Seventeen year old Marcelo has Aspergers (high functioning form of autism) though he doesn’t like to label himself that way but when asked does say that the closest diagnosis for his condition would be Aspergers. He’s lived a very happy life, going to an upscale private school for kids with learning or psychological difficulties. Here he is allowed to be himself, follow his interest and gently learn how to communicate with the “normals”[...]
Two Generals by Scott Chantler
Two Generals by Scott ChantlerPages: 243
Ages: Adult (but easily a YA crossover)
First Published: Oct. 26, 2010
Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
“I-is that you, Lieutenant?”
Acquired: Received a review copy from Random House Canada.
Reason for Reading: I love reading journals,memoirs and books based on them.
Wow! That one word could some up my complete review. Wow to the story! Wow to the graphics! Wow to the physical book itself!
Let’s start with the book. The top and bottom halves are faux leather-look, the corners are rounded on the board and the pages. The pages are a nice thick quality paper and the book virtually looks like a moleskin journal. It even has an elastic band to hold it together. Beautiful book to behold!
The story is centred on the true life WW II experiences of the author’s grandfather Lew Chantler and his best friend Jack. Little did they know it but they would end up being in the famous attack on the beaches of Normandy and be the Canadian division who recaptured Caen, France and ultimately ended up in the battle at Buron. The book spends plenty of time describing their training in England and life for the soldier not on active duty there before the meat of the story switches over to the Invasion at Normandy and the horrors of war. Examine the horror and tragedy of war the book certainly does while still recognizing the bravery and honour of the men who fought and those who died for their country. Taken up to the leadership level of majors, presidents, kings and those who plan the war, irony can often be found in Chantler’s book. This is also the story of the bond of friendship and how one doesn’t know how strong a friendship is until it is put to the test of a hardship.
The artwork is fantastic. The majority of the work is done in b/w drawing with one colour added and for the majority of the book that colour is khaki, obviously representing the army, but whenever a scene that mentions the upcoming war or its possible dangers a bit of red is added which provides an unsettling contrast. As the scenes become more dangerous the khaki is left behind and red becomes the one colour in each frame, easily representing war. But when it comes to the most barbaric scenes in the middle of battle with limbs flying and death everywhere, the scheme turns to red and a light terracotta colour and these colours clearly represent death and horror.
The author wrote his story using as source material, his grandfather’s journal, letter’s to his wife and letter’s received by him from others. Chantler was also able to track down some remaining survivors/or their families who could help him with other source materials. A brutal yet compelling story of war. One that shows the horrors of war but also shows the bravery of those who fought and the respect we owe them. Scott Chantler has done his late grandfather proud. A compelling piece of Canadian history from the point of view of one Canadian who served his country.
A Sickness in the Family by Denise Fuso
A Sickness in the Family by Denise Mina. Art by Antonio FusoVertigo Crime series
Pages: 180
First Published: Oct. 19, 2010
Publisher: Vertigo
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
So she’s finally dead?
Acquired: Received a review copy from Random House Canada.
Reason for Reading: I love that the pure mystery/thriller/crime genre is so much more easily found in the graphic novel format now. I’ll always take a look when I see one and the plot had me on this book.
They could be your typical family: Ted and Biddy Usher, Biddy’s mom Martha, and the three grown children, with the youngest in his last year of his school, William, Amy and Sam. But they are not, typical that is. It is Christmas and in the basement flat they rent out a horrendous murder takes place. Ted quickly makes plans to incorporate that portion back into the house as he’d been wanting to for years. Then family members start to die. One by one. Is it because of the wrath of a witch who was burnt at the stake there in the 1500s? Or has one of the remaining family members decided to get rid of the rest, each of whom has a surprisingly good reason for wanting the others dead?
An incredibly creepy murder mystery. Well-written with a plot that picks up suspense as it goes along and is quite difficult to solve since suspects keep getting killed themselves and the pool of possible suspects to pick from gets smaller and smaller. A delightfully tense and surprise ending with a final shocker on the last page. This is Mina’s first graphic novel. She has previously written mystery novels and one series of comics. I am quite interested in reading something else by this author if this is an example of her technique. The artwork is done in black and white with a lot of shadows which I think is particularly suitable to this story (and others of its sort) as it captures the noir feeling that wold be missing if the gruesome scenes were shown in full colour.
Just the sort of thing I like in a murder mystery, gruesome, creepy and a shocker at the end.
Lola, A Ghost Story by J. Torres
Lola, A Ghost Story by J. Torres. Illustrated by Elbert Or
Pages: 102
Ages: 12+
First Published: Jan. 13, 2010
Publisher: Oni Press
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
The Tagalog word for grandmother is “Lola”.
Acquired: Borrowed a copy through Interlibrary Loan.
Reason for Reading: This was a Cybils ‘10 nominee and as a panelist for Graphic Novels was required reading for me. The panelists did not receive a review copy from the publisher and like most other panelists, I, unfortunately, was unable to find a copy before our nominations were due. My copy from Interlibrary Loan request had just now come in.
This is a great ghost story told in the classic tradition and very worthy to be read by all ghost story aficionados. Jesse sees dead people, goblins, demons, monsters, etc. but he’s learned to stop telling anyone since his parents’ and teachers’ reactions have been less than accepting. Now he and his family are traveling “home” to the Philippines; Jesse’s parents immigrated to Canada when he was four and this is his third visit here. He hates it here. They have come for the funeral of his grandmother, “Lola” in Filipino. The culture of his Filipino family is quite hard for Jesse to accept, they are devout Catholics, carrying Rosaries, with beautiful shrines of worship in the house and yet they are steeped in the superstitions of tradition. Lola had the “gift” and he’s heard all the stories of how she’s helped the community and even defeated demons. Jesse fears what it will be like here now that Lola is gone.
A fabulous story with lots of creepy moments. The tension mounts slowly through the story. Things start happening right away and the reader becomes unsettled knowing something is not quite right. Gradually we learn what is going on, and Jesse realizes the truth as well. His cousin easily figures out Jesse’s gift and berates him for hiding it, telling him it is a gift from God and he must use it. He has something he must do before he leaves. Then like any really good ghost story the book ends with a really fantastic heart-pounding shocker of an ending where one can only imagine what comes next. Loved this one!
Luna Park by Kevin Baker
Luna Park by Kevin Baker. Art by Danijel Zezelj (Canada) - (US)
Pages: 157
First Published: Nov. 30, 2010
Publisher: Vertigo
Genre: magical realism, crime, historical fiction
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
Every day, he tries to escape the nightmare.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Random House Canada.
Reason for Reading: The Russian historical aspects and the publisher’s summary had me intrigued.
This is a very difficult book to give a summary as nothing is as it seems but let me tell you what appears to be happening as the book starts. Alik Strelnikov is a Russian immigrant who made a deal back in Russia which got him his freedom in America. This ‘freedom’ lead him to working for a second fiddle Russian mob group in Coney Island as an enforcer. Here he lives an existence with his girlfriend in an apartment drinking, listening to old Russian records and shooting heroin to forget what he has become. But he is plagued with dreams, nightmares actually, the same ones over and over, which show him in various situations in different uniforms and he is always afraid. These nightmares will take us back in history to pre-revolutionary Russia, to WWI, to the Chechen Wars and back to 1910s New York.
This is an awesome, gripping story. The reader has no idea of what is really going on for some time. My mind contemplated these dreams as possible flashbacks to past lives, psychic visions of the past, a tortured man turning his real problems into symbolic messages and finally a simpler consideration, the raving dreams of a madman. Why he keeps having the dreams is not so important but the recurring themes that they carry are. With the ultimate one of betrayal being the most affecting on him. Then the book takes an extreme magical or psychedelic turn and one can possibly start to put things together until near the very end when the author hits us with a very subtle reveal we hardly notice it until the final page with it’s shocking end. I actually stared at the last page for some seconds before the reveal sank in. A fabulous end!
The writing and the art combine to make a surreal, strange, semi-conscious type of plot. This is not going to be a book for everyone. Not for the type who like their plots to begin at A and end at Z. The plot is incongruous and where it is going the reader cannot grasp until a certain point 2/3s of the way through. This is not a bad thing though. I found the book utterly captivating to read. It’s one of those few books that stand out alone as an “I’ve never read anything quite like it before!” book. The art is fascinatingly done mostly in a palette of terracottas, greys and purplish blues that turn into lavenders at more lighthearted scenes (not that there are many of those). If you’ve ever seen old Communist posters or postage stamps from the era, the art reminds me of that style at times. Otherwise it matches the mood of the story perfectly.
The Zabime Sisters by Aristophane
The Zabime Sisters by Aristophane. Translated from the French & Afterward by Matt MaddenPages: 85
Ages: 14+
First Published: Oct. 26, 2010
Publisher: First Second
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
What, are you still snoozing?
Acquired: Received a Review Copy from First Second Books.
Reason for Reading: The plot. I enjoy stories of childhood and the setting of Guadeloupe certainly piqued my interest.
This is the story of a day in the life of the three Zabime sisters on the first day of summer vacation. Set on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe it has a unique setting of barefoot children amongst tropical flora and fauna. The girls start their day teasing one another with the most outgoing of the three, M’Rose, pulling a prank that scares the other two. The girls meet up with a couple of boys they know and lounge around taking mangoes from an orchard owned by a mean man. Here the story also divides and starts telling us a little of what has been going on so far in the boys’ day. M’Rose separates from the other two sisters as a fight between the school bully and an unknown boy has been called at the crossroads at noon and the other two girls don’t want to go, but M’Rose is just the type to want to watch a fight. The girls divide into two groups and both end up watching and participating in typical acts of childhood misbehaviour, neither satisfying them in the end.
This is a poignant and candid story of childhood unlike most such stories; it is not nostalgic nor does it leave one with a sense of warmness. The author has captured that grain of malice that is inherently found in children and captures it perfectly throughout the day as it surfaces through normal interaction between children and when they find themselves in distress. While the book explores this meanness, it isn’t a mean story, and likewise, while the story is set in a luscious tropical environment the themes of childhood could take place anywhere, rural or urban. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found it to be a remarkable tale that will be unforgettable for me. The book is suggested for young adults but I think adults are going to enjoy the book on a different level, already having experienced youth and now seeing this acrimony in their own children and recognising it for the seed that a child grows out of with the proper nurturing.
The art must also be mentioned as it is spectacular. It is done heavily in black ink and very expressive and realistic. Though the book is oversized, I only wish it could have been bigger as some of the panels seem too small to contain this type of art as the thickness of the black brush strokes sometimes lose the detail in other areas as they are squished into a small frame. The true beauty of the art is visible in the larger frames.
Birth of a Killer by Darren Shan
Birth of a Killer by Darren ShanThe Saga of Larten Crepsley: Book One
Pages: 253
Ages: 12+
First Published: Oct. 5, 2010 US (Oct. 19, 2010 CAN)
Publisher: Harper Trophy Canada
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
When Larten Crepsley awoke and yawned one grey Tuesday morning, he had no idea that by midday he would have become a killer.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Harper Collins Canada.
Reason for Reading: I love Darren and read each new book as it comes out.
Larten Crepsley is a major character in Shan’s “Cirque Du Freak” series and this book, first in a proposed 4-book series, tells his life story starting briefly with his pre-vampire childhood and continuing on through the years until he becomes a fully blooded vampire and leaves his master to go out in the world by himself.
Since this book happens before the “Cirque Du Freak” series it is not necessary to have read it to understand this book but the joy of meeting familiar faces and learning their past history will be missed if this book is read cold turkey. Larten is an interesting character from the first page and quickly develops the personality traits we are used to seeing in him but now we know where his silent, hardness comes from and the roots of his greatness. Somehow reading the story when you know how the whole story of his life ends in the distant future leaves out some of the tension as we already know the ultimate fate of many characters, including Larten . But there are many questions about Larten’s past that need explaining and his connection with the Cirque Du Freak and Mr. Tall is covered in this volume as is his whole apprenticeship, half-blooding, full blooding and his first trip to the Council to participate in the games as a fresh blood. Lots of excitement, with much action and the introduction of Larten’s role-models shape the beginning of his life and the ending leaves us with a quick glance at the introduction of an old enemy from “Cirque Du Freak” making me eager to pick up Book Two, which will be out in May of this year (2011).
Free Country by Jeremy Duns
Free Country by Jeremy DunsPages: 324
First Published: Oct. 19 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
“Sir Colin Templeton was the most courageous, patriotic and decent public servant I have had the privilege of knowing.”
Acquired: Received a review copy from Simon & Schuster Canada.
Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
Jeremy Duns follow up to Free Agent is just as brilliant! Double Agent Dark is on a mission to find out who is trying to assassinate him and to keep his cover at the same time. Set in the late 1960s, things turn very nasty when he discovers an international plot involving several countries and finds himself on the run again with no one he can trust.
The book did take me a bit to get into; the year wait between books did affect my memory but brief references and flashbacks to further events surrounding those already having taken place in book one quickly bring details and characters back to mind. Fast-paced with lots of action as one expects from a spy novel. Paul Dark is one determined man with one slight problem, those who get close to him usually end up dead. Paul’s ambiguous, unlikeable character from book one is further developed and we see what makes him tick. And while he is still brutal on the job, it is much easier to like this character now that we have his full background and have been inside his head long enough to feel like we understand him. The book mainly takes place in Italy (Rome, the Vatican and across the countryside) with a short side trip to the island of Sardinia. With amazing twists and reveals coming at you when least expected Free Country will keep you on the edge of your seat. Duns has the gift to find his way around an intense shocker and there is an increased polish to his writing making Free Country an even better read than Free Agent. I can not wait for the last book in the trilogy!
The Boy Who Conquered Everest: The Jordan Romero Story
The Boy Who Conquered Everest: The Jordan Romero Story by Katherine Blanc with Jordan Romero
Pages: 72
Ages: 9+
First Published: July 30, 2010
Publisher: Balboa Press
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
Jordan Romero was a regular 9 year old boy.
Acquired: Received a review copy from the book’s publicist.
Reason for Reading: The book sounded inspiring and like something my son would enjoy.
This little book is a treasure and a treat to read! Graphically, the book has been designed in a scrapbook style with each page a pleasing layout of photographs, handwritten and typewritten fonts. The text is minimal at times, presented in chunks at others, and is not a hard read at all but still full of information. This is the story of Jordan Romero, who at 9 years old, wanted to climb the Seven Summits. These are the tallest mountains on each continent, which, of course, includes the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. Jordan’s father and stepmother were amateur mountain climbers, so this goal wasn’t a complete impossibility and with their support and agreement to come along with him his dream became reality. For the next 4 years Jordan trained, gained sponsors and threw fundraisers as he traveled the world completing each summit, until at age 13 he had one left, the tallest, Mount Everest. This climb would make him the youngest person ever to climb the Seven Summits beating the previous holder of the title who completed the climbs at age 17.
An extremely interesting and fascinating story told through text and photographs. Very inspiring and leaves one with a sense of accomplishment and feeling of what one could do oneself. Kids will realize that it is OK to have big dreams and that through hard work one can make dreams, no matter how big or small, come true. A very good, “feel good” story with a positive message for children. The emphasis is on achieving your goals but never does the book lose focus of the hard work and feelings of giving up one must experience to achieve those goals. A good read!
Thunder from the Sea: Adventures on Board the HMS Defender by Jeff Weigel
Thunder from the Sea: Adventure on board the HMS Defender by Jeff Weigl
Pages: 47
Ages: 8+
First Published: May 13, 2010
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Rating: 3/5
First sentence:
Gentlemen, this is Jack Hoynton - the new crewman assigned to us.
Acquired: Borrowed a copy through Inter Library Loan.
Reason for Reading: This is a Cybils ‘10 nominee and required reading for me as a graphic novels panelist.
This book is a bit unique in it’s presentation. First, it is oversized like a picture book. Then it tells a fictional tale about life aboard a mid size ship during the Napoleonic Wars. Jack is a 12 yo orphan (mostly) who is sent to work in the navy and this ship’s job is to patrol the waters protecting England from French invasion. They meet up with more than they expected when they come across a hidden French boatyard and are attacked by a French Man-o-War and betrayed by a spy amongst them. While the story is fictional each page has a sidebar with non-fiction information relating to information found on that page. These tidbits of trivia range from definitions of items such as a “frigate” or “bosun” to describing in further detail concepts such as “impressment” or “Beat to Quarters” to more detailed histories of “relations between the Irish and English” or “how the French Army conscription workers”.
The story itself is entertaining and makes wide use of various differing frames from full page to tall thin rectangles to the occasional circle. I found the non-fiction information more entertaining than the story though. But my main problem was that the sidebars consistently interrupted the flow of the story. I recommend reading the story straight through the first time ignoring the sidebars just to be able to enjoy the action-packed story of a boy third class’s life aboard ship and a battle at sea during the Napoleonic Wars. Then go back a second time reading the sidebars either alone or as you re-read the story for the non-fiction historical aspect.
I’m not sure how well this book would do as one kids would choose for themselves, but it would be perfect used in the classroom or homeschool and is certainly a library recommended have.
Another Pan by Daniel & Dina Nayeri
Another Pan by Daniel & Dina Nayeri
The Second of Another Series
Pages: 393
Ages: 14+
First Published: Sept. 14, 2010
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
All nights come to an end — that is to say, all nights see the break of day.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Candlewick Press.
Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
I loved this book almost as much as the first in the series! In fact, I think I loved the story even more but I didn’t find it to be the page-turner that Another Faust was. This was more of a slow read, one that kept me interested and I loved falling into the world, but somehow it did have a slow pace. I’m not sure if this is the book’s fault or my own as my mind has been all over the place so close to Christmas. But fast or slow paced who cares? I loved Another Pan!
Professor Darling is a teacher at the Marlowe school. Both his children attend, Wendy and John Darling; this is his first year at the high school. There are a few new Resource Assistants this year and one them is named Peter. Professor Darling’s history class revolves around Ancient Egyptology and a particular set of 5 myths and artifacts in which he alone believes prove that the Egyptian god of the Dead was not Anubis but a female. Peter is at the school looking for bonedust from a certain set of 5 mummies which when ground together will provide the elixir of permanent youth. So far he’s managed to slow the aging process considerably with the dust from one such special mummy. It seems the underworld has attached itself to Marlowe along with a new mousy, plain looking school nurse with a strange eye. Wendy and John join Peter and his crew of Lost Boys (in place all over the world and naturally at Marlowe as well) in entering the underworld and trying to retrieve the mummies and fighting (or tricking) the guardians of each after they hear and study each myth to help them locate the point of entry in Marlowe to the correct place in the underworld.
It is with the nurse that the connection with the previous book comes. Another Faust introduced us to the demon posing as a governess and here she returns before she has had time to fully recuperate in the form of the nurse. This is all covered in the first chapter. But when she returns to the underworld she regains her full power as the Dark Lady. The Dark Lady has taken on many manifestations in the living world, the glamorous governess in Another Faust and the terrible, frightening nanny of Peter’s childhood.
I love how all the elements of the Peter Pan story are brought together here in a completely different fashion. Peter Pan is represented in his true form (from the book) as a nasty, self-centred youth and his sidekick who is in love with him, Tina, will do anything for him even though he does not reciprocate her undying love. Tina, like Tinkerbell (in the book) is jealous of Wendy with a pure hatred. Other elements that find their way into Another Pan but have nothing to do with pirates or crocodiles are the hook and the tick-tock of a watch. Truly, a very original re-imagining of the ingredients that make up Peter Pan that the authors have used in a completely unique way to tell their own story.
As a series, I find this very compelling as it does not follow the same cookie cutter recipe of most series. There is not a continuing plot line with the same characters. In fact, these first two books could be read on their own, apart from a series. What connects them as a series is a villain and a school, which is becoming a character itself. There is also a very brief mention in passing of an event that happened last year at the school involving Christopher Faust and connecting it to the evil within Marlowe.
I’m a fan of this series and can’t wait to see what classic story the brother/sister author team use as the springboard for the next book.
On the Blue Comment by Rosemary Wells
On the Blue Comet by Rosemary Wells. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Pages: 329
Ages: 9+
First Published: Sept. 28, 2010
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
We lived at the end of Lucifer Street, on the Mississippi River side of Cairo, Illinois.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Candlewick Press.
Reason for Reading: I’ve read a few of the author’s books and this time it was the historical fiction aspects along with the time travel that drew me to this book. Plus I do also have a thing for old trains.
Oscar Ogilvie lives in the early 1930’s. It is Christmas Eve, 1931 to be exact when the action starts to take place in the book. But a bit earlier than this we get to know Oscar and his dad who have a passion for model train collecting and have spend hours in their basement working with their layout. Oscar’s dad doesn’t do too badly with his job at John Deere and they have accumulated a nice set of Lionel trains. But the crash of ‘29 hits and eventually his dad loses his job, sells the house and the train set, goes to California to find work and leaves Oscar behind with his prim and proper spinster sister. Then on the evening in question, Oscar is visiting the nightwatchman at the bank, a friend, who lets him play with the train layout on display there, the one that used to be his. On that fateful night the bank is robbed and Oscar jumps for his life into the miniature train layout to find himself in the future where he works his way to join his father in California. Only Oscar is now 21 years old and the date is 1941 and he’s been missing, presumed kidnapped all these years. As Oscar tries to get back home to 1931, he takes a side trip to 1926 where he is only 6 years old.
This was a fun book. Oscar is a quick thinking character and an enjoyable one to know. Even though he gets himself into this mess to start with he is generally a nice boy with good intentions who prays Hail Marys when things become too intense for him to handle. Oscar is an average kid who loves his dad very much and on his travels he always befriends someone who helps him through each stage of his journey. While Oscar’s main focus is to return home, he also is desperately trying to remember the details of the robbery as he has learnt in the future that a $10,000 reward was offered by the bank for the capture of the criminals.
The time travel aspect is fantasy based and just happens when Oscar’s need is so great, usually from fear, and it is never scrutinized or explained away. One must suspend reality to accept this part of the book and also the number of people he eventually tells his story to who believe his tale is unrealistic and must be taken at face value. The historical fiction side of the book is informative while being entertaining. Much is learnt about the stock market crash and how the depression affected the rich, poor and middle classes. The 1941 era imparts mostly information about the bombing of Pearl Harbour and the war with Japan and finally the 1926 episode is the shortest mainly focusing on the restricted lifestyle of a rich girl who would rather be playing baseball than wearing frilly dresses and playing with dolls.
The illustrations are simply divine. Full colour paintings one would expect to find in a picture book, not your usual MG chapter book. So realistic and charming, they have a sense of Norman Rockwell to them. The book’s not heavily illustrated, but there are enough so that just as you are feeling that it’s about time for a picture one comes along. Many of them are two page spreads to boot!
A good romp, with lots of excitement and adventure. Oscar meets many interesting people along the way and situations are always turning from humorous to fraught with tension. This is a good “boy book” with unique plot elements making it stand out from the usual fare being offered these days.
Arthur of Albion by John Matthews
Arthur of Albion by John Matthews. Paintings by Pavel Tartarnikov
Pages: 136
Ages: 9+
First Published: 2008 (Oct. 1, 2010 Chapter book edition)
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
Long ago, in the time before now, when the world was stilled filled with marvels, a fair green island lay beyond the Pillars of Hercules.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Barefoot Books.
Reason for Reading: I love the old Arthurian Tales of Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table. Which this book is. FYI, I’m not so fond of modern retellings, only if they involve Arthur as a boy or focus on Merlin as the main character.
This book was published a couple years ago in an oversized picture book format which I am sure is simply breath taking and would be the edition you would want if you want to read this aloud to younger children or even a group of children. This edition I have has been reduced into a trade paperback chapter book edition, meant to be read alone. (but of course you can read it aloud too!) I’ve come to realize now that Barefoot Books produce quality books and Arthur, by example, is covered with thick stock card covers that have flaps and the inside pages are of the same thick quality, found in their hardcovers, not used by many publishers for softcovers.
The paintings by Tartarnikov are exquisite medieval representations of the scenes he has chosen to illustrate. Hi paintings are 3 dimensional but he does leave a small 2 dimensional aspect remindful of the artwork from the original time period. The paintings have a mystical, dreamy quality to them as he combines the magical with the reality of the then knights in all their splendiferous glory. A perfect illustrator for this text.
The book itself concentrates on retelling several stories from the multitude available. The stories start logically with the sword in the stone and end with the quest for the holy grail, but in between the tales are a various selection, of no particular order, mainly those featuring chivalry, saving maidens and fighting brutish knights. Of course, everyone is sent back to Arthur to tell his tale and this is the one constant through the flow of the individual tales. The author has managed to keep a sense of time and place in his choice of vocabulary making the book seem authentic to its medieval setting. This does make the book better suited to being read by the middle grades and up, though. None of the steamier storylines are introduced here, even though those characters are present, leaving only the convictions against Guinevere to be suggested. A lovely introduction to the Arthurian literary world.
Tales of Mystery and Magic by Hugh Lupton
Tales of Mystery and Magic retold by Hugh Lupton. Illustrated by Agnese Baruzziwith Storytime CD
Pages: 64
Ages: 5+ (ALL AGES)
First Published: Sept. 1, 2010
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
Once upon a time there lived a blackbird and his wife and they sang so sweetly together that everyone who passed beneath the tree where they lived would stop and listen.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Barefoot Books.
Reason for Reading: I love reading illustrated books of fairytales, myths and legends. The tales mentioned in the publisher’s summary didn’t sound familiar to me so this book intrigued me.
A fabulous collection of fairytales (and a couple of legends) that all involve elements of magic or unexplained happenings. Some have happy endings, but not all. This collection was all new to me except one, and not knowing the originals I cannot say whether they have been watered down but I doubt it because of the elements that are included. We have a disembodied body, a reanimated corpse and a couple of elves who cut off their feet! And sometimes someone learns there lesson the hard way.
These tales are all perfect for even the youngest listener and perfect for reading aloud as they are written in a storyteller voice and these tales all include the element of repetition in various formats. One story uses the sing song phrase which gets repeated over and over throughout the tale, another has an animal walking along and asking a question, the answer is yes, then another animal comes along and so on until at the very end things change when the answer is no. Then there’s the scenario where one goes out and tries one thing for a certain result and that doesn’t work, so they do another thing and that doesn’t and so on. These repetitious tales are always favourites for younger children and I’ve found them the most fun to read aloud. If you are not into reading aloud, then you are in luck as the book comes with an audio CD with all the tales narrated by the author Hugh Lupton, a professional storyteller.
Besides the repetition, another thing that makes this selection unique is that not one of the tales is common. I read a lot that I can’t be sure I haven’t heard some before once, but out of the seven stories I know, for sure, only one. The average person will not know any unless perhaps they are from the culture the tale comes from. Each tale originates from around the world and present here are: India, Chile, Inuit, Seneca Natives, Scotland, Russia and West Africa. My favourite was the last story from West Africa which is the one that involves the reanimation of a corpse, but it has a very touching ending. It’s original title is “The Cow Switch Tail” and I should remember it as I’ve read “The Cow-Tail Switch, and Other West African Stories” by Harold Courlander, a Newbery Honor winning book, but that was a long time ago. Due for another read I guess! The illustrations are all done in digital collage and nothing more can be said than that they are wonderful to behold and this is a fine book both visually and textually.
Finally, the book ends with a little goldmine. The author tells us the source from which he took the original tale before he wrote his retelling. Here we are introduced to books from the ’30s and ’60s, some long out of print, others not, but great additions to fairy tale enthusiasts list. Also another random bit of information is imparted here. Hugh Lupton is the great-nephew of Arthur Ransome, whom he used to visit as a boy. He even recommends Ransome’s Old Peter’s Russian Tales as the book from which his Russian tale is told. This is the one I knew beforehand. Recommended for all ages. Young and old who love fairy tales & legends.
The Arbian Nights (Nicola)
The Arabian Nights by Wafa’ Tarnowska. Illustrated by Carole Henaff
Pages: 127
Ages: 9+
First Published: Oct. 1, 2010
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
Long ago, when tales traveled along the Silk Road from China to Persia, crossing wind-blown sand dunes and busy oases, bleak mountain passes and fertile valleys, there lived two Persian kings of the Sassanid dynasty.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Barefoot Books.
Reason for Reading: I love fairy tales and have read a few versions of The Arabian Nights along with many stories included in fairy tale collections and am always on the look out for new unique versions.
Wafa’ Tarnowska, even though writing a children’s book best suited for middle graders, used a 14th century Syrian manuscript (which has been translated into both Arabic and English for publication) as her basis for these stories. She has chosen here to showcase tales which feature women, princess, who bravely help their men in need. While a prince may rescue a princess, he receives ample help from her in pulling off the scheme. This makes Tarnowska’s selections unique from other collections of the Arabian Nights. Also the tales are told within the famous plotline of Shahrazade telling the evil Shah a story every night to save him from killing her or anymore girls as he has been want to do over the years. Usually (from my past reading’s of children’s retellings) this story starts off with the evil Shah who kills a bride every morning and gets a new one every night, but this author has started the story much earlier here and explained how and why the Shah became this way in the first place, another unique feature in a children’s retelling of the Arabian Nights.
The stories chosen, apart from Aladdin, are lesser known tales and probably will be new to most readers. The stories are told within a series of several connected tales, making for an exciting extended story involving the characters before tiny segues with the Shah and Shahrazade ending and beginning each new set of tales. They are wonderfully told, in rich language, never talking down to the young reader, the stories don’t involve any violence but people are turned into animals and stone, etc. with magic. The sensual aspects are present but kept to an age appropriate level. Kings or princess are “with” the princess and then a year later there is a baby, the word “lover” is used, that sort of thing. I enjoyed the authentic flavour of these tales.
The art also adds to the authenticity of the book. Done in acrylic paintings, the style reflects the time period using two dimensional figures and a palette of desert colours including sand, turquoise and terracotta with browns and greens. The book itself is beautiful, being overly oversized (picture book format) with quality paper and a cloth covered spine. A lovely addition to any children’s or fairy tale enthusiast’s bookcase. This is a keeper.
Bookweirder (Nicola)
Bookweirder by Paul GlennonBookweird Trilogy, book 2
Pages: 246
Ages: 9+
First Published: Sept. 28, 2010
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
It could have been a forest back home.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Random House Canada.
Reason for Reading: next in the series.
When I read Bookweird back in 2008, I had no idea there would be a sequel, and I’d be pretty surprised if the author was positive there would be a sequel either as the book just didn’t read like part of a series. That first book made my honorable mentions list of best books read that year so when I discovered the sequel published this year I just had to read it!
It’s been a year since the previous events and Norman has not gone into a book again figuring the results are much too dire for him to be messing around with. His family is spending the summer in England in his mother’s family home, owned by her brother, who is away. Here Norman finds a set of his mother’s childhood books about “The Intrepid Three” and starts reading one only to fall asleep and wake up in the book. Both Norman and Malcolm, the stoat king, have been lured into this book by the mysterious librarian who is playing the part of Mr. Todd, the lawyer this time. But just what is going on? Malcolm needs a map that his father gave Norman as a gift last time, things are not going right in this book for the Intrepid Three as they are being harassed by a “poacher” who just happens to be the killer Norman set loose from his mother’s mystery book last time. As Malcolm and Norman try to put this book back on track Norman needs to go into other books to put the pieces together of a family secret as Norman suspects his mother might actually know about the bookweird. This time he visits 19th century Paris in a Poe short story, then a medieval adventure story as well as the WWI era Intrepid Three.
A splendid book. The events from book one, Bookweird, are quite pertinent to the story so do read that first to appreciate this book at its fullest. Though it’s been two years since I read Bookweird, the events came back to me very quickly as they were briefly referred to here and I was deep inside Bookweirder right away. This is a brilliant world Glennon has created and one that any bibliophile is going to love immersing themselves into. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hop into the books you were reading and have a quick conversation with your favourite character? But unfortunately, going into a book starts to change the story as soon as you arrive so you have to be careful! The book is deceptive with its 246 page count, since it is a trade paperback and the type is unusually small. So don’t count on it being such a quick read as it looks before you open it up. However, it’s an engaging story, which this time has definitely been written as the precursor to another book. There are plenty of mysteries still unsolved, threads hanging, and in fact the book ends with one problem all wrapped up and Malcolm and Norman setting out to fix the next. Any guesses on the next book’s title? Bookweirdest? Bookweirderer? I’ll be looking forward to it!
PS - Just found out this is being called a trilogy. So one more book, but no details can be found yet.
Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb
Wishin’ and Hopin’: A Christmas Story by Wally LambFirst sentence:
The year I was a fifth-grade student at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School, our teacher, Sister Dymphna, had a nervous breakdown in front of the class.
Acquired: Borrowed a copy from my local library.
Reason for Reading: Every December I drop whatever reading I’m supposed to be doing and read a Christmas book. The paperback of this came out just recently and the advertising made me choose to read it.
I quite enjoyed this nostalgic look back at a year in the 1960’s life of a 10 year-old Catholic school boy. The narrator takes us back to that fifth grade year and reminisces about his family and especially his friends and days at the parochial school. Obviously, I’m always attracted to a book with a Catholic theme (I’m Catholic) and I enjoyed the portrayal which allows Catholics to laugh at themselves and also to see the differences in communication between the religious and the lay from then to now. Felix Funicello, the narrator, is a third cousin to the famous Annette and he regales us with the shenanigans that he and his friend got up to at school and out of school, the various personalities in the classroom especially the stuck-up smartest girl in the class, the new Russian girl who arrives after classes have started (is she a Communist spy?) and the stories of his family including his mother’s TV appearance on the Pillsbury Dough Bake-Off Competition. I found the stories nostalgic, amusing and fun, though not funny. I didn’t laugh out loud.
I was quite shocked by the vulgarity of the language that starts very soon into the book. It is not ever present but is quite frequent and not what I had expected to find. Once the shock of 10 year olds being so vulgar was over, it actually didn’t bother me that much. But if swearing, dirty jokes and crude references to s*xual acts offends thee, this is not the book for you. The other thing I did not like at all was the Epilogue! It kind of ruined the whole good feelings I had about the book after I read it. It’s one of those summaries that tells you where each character is now, or what happened to them. It was quite depressing to read the future lives of these characters, especially the children. I didn’t see the point of it. But on a positive note the book ended with Annette Funicello’s current situation and how you can make donations to MS Society.
Overall, an enjoyable book. I’m glad I read it but not quite what I thought it would be. I certainly enjoyed the writing style and never having read Lamb before am interested in reading another of his works.
Call Me Russell by Russell Peters (Nicola)
Call Me Russell by Russell Peters with Clayton Peters & Dannis Koromilas
Pages: 229
First Published: Oct. 26, 2010
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Rating: 3.5/5
First sentence:
When I was growing up, I hung out with mostly black kids, but every now and then, some white kid would come and hang out with us, and we’d be like, “Wow! A white kid! I’ve heard so much about you!”
Acquired: Received a review copy from Random House Canada.
Reason for Reading: I don’t usually read current celebrity’s (who are in the prime of their careers) memoirs but Russell Peters is a bit different. I think he’s the best Canadian stand-up comic out there; and he is 100% Canadian born and bred but if you’ve never heard of him and notice the book cover there you’ll notice he is also Indian. His humour is based on race and I thought his story would be interesting.
Russell Peters memoir didn’t disappoint my expectations. Some may be expecting a funny book, but this is not an extension of his act. Besides a couple of chapters beginning with a famous routine, the book is a straightforward narrative of Russell’s life experience so far. He has some funny stories to tell here and there, like when he was punk’d by the King of Jordan, but this is not a funny book in the way you might expect from a comic.
The most interesting part of this book is Russell’s childhood, which is the source of a lot of his material. His experience as a first generation Canadian to his immigrant Indian parents is as entertaining as I had expected. Russell even explains his particular cultural background of Catholic Anglo-Indian which he frequently refers to specifically and how it differs from other Indian heritages. He is proud of his race yet identifies as “Canadian”; he also identifies himself as Catholic but shows no signs of practicing. He recounts the racism he met growing up in the Canada of the 70’s and 80’s when the word “Paki” was used frequently as derogatory slang for anyone of brown colour from Indian/Arabian countries. (In fact, the word was so much a part of our culture that I admit to using it myself as a child/teenager, though never directed to a real-life person (as opposed to those on TV) as I lived in a completely white little town, with the only non-whites being the three Saudi Arabian doctors. However, personally I just thought the P- word (which is never used anymore in decent company) was a short form for Pakistani and I would correct anyone if they used it for someone I knew was from a different country, ie. our three doctors. I know, I was naive about those things.) The stories of his Dad who had more of a British accent than the Indian accent he uses in his act and his mom, who was a fair skinned Anglo-Indian who never really dealt with racism. People always thought she was what they were: Italian, Filipino, German, etc. I wish Peters had expanded on this part of his book and perhaps ended the book when he finally got his first big break in the US.
The next part of the book that lists the gigs at clubs and improvs, then theatres and eventually moving up to touring on the road, then making it in the US, touring around the world, making DVDs etc. could be educational I expect for other inspiring Canadian comics. But otherwise was quite boring for me, except for the stories Russell threw in that were funny. As Russell describes his lifestyle as an adult and a stand-up comic he is fairly candid, never going into any details, but still letting us know his lifestyle was the typical male star’s life of free women wherever he looked and he shows no shame or remorse for this part of his life though he does say he is engaged now (in fact married as of the writing of this review) and wants to settle down. I sure hope the girlfriend knew about all that before she read it in the book! There is language in the book, mostly dropping the f-bomb as if it were a common adjective and the sh- word, but this should be expected from anyone who knows his act which also contains adult language but not to the point of vulgarity, imho.
All in all, an interesting story of how a Canadian kid of immigrant background and a visible minority made it big using his race as the basis of his humour and making a connection with all races in the end. As he says in the book (to paraphrase) he has lots of people from different ethnicities coming up to him and saying they totally relate to his immigrant father, *their* dad was just like him, they too had an “Indian dad”. I can relate to this myself, having immigrant parents in the late 60’s, even if they only came from England. It was the mindset of those parents to give their children a better life in Canada (not to Australia: too far away, not to the US: the civil rights violence was going on) and they brought their old-world values with them. I can soooo relate to Peters’ famous “Beat Your Kids” routine which includes the “Somebody’s Gonna Get Hurt Real Bad”. I got quite a few of those “just in case” ones myself and my dad’s words of choice were “someone’s looking for a knuckle sandwich” or “someone’s cruisin’ for a bruisin’”. He added the humour but I knew enough to smarten up! I’m glad to have read the book, but I wish he had stuck to his pre-famous days, expanded on the stories of his childhood and his parents, saving the rest for when he was old & gray and had more to tell.
Warning, this has language! But is hilarious!
Torment (Nicola)
Torment by Lauren KateA Fallen Novel, Book 2
Pages: 452
Ages: 14+
First Published: Sep. 28, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Rating: 3.5/5
First sentence:
Daniel stared out at the bay.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Random House Canada.
Reason for Reading: next in the series.
First I’ll mention that this is one of the most stunning covers I’ve ever seen. I love b/w photography and the design here is breathtaking. Now on to the book.
I can’t really give a summary as not much happens in Torment. Luce is sent to an exclusive boarding school which just happens to have a special class for Nephilim and amongst the Nephilim Luce can be hidden from those who seek to destroy her. In the meantime Daniel and Cam have made an 18 day truce between the angels and demons to work together to kill those who seek to kill Luce. Thus the book takes place over those 18 days. There’s a lot of Daniel and Cam getting the bad guys, the bad guys trying to get Luce, Luce getting herself into trouble by disregarding the rules she’s been given and Luce learning more about the shadows, the Announcers, and how to control and use them.
There is a lot of “Twilight syndrome” going on here in Torment. Daniel has become demanding, giving Luce rules and instructions to follow without reasons, he orders her around and isn’t telling her everything. He has become the dominant male species. While Luce, when she is away from and gets close to Daniel feels the overwhelming passion, desire, pull and love for him. Regardless, she is no Bella. Luce starts questioning Daniel’s behaviour and doesn’t take kindly to being pushed around even though she can’t get past the inhuman passionate bond they share. What all this amounts to is a bunch of not much happening, making the book a slow read leading up to an anti-climax that ends in a “to be continued” manner with no resolution.
I did really enjoy the two new characters introduced that befriend Luce, both Nephilim. Shelby her roommate, a no nonsense type of girl who at first resents Luce for her infamous reputation. And then Miles, a watered down Nephilim, with the Angel in his heredity in the distant past. Miles is a friend Luce can count on and one who might become more than just a friend.
My problem, same I had with the couple of Twilight books I read, is that I don’t like Daniel. I’m not rooting for Luce and Daniel. I want him to turn out a bad guy and in the end I want Luce and Miles to end up together, just a couple of regular people (well almost) in real love, not some earth shattering, passionate, end of the world, meant to be, for infinity, lust-love. Won’t happen though. Just like it was obvious Edward would win in the end, Daniel will also.
I had thought this was going to be a trilogy but they are calling book three “the next book in the Fallen series” which sounds ominously like there are plans for a 4th book and so on. If this does conclude in a trilogy I will read the third book when it comes out to see how it all ends. If more are planned, I’ll just wait until the series is done and see if I still feel like reading them when that time comes.
The Odyssey (Nicola)
The Odyssey by Gareth Hinds
Pages: 251
Ages: 13+
First Published: Oct. 12, 2010
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
Sing to me, O Muse, of that man of many troubles, Odysseus, skilled in all ways of contending, who wandered far after he helped sack the great city of Troy.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Candlewick Press.
Reason for Reading: This is a Cybils ‘10 nominee and required reading for me as a graphic novels panelist.
A stunning, scholarly reinterpretation of Homer’s Odyssey. Hinds has used as background material his favourite translations, then putting them aside used more prosaic translations to help him reinterpret Homer into the graphic novel format where text needs to be more sparse to meet with illustration in telling the story. I have read many, many retellings of Homer in story format. I love the epic tale of Odysseus though I have no interest in reading translations of the original verse. I’m not a fan of poetry but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the glory of the epic tale being told. Hinds has done a sensational job of retelling in everyday, understandable prose and using his striking watercolour paintings to present a flawless edition of Homer’s Odyssey.
As far as my memory can serve me every single plot point has been included in Hind’s version, nothing has been cut to keep to a certain number of pages and in fact we are presented with an oversized, heavy book of significant pages. Hinds tells his tale basically through conversation and illustration. The book starts with a tiny bit of poetic narrative and then moves straight on to conversation, the only time narrative is used is through Odysseus’ own voice as he recounts brief parts of his journey through this method. Illustration is used to great lengths to also tell the story so that the text is not left to carry the plot. There are plenty of wordless sections as the illustrations alone move the tale along. The illustrations are also used specifically to show the sensuous and the violent elements of the epic tale, going places that have no need for words.
The art is stunning; the text is readable high quality prose. This edition makes Homer accessible to anyone, of all ages, 13 and older, while remaining a scholarly presentation. A must addition to any Homer or Greek mythology enthusiast’s collection.
The Smoky Corridor (Nicola)
The Smoky Corridor by Chris GrabensteinThe Haunted Mysteries, #3
Pages: 326
Ages: 10-14
First Published: Aug. 24, 2010
Publisher: Random House
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
The night before he officially started at his new school, Zack Jennings already had a feeling the place was haunted.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Random House Canada.
Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
Ahh, it was such a blast sitting down with this next book about Zack Jennings, the boy who sees ghosts. Summer is over and Zack is finally starting at his new school. This Middle School has been around since the end of the Civil War when the mansion was donated as such and over the years parts have been added onto it making it a maze of hallways and classrooms. As soon as Zack arrives, he’s visited by a ghost from book one who tells him something major is going down at the school; a zombie in the depths of the basement below has reawakened and Zack needs to deal with it and the evil spirit that controls it before he takes over the body of an unknown student in the school.
This has all the ingredients for a great horror story! Two ghost children from 1910 who died in a fire in the school under mysterious circumstances and are out for revenge, a zombie (or two), ghost stories, a few gruesome deaths and children’s souls in peril. Zack has been warned that adults cannot be involved so he can’t tell his stepmother, Judy, who also sees ghosts, and has been his supernatural sleuthing partner for the first two books. Instead Zack makes friends with two loner/outcast-type kids and they are pulled into the events with Zack. But not only does Zack have to deal with the supernatural, he also has two very alive people on his trail and trying to get into the basements as well, for the original owner of the mansion is said to have stolen a sizable treasure of Confederate gold during the war and hidden it somewhere on the property. These two baddies are related to a soldier buried in the nearby Civil War Cemetery and they know all about people who can communicate with the dead.
I really enjoyed Zack and Judy working together in the first books, so I did miss her presence in this book, but happily she does remain as a minor character. Zack’s new friends are both very interesting characters and will make a welcome addition to the cast in future books. Malik is black with a recently out of work dad and an ailing mother who needs a kidney transplant but is currently confined to a wheelchair because they have no insurance and can’t afford dialysis at the moment; Azalea appears to be your typical Goth girl on the outside with a morbid interest in death but she and her mom are living with an aunt because her army father is in Afghanistan (I think?) again and she knows once he’s back they’ll pick up and move again like always.
This is my favourite of the first three books! A great story with interesting ghosts who have creepy backgrounds, and an evil spirit trained in the arts of voodoo and of course the zombie (or two) to make things a little more gruesome. The new characters add elements to the book that is making Zack’s personal world more real over the course of the three books. I rarely make definite age suggestions but I think this series will be most appreciated by 10-14’s. Older teens will find it too tame and younger than ten may find it too gruesome (unless they are used to that sort of thing). A great horror read for MGs. Highly recommended.
While the books are independent of each other; there is not a continuing story line. Each consecutive book does contain ghostly characters met in previous books, so while not necessary, it does make it more fun to read them in order.