The New Year...

Image courtesy of PublicDomainPictures.net

An excerpt:

The New Year, like an Infant Heir to the whole world, was waited for, with welcomes, presents, and rejoicings.

~ From The Chimes:

 A Goblin Story of Some Bells 

That Rang an Old Year Out

 and a New Year In, 

written by Charles Dickens

Wishing you all a safe and happy New Year's Eve! Goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016! :)

Scare Up a Good Boooooook

Photo courtesy of PublicDomainPictures.net

I love reading scary books -- the kind that make me shiver from head to toe -- whether it's Halloween time or not. I know that not everyone feels the same. However, if you, too, are a fan of the horror genre and are looking for a spine-tingling read, here are a few books that I recommend for various ages:

Picture book:

Hansel and Gretel,
retold by Neil Gaiman
and illustrated by Lorenzo Mattotti, 2014

A woodcutter leaves his children in the woods and when they try to find their way home, they stumble upon a house made of gingerbread.

As Gaiman recounts this well-known fairy tale, he doesn't stray far from the original story. He does add his own sinister touches, however, and his words pair well with Mattotti's dark, eerie artwork. This book, like all good picture books, begs to be read aloud. (I suggest reading it out loud in a dark room, with only a flashlight to see the words and pictures, for maximum effect!)

***

Middle grade fiction:

The Thickety: A Path Begins,

written by J. A. White, 2014

The same night that six-year-old Kara's little brother Taff is born, her mother is executed for witchcraft. Now, many years later, the siblings are still shunned by the people of their village. The villagers believe magic to be evil and fear it more than anything -- except for the dark and wild woods nearby, the Thickety.

I first spotted this novel at a book store. The title and cover art intrigued me, so I opened it up and began reading. After just a couple of pages, I jotted the title and author down in my "to read" list on my phone; the next time I visited the library I checked out the book. I really liked this fantastical tale and it is one that I would've enjoyed at age 10, as well. (It may have given me a nightmare or two back then, however!)

This is the first book in The Thickety series, which also includes The Whispering Trees (2015) and Well of Witches (coming out in 2016). I'm hoping to read the second book soon and will look for the third one next year!

***

The Night Gardener,
written by Jonathan Auxier, 2014

This Victorian ghost story follows a pair of young orphans who go to work as servants in a tumble-down house far from town. It does not take Molly and Kip long to discover that both the house and the family who lives there are not quite what they seem....

I saw that a reviewer on Goodreads wrote this about The Night Gardener: "Long story short, this novel is Little Shop of Horrors meets The Secret Garden." I thought that was a fitting description! I found this to be a delightfully creepy book and have recommended it to my 10-year-old, Ben.

***

Lockwood & Co.:
The Screaming Staircase,
written by Jonathan Stroud, 2013

For over 50 years ghosts have stalked the land, frightening the living, wreaking havoc, and even killing those poor souls unlucky enough to come in contact with them. Psychic Investigations Agencies have been formed across the country to seek out the horrifying spectres and destroy them. When the young agent Lucy Carlyle arrives in London looking for work, she is offered employment with the smallest, most unconventional agency in the city, Lockwood & Co. She and her coworkers, Anthony Lockwood and George Cubbins, quickly find themselves in the middle of a dangerous mystery. Can the three of them survive long enough to solve it?

This book is shelved in our library's middle grade section and also the young adult section. I personally feel that it is most suited for older children, teens, and adults. (I know I would've been terrified if I'd read the book when I was 8 or 9!) Ben had been planning on reading it, which is why we checked it out, but while he was working his way through another book, I read this one. I'm glad that I got to it first -- afterwards I talked with Ben about it and we decided that he should probably wait a couple of years before reading it himself.

That being said, I absolutely loved this book! And it truly scared me. Stroud is a masterful writer. (I adored his Bartimaeus trilogy, as well.) The main characters are very likable and well-written. In addition to the suspense that Stroud injects into every chapter, he also provides many laugh-out-loud moments.

This is the first title in the Lockwood & Co. series, which also includes The Whispering Skull (2014) and The Hollow Boy (2015). I have not read the others yet, but am eager to do so -- hopefully soon!

***

Young Adult Fiction:

The Ocean at the End of the Lane,
written by Neil Gaiman, 2013

When a man returns to his childhood home for a funeral, he finds himself drawn to the farm at the end of the lane. While there, images he hadn't thought of in years come flooding back, memories of the strange, frightening events he'd witnessed as a boy -- and a magical girl named Lettie who promised to protect him.

I found this book (which a friend aptly called "a grown up fairy tale") in the adult section of our library, but there is also a copy in the young adult section. I am a Neil Gaiman fan and was excited to read this when it came out. I was not disappointed. It is a beautifully written, haunting book that I plan to reread soon!

***

For more hair-raising book recommendations for kids and teens, check out my posts from previous years: Oh, the Horror! and Books That Go Bump in the Night.

Have you ever read any of the books listed above? If so, what did you think? I'd love to hear about your favorite spooky stories. I'm always looking for new ones to read!

Here There Be Dragons...

Photo courtesy of PublicDomainPictures.net

I have long been a fan of fantasy novels, at least since I was ten years old and read The Chronicles of Narnia for the first time.  It really shouldn't be a surprise that I've read a lot of fantasy over the past two years while on hiatus from this blog. Much of it was middle grade or young adult fiction, which means I can now share these books here! If you, too, love to read about dragons, castles, witches, werewolves, and more, here are some books that I recommend:

Middle-grade fantasy:

The Reluctant Dragon,

written by Kenneth Grahame, 1898

and illustrated by Michael Hague, 1988

An amiable dragon (with a love of poetry) befriends a shepherd boy. But when the townspeople find out about the dragon, they enlist St. George, dragon slayer, to get rid of it. How can the boy save his friend's life and help St. George keep his hero status?

I remember watching the short Disney film The Reluctant Dragon when I was a little girl. When I was older, we bought the video for our own kids and watched it several times. It wasn't my favorite film ever, by any means, but I thought it was cute. At the time, I didn't realize that the film was based on a book. Then, about a year ago, I just happened to spot the book at our library one day. I saw that it was written by Kenneth Grahame, who is most known for writing The Wind in the Willows, which I love. I decided to bring the book home -- and I'm glad that I did. Grahame tells his story in rich language that just begs to be read aloud. And, as is the case with most books that are later turned into movies, I much prefer the book!

***

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy,

written by Karen Foxlee, 2014

A contemporary reworking of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen", this story begins with eleven-year-old Ophelia in the museum where her father has just been hired, in a town where it always snows. Ophelia is supposed to stay close to her older sister Alice but she wanders off, looking at all the unusual collections inside.  Near the sea monster mosaic floor, she discovers a strange, nameless boy locked in a room who implores Ophelia to help save the world.

I read this book in one sitting and immediately recommended it to my son Ben once I'd finished. (He hasn't read it yet, but it is next on his "to-read" list.) I enjoyed Foxlee's writing -- her descriptions of the Snow Queen and the town where it always snows made me shiver with cold! I also loved the story, an exciting adventure that teaches Ophelia (and the reader) about bravery.

***

The Silver Bowl,

written by Diane Stanley, 2011

Seven-year-old Molly, considered a troublemaker by her father, is sent to be a scullery maid at the Castle Dethemere. Like her mother, Molly has the gift of "sight", the ability to see visions of the past and the future. (If anyone finds out about her visions, she'll be branded as a witch!) She eventually becomes a respected member of the castle staff, entrusted with polishing the King's silver. The trouble begins when Molly goes to polish a silver bowl. Touching it, she sees visions of an ancient curse on the royal family. Can Molly prevent tragedy and save the kingdom of Westria?

I found this to be a charming book for younger middle-grade readers. I especially liked the fact that the main character is a strong (though young) female.  The Silver Bowl trilogy also includes The Cup and the Crown (2012) and The Princess of Cortova (2010); I have not read these books yet, but would like to someday!

***

The Magic Thief
(and the rest of The Magic Thief series),
written by Sarah Prineas, 2008

"A thief is a lot like a wizard. I have quick hands. And I can make things disappear. But then I stole the wizard's locus magicalicus and nearly disappeared myself forever." So begins The Magic Thief series.

Conn is a young thief in the city of Wellmet, and touching the wizard Nevery's magic stone should have killed him. For some reason, it doesn't. Curious, Nevery takes Conn on as his apprentice. Why is the boy able to touch the stone with no effect? And who is stealing all the magic from the city of Wellmet?

Ben and I both found this to be an entertaining story and a quick read.  The Wellmet runes that can be found throughout the novel (including a key at the back) add an amusing touch, giving clues to the story. I went on to read some of the other books in The Magic Thief series: Lost (2009) and Found (2010); I liked them just as much as the first one. (Ben hopes to read them soon.) I still need to check out the remaining books, A Proper Wizard (2014) and Home (2014).

***

The False Prince (2012)
(and the rest of The Ascendence Trilogy),
written by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The king, queen, and crowned prince of Carthya have been murdered. The royal family's long-lost youngest son Jaron is presumed dead. Conner, a crafty nobleman, devises a plan to find a Jaron lookalike and install him as a puppet prince. He recruits four orphan boys to compete for the role, including Sage, narrator of the story. Sage questions Conner's motives and also understands that whoever is not chosen as the prince will likely be killed.

This is a fast-paced book, filled with action and adventure! I really liked Sage's character -- he is a clever boy with a quick wit and sharp tongue, but he also has a good heart. This is another book that I've recommended to Ben. The Ascendence Trilogy also includes The Runaway King (2013), which I read and enjoyed as much as the first book, and also The Shadow Throne (2014), which is on my "to read" list.

***

The Dragon's Tooth,

written by N. D. Wilson, 2011

Cyril Smith lives in a rundown motel with his older sister and brother. The three siblings have been running the motel ever since their father died and their mother slipped into a coma. One day, a strange man with bone tattoos shows up at the hotel. Mere hours later, the man dies, the motel burns to the ground, Cyril's brother Daniel goes missing, and the siblings are sent on a long journey to save the world against the forces of evil!

This is another action-packed novel. Despite that, I have to say that I liked all the other books in this post more than this one. I did still find it an intriguing story, however, and worthy of sharing here on this blog. The Ashtown Burials trilogy also includes The Drowned Vault (2012) and Empire of Bones (2013). I haven't read either one yet, but I have seen very positive reviews of these two books and they are on my "to read" list.

***

The Poisons of Caux: The Hollow Bettle,

written by Susannah Applebaum, 2009

An evil king rules over the kingdom of Caux where poisoning is the norm and it is common to employ a taster. The story begins as eleven-year-old Ivy Manx sets out to look for her uncle, the kingdom's last healer, who disappeared over a year ago. She is joined by her crow Shoo and Rowan, a young taster. Together they embark on a journey that is fraught with danger and intrigue.

I thought this was a fun novel!  I especially appreciated its wry humor and imagery. There are two more books in The Poisons of Caux trilogy which I hope to read soon: The Tasters Guild (2010) and The Shepherd of Weeds (2010).

***

Young adult fantasy:

Between the Lines,

written by Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer, 2012

Have you ever dreamed of a character in a book coming to life and joining you in your world? That's just what happens to high schooler Delilah when her favorite fairy tale character, Prince Oliver, speaks to her one day as she's rereading his book....

This was a quick read and I liked the cute, light-hearted story. I have not yet read the sequel, Off the Page (2015), but I hope to do so soon. Though this is considered to be a young adult novel, keep in mind that it seems geared toward younger teens.  (Older teens and adults may appreciate it, too -- I certainly did. But if someone reads it expecting it to be written for a more mature audience, as the books mentioned below are, he/she may be disappointed.)

***

City of Bones

(and the rest of the The Mortal Instruments series),

written by Cassandra Clare, 2007

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray and her best friend Simon visit a modern-day New York City club, Clary witnesses what she believes to be a murder. However, the victim's body vanishes into thin air and Clary seems to be the only one who can see his teen killers. She learns that the teens (Jace, Alec, and Isabelle) are Shadowhunters, warriors who hunt and kill demons, and that, as a "mundane" human, she should not be able to see any of them. Soon, both Clary and Simon are drawn into a supernatural world, filled with demons, vampires, werewolves, warlocks, fairies, and the Shadowhunters themselves.

I really enjoyed this book and also its sequels: City of Ashes (2008), City of Glass (2009), City of Fallen Angels (2011), City of Lost Souls (2012), and City of Heavenly Fire (2014).  Every time I finished one book, I couldn't wait to read the following one and see what happened next!

***

Clockwork Angel

(and the rest of the The Infernal Devices trilogy),

also written by Cassandra Clare, 2009

The Infernal Devices trilogy is a prequel for The Mortal Instruments series shown above and includes the books Clockwork Prince (2011) and Clockwork Princess (2013). Its story begins in 1878 as 16-year-old American Tessa Gray steps off the boat in England -- and is immediately kidnapped by the Dark Sisters. While being held prisoner, Tessa learns that she possesses the rare ability to take on the appearance of someone else, living or dead. This talent has attracted the eye of the mysterious Magister, who plans to marry Tessa, whether she likes it or not. On the evening before her wedding, Tessa is rescued by Will Herondale, a Shadowhunter.

I liked this series even more than I liked The Mortal Instruments, especially the final book, Clockwork Princess. I loved the mix of fantasy and history in this series.  I also appreciated how this story tied in to The Mortal Instruments, explaining the origins of different events, characters, and objects found in the modern-day story.

***

The following books are shelved in the adult section of my library, but I feel they also belong in the young adult section (for older teens), so I am including them in my post:

A Discovery of Witches

(and the rest of the All Souls Trilogy),

written by Deborah Harkness, 2011

I forgot to take a photo of the
book when I had it checked
out. This image is courtesy
 of Wikipedia.

While doing research at a library in Oxford, the historical scholar (and descendent of witches) Diana Bishop stumbles upon a manuscript that's been missing for 150 years. As soon as she touches it, Diana realizes that the text is magical. However, she has spent her life denying her witch heritage, and quickly returns the book before reading it, unaware that it is a very important text in the paranormal universe. Once returned, the book goes missing again. Soon, every witch, vampire, and daemon is searching for both Diana and the text, including the handsome geneticist (and vampire), Matthew Clairmont.

I absolutely loved this book and the others in the trilogy: Shadow of Night (2012) and The Book of Life (2014)! Not only does the trilogy fit into the fantasy genre, but it also has a healthy dose of historical fiction in it, another favorite genre of mine.  All three books held me spell-bound (pun intended); I couldn't put them down until I'd finished. This is a series that I plan on rereading, probably several times!

***

Have you read any of the books above?  If so, what did you think of them? What are some of your favorite fantasy novels? I am always looking for new books to read! :)

The days weren't long enough...

"What she was finding also was how 

one book led to another, 

doors kept opening wherever she turned 

and the days weren't long enough 

for the reading she wanted to do." 

~ Alan Bennett,

from The Uncommon Reader

The days are never long enough for all the reading I want to do, either. Do you feel the same way?

Living "Les Miz"

Ultimately, I'm going to blame it on a book.  This book, in fact:

Les Miserables, 

written by Victor Hugo, 1862

This French historical novel -- considered "one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century" -- follows the lives of several different characters between the years of 1815 and 1832, particularly the life of ex-convict, Jean Valjean.  Major themes of the novel include justice, grace, and love.

I started reading this book when I was in college, but I'm pretty sure I never finished it.  I'm planning to give it another try, though.  My 17-year-old daughter recently read it from beginning to end, and absolutely loved it!  (She had read -- and enjoyed -- a highly abridged version of the book for a class in middle school.  My parents gave her the copy shown above this past Christmas, which is also abridged, but much less so, and she liked this version even more.)

In 1985,  Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil, and Jean-Marc Natel turned the story of Les Miserables into a musical, known affectionately as Les Mis or Les Miz.  Just a few years later,  I attended the Broadway production of Les Miz as part of a theater package for college students.  I immediately fell in love with it.  I bought the soundtrack to the musical and listened to it ALL the time.  (I'm sure if you asked my housemates from that time, they would concur.)

Earlier this month, students at my daughter's high school performed seven shows of Les Miz.  They were amazing.  I'm not saying that just because my daughter played five different characters in it:

Emmalie as a constable, April 2013

Emm as a female Montparnasse, April 2013
She also played a factory worker,
a townsperson,and a serving girl.

or because my seven-year-old played a street urchin in it:

Ben, April 2013

or even because I helped paint 90% of the set.  The cast and crew were all SO talented and they worked SO hard to create a show that audience members will never forget.  Amazing, I tell you.

You may be wondering why I'm mentioning all this on a blog about children's books.  Well, it has to do with the lapse between this post and my last, over a month and a half ago. (And also the smaller gap before that, which lasted for two weeks.)  Ever since the auditions in November -- and especially for the last two months -- our family has been living and breathing Les Miz, from morning till night. Between set builds and rehearsals (and school, work, and daily life), we've had NO free time.  Blame it on the book. ;)

For me, no free time meant not having any time to read (gasp!) or write, among other things.  At first, I thought surely I would at least be able to keep up with this blog.  I was wrong.  I've really missed it, though, and I'm glad to be back.  I'm still getting back into the swing of things now that Les Miz is all over, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to find the time to make (mostly) daily posts once again.  And I'm hoping that my readers will return to join me on this blog journey....

2012 Banned Books Week: Young Adult/Adult Books

Image courtesy of the
American Library Association

Today is the final day of this year's Banned Books Week. Last year, I wrote about several picture books that have been banned or challenged, as well as a few books for older kids. Earlier this week, I featured some more picture books and middle grade books.  Now I'd like to share some novels for teens and adults that have been challenged or banned over the years.

All of the books in this post are classics, and are often recommended (or required) reading for high schoolers.  I read them all when I was in high school myself (with the exception of Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl -- I read a version of that in elementary school) and have read them all again in the past month:

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,

written by Mark Twain, 1884

Set in the Missouri of the 1830's, this story is narrated by Huck Finn, a 13-year-old boy.  His father is an abusive drunkard, leading Huck one day to fake his own murder and run away.  At the same time, he helps Jim, a slave, escape. The two runaways ride a raft down the Mississippi River, hoping to make it to Cairo, IL where Jim can then continue on to Ohio, a free state.  It doesn't take long before the two run into trouble, however.

This book has been challenged for "objectionable language and racist terms and content".

***

Brave New World,

written by Aldous Huxley, 1932

A dark, satiric story of a 'utopian' future,  the brave new world Huxley writes about is filled with "humans [who] are genetically designed and pharmaceutically anesthetized to passively serve a ruling order".  Bernard Marx is an outcast of this society, having only one friend -- Helmholtz Watson. He is in love with a young woman, Lenina, and finally manages to convince her to go on vacation with him.  The two visit a "Savage Reservation" where they encounter a way of life very different from their own....

"Negative activity, language and moral content, and anti-family, anti-Christian themes" are the reasons this novel has been challenged.

***

Of Mice and Men,
written by John Steinbeck, 1937

Two friends, George and Lennie, are migrant ranch workers, moving from place to place in order to find work during the Great Depression. George is intelligent but uneducated. Lennie, a very large, strong man, has limited mental abilities. The two dream of one day being able to buy their own land and settling there together.  Unfortunately, there are forces at work in the world around them that make this dream impossible.

This tragic story has been challenged for "vulgar language".

***

The Catcher in the Rye,
written by J.D. Salinger, 1945

Sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield narrates the story of the few days following his expulsion from an expensive prep school.  Themes of teenage angst, alienation, loneliness, and rebellion are present throughout the book.  Without telling his parents that he's been expelled (yet again), Holden leaves his school and travels to New York City.  He stays by himself in a hotel there, going out at night to clubs and meeting all sorts of people.  Later he sneaks into his own home to see his little sister Phoebe.  He wants to leave and head out west, but in the end he stays.

Reasons for challenging this classic include "occultism, violence, sexual content, and being dangerous and vulgar".

***

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl,

written by Anne Frank,

originally published in 1947,

this version published in 1991

and edited by Otto H. Frank and Mirjam Pressler

An autobiography, this is the actual diary of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl living in the Netherlands during the time of the Holocaust.  Anne, her family, and a couple of others went into hiding, sequestering themselves in hidden rooms inside her father's office building.  They lived there for two years before being discovered and taken to concentration camps.  (Anne later died of typhus, only a few weeks before her camp was liberated by British soldiers.)  Anne received a diary as a gift about a month before going into hiding.  She made several entries during that time, and then continued writing about her life after the family moved to the hidden rooms.

This book has been challenged because of "offensive passages" and for "being a real downer".  Apparently it paints too realistic a picture of the Holocaust.  I guess Anne should've left the depressing parts out of her diary?

***

1984,

written by George Orwell, 1949

This dystopian novel takes place in Oceania, "where society is tyrannized by The Party [-- headed by Big Brother --] and its totalitarian ideology".  Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth, and his job is to revise past newspaper articles (destroying the old ones) so that the historical record always supports the current party line.  Secretly, Winston hates The Party and dreams of rebellion.  He later meets Julia, another "thoughtcriminal" like himself.   The two develop a relationship and make plans to help out The Brotherhood, a secret organization bent on bringing down The Party.

People have challenged this sci-fi novel for containing "pro-Communist material and explicit sexual matter".

***

Fahrenheit 451,

written by Ray Bradbury, 1951

In a world where books are illegal and buildings have been made fireproof, Guy Montag's job as fireman is to start fires (burning confiscated literature), not put them out.  He never questions the societal rules he follows until he meets Clarisse, a young girl who talks about the ideas she's read in books. Soon Montag himself starts saving books from fires and hiding them in his home -- but what will happen when his actions are discovered?

I find it quite ironic that this book about censorship has been challenged, for being "offensive".

***

Lord of the Flies,

written by William Golding, 1954

An airplane full of English school boys crashes into the sea near a deserted island.  The survivors, including Ralph and Piggy and Jack, make their way to the island and then try to live together there with no guidance from adults.  They start out with rules and cooperation, but their little society quickly degenerates into two groups, the hunters and the hunted.

Apparently, this book has been challenged for being "demoralizing, inasmuch as it implies that man is little more than an animal".

***

Flowers for Algernon,

written by Daniel Keyes, 1959

Charlie Gordon, a mentally disabled man, is eager to learn and longs to become smart, like other people.  He agrees to submit to an operation on his brain, a scientific experiment that has dramatically increased intelligence in the laboratory mouse, Algernon.  The experiment works and in a short amount of time, Charlie goes from an IQ of 68 to genius, creating many unexpected difficulties in his personal life. Then, ominously, Algernon begins deteriorating.  Will the same thing happen to Charlie?

I've read this book at least four different times, and it leaves me crying every time.  "Explicit, distasteful love scenes" is the reason given for challenging this touching, classic novel.

***

What are some of your favorite banned/challenged young adult novels?  Banned Books Week may end today, but I plan to keep on reading books from the lists of challenged books throughout the year.  How about you?

Official censors, judges, and executors...

Photo courtesy of PublicDomainPictures.net

An excerpt:

     "[...]  We must all be alike.  Not everyone born free and equal, as the Constitution says, but everyone made equal.  Each man the image of every other; then all are happy, for there are no mountains to make them cower, to judge themselves against.  So!  A book is a loaded gun in the house next door.  Burn it.  Take the shot from the weapon.  Breach man's mind.  Who knows who might be the target of the well-read man?  Me?  I won't stomach them for a minute. And so when houses were finally fireproofed completely, all over the world (you were correct in your assumption the other night) there was no longer need of firemen for the old purposes. They were given the new job, as custodians of our peace of mind, the focus of our understandable and rightful dread of being inferior; official censors, judges, and executors. That's you, Montag, and that's me."

~ from Fahrenheit 451, 

written by Ray Bradbury

I have been afraid of fire ever since I was a little girl.  I don't even like to look at the photo above -- it scares me.  I thought this would be a good excerpt to share during Banned Books Week, though, because the world Montag lives in not only bans books, but burns them.  They burn all books.  It is illegal to even read one.  Thank goodness this is a fictional world.  Let's hope it stays that way!

Books About Boys

Photo courtesy of NYPL Digital Gallery

Last month, in my post Books With Girl Power, I featured some books with interesting, engaging main characters who all just happened to be female. I promised then that I would actively seek out and read books about appealing male characters for a future post.  Well, this is that post, and I am happy to share these books about boys with you today!  I also want to point out that, while these books are about boys, they are not meant solely for boys -- these books will appeal to many girls out there, as well.

As I did in my Girl Power post, I will begin with a picture book that I stumbled across at the library:

Be Boy Buzz,

written by Bell Hooks

and illustrated by Chris Raschka, 2002

With energetic illustrations and bold, poetic text, this book is a celebration of boyhood.  My six-year-old Ben and I read this book through several times, enjoying the beat of the words, as well as their meaning.  What a wonderful book for boys and their parents!

***

I've read several middle grade books about boys this month. Here are a few of my favorites:

The Invention of Hugo Cabret,

written and illustrated by Brian Selznik, 2007

Twelve-year-old Hugo Cabret is an orphan, living in a Paris train station in 1931.  A thief who secretly keeps the station's clocks running after his uncle -- the official clock keeper -- disappears, Hugo is eventually caught stealing a small wind-up toy.  The shopkeeper who catches him puts Hugo to work, to pay off his debts.  Meanwhile, Hugo and the shopkeeper's young goddaughter, Isabelle, discover clues to a mystery from the past.  The pair begin to piece them together, unraveling long-kept secrets in the process.

My friend Ben (not to be confused with my son Ben) recommended this book to me.  I really didn't know anything about it, except for the fact that a movie based on the book had been out in the theaters last year.  When I found it on the shelf of the library, I was a little surprised by how thick it was.  Being a fast reader, thick books don't intimidate me at all -- but I did think it seemed a bit long for most middle grade readers.  Back at home, when I opened the book for the first time, I discovered that the story isn't nearly as long as it looks -- most of its pages are illustrations, not text.  I read the story through once, then decided it would make a great bedtime book. I read it again, this time aloud to Ben.  (My son, not my friend!)

Both of us were captivated by Selznick's story and illustrations, eager to find out what Hugo would do next.  A week after we'd finished the book, we had a chance to watch the 2011 film, "Hugo".  Though it differs from the book in several ways, the movie is also entertaining and worthwhile. Ben (my son and my friend, actually) and I recommend them both!

***

City of Orphans,

written by Avi

and illustrated by Greg Ruth, 2011

New York City in 1893 is a dangerous place.  Thirteen-year-old Maks, a Danish immigrant and newsboy,  escapes from the Plug Ugly Gang with the help of Willa, a street urchin.   The two are then drawn into a sinister mystery, becoming amateur detectives when Maks's innocent older sister is thrown in jail for stealing.

Avi immerses his readers into the past, vividly describing 19th century life in the big city.  I enjoyed the historical perspective, the intriguing mystery, and the colorful characters making up this story.

***

Danny, the Champion of the World,
written by Roald Dahl
and illustrated by Quentin Blake, 1975

Danny has the best father in the world.  The two of them live in an old gypsy caravan next to their gas station, and are content with their simple life together.  Then, when Danny turns 9, he discovers his father's one vice, a love of poaching. Father and son have always done everything together, and soon Danny is helping devise a plan to poach pheasants from the land of crotchety old Victor Hazell, a wealthy man whom no one likes.  If they can pull it off, Danny truly will be the champion of the world!

Dahl is known for his funny, zany stories, and this is one of them.  In addition to humor, this story also features a tender, heart-warming father-son relationship.  Filled with lively writing and Blake's distinctive illustrations, this book will delight kids and adults alike.

***

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key,
written by Jack Gantos, 1998

Abandoned by his parents at a young age, Joey Pigza has been raised by his emotionally abusive grandmother.  Now that he's a 5th grader, the mother he doesn't even remember has returned to take care of Joey. As if those weren't enough problems for a child to deal with, Joey also has attention-deficit disorder (ADD)... but not the meds to control it.  He is a good kid, but his days at school tend to be one disaster after another.  Will Joey get the help he so desperately needs?

No one in my family has ADD, but many years ago I worked with several ADD kids, so I feel I have at least a little bit of first-hand knowledge about the disorder.   While reading this book, it seemed like I had crawled right into the head of a boy with ADD.  I thought that Gantos's depiction of Joey was true-to-life.  When he is wound up and "wired", Joey's thoughts race and bounce all over the place.  When some medication starts working, Joey is able to slow down and think things through.  Gantos's narration reflects that.

Though the book deals with some serious topics, there is also plenty of humor -- and compassion -- included.  I was impressed with this story and am eager to read the rest of the books in the series: Joey Pigza Loses Control, What Would Joey Pigza Do?, and I Am Not Joey Pigza.

***

Seriously, Norman!,
written by Chris Raschka, 2011

When Norman Normann does not score very high on an important entrance exam, his worried parents decide to get him a tutor.  Balthazar Birdsong turns out to be a very unusual tutor indeed.  Studying the dictionary as instructed, Norman keeps running across words that connect oddly to events in his life.  As Balthazar urges Norman and his friends (Leonard, Anna, and Emma) to observe and explore the world around them, the Quadrumvirate find themselves on a wild quest to save Norman's father and his karma.

Despite the title, this book is anything but serious!  I spotted it on a shelf at the library; the author's name caught my eye.  Raschka is an accomplished artist, and I've enjoyed many of the books he's illustrated, including Be Boy Buzz (shown at the top of this post) and some wonderful poetry collections.  Reading the inside cover, I learned that this was Raschka's first novel.  I decided to check it out, and I am so glad that I did!  Filled with word play, laugh out loud moments, and a crazy adventure, this book surprised and enchanted me.

***

Over the last few weeks, I've also read a few good young adult/adult books featuring boys:

Then Again, Maybe I Won't,
written by Judy Blume, 1971

When his inventor father finally sells an invention for a lot of money, everything changes for 13-year-old Tony Miglione. His family moves to a wealthy neighborhood on Long Island. Now Tony has to go to a new school and make new friends. On top of that, Tony is going through puberty, which means his body is growing and changing and doing strange things.

I first read this book when I was in 5th grade.  (In fact, the book in the photo above is the same copy that I read back then -- I received a whole set of Judy Blume books for Christmas that year, and I still have them.)  This was the first book I ever read that described a few of the things that happen to boys during puberty, and I learned some things I didn't know before.  I still remembered those parts of the story after all these years, but had forgotten the actual plot! Reading it again as an adult, I was more interested in how Tony deals with all the changes and the stress in his life.  I was reminded once again how good Blume is at portraying life from an adolescent's perspective.

***

Outlaw,

written by Stephen Davies, 2011

Set in modern-day West Africa, this book tells the story of 15-year-old Jake and his younger sister Kas.  Children of a British ambassador, the two are kidnapped one evening -- supposedly by Yakuuba Sor, an outlaw and leader of a terrorist group.  But is their abductor really Yakuuba Sor? And is Sor really the dangerous criminal everyone thinks he is?  When the corrupt local government and British Intelligence get involved in the search for Jake, Kas, and Sor, the three decide to take matters into their own hands.

This thriller, filled with mystery and adventure, is fast-paced and action-packed.  I wasn't sure how well I would like the book when I first started it, but I was quickly drawn into the story.  I liked it (and the characters) more and more as it went on.  The author, Davies, is actually a missionary in West Africa.  I appreciated how vividly he described life and the culture in that part of the world, an area I know little about.

***

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,

written by Mark Haddon, 2003

When an autistic 15-year-old, Christopher John Francis Boone, discovers his neighbor's dog impaled on a garden fork, he cradles the dog in his arms.  The dog's owner finds them this way and has Christopher arrested.  When his father arrives at the police station to explain the situation, Christopher is given a "caution" and is released from jail. Ignoring his father's advice to "stay out of other people's business", the boy is determined to find out who really killed the dog and launches his own investigation.

After hearing many adults recommending this novel, I read it for a book club I was in several years ago.  Everyone in the club, including me, loved it!  At the time, I thought of it as a story for adults, even though the main character is a teenager.  Then, recently, I was looking through a list of good books for young adults, and I came across this title.  I decided to reread it.  It was shelved in the adult section of our library, but I do think that it is appropriate for young adults, as well.  (I should note that it does contain many swear words.)  The story itself is moving, insightful, and often amusing.

***

Have you read any of the books that I shared today?  If so, what did you think?  What are some of your favorite books about boys?  I'd love to hear about them!

Celebrating Dads

Photo courtesy of
PublicDomainPictures.net

"A father is neither an anchor 

To hold us back 

Nor a sail to take us there 

But a guiding light 

Whose love shows us the way." 

~ Author Unknown

Father's Day is coming up this Sunday, and I wanted to celebrate by sharing some books about dads.  I had some difficulty coming up with new titles of stories that have positive father figures in them, however.  Sure, there's Pa in the Little House books, and Mr. Murray in A Wrinkle in Time and the Time Quintet, John Arable in Charlotte's Web, and Big Nutbrown Hare in Guess How Much I Love You... but I've already shared those books in other posts.

After some searching at the library, I managed to find several picture books about dads, all of which I'd never read before.  Below are the ones I liked the best:

Higher!  Higher!,

written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli, 2009

Using only a few words and her vivid, expressive illustrations, Patricelli paints a whimsical portrait of a little girl on a swing and her obliging father.

Just like the girl in this book, I used to spend a lot of time on swings, asking my daddy to push me higher! higher!  Even though the father in the story doesn’t have any lines, you can tell from the pictures that he’s enjoying spending time with his daughter.

***

My Daddy and Me,

written by Jerry Spinelli

and illustrated by Seymour  Chwast, 2003

This is a simple, heart-warming story about a pup and his dad, and all the different things they do together -- make cookies, wrestle, plant tomatoes, and more.

I really liked this sweet story. I thought the illustrations were cute, though I would’ve preferred human characters for this one.  (The text itself doesn’t have anything to do with dogs, just a boy and his father.  In my opinion, the book would have even more of an impact if it featured pictures of a human boy and his loving dad.)

***

Daddy Is a Doodlebug,

written and illustrated by Bruce Degen, 2000

A story about a bug and his dad, this fun book is filled with clever wordplay and visual humor.  Degen entertains readers with his rhyming text, new words he’s created -- like “potoodle chips” and “canoedlebugs” -- and visual puns, like ant lions and rhinoceros beetles in the zoo that father and son visit.

When I spotted this book in the library last week, and saw that it was from the same author-illustrator who made Jamberry (reviewed here), I knew I had to bring it home.  I wasn’t a bit disappointed with it, either; I was delighted!  In addition to the features mentioned above, this story also showcases the special connection between parent and child.

***

Dad's Bald Head,

written by Paul Many

and illustrated by Kevin O'Malley, 2007

Pete likes watching his father shave every morning, and imitating him by putting shaving cream on his own face.  Then one day, Dad unexpectedly shaves off not only his beard, but the sparse hair on the top of his head as well.  At first, Pete’s not too sure about his father’s change in appearance, but in the end, he decides Dad should keep it.

This is an amusing book that deals with hair loss in a light-hearted way.

***

Owl Moon,

written by Jane Yolen

and illustrated by John Schoenherr, 1987

This book, which won the 1988 Caldecott Medal, tells of a father who takes his child out in the woods one winter night, hoping to spy an owl.  

Filled with wonder and Yolen’s poetic story-telling, this book reminds me of excursions I’ve been on with my own dad.  (We’ve never been owling, however.)  I enjoyed the language of the book as well as the crisp pictures -- both made me feel like I was there in the woods, too.

***

The Best Father's Day Present Ever,

written by Christine Loomis

and illustrated by Pam Paparone, 2007

Langley Snail wants to give his dad something special for Father’s Day, but he’s not very crafty, and the store where he planned to buy a gift is closed.  On the way home he comes up with an idea, and it turns out to be the best gift ever.

I liked the light humor of the story, and also the message that kids (and grownups!) can give very meaningful gifts, even without money or great skill.

***

How Many Stars in the Sky?,

written by Lenny Hort

and illustrated by James E. Ransome, 1991

A young boy is missing his mother (she's away on a trip), and he can’t sleep.  He tries to count the stars in the sky, and heads outside for a better look.  His father joins him, and they go for a ride, first to the city and then into the country, searching for a good place to count the stars.  Finally, exhausted, they sleep under the stars in the back of the pick-up truck.

This book, with its lyrical text and rich paintings, conveys a strong sense of family.  The story reminded me of going out in the wee hours of the night with my dad back in 1986, hoping to see Halley’s Comet.  (Unfortunately, we had about as much luck as the characters in this story do in their quest to count all the stars.)

***

Tell Me One Thing, Dad,

written by Tom Pow

and illustrated by Ian Andrew, 

It’s Molly’s bedtime, but she’s not sleepy.  Instead, she asks her father questions like: What’s the most important thing you know about a polar bear?  Dad knows all kinds of things about each animal she lists, but the most important is always the same, it loves its babies.  When Dad asks Molly what important thing she knows about him, Molly knows that he loves his baby, too!

This is an endearing story with fanciful artwork!  I can imagine that children would ask to hear this one over and over again.

***

When trying to think of books featuring dads, I did remember the following middle-grade story from my childhood.  I found my old copy of it and reread it this week:

The Mouse and His Child,

written by Russell Hoban

and illustrated by Lillian Hoban, 1967

This story, considered by many to be one of the great works of children's literature of the 20th century, features toy wind-up mice, father and son, on a quest to become self-winding.  The pair also seek a home of their own and a family to share it with.  Pursued by the evil Manny Rat, their journey takes them from the toy shop to the dump to the swamp, and back again.

I remember really liking this book as a child (I was probably ten or eleven when I first read it), and I appreciated Hoban's magical story-telling even more as an adult.  Much of the book has a dark undertone, but there's also plenty of humor, as well as a sense of hope and perseverance throughout.

***

Last but definitely not least is this young adult/adult novel, a classic that is often required reading in schools, and one of my favorite books of all time:

To Kill a Mockingbird,

written by Harper Lee, 1960

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is told by Scout, the young daughter of lawyer Atticus Finch.  When Atticus must defend a black man accused of raping a white girl, Scout and her brother Jem learn all about prejudice and justice.  The trust that Scout and Jem have in their father is evident throughout, as is his immense love for his children.

I first read this book when it was assigned for a literature class in high school.  (We also watched the 1962 To Kill a Mockingbird movie, which I highly recommend, as well.)  I've read it many, many times since.  Beautifully written, this is an important book that I feel every young adult should read.  (Every adult, too!)  My daughter Emmalie read it for a class in middle school, and she loved it as much as I do.

Have you read any of the books shown above?  If so, what did you think of them?  Do you have any other suggestions for stories featuring positive father figure characters?

(Psst... if you haven't read about the Big Blue Birthday Contest yet, please check out this post.)