Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Drive-by Linkage
I don't think that being an adult means you have to stop reading children's or young adult fiction. Thus, I bring you Amazon's 100 Young Adult Books to Read in A Lifetime. I've read 36 and own a few more. Looks like I have some catching up to do!
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
"What if," Disney style
A Whole New World
By Liz Braswell
Series: A Twisted Tale
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Disney Press (September 1, 2015)
ISBN-10: 148470729X
ISBN-13: 978-1484707296
Age Range: 12 - 18 years
Grade Level: 7 – 12
Approximate Lexile: 720
ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you!
ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you!
“Welcome to a new
YA series that reimagines classic Disney stories in surprising new ways. Each
book asks the question: What if one key moment from a familiar Disney film was
changed? This dark and daring version of Aladdin twists
the original story with the question: What if Jafar had found the lamp instead
of Aladdin?”
This book started
off just like the movie, until that pivotal moment. Then…I’m not quite sure how
I feel about it. I love the idea of alternate history, and examining “what-if”,
but I’m not too sold on the way the author handled it.
First, there is
very much a vibe of “Disney princesses need to get out of the mold of always
having to be rescued.” I don’t necessarily object to that idea. I like “Jasmine-as-revolutionary-leader.”
But it does have that feel of, “Let’s appease public opinion.”
I also have a
quibble with some of the language used in the book. No, not that kind of language. Anachronisms.
Remember, this is ancient Agrabah. So why are people saying “Okay” (originated
in mid-19th century USA) and “down with that”? And don’t even get me
started on baguettes….Am I being too
picky?
Nitpicks aside,
this is a cute story. I particularly enjoyed the way the character of the Genie
evolves from what we saw in the movie. The ending was bittersweet, but
satisfying.
Possible objectionable material: Violence,
walking undead. A few chaste smooches.
Who would like this book: Disney fans,
of course. Anyone who likes alternate versions of favorite stories. Those who
like a bit of adventure. The suggested age range provided by the publisher is
good, though I think it may skew a little younger, more like 10-16 and grades
5-9.
Monday, May 4, 2015
If you liked "DaVinci Code"...
The Cana Mystery
By David Beckett
Paperback: 338 pages
Publisher: Tuscany Press, LLC (August 1, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1939627109
ISBN-13: 978-1939627100
Lexile:
approximately 1230
I enjoyed this mystery in the style of The DaVinci Code. I especially like that, while there was some
violence, there is no cursing or sex--which makes it much easier to recommend
to students! I love that part of the book takes place in Malta, one of my favorite
places in the world and one which most Americans know very little about.
However...I have some issues with the writing. I found some
of the explanations pedantic, as if the author is simply showing off his
historical knowledge. His parenthetical explanations of foreign foods were
intrusive and often pulled me out of the story. I think there are better ways
to explain foreign terms than parenthetically. The protagonists had very little
backstory most characters underwent no significant change from beginning to
end--what we call static characters in the world of English Language arts. Many
minor characters were quite flat, with only the characteristics to make them
into "The Bad Guy," etc.
I would definitely tell students who are interested in this
genre to read it, though the advanced vocabulary would keep it to my higher
readers.
Possible
objectionable material: One mild curse word. Violence—mostly shooting.
Protagonists are on the run and feeling threatened through most of the book.
The male and female protagonists share a hotel room, though nothing goes on.
Smuggling of men’s magazines. A couple of characters are caught in various
states of undress, though nothing comes of it.
Who would like this
book: Anyone who liked The DaVinci
Code or who likes religious history and apocrypha. Those who like mysteries
and adventure. People interested in foreign lands and cultures. Probably ages
15 and up with good vocabularies.
I received an e-book copy of this book from NetGalley for an
honest review. Thanks NetGalley!
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Little known WWII History
Phillip Hoose
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (May 12, 2015)
ISBN-10: 0374300224
ISBN-13: 978-0374300227
Lexile: Approx. 1100
When Germany invaded Denmark in WWII, Denmark didn't resist. Their government thought to protect their people by allowing Germany to take over. It did prevent loss of life, and the Danish people were able to live their lives more-or-less normally. In neighboring Norway, it was a different story. The Norwegians resisted, tooth and nail.
Not every Dane was happy with their government's decision, and that's where this relatively unknown story comes in. Knud and Jens Pedersen, mere schoolboys, got some friends together and began actively sabotaging their German occupiers. When they were finally found, arrested, and imprisoned, the movement grew and spread. This book is the story of "The Churchill Club," those schoolboys who set off a movement in their nation.
The story is told in both the third-person, with supporting historical research, and in first-person by Knud himself, as well as a few others. There are also photographs and illustrations.
Possible objectionable material: Many, if not all, of the boys smoke. They are imprisoned and poorly treated. They set things on fire. General hooliganism, but for a purpose.
Who might like it: Anyone interested in WWII history, especially those parts that are not as well-known. Girls are minor characters in the book, but do have a presence. The book is aimed at ages 12-18.
Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Friday, April 24, 2015
The lost shall be found!
Luckily, I found my accidentally-deleted review of The Help on my Librarything!
Paperback: 450 pages
Publisher: Fig Tree; Group ed edition (August 30, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0241950805
ISBN-13: 978-0241950807
Lexile: 730
I know, I know, it's only taken me four years to get around to this one. And I haven't seen the movie yet, so my view of the book isn't colored by that.
I like this book. I can't imagine how the movie could convey the emotional nuances and inner turmoil of the three point-of-view characters, but it's something Stockett managed well. Some have complained about Stockett's use of dialect and her insertion of historical anachronisms into the narrative to help make her point. The dialect wasn't a problem for me, but I think that may be in part because I've lived in the South and because I have a good ear for dialect and I can hear it spoken in that reading voice in my head. Is it "racist" to have the Black characters use dialect and the white employers not have Southern dialect? I don't know.
There are no tidy endings in this book. You end with hope, yes, but not with an assurance that all will be well for Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter. It's not even guaranteed that the overall effect of their actions will be positive, though it is definitely positive for some of the supporting characters.
I did find a few of the characters, especially Hilly, to be rather flat--they were there to serve a purpose, and they served their purpose, but they were stereotypes, with certain qualities magnified in order to make the point. They were easy to hate, as the author intended. With Elizabeth, we saw her mother and got some inkling of why she might be as she is, but I'd have loved to have some insight into Hilly's character.
On the other hand, Skeeter's mother was a much rounder character. She did change some in the course of the narrative, but she also held on stubbornly to some of her flaws. That makes her a much more real character in my eyes.
Possible objectionable material: Mild cursing. Violence, Some drinking. Discussion of sex outside marriage.
Who might like it: Probably women more than men, since male characters are not prominent in the story. Anyone interested in civil rights and prejudice. By age 12-13, a good reader should be able to handle the thematic material
Paperback: 450 pages
Publisher: Fig Tree; Group ed edition (August 30, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0241950805
ISBN-13: 978-0241950807
Lexile: 730
I know, I know, it's only taken me four years to get around to this one. And I haven't seen the movie yet, so my view of the book isn't colored by that.
I like this book. I can't imagine how the movie could convey the emotional nuances and inner turmoil of the three point-of-view characters, but it's something Stockett managed well. Some have complained about Stockett's use of dialect and her insertion of historical anachronisms into the narrative to help make her point. The dialect wasn't a problem for me, but I think that may be in part because I've lived in the South and because I have a good ear for dialect and I can hear it spoken in that reading voice in my head. Is it "racist" to have the Black characters use dialect and the white employers not have Southern dialect? I don't know.
There are no tidy endings in this book. You end with hope, yes, but not with an assurance that all will be well for Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter. It's not even guaranteed that the overall effect of their actions will be positive, though it is definitely positive for some of the supporting characters.
I did find a few of the characters, especially Hilly, to be rather flat--they were there to serve a purpose, and they served their purpose, but they were stereotypes, with certain qualities magnified in order to make the point. They were easy to hate, as the author intended. With Elizabeth, we saw her mother and got some inkling of why she might be as she is, but I'd have loved to have some insight into Hilly's character.
On the other hand, Skeeter's mother was a much rounder character. She did change some in the course of the narrative, but she also held on stubbornly to some of her flaws. That makes her a much more real character in my eyes.
Possible objectionable material: Mild cursing. Violence, Some drinking. Discussion of sex outside marriage.
Who might like it: Probably women more than men, since male characters are not prominent in the story. Anyone interested in civil rights and prejudice. By age 12-13, a good reader should be able to handle the thematic material
I'm Baaaaack!
Took me long enough, didn't it? But I've been reading a lot lately, and I figured I should share my opinions. After all, finding out what our friends have enjoyed is a good way to find new books, right?
I had a review of The Help on here, and managed to delete it, rather than cutting and pasting it to format this review. Wouldn't you just know it? I guess I'm just starting fresh on the whole reviewing game.
Liar's Bench
Kim Michele Richardson
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Kensington (April 28, 2015)
ISBN-10: 161773733X
Lexile: approx. 770
I had a review of The Help on here, and managed to delete it, rather than cutting and pasting it to format this review. Wouldn't you just know it? I guess I'm just starting fresh on the whole reviewing game.
Liar's Bench
Kim Michele Richardson
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Kensington (April 28, 2015)
ISBN-10: 161773733X
Lexile: approx. 770
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Did you think I forgot?
Sorry about that. The beginning of school sucks up a lot of time. As soon as that was under control, I got pneumonia. Fun times. However...
Awesome post from The Christian Science Monitor for the top 10 books for toddlers. We've read all but one, and own most of them. How about you?
1. Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown
2. Go, Dog, Go!, by P.D. Eastman
3. The Runaway Bunny, by Margaret Wise Brown
4. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Numeroff
5. Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss
6. Good Night, Gorilla, by Peggy Rathmann
7. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Bill Martin, Jr.
8. The Napping House, by Audrey Wood
9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle
10. The Monster at the End of This Book, by Jon Stone
Go see the original article for other suggestions! Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Family/2013/1106/Mom-s-top-10-book-list-for-toddlers/Goodnight-Moon-by-Margaret-Wise-Brown
Also, here's their list of 12 Best New Children's PIcture Books
Back soon. I promise.
Awesome post from The Christian Science Monitor for the top 10 books for toddlers. We've read all but one, and own most of them. How about you?
1. Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown
2. Go, Dog, Go!, by P.D. Eastman
3. The Runaway Bunny, by Margaret Wise Brown
4. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Numeroff
5. Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss
6. Good Night, Gorilla, by Peggy Rathmann
7. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Bill Martin, Jr.
8. The Napping House, by Audrey Wood
9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle
10. The Monster at the End of This Book, by Jon Stone
Go see the original article for other suggestions! Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Family/2013/1106/Mom-s-top-10-book-list-for-toddlers/Goodnight-Moon-by-Margaret-Wise-Brown
Also, here's their list of 12 Best New Children's PIcture Books
Back soon. I promise.
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Mudas' 17th birthday is one to remember--her mother committed suicide that day. Or did she? Mudas doesn't believe so.
This coming-of-age story is set in the early 1970s south, with a backdrop of the Vietnam war and continued civil rights struggles. While not essential to the plot, the time and place definitely provide a framework for the story.
Mudas' voice is strong and clear, and the author writes Southern dialect naturally enough that the voice in my head had a definite Southern accent (it may help that I lived in Texas for two years). Her back-and-forth emotions are believable, as are her trust issues with her father. Other characters are clearly drawn, though perhaps a little too small-town South stereotypical at times.
One small quibble is that this book may be trying to do too much--coming of age novel, civil rights novel, mystery novel. It pushes, but doesn't cross the line.
Items to note: A few curse words. Consensual sex, off-screen and brief. Threats of non-consensual sex, but nothing carried out. Mudas grabs a male character's "ball sack" and inflicts pain in order to get away from him. Violence, threatened and actual.
Who would like this book: Anyone who enjoys coming of age. Could be a good companion to study of To Kill a Mockingbird. Probably more for a girl audience, though I can see boys enjoying Mudas, also. (I'm a big fan of Shannon Hale's #Boysreadgirls, but based on my classes of high school freshmen, I'm being realistic.)