2007-09-24T17:25:00.001-06:00

As the title implies, this is an epistolary novel taking the form of un-mailable letters written in the end papers, then margins, of a volume of Pushkin. The volume had been given to Rifka by a richer Russian cousin that Rifka will very likely never see again, and so the letters are really more of a diary. We learn that one of Rifka's brothers has deserted the Russian army and another is about to be drafted into it, so Rifka's family's need to escape is very urgent. They slink away, hiding in boxcars, to cross the border into Poland -- where they are promptly stricken with Typhus. Once recovered, they resume their journey to America, but Rifka is left behind in Belgium, because she has come down with ringworm and would be denied entry to the States. At first she feels very lost and abandoned, but a Jewish organization to help immigrants settles her with a family and, well, Rifka really isn't the type that can be melancholy for long.

This novel documents some of the experiences of Hesse's own family -- so I suppose it is important to remember that while there may have been a common immigrant experience, each individual's story is unique. However, there are an awful lot of children's books on this particular subject. Also, true or not, there is just something about Rifka's typhus, followed by ringworm, followed by being quarantined because her hair won't grow that is just kind of like a pile-on. Maybe in a longer story it wouldn't have seemed like too much, but in this slim volume it starts to strain the bounds of believability.

For Russian/Jewish immigrant stories, I think Dreams in the Golden Country, a "Dear America" book, is actually better story -- although as a fan of Karen Hesse, I hate to say it. Still, it isn't as if you can only read one book on a particular subject or anything, and Rifka is certainly not a waste of time. Best for girls aged 9-11.

Wednesday Wars by Gary D Schmidt

2007-09-18T15:36:00.001-06:00

Holling Hoodhood is pretty sure Mrs. Baker hates him. And really, it is possible she might. After all, thanks to the fact that all the Catholic kids go to catechism on Wednesday afternoon, and the Jewish kids go to Hebrew School, Mrs. Baker was probably expecting to have Wednesday afternoons to herself. Unfortunately, Holling is the Protestant man out.

At first Holling spends his Wednesday afternoons doing tasks like cleaning the blackboard erasers, cleaning out the cage of Mrs. Baker's terrifying pet rats, and other such menial tasks. But Holling becomes sure that Mrs. Baker hates him when she come up with the most devious task of all -- reading Shakespeare.

Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, The Wednesday Wars reflects that turmoil on a much smaller scale, all while maintaining a great sense of humor and levity. Really, the number-one word I would use to describe this book is "funny" -- from the crazed classroom mice, to the cream puff incident, to the Shakespeare costume with feathers on the you-know-what, this book frequently caused me to guffaw out loud. However, this book really deserves the Newbery buzz it is getting as well. It is a quality piece of literature that deals with issues like war, fear, prejudice, fallen heroes, and barely functional families. And, of course, some lovely interplay between the Shakespeare texts that Holling is reading and the action of the story.

What a rare jewel that manages to both hold appeal for the reluctant reader and the literary reader. I love a book that doesn't dumb itself down -- instead it works on multiple levels. Hey, if you get the Shakespeare references, you get the Shakespeare references. If not -- I don't think you'd ever know you were missing anything. Only the best of what we offer to children manages this feat, and I'd say this book's Newbery talk is well, well deserved.

The Wednesday Wars should have near-universal appeal, but would be great for male and fairly reluctant readers. This is targeted at a middle school audience, but I see no reason why older readers (or any reader, really) shouldn't enjoy it as well.

Voyage of Slaves by Brian Jaques

2007-09-05T18:40:00.001-06:00

This is yet another advance that I never got around to reading when it was new but, sadly, this one didn't come as a particularly pleasant surprise. Not that it looked like it was going to be exactly my thing, what with the boy beating on a shark with an oar on the cover and everything, but, you know, sometimes books surprise me despite their odious covers.

So this is, apparently, the third book in a series called "Castaways of the Flying Dutchman." I'm going to admit right off the bat that I have not read the previous books in the series, which may have affected my opinion of this book. Although, since I didn't have any trouble understanding what had happened to Ned and Ben in the previous books, I'm afraid this one might have rehashed too much ground as well. However, that is pretty much a baseless theory.

As previous books must have explained, Ben and his dog Ned served on the ship The Flying Dutchman and when the ship was cursed, they were spared the fate of the rest of the ship's evil inhabitants, but for reasons that are quite unclear to me, they were still cursed to wander the earth and live eternally.

In this latest installment of their wanderings, they end up initially separated -- Ned (the dog) bumping into a traveling circus, and Ben being sold to a slave trader. They meet up again when the circus is brought to the slave trader's house to preform. Frankly, I don't feel like I can describe a great deal more without giving away too much of the plot.

Perhaps it was the nature of the locations and settings, but I found this story to be rather rife with stereotypes. There were some very good and helpful Christians and Jews, and some rather bad Arabs who kept referring to the white Ben as an "infidel" and were horrified of his dog. Two of the circus members were black women, and very much treated as the exotic "other." There were several Italians, who said, "Mama Mia" and the like, and probably more I am forgetting.

On the other hand, there were some rather entertaining, swashbuckling sort of moments, and the book maintained fairly good suspense throughout. The banter between Ned and Ben (oh, I forgot to mention they could speak to each other telepathically, didn't I?) was humorous enough, as well. If slightly unbelievable.

However, the book left me, by and large, unsatisfied and occasionally offended. Not to mention rather feeling rather tired of its endless moral lessons. I don't have any real desire to read the previous books, nor will I snatch up the next installment, when it comes out. Might be good for boys ages 9-12 who like adventure, sword fights, piracy and the like.

Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce

2007-08-30T17:17:00.000-06:00

How cute is this story? Well, I'll tell you how cute it is. In just a minute. I'd heard really great things about Boyce's first kid's novel, Millions, but I didn't happen to have a copy of that laying about the house. I did, however, have an old advance copy of Framed that I never got around to reading. (You will notice this is a theme with me.) It's a good thing I occasionally run out of reading material I intentionally acquired, because then I get to experience pleasant surprises like this.

Dylan Hughes, the son of the proprietors of the Snowdonia Oasis Auto Marvel (a petrol station and garage), has just become the last boy in the tiny town on Manod. Families have been abandoning the extremely gray and rainy former mining town as financial prospects become worse and worse. Dylan, though, loves his hometown, and the interesting characters that populate it. Take Nice Tom (formerly Daft Tom), who knows everything there is to know about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In Tom's honor, Dylan names some baby chickens after two of the Turtles -- Michelangelo and Donatello -- and that's where the trouble starts.

Because when the art museum in London must find a place to hide its precious paintings while London is experiencing massive flooding, they decide to use the old mines in Manod as a storage facility. (Lest this sound completely implausible, they really did store the paintings there during WWII). And when the man in charge of the paintings, Lester, discovers Dylan's chickens and their names, he thinks Dylan is fascinated with great art, not Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. However, Dylan does develop an interest in art, as does the rest of the town, and a curious relationship develops between the town and the art that begins to expose gray Manod's hidden beauty.

Problem is, there still aren't enough jobs and money to go around, and the Snowdonia Oasis Auto Marvel is failing. That is, until Dylan's criminal-mastermind sister comes up with a plan that will exploit Dylan's relationship with Lester, but hopefully leave them very, very rich.

I'm not overly fond of the word "heartwarming." It conjures up Hallmark movies, and I don't like Hallmark movies. But it is, nonetheless, a term that applies to Framed. However, the story is also wickedly funny. I mean, even the basic plot idea is pretty absurdly funny. Dylan is quite naive and oblivious which has both comic effect (as when he doesn't realize that his chickens are named after famous painters) and creates some touching moments (like his refusal to give up on his father).

It's a sweet story, but keeps just on this side of saccharine. It never takes itself too seriously, and doesn't underestimate its readers. This one will have fairly equal boy/girl appeal. Harder to gauge is age-appropriateness, but I'd say between 10 and 13. And those of us who are 10-13 at heart, of course.

Horseradish:Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid by Lemony Snicket

2007-08-29T17:57:00.000-06:00

You know those parts of Series of Unfortunate Events that would have you laughing out loud, causing people to stare at you like you were nuts, and some to wonder what could possibly be so fabulous about a children's book? Oh, was that just me?

Well, anyway, this is basically a book of those. For the longest time, a line from The Wide Window (book 3) graced my e-mail's sig line. "If you are allergic to a thing, it is best not to put that thing in your mouth, especially if the thing is cats." I stared at it every day for over a year and it still makes me giggle. So, you know, stuff like that.

If you liked Series of Unfortunate Events, and most especially if you liked Snicket's macabre, dark sense of humor, you will like this book. I recommend it for it's sig line potential alone.

PS -- If you must know, my current sig line is from this book. "If writers wrote as carelessly as some people talk, then adhasdh asdglaseuyt[bn[ pasdlgkhasdfasdf."

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

2007-08-29T17:45:00.001-06:00

Well, it'll never change your life, but Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid gets major points for being funny. This "novel in cartoons" gives us a year with Jeff and his diary (he told his mom not to buy one with "diary" on the cover, but she does anyway) and cartoons that tell, not just illustrate the story. The events are a bit like comic book panels, and so there isn't much of a plot to describe. They are loosely connected around Greg's desire to be popular and his indecision when it comes to what to do with is less-than-popular (okay, really very dorky) best pal.

In fact, it's decisions and conflicts like those that are likely to appeal to middle-schoolers (who will recognize the truth in them) and anger parents (who will want Greg to do what he so rarely does -- aka "the right thing"). However, kids also have a greater appreciation for irony than we often give them credit for and they will appreciate the humorous contrast between what we, the readers, know Greg should do, and his complete and utter cluelessness about the same.

It's a short book with lots of drawings, so basically it's just a quick, funny read. Fantastic for reluctant readers, and a great draw for those who will read graphic novels. Most definitely designed with boys is mind, and most appropriate for ages 9 to 12.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. 1: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson

2007-08-27T16:08:00.000-06:00

I've done it yet again. That is, I have failed to finish a book. Nancy Pearl might be proud of me, but I bet she wouldn't want to hear that I did manage to complete about 4/5 of the book before finally giving up.

Octavian Nothing is the story of a young slave boy who does not know he is a slave. He is pampered, lives in luxury, and is given the finest education obtainable. He lives in a house populated by scientists and his beautiful African mother. Then, one day, Octavian discovers the truth. He is not a free man but is a slave and the subject of a scientific experiment to see if black people really are an inferior race. So first, his illusions about himself come crashing down around him, and then with a significant death and the withdrawal of funding for the experiment on him, the rest of Octavian's carefully constructed paradise comes down too.

I'm normally very fond of M. T. Anderson's work ( Feed is probably one of my favorite YA books of all time, for instance), and here we have one that combines not only a great author, but what sounds like an interesting exploration of slavery. Oh, and historical fiction too. My favorite. Oh, and look at those shiny medals on the cover! It got a National Book Award and was a Printz finalist. This couldn't possibly be bad, right?

Maybe it isn't. Maybe Octavian's life truly is astonishing, but I just couldn't be compelled to find out. First, I had to slog through Octavian's period-accurate language and descriptions. Just when I finally settled into the rhythm of the narrative, though, the format changed to an epistolary one... from a completely different character, no less. Who wrote even more confusingly that Octavian and mostly about odd irrelevant details that annoyed me to no end.

I admit it, I skimmed most of the letters.

And then, by the time the novel returned to Octavian's point of view, I found that I just no longer cared. Which is good, because I realized suddenly that this was only volume one and that I might die if I had to read a "whole 'nuther" book like this.

If you still want to give it a shot, know that I would classify this as a "boy book" in a lot of ways, but by no means would I put it anywhere within 50 ft. of a reluctant reader. They may never read again. With it's confusing narrative and difficult language, I'm not inclined to recommend this for readers under 20, but I suspect its intended audience is somewhere around 14-18. It has many good reviews on Amazon, but mostly from older readers.

Hidden Talents and True Talents by David Lubar

2007-08-13T11:16:00.000-06:00

I read the book Hidden Talents and its sequel True Talents one right after the other (and in very few sittings), so I think it'll be easier to treat them in one review. I first picked up Hidden Talents because I was phenomenally bored and happened to own an advance copy that I never got around to reading. Frankly the plot summary did not describe the kind of thing I usually like to read, so it was probably never going to end up in my hands unless I found myself with a serious lack of something to read.

Hidden Talents tells the story of Martin, a boy with a really smart mouth, and his confinement in the "last stop" Edgeview Alternative School. Martin isn't a bad sort, but whenever push comes to shove, he seems to know exactly the right thing to say to a given authority figure to rub salt in their wounds. So, after many altercations with teachers and principals, he is now boarding at a school mostly full of weirdos and thugs. His roommate, for instance, lights things on fire. And right away he has to learn to keep away from the school bully, Bloodbath (actual name). Eventually, he strikes up a friendship with several of the nicer boys. The aforementioned Torchy, who lights things on fire; Cheater, who is naturally smart, but can't seem to stop copying other people's answers; Lucky, who is always "finding" (or is he stealing?) things; Flinch who is so good at keeping his eye on the ball in sports, he almost seems to react before it comes at him; and finally the biggest loser at school, Trash, who is constantly destroying things.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that these basically good kids are not trouble-makers but kids with paranormal talents who haven't learned to control them. Martin is the first to put two and two together and has a tough time convincing his pals (who, unsurprisingly, suffer from some self-esteem issues) that they aren't problem-children, but are instead super-powered. Martin, meanwhile, becomes sort of a mentor, helping his friends learn to control and channel their powers. But it isn't until something threatens their school that Martin learns he may have a few hidden talents of his own.

I was in for a mostly pleasant surprise when boredom drove me to this book. What I was afraid might be an overly-macho story with a lot of fighting and fireballs or something, was actually really insightful, managing to address many common childhood and teen problems while adding the fun twist of super-powers. The book often packed some good emotional punch, and well as a fair amount of humor.

Pacing, however, was a bit of a problem. It is agonizing waiting on the guys to work out what the reader knows from reading the book blurb -- that they aren't' just badly behaved thugs. You'd think that kind of event would take place more towards the beginning, but instead occupies a major part of the plot. The believability was also a little difficult sometimes -- not the superpowers but the characters reaction to events and those around them simply failed to ring true on occasion.

However, the pacing problem seems to be resolved in True Talents, even as the plot line gets a little weirder. After reading the first novel, I was pretty psyched to dive into the sequel, but was, once again, a bit put off by the cover blurb. Hidden Talents had sort of introduced the cliché that the boys were going to have to keep their powers secret or, of course, government types would take them away and do all sorts of tests on them. Not that I find the idea unlikely -- I'm just not so sure what is horrifying about having tests done. Anyway, this appears to be what has happened to Trash after he and the gang graduate from Edgeview. He's in a strange hospital-like room, doped up most of the time, and occasional demands are mad from him. But mysterious coincidence (or another preternatural event) causes all the gang to be reunited in the city Trash is being held in and they are in for some pretty big battles against enemies both known and unknown.

Now, oddly enough, this one was more like what I feared the first one would be -- kinda macho with lots of fights and fireballs and stuff, but... in a good way. And it still packed some good emotional punch, and should be familiar to all those kids out there who might have felt there was something different or weird about them. So, uh, all kids then, really.

As a whole, these are more or less the very essence of "boy books," what with fighting and pinball and farts featuring so prominently. Perhaps good for the reluctant reader. Ages 11-14.