Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Hits and Misses
Hits:
Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg by Gail Carson Levine
Levine hits the mark again with this tale of new fairy, Prilla, and the fate of the island of Neverland. Prilla sets out to discover her talent in this charming story appropriate for all ages.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
This is one of the most original books I've ever read. Half told by gorgeous pencil drawings, the story is a hybrid of Phantom of the Opera and Oliver Twist, set in France during the advent of motion pictures. Sure to be a classic.
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
This story revolves around the idea that characters can be transported out of (and into) books. Meggie and her father flee from villains while they seek to free her mother. There are some rather pointless statements that the characters do not believe in the devil, but no agenda to prove such.
Misses:
Birdwing by Rafe Martin
This was a great read until the hero is betrayed by his best friend and the girl he likes. Now, I can think of dozens of plot twists to convey betrayal, but the author chose to have the hero find the other two, "asleep beneath one blanket, their naked shoulders exposed, wrapped in each other's arms." There is also another reference to undressing girls. Too bad.
The Devil's Boy by Anthony Horowitz
I have a few issues with this book. The first is that one of the very first characters introduced to the reader is Dr. John Dee, advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. Unfortunately, Dr. John Dee was a real person who was an astrologer, alchemist, and occultist. Secondly, when one character engages a room for a night at an inn, the innkeeper offers him the use of one of the barmaids. Lastly, the main plot is of the mistaken identity of the illegitimate son of Elizabeth I. Illegitimacy can be handled discreetly for young readers, but not so in this case.
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Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Hits and Misses
Hits:
Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg by Gail Carson Levine
Levine hits the mark again with this tale of new fairy, Prilla, and the fate of the island of Neverland. Prilla sets out to discover her talent in this charming story appropriate for all ages.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
This is one of the most original books I've ever read. Half told by gorgeous pencil drawings, the story is a hybrid of Phantom of the Opera and Oliver Twist, set in France during the advent of motion pictures. Sure to be a classic.
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
This story revolves around the idea that characters can be transported out of (and into) books. Meggie and her father flee from villains while they seek to free her mother. There are some rather pointless statements that the characters do not believe in the devil, but no agenda to prove such.
Misses:
Birdwing by Rafe Martin
This was a great read until the hero is betrayed by his best friend and the girl he likes. Now, I can think of dozens of plot twists to convey betrayal, but the author chose to have the hero find the other two, "asleep beneath one blanket, their naked shoulders exposed, wrapped in each other's arms." There is also another reference to undressing girls. Too bad.
The Devil's Boy by Anthony Horowitz
I have a few issues with this book. The first is that one of the very first characters introduced to the reader is Dr. John Dee, advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. Unfortunately, Dr. John Dee was a real person who was an astrologer, alchemist, and occultist. Secondly, when one character engages a room for a night at an inn, the innkeeper offers him the use of one of the barmaids. Lastly, the main plot is of the mistaken identity of the illegitimate son of Elizabeth I. Illegitimacy can be handled discreetly for young readers, but not so in this case.
2 comments:
I found your blog through Amy Welborn and am very glad you do what you do. I have three girls (12, 10, and 8) who are voracious readers. I've steered them toward the classics, but they read so much that I need good book recommendations for them. I can't read books fast enough to keep up with them, so I will continue to check your blog for great ideas. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your comments. Please feel free to request reviews. Sometimes I feel bogged down by what my own children are interested, and may neglect some trends or genres of today.
ReplyDelete
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I found your blog through Amy Welborn and am very glad you do what you do. I have three girls (12, 10, and 8) who are voracious readers. I've steered them toward the classics, but they read so much that I need good book recommendations for them. I can't read books fast enough to keep up with them, so I will continue to check your blog for great ideas. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your comments. Please feel free to request reviews. Sometimes I feel bogged down by what my own children are interested, and may neglect some trends or genres of today.
ReplyDelete