The Dream-Web Diary of Gwenevere Stoker by Laura Stoddard

5 Stars

Gwenevere Stoker is a lonely young girl, haunted by an accident that changed her life two years before. Every night she escapes into her dreams, grateful for the break from her miserable reality. Until she discovers that someone is infiltrating her Dream-Web (the place where all her dreams reside) and stealing her Dream Orbs. She must find out who is wreaking havoc on her dreams, while learning to face her past.

This was an interesting read. The author is very imaginative, and her descriptions of the dreams have just the right balance of reality and bizarreness that they feel very much like real dreams. However, I found the book a little too graphic for younger readers (Gwen is supposed to be 12, so I assume the book is geared to that age-group; I think it would be too much for anyone younger than that), and not well-written enough to appeal to a much older audience. I also found it somewhat heavy-handed in the handling of some of the more mature themes, and was a little put off by the apparently unconsidered ramifications of the actions of a couple of characters. If you are interested in dreams as a topic, you will find it an intriguing read, but I wouldn't otherwise recommend it.

Favorite Tales from Grimm by Mercer Mayer

7 Stars

Wow. I feel like I've been giving lots of sevens lately... Maybe I need to vary up my reading lists a little. :?

If you like the Grimm fairy tales, I can safely recommend this collection. It includes many of the better-known ones (like The Sleeping Beauty), but even the ones that were lesser known were good picks: readable, likable, and just a little bit, well, grim. ;D There is no author credited, so I assume they are just basic translations, but the telling is concise without being abrupt and lyrical without being overly flowery. It's also a little more "kid-friendly", shall we say, as the most gruesome parts have been toned down a touch; but it still holds it's medieval/archaic brutality to a certain degree. And, of course, the book is sprinkled with Mayer's lovely watercolor paintings. In their subtle browns and otherworldliness they fit the feel of the tales to a tee.

Moon Over Manifest by Claire Vanderpool

7 Stars

"After a life of riding the rails with her father, 12-year-old Abilene can’t understand why he has sent her away to stay with Pastor Shady Howard in Manifest, Missouri, a town he left years earlier; but over the summer she pieces together his story. In 1936, Manifest is a town worn down by sadness, drought, and the Depression, but it is more welcoming to newcomers than it was in 1918, when it was a conglomeration of coal-mining immigrants who were kept apart by habit, company practice, and prejudice." (Taken from Amazon.com)

Continuing on my quest to read all the Newberry nominees for this year, I finally obtained a copy of the winner. I was planning to save it for last, but when you are waiting for books at the library, you take it them when they come your way. At first I wasn't sure why this book and not the previous two that I read was the winner. I found the story not very engaging towards the beginning but it quickly picked up. It was not a fast read in that I felt compelled to read it every second, but by the end of the book it had me thinking about the issues addressed. I also loved the way that the author wove the past and present together so beautifully. In all, it was a very beautifully written book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested.

Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography by Daniel Handler

6 Stars

"Lemony Snicket here becomes the subject of a fictional autobiography, with an introduction from a fictionalized version of Daniel Handler. Snicket is a harried, troubled writer and researcher falsely accused of felonies and continuously hunted by the police and his enemies. As a child, he was kidnapped and inducted as a "neophyte" into V.F.D. where he was trained in rhetoric and sent on seemingly pointless missions while all connections to his former life were severed." This autobiography gives the reader insight into all of Snicket's notes on the Baudelaire orphans, as well as collections of photographs, and resources concerning the ever-elusive V.F.D. (Taken partially from Wikipedia.)

This book is ridiculously amusing (a phrase which here means both humorous and very silly). If you haven't read any of The Series of Unfortunate Events, you may have to prepare yourself before reading this. But, it won't make any more sense if you do. This biography does give one opportunity to wonder if maybe the whole series wasn't thought up along the ride, after all, though...frightening and perplexing thought. I could readily recommend this to anyone who enjoys Snicket's bizarre humor.

Letters from the Corrugated Castle by Joan W Blos

4 Stars

"The year is 1850, and orphaned Eldora with her "Aunt" and "Uncle" have exchanged their quiet lives in New Bedford Massachusetts, for new ones in San Francisco,, the rapidly growing city that is the heart of the California Gold Rush. Shortly after their arrival, they receive a letter from an unknown woman who believes she is Eldora's mother, and is eager to meet her long-lost daughter. As Eldora deals with her conflicting feelings about this news, she must also adjust to the challenges--and dangers--of living in a brash and growing city."

Though this book had great potential for interest (how many of us might wonder about a child's perspective of that unique and bizarre moment in history?), I feel it ultimately fell flat. Told through letters from several of the characters back and forth, it just wasn't very intriguing. There are inconsistencies in the timing of events, the characters don't ring true, and all the mystery is handled in a way that sucks all the interest out. The same author has apparently received a Newberry for one of her other books (along the same lines--historical fiction, written through "letters"), but after the bore this one presented, I have to say, it would take a pretty high recommendation to get me to bother with it.

Turle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

6 Stars

"Eleven-year-old Turtle is not one to suffer fools gladly. And she runs into a lot of fools, especially the no-goods her starry-eyed mother meets. So it's a tough little Turtle who arrives in Key West in June of 1935. She's been sent to Florida to stay with relatives because her mother's latest housekeeping job doesn't allow children. Unfortunately, Mama has neglected to tell Aunt Minnie she's coming, and Turtle gets the stink eye from cousins with monikers like Buddy and Beans. As Turtle soon learns, everything is different in Key West, from the fruit hanging on trees to the scorpions in nightgowns to the ways kids earn money. She can't be part of her cousins' Diaper Gang (no girls allowed), which takes care of fussy babies, but when she finds a treasure map, she hopes she'll be on Easy Street like Little Orphan Annie." (Taken from Amazon.com)

I'm not sure if this was Newberry material but I loved this book. It was a quick and humorous read but what I most liked about it was the setting. It is set in Key West and now I'm craving a trip to Florida. I loved the quirky characters and the cultural touches such as sponge fishing and "cut-ups." My mom lived in the Bahamas for a while when she was a little girl, and while she was not there during 1931, it still reminded me of what it must have felt like to be there. I love all the little quirks about the people and the town, such as the nicknames they were given, the freedom that kids had to wander about, the food they ate, and the way their lives depending on the marine life around them. I very much enjoyed this book though I'm not sure the issues and challenges the characters faced were quite Newberry material. I guess that is why it was an honor book and not a winner.

Verdigris Deep by Frances Hardinge

7 Stars

"When Ryan and his friends are caught stranded and penniless late one evening, they steal some coins from a well for their bus far home. Soon after, strange things begin to happen. Peculiar marks tingle on Ryan's knuckles, light bulbs mysteriously explode and a terrified Chelle starts speaking words that aren't her own. Then the well witch appears, with her fountains for eyes and gargled demands. From now on, the friends must serve her--and the wishes that lie rotting at the bottom of her well." (Taken from the inside cover.)

Well-written (as to be expected with one of my favorite children's book authors) and eerie, I think the biggest downside to this book is just that I hoped to like it more. It isn't as scary as I worried it might be, but it's still creepy enough that I wouldn't recommend it for very young children (or even the very squeamish adult, to be truthful). Hardinge's writing is lyrical, but not as solid as it was on Fly by Night or Gullstruck Island, I thought. Though, perhaps, some of that could be attributed to the more modern setting. It does draw you in, though, until you wonder how the three children can possibly solve this situation they find themselves in and get out of their debt. (And, in case you are wondering,"Verdigris Deep" is actually the British release title. The American release is titled "Well-Witched", but I didn't feel that the English-isms were extreme enough to deter anyone who's a little familiar with word differences between the two countries. I.e. she uses the term "trolley" where we would probably use "shopping cart." Just a heads up in case you have a preference.)

The Knight's Tales, Books 1 and 2 by Gerald Morris

6 Stars

Many years ago, the storytellers say, the great King Arthur brought justice to England with the help of his gallant Knights of the Round Table. Of these worthy knights, there was never one so fearless, so chivalrous, so honorable, so...shiny as the dashing Sir Lancelot. And there were others: Sir Kay the Loyal, Sir Bedivere the Just, and young Givret, who was known for being...well, short. Behold the very exciting and comical adventures of the Knights of the Round Table, as only the acclaimed Arthurian author Gerald Morris can tell them. (Taken in part from the inside cover.)

These books, while funny, are definitely written for a younger audience than Morris' much more involved "The Squire's Tales" series. They read like short story collections in a way, but the brief anecdotes all come together at points, drawing the story together. They were a fun read, but, as I said, not nearly as enjoyable as Morris' other collection (the best of which are the first couple of books). Younger audiences (8-12, maybe?) would probably love the humor and outright silliness in these books.

Ugly by Donna Jo Napoli

7 Stars

Based on Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale of "The Ugly Duckling", this book tells of a young bird who just doesn't fit in with those around him. Set in Tasmania and written for a young audience, Ugly introduces the reader to both the classic tale and a realistic view of wildlife in an unusual setting.

This was a surprisingly good read. As I started it, I was a little afraid that it would be so over-simplistic that it would come across as inane. But, actually, Donna Jo Napoli does an excellent job of getting down the rhythm of the animals she's writing for and about. They all use a simpler thought process--more direct, anyway--but surprisingly large vocabulary. She's obviously put a great deal of thought into how animals would realistically interact with their own kind and other species, as well as the things they would have deeper knowledge about. They are simple, not stupid. This would be a great read for younger children interested in animals, and I could happily recommend it to anyone that likes the original tale, as well.

Gossamer by Lois Lowry

7 Stars

"Where do dreams come from? What stealthy nighttime messengers are the guardians of our most deeply hidden hopes and our half-forgotten fears? Drawing on her rich imagination, two-time Newbery Medal winner Lois Lowry confronts these questions and explores the conflicts between the gentle bits and pieces of the past that come to life in dream and the darker horrors that find their form in nightmare. In a haunting story that tiptoes between reality and imagination, two people--a lonely, sensitive woman and a damaged, angry boy--face their own histories and discover what they can be to each other, renewed by the strength that comes from a tiny, caring creature they will never see." (Taken from inside cover.)

This was a very imaginative, if very brief, read. The concept of tiny fairy-like people bestowing dreams--as well as their awful, sweating and snorting counterparts, the Sinisteeds, who inflict nightmares--was very unique. And Lowry's treatment of it, if a tad over-simplistic, is interesting. This is a book that I would feel comfortable recommending to a fairly young audience (as young as 8, I think), though there are some intense references to a physically abusive husband/father. It is a simple book, but I have to admit that I totally cried in a couple of spots.

The Book of Dragons by E. Nesbit

8 Stars

"Who doesn't love dragons? In this exciting collection, E. Nesbit unleashes a flock of these mysterious, wild, and unpredictable creatures. Here you will meet a dragon who flies out of an enchanted book and swallows an entire soccer team; two children who try to wake St. George while dragons of all shapes and sizes descend on England; and wicked Prince Tiresome, who trades half his kingdom with a pigkeeper to catch a raging dragon. ... Featuring eight of E. Nesbit's best stories, ... [The Book of Dragons] returns...to delight and enchant a new generation of readers." (Taken from the inside cover.)

I happened across this apparently classic children's literature in the same secluded corner as Pat O'Shea's, The Hounds of the Mórrígan. And I have to say, Edith Nesbit's stories are just plain fun! They are each very unique, and while I liked some more than others, the collection feels complete in a way that a lot of short story books just don't. Her writing style reminds me very much of A. A. Milne's (she was British and wrote around the turn-of-the-century), especially in her ability to draw in the young reader with innocent humor. Her characters are delightful (bad and good are both lots of fun), and the book as a whole probably only took about two days to get through (at a VERY leisurely pace). I would definitely recommend this to anyone that likes imaginative fantasy with a "folk tale" feel. (I might recommend reading the last story first, though, as it was probably my least favorite in the collection. It left me feeling slightly less satisfied than many of the others. Still worth a read, but I would save one of the others for last, personally.)

The Hounds of the Mórrígan by Pat O'Shea

7 Stars

Ten-year-old Pidge picks up a worn, discarded book in an old second-hand bookshop in Galway, Ireland, before returning home. This unwitting action eventually leads him to become the unlikely hero on a quest against the Mórrígan (pronounced MOR-ree-an), the Irish goddess of death and discord. As Pidge, and his younger sister, Brigit, traipse across the realms of the Fey, they encounter both good and evil, learn to trust themselves and each other, and enjoy the kind of adventure all children dream of. The Hounds of the Morrigan was published in 1985, having taken O'Shea ten years to complete. Many characters in the book are culled straight from Celtic mythology. (Taken partially from Wikipedia. And I apologize for the lousy synopsis. I really wanted to just copy the back of the book, but apparently there are NO copies of that description anywhere on the internet. Perhaps I will re-write when my brain is more prepared to do so...)

This book was most definitely worth a read! It pulls you in perfectly. The setting is enchanting and Pidge is just lovable and charming from the outset. The plot's exciting, the history/mythology is unique, the baddies are both truly awful and knee-slappingly funny, and it's just an overall great read. The only reason this was a 7 and not a 9 for me is because it is quite long, and, unfortunately begins to feel its length before too long. Every encounter Brigit and Pidge have would be fascinating on its own, especially if you are at all interested in Celtic or Irish mythology, but taken all at once, it's drags a tad. I almost wish the author had somehow managed to make it into more than one book... Don't really know that that would have worked, but the point is that I want to love this book, and ended up just really liking it, instead. You should definitely read it once, though! It was especially fitting as a Halloween read. (Look at the cover with a little more depth; you'll see what I mean...)

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

7 Stars

Nobody Owens (Bod, for short) finds himself suddenly orphaned as a toddler. He then has the great fortune to wander into a graveyard, where he is immediately adopted by the resident ghosts. This book follows his up-bringing by this bizarre community, through both the tender and the terrifying. The Graveyard Book was the 2009 Newberry-Medal Winner. (Deservedly, in my opinion.)

A very interesting concept, this book lives up to that pique. Gaiman is a great story-teller. He weaves in noticeable and plot-driving details without making them annoyingly obvious, and his imagination in throwing in folk lore about the dead--and other grisly graveyard inhabitants--is limitless. He also has a good sense of humor, and plays it well here. This book definitely made me want to read more of his work; unfortunately, I've heard that Coraline is terrifying and Stardust just plain crude. But, if he writes another book for children anytime soon, I will be seeking it out! (I've been wavering between giving it 7 and 8 stars and decided to err on the side of caution. But it really is very good, and I would definitely recommend it to people with a taste for the eerie!)

A few children's reads...

So, for a slight change of pace, I decided I wanted to add a brief list of a few favorite picture books. I like some more than others, but I'd say they all fall within the 8-10 Stars range. They are all different styles and genres and are only really related insofar as they are some favorites of mine, sorry.


The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds:

I have loved Peter H. Reynolds' loose-style illustrations ever since I've known of him, but this book especially holds a place in my heart. It's a book every artist really ought to own. Sarah, this means you. If you don't have it already, you need to. ;D (And, I have to add that the first time I read this book, it was a Spanish translation called, "El Punto", which actually I may have liked even more, since that title added some interesting double meaning to the whole...)


Ms. Rubinstein's Beauty by Pep Montserrat:

This has been a favorite ever since discovering it a couple of years ago. It is the only work so far by this author illustrator, but it's a great one. For a far more poetic (albeit a bit of a plot spoiling--read it AFTER you read the book, I'm telling you!!!) review than I can give, please visit:
http://fusenumber8.blogspot.com/2007/02/review-of-day-ms-rubinsteins-beauty.html


City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems:

The gorgeous pictures by Jon J Muth are what attracted me to this book to begin with, but it is as beautifully written as illustrated. Poignant, silly, sweet, sad, and wonderful all rolled into one. And, did I mention the gorgeous pictures?







Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss:

So, perhaps it is a tad cliché to include Dr. Seuss, but really, the guy was a genius. This is one that I don't remember reading as a child, but just might rank as my favorite of his books. It doesn't have the same depth of meaning as some of his others, but the alliterations and rhyming patterns are FAN. TAS. TIC. Not than anyone expected anything else.







Snow White illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman:

I mention the illustrator, not the author, because, truthfully I have never loved the tale of Snow White. It's really, very dark. This retelling is no exception as it sticks pretty close to the Grimm version. BUT. If you have never loved Snow White, either, this book might just change your mind. And all because of a person known as Trina Schart Hyman. Who I adore. I have never been disappointed in a book she's illustrated, because even if the book were completely terrible, her illustrations would make it all worth while. No, seriously. Check it out, and you will see exactly what I mean.


The Sleeping Beauty by Mercer Mayer:

I know, I know, another fairy tale with beautiful pictures. But, this one, I choose not just for the amazing illustrations, but because this is my very favorite re-telling of the tale of the Sleeping Beauty. Ever. And I've read a LOT of re-tellings. Mercer Mayer manages to add all sorts of interesting twists to the timeless tale while managing to be true to the story. It is a real classic. And, just so that you know, if you have a hard time finding it, that's because it's now out of print. And people like to steal the library's copies and take the hit in fines just to have a copy. Unfortunately for the rest of us, it really is that good.


The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein:

This book makes me cry. It has some of Silverstein's typically funny poetry, but it is much deeper than many of his other, sillier reads. Plus, it's about a tree, and we all know what a tree-hugger I am. But, then, since my dad had this book around for as long as I can remember, maybe this book is WHY I'm a tree-hugger.









The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base:

Those of you who have never read any of Graeme Base's books need to move it to the top of your to-do list. Especially if you love bright colors. Or puzzles. Or clever rhymes. Or intricate illustrations. Or well-thought out children's books. ... Yeah. Enough said.

Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge

10 Stars

Mosca Mye is born in a world terrified of the awesome power of words. She is both blessed and cursed by a literary father who teaches her to read--and then dies, leaving her an unwanted orphan. When she encounters the questionably articulate Eponymous Clent, she can't help but be drawn into his world of the unanswerable. But perhaps she gets in deeper than she expected when asked to spy on a powerful Guild by an even more powerful duchess. Her exploits lead her and her gander (yes, she really does have a pet gander) into treachery, a Guild war, and a terrible propensity for her world's history to repeat itself.

I, like Anthony, will probably not give a lot of reviews with ten stars, but wanted to start off on a good note. I just read this book for the second time. Seeing as how the first time I read it was only just over a year ago, that alone should say something.

Frances Hardinge is a genius! As difficult as it would be to create a world so dependent on words and actually be able to do it justice with your own, she pulls it off completely. She really is a master storyteller--one of those who makes you want to run out and finish that book you've begun writing, while at the same time making you completely despair of ever being a good writer. Now, that being said, she does have a taste for the slightly macabre, so I wouldn't recommend her for the very young or very squeamish. (Though, truthfully, this is not as apparent in "Fly by Night" as in her "Gullstruck Island." Another excellent read, but slightly creepier, and probably more a 9 than a 10 for me.) The characters in this book are outstanding and very memorable. The plot keeps you guessing, but doesn't lose you. She spins a beautiful web of words throughout. Even the names she chooses have world's of meaning, without giving anything away. If you haven't yet read at least one of her books, you really ought to. And if you only ever read one of them, it really ought to be this one.

Winnie-The-Pooh by A. A. Milne

10 stars!

I won't be giving 10 stars to many books, but I feel Winnie-The-Pooh deserves it. I have read Winnie-The-Pooh many times and plan to read it many times more. Besides being funny, whimsical, and insightful, I feel like there is something timeless about Winnie-The-Pooh that will never get old.

Since the book is short and so well known, I don't feel like I need to summarize it. Just read it! And read The House At Pooh Corner while you're at it. They won't take much time, and they can be unbelievably enjoyable. Read them yourself. Read them with your significant other. Read them to your children. You won't regret it.