Dave Matthews Band were a big deal in my teenage years, and even though they weren't one of my favourite bands, I think I may have listened to Crash Dave Matthews Band were a big deal in my teenage years, and even though they weren't one of my favourite bands, I think I may have listened to Crash Into Me a thousand or more times. When my son asked me to add If We Were Giants to our library queue, I loved the cover, and was intrigued by the synopsis, so I happily added it to our lengthy list. I saw the name Dave Matthews on the front, and although it started me singing that lovely romantic ditty I mentioned, I didn't put two and two together. It wasn't until we collected the book from the library and I perused the dust jacket, that I was pleasantly surprised. While reading the back flap, I learned that the obviously multidimensional artist, Matthews, and Clete Barrett Smith, a popular children's writer, had collaborated to create this bewildering tale by merging the fantastical stories of their childhood imaginations.
If We Were Giants centres around the life, loss and love of our precocious and valiant heroine, Kirra. A storyteller at heart, her life took a sorrowful and dangerous turn that left her unable to find her voice, and use her inherited gifts. As she suffered through 'memory traps' that caused flashbacks which debilitated her and forced her to avoid any reckoning of the trauma she had suffered, I couldn't help but feel that she was living through a type of PTSD. This was one of the aspects of the book that I really appreciated, as I felt this story could be of great use for children who have suffered through damaging experiences. The journey Kirra took to find her strength and return to the brave girl that she had always been, with the support of the loving family that she was fortunate enough to find herself with, was both inspirational and uplifting.
We were transported to a well-built world, where the themes of love, family, community, nature, strength and resilience shone through on every page. The prose was as lush and vibrant as the canopy inhabited by the 'Tree Folk' that Kirra helped to bring together, and the monstrous 'Takers' were as frightening as any marauder of humanity's viciously pock-marked past. As a lovely bonus, there were an array of colourful and striking illustrations in the centrefold of the book which really added to the wonder of the tale.
My son and I were truly enthralled by this emotional story, and even though it is slated in the age range of 8-12, we both agreed that this was a story that would be enjoyed by anyone over the age of 8....more
When the Sea Turned to Silver is a mythical wonderland of interlaced folklore, skillfully woven through the main journey that we take with the admirabWhen the Sea Turned to Silver is a mythical wonderland of interlaced folklore, skillfully woven through the main journey that we take with the admirable duo, Pinmei and Yishan. My seven year old and I adored this extremely artistic story, with its magical and wistful prose, and the charming and interpretive illustrations.
I would highly recommend Grace Lin, as my son has requested I add her two other books in this series to our library queue ASAP....more
Lina Maslo has written for us an interesting and insightful view into 'Jack' (C.S.) Lewis' life and that which made him the author that we know and l Lina Maslo has written for us an interesting and insightful view into 'Jack' (C.S.) Lewis' life and that which made him the author that we know and love.
Now was an excellent time for me to read this with my son, as we have just finished reading The Magician's Nephew and soon we'll be embarking on The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, both, of course, from Lewis' epic: The Chronicles of Narnia.
I found it a lovely and fascinating fact that Lewis was inspired to bring some of the characters from his childhood imagination to paper for the evacuated children that he took in during WWII, and how some of those evacuees became a part of his beloved stories.
I am giving 3.5 stars to this sweet biography....more
Greek Mythology, along with Celtic and other types of folklore, have been of interest to me ever since I took my first credit in Classics, back in GraGreek Mythology, along with Celtic and other types of folklore, have been of interest to me ever since I took my first credit in Classics, back in Grade 9. Having been with my husband whose family is from an island in Greece, for over 25 years, I have had occasion to study the Greek myths a bit more. Now that my son is in Greek school, I find Hellenic mythology to be a fun way of sharing in the culture and historical stories. This Treasury of Greek Mythology will be the first of many compilations that will adorn our coffee table over the coming years, I'm sure.
Donna Jo Napoli's versions have been released by National Geographic, in this anthology, and they were not a bad introduction for my precocious 7 year old. Although some were sparse in detail, the illustrations for each story were a double page spread, and quite striking. There were also bright and alluring interpretive pictures throughout the text, that helped depict the highlighted points along the way.
The collection gets a 3.5 stars from me with a whole 2 of those stars for the artwork....more
The Saskiad is an extraordinary tale of fantasy and reality melded by a young girl’s awakening into adulthood. Saskia - said young girl - is a lonely The Saskiad is an extraordinary tale of fantasy and reality melded by a young girl’s awakening into adulthood. Saskia - said young girl - is a lonely outcast at her school, as she lives on a commune and uses any free time that is not spent rearing the wild bunch of children that live there with her, idolising and reading about epic adventurers. In fact, after I’ve read Homer and Melville I will have to reread the novel just so that I can understand the countless references made to such classic writers and their genius works. I won’t deny that I felt very poorly-read as compared to this girl of fourteen who had such illustrious novels under her belt. At any rate, Saskia’s reality gets turned upside down as she befriends the new girl, Jane, and suddenly experiences every young girl’s dream... to have a best friend.
The book is a delicious exploration of their obsessive friendship, and how they relate with others around their unwavering love. They laugh, cry and grow together, and it is with this growth that eventually their relationship takes new forms, and veers off in countless directions. I often had to remind myself that the novel was written by a male, as Brian Hall’s depictions of teenage girls and the intricacies of their relationships was often eerily accurate and familiar. I’m left wondering if he had any help with character development through either his wife or a sister or something.
The Saskiad is also a story about the relationships (or a lack there of) between children and their parents. Thomas, Saskia’s father is deplorable, as are his inappropriate relationships with the ladies in his life, and you may have to restrain yourself from throwing the book at the wall when faced with some of his antics throughout.
I have heard some other readers complain that the last quarter of the novel is not as beautifully written as the first three parts, that there is a shift, in that Saskia’s fantasies are no longer intertwined in her realities. For me this merely showcases that she has matured into adulthood, lost her innocence and sees the world through newly jaded eyes; often a sad but true consequence of growing up.
This glorious story seems to go on forever, until it finally ends and you are left wondering what to do with yourself now that the eccentric and lovable Saskia is no longer there to watch over. Sadly, I was tortured with melancholy over the last lines of this great book. ...more
The Hunger Games is a post-apocalyptic tale about children from different class systems being pitted against each other in a fight-to-the-death competThe Hunger Games is a post-apocalyptic tale about children from different class systems being pitted against each other in a fight-to-the-death competition, whilst everyone watches the bloody and sadistic battle on their television sets and roots for their districts appointed players. The reason for this battle? To remind the people of the various districts that ‘the capitol’ - the governing and all-ruling body - has the power to pluck their children out of safety and thrust them into the pit of danger. The rules must be obeyed at all costs, as to prevent an incident like the uprising that took place in the past, which resulted in the extinction of the thirteenth district.
I found this story to be utterly fascinating in its reality TV meets Orwell fashion, and must admit it certainly is not just for a YA audience. It focuses on the strength of the less fortunate or unpopular, the importance of love and loyalty, and ultimately, survival of the fittest.
The surreal existence Collins offers us at first seems like a fantasy world, but it doesn't take long to realise the parallels to our current society. It is well written, suspenseful and although when reading the dust jacket I was concerned that it would be inappropriate content for its target audience, the story’s violence never once felt gratuitous or over the top....more
Herein lies the importance of creative disobedience, diversity, and the necessity of pain and raw emotion, all of which make us human. I found The GivHerein lies the importance of creative disobedience, diversity, and the necessity of pain and raw emotion, all of which make us human. I found The Giver sometimes reminiscent of such favourites as The Handmaid's Tale and 1984, yet within a context acceptable for a child's impressionable mind. That being said, it’s all relative to your moral compass, because much like the sheltering imposed by the society in The Giver, I know many parents that would strike this book from their children's shelves in lieu of something “safer.” Embrace the ELSEWHERE!...more
Gathering Blue is set in a world of savagery, neglect, abuse, and a distinct class system. Hmm, sound familiar? Governing the populace through fear, TGathering Blue is set in a world of savagery, neglect, abuse, and a distinct class system. Hmm, sound familiar? Governing the populace through fear, The Council of Guardians manipulate the ignorant people, hoard knowledge, and attempt to control the future for their own selfish gain. Amidst the chauvinism, cruelty and strife we are delighted in the story of a benevolent and courageous girl who with her talents and strength has a desire to make the world a better place. This is the second book, after The Giver, in a loose trilogy by the very talented Lois Lowry....more
Messenger is the last in the trilogy that commenced with the ever popular The Giver, and which then was followed by Gathering Blue. Unfortunately the Messenger is the last in the trilogy that commenced with the ever popular The Giver, and which then was followed by Gathering Blue. Unfortunately the first two novels proved to be difficult acts to follow successfully, in my opinion. This story seemed somewhat contrived, haphazard and written with less creative flow. I was left with a lot of unanswered questions by the end, and felt slightly ripped off and let down. Ultimately I feel the story had the potential to be so much more. Ah, well, I would still recommend the series for children, as I do find there are a lot of morality issues addressed as well as an underlying meaningful social commentary.
Can you imagine how fun The Phantom Tollbooth would have been to write? Norton Juster's classic silly adventure, clever wordplay, and fantastical depiCan you imagine how fun The Phantom Tollbooth would have been to write? Norton Juster's classic silly adventure, clever wordplay, and fantastical depictions of The City of Wisdom and the Mountains of Ignorance were playfully manifest through Jules Feiffer's whimsical illustrations, and my son and I couldn't get enough!
Although the story is from 1961, the vibe is an uncanny mix of timeless and nostalgic, as universal lessons are continually shared. Fun characters abound, so dramatic voices are easy for a creative reader to include, making this the perfect text to read aloud with younger children or tweens.
With the help of a ticking watchdog named Tock and a clumsy Humbug, Milo commences a journey through the Lands Beyond to find and return the sorely missed princesses Rhyme and Reason to the City of Wisdom, and they meet an endless array of both good and mischievous characters along the way.
There is no shortage of solid messaging as Juster reminds us of the importance of knowledge, the value of imagination, and, most enjoyably, the power of words. I highly recommend the Phantom Tollbooth for any library, and if you're like me and love a book with a map, it's got one of those, too. ...more
Doon and Lina have just graduated from their final year of school at the age of 12, and consequently experience the right of passage bestowed upon allDoon and Lina have just graduated from their final year of school at the age of 12, and consequently experience the right of passage bestowed upon all the people of Ember at this stage: Assignment Day. They receive their jobs from the mayor and set out to do their civic duties as many others before them, but when Lina stumbles across a message that appears to be from ‘the Builders,’ creators of the City of Ember, it is clear that theirs is a heavily burdened fate.
The City of Ember is a fascinating tale of a dystopian society, where a young boy and girl in all of their bravery and desperation, work together to try and save their beloved people from looming eternal darkness. This being the first Book of Ember in a series that currently consists of four, all questions were not answered by its completion, but I look forward to moving on to the second book and unraveling more of the saga. ...more
Devout and God-fearing Christians who read The Shack will no doubt be up in arms over its apparent sacrilege. It challenges some absolute 'truths' thaDevout and God-fearing Christians who read The Shack will no doubt be up in arms over its apparent sacrilege. It challenges some absolute 'truths' that have been taught to most Christians, regardless of their denomination. That being said, if you take a minute and realise that this story doesn't purport to be anything but a fictional work discussing one man's encounter with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, you may just enjoy the book for what it is; a magical and beautiful sojourn, where a broken man finds freedom from the chains of hate he feels encasing his heart thanks to the brutal and devastating loss of his youngest daughter. If nothing else, this story could help someone who has had grave and debilitating loss in their lives appreciate the importance of forgiveness and not giving up on the other treasures that remain after a traumatic event. Although not very well written, and borderline hokey at times, it’s still a heart-warming story....more
**spoiler alert** No other young adult fiction that I’ve come across has been as spiritually themed as A Wrinkle in Time, a story that is intrinsicall**spoiler alert** No other young adult fiction that I’ve come across has been as spiritually themed as A Wrinkle in Time, a story that is intrinsically pure in its message of faith, hope and belief in goodness. For some, this is precisely the reason they turn away from it, but for me, it is just another reason to embrace it.
The fight between good and evil is left in the hands of three children; Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend, Calvin. As they voyage through space and time using the fifth dimension and the assistance of three bewildering ‘ladies,’ they must penetrate the shadowing Black Thing, and confront its brain, the evil and poisonous IT. For Meg and Charles Wallace, the significance of their journey is tenfold as they bear the responsibility of trying to locate and free their father from this unknown dimension and its demonic clutches.
Madeleine E’ngle has created a world where we can acknowledge and appreciate that humans are flawed, that pride and arrogance defeat us and that sometimes only a willing suspension of disbelief can keep us from losing our way. We become vigilantly aware that it is the ignorance and fear of the different or unknown that plagues humanity, and that patience, sacrifice and love are all necessary shields that need bare in the face of conflict.
I look forward to sharing this extraordinary story with any and everyone I can....more
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