November 2007 - Posts
The Hero and the Crown
By: Robin McKinley
Aerin has never felt comfortable around most of the people that surround her. Her father, the king Alberth, her cousin Tor, and her servant Teka are about the only friends she has. Her 'enemies' include Galanna and her soon-to-be-husband Perlith, neither of whom are pleasant people. The rest of the kingdom, well, they tolerate her because she is the king's daughter, but the fact that her mother was from the North makes the people believe she was a witchwoman who bewitched their precious king and then died of disappointment because she had born a daughter instead of a son. Although that last part has the possibility of being true, I don't necessarily believe it.
Aerin is clumsy and her royal gift has not yet appeared. People are starting to worry that she's bad for the kingdom. But Aerin has taken matters into her own hands, even if she didn't know it at the time. She got Tor to teach her swordsmanship, she recovers from a near-fatal trick by Galanna partially through riding her father's partially lame war-horse and from trying to make an ointment that wards off fire that she found in an old book in her father's library during her recovery.
It takes years for Aerin to perfect the ointment, get Talat into riding shape and recover from her scary entanglement with the surka leaves. When reports of dragons start to come into the kingdom, she knows what she must do, and also that she won't be allowed to do it - so she sneaks out alone into battle with her faithful horse.
Her first match-up with a dragon is a success, but barely. Her adventures after that are more numerous and start coming closer and closer together. Then comes the big one - a dragon larger and more fierce than any she has fought before. Even though she has won herself a place in her father's army, she knows he will not allow her to go alone, but she does anyways.
After that fight leaves Aerin battling for her life, she finally makes it home to start to recover - but she senses this need to seek out a place. A place she's never been, and she wants to know who that man in her dreams is. When she meets Luthe she begins to learn. And she learns a lot in a short year. She knows more about her mother now than even her father (I'm guessing) and she learns where the wickedness that is disturbing her kingdom of Damar is coming from. She also knows that she will be fighting this foe alone.
Throughout most of this book Aerin is a solitary figure. Yes, she interacts with others, but she spends the majority of her time with her horse. She is an independent figure whose destiny was a greatness that no one would have understood or believed had she not had to work so hard for it.
I feel as if I'm not doing this book enough justice. I loved it. Absolutely loved it and now I want to read The Blue Sword which is a story of Aerin's descendents of some nature.
This is a story that is great for guys and gals alike. There's action, adventure, uncertainty of the future, a little tormenting of those who some feel are 'below' them, a little romance (nothing outlandish or over the top, and quite brief mentions) and bravery, courage and doubt. All very human qualities that we can all identify with at one point in our lives or another.
Okay, I'll admit, part of my fascination with this book is the main character's name, Aerin. My name is never in novels! Okay, okay, it's spelled a little differently, but I pronounce it like I would my own name, and my pet-peeve of how people spell my name might go away just a little now - I kind of like the A-e- aspect of it. For some reason it makes it look elegant to me......although that capital "A" does something else for me - like the main character is an "A" person (as in grades, personality, the whole shebang) - it also brings to mind archer (which she's not technically - but it reminds me of fierceness, and this girl has got some gumption!) I may need to think about this aspect a little.....or you could give me a comment and help my Friday-afternoon-inspiration lag along! And I'll also admit that I totally admire this character and identify with her in ways that I didn't think I could.
I have read a few of McKinley's other novels and I have yet to be disappointed. The adult book or hers that I read, Deerskin, in graduate school was really good - really disturbing and gross in a couple of spots, but overall it was a great book. The contents of Deerskin are definitely for a more adult crowd. Spindle's End was a great re-telling of the Sleeping Beauty tale (and can be found in the Jr./Young Adult section).
Recommended For:
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adventure lovers (dragons are a pretty decent focus in this novel - some are even described as small, so I'm picturing these cute little baby dragons - like at the end of Shrek I - but they're really nothing like that)
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fantasy lovers
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those who like a little magic and mayhem in their stories
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supporters of a heroine who everyone else seemingly rejects
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guys and gals! adults, teenagers, college students!
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everyone!
If you loved this book, check out The Blue Sword! I'll be honest, I don't know when I'll get to it because:
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I don't have it yet, and if I do it's lost on a bookshelf somewhere (I'm not ruling this possibility out)
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I just picked up Fly by Night from good ol' B & N and am soooo reading that first! (because I went in specifically for it and they didn't have it and then I had to order it and then I ended up ordering a couple of other books and BREATHE!)
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My "To Be Read" pile is growing again! There's just not enough time in the day!
Storynory
http://storynory.com/
has been publishing free audio stories for children online since 2005. The collection includes classics like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, poetry, Christmas stories, fairy tales, Greek myths, Aesop fables, animal stories, Bible stories and original stories about Prince Bertie.
You can subscribe to the website for free and begin listening to stories to your heart's content! Ok, I know, I know, you're too big to be read to. To that I say: "OH BLAH TO THAT!" You're never too old for a good story that's read with feeling and no stops or stumbles over difficult (or easy) words. Plus, you probably know at least one little kid, parent or teacher who could benefit from this website!
Book of a Thousand Days
By: Shannon Hale
Dashti is a mucker maid whose father died, then her brothers ran off, then her mother died. She has been taught the healing songs of her people by her mother, and their calming words help her through her journey to the city to look for work. She is taught to read, write and obey her mistresses every command. When she meets her new mistress, Lady Saren, she wonders at the Lady's wild and crazed ramblings, but she agrees to never leave her. Little does she know, Lady Saren has displeased her father by refusing to marry the man he has chosen for her. She literally trembles with fear when he is around. Her father has decided that her disobedience warrants being locked up. In a tower. For seven years.
That is a long time for anyone, but Dashti has agreed to never abandon her mistress. If it weren't for Dashti, I firmly believe that Lady Saren would have wasted away. You would think that nothing exciting would happen in a tower with no sunlight, but you'd be wrong. Their adventures with rats, cats, men who want to get in to harm them, one who wants the Lady for love, and Dashti's wanting to get out provide a reading you can hardly believe.
Lady Saren commands Dashti to do things she doesn't want to do, and it could end extremely badly for her if she doesn't figure a way out, but Saren is not capable of doing many things, and Dashti knows this, so she follows her orders, but by reading her journal we see her inner struggle throughout the book. In the end, it's her journal that saves her after she has already saved countless others.
Do they actually spend seven years in the tower, or does Dashti figure a way out? Well, the second half of the book is what happens when they get out of the tower. I admit, I should have seen some of the destruction coming, but even so, it makes for fascinating reading.
I have to say that Lady Saren drove me absolutely crazy for the majority of the book. I had to keep reminding myself that she wasn't raised to be able to do anything for herself, and by the end of the book I came to understand a lot more about her past that put her present actions into perspective. I ended up liking her a lot more, but Dashti steals the show in this book!
Recommended for:
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Those who enjoy fairy-tale re-writes (This book is based on the Grimm Brothers tale of "Maid Maleen" with many liberties taken.)
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Historical novel readers who like a little bit of fantasy mixed in
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Those interested in ethics/moral behavior. There could be a lot of discussions about Dashti, Saren and the requests of actions that take place.
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Everyone!
Library Hours over the Holiday are as follows:
Wednesday, November 21 8am-5pm
Thursday, November 22 - Saturday, November 24 CLOSED
Sunday, November 25 3pm-11pm
Have a wonderful holiday and travel safe!
Ella Enchanted
By: Gail Carson Levine
Newbery Honor Book 1998
Ella was given a gift by the Fairy Lucinda when she was born. She has been given the gift of obedience, which may sound like a lovely gift, but for Ella, it's a way of life. If someone tells her to clean her room, she must. If she's told to give a valuable necklace to a girl that orders her to, she must. Life for Ella is difficult - if she truly doesn't want to do something and fights it, she begins to feel illl and her legs start to give out. Her mother and the cook, Mandy, are the only ones who know her secret. Her father's always gone on business, and when he is home, well, he won't be winning and father-of-the-year awards, to put it nicely.
When Ella's mother dies her life takes a drastic turn. Ordered to go to boarding school, Ella soon excells in most subjects because of the orders the teachers give her. (They don't realize her 'problem'.) Too bad her new wicked stepsister figred out Ella's 'gift' and has been using it to her advantage - not realizing that Ella is circumventing her in any way that she can.
When Ella learns that Lucinda will probably be at a giants wedding, she decides that she can run away from school since she was never told she couldn't. Her adventures in the forest are a little scary, but exciting and heartwarming as well. All Ella wants is for the curse to be broken, but things don't go as planned.
When Ella is faced with an extremely difficult decision - should she say 'yes' and marry the man she loves and live happily ever after, or should she say 'no' and protect him from harm and cause herself pain - her choice will affect her life, and the lives of those around her forever.
All-in-all, this is a fun new twist on the always classic 'Cinderella' story. Things are tweaked and changed a bit here and there, but expect to find a new and witty version of Cinderella in Ella. (Please tell me you've already caught the -ella in Cinderella.....)
Note: if you have seen the movie and were utterly horrified by what they did with it, then we will get along fabulously. I remember making a friend of mine watch it with me and we were so captivatingly horrified we watched the whole thing. (I think she may still be angry about that waste of time). And no, I am not knocking Anne Hathaway in any way, shape or form (I actually liked The Princess Diaries - the movie, haven't gotten to the book yet, and yes, that goes against my general policy, but it's my rule and I can break it if necessary) but the book (Ella Enchanged) and movie are quite different and the movie would probably satisfy the smallest of children, but it did nothing but horrify me.
Recommended For:
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Read it to your 'little princess' as a bedtime story
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Read it for yourself (the big-kid princess)
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Fans of fairytale rewrites
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Everyone
Pictures of Hollis Woods
By: Patricia Reilly Giff
A 2003 Newbery Honor Book
How about a 2 for 1 today? It's friday and I just realized it's been over a month since my last book reviews! Shame on me! (and if you've been paying attention you know I've been reading, but I just thought I'd spare you the details of Lewis Carroll's life - but if you're interested I bet I could work something out!)
Hollis Woods is nothing but trouble. She doesn't go to school and she runs away. That's what people tell her and that's what she thinks - until the Old Man, Izzy and Steven come into her life. But she's not with them when we meet her, she's going to a new placement. We never learn how Hollis came to be a foster child, but it's obvious she's been one for awhile. Josie seems ok, and Hollis actually adapts to life with Josie pretty easily. Well, that is, until the mustard woman (the social worker) discovers that Josie is getting forgetful and Hollis isn't attending school. Hollis and Josie run away to the one place Hollis loves - the summer home of the Old Man, Izzy and Steven.
Hollis remembers back to her times with the family, but makes herself stop before she gets too far - but she goes a little further into her memory every time. When we finally find out what happened on that mountain and Hollis' reaction to it, it's understandable because of her history that she bolted. Her drawings bring her a new perspective and she makes a change in her life for the better.
I have to say, I get a little irritated with the flashback chapters. I understand the book's structure is that way for a purpose, but all I wanted to know from the beginning is what tragedy had occurred that made her run from the best thing that had ever happened to her. I had a pit in my stomach with all of these really awful things that might have occurred because of her actions. Let me say, I was all worked up for nothing. That's not to say that what happened was good, but it didn't end in a tragedy of epic proportions.
Recommended For:
Playing for Pizza
By: John Grisham
Rick Dockery is waking up from a nightmare. He aches everywhere and it's difficult to focus. Then he realizes his current situation is his reality, and it's not a very bright outlook for him.
He was the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. I say was because his actions in the last few minutes of the Championship game have earned him infamy. He's now in the hospital with his life and his career in ruins. After he's released, he goes on a road trip for a few days to get lost - and to lose some of the people who are looking for him. His agent calls him with some news - the Italian Panthers are interested in Rick to be their quarterback. The Panthers are a football americano team based in Parma, Italy. The players play for fun, not money (with a few Americans playing as an exception). Rick's not too sure about this, but when it's clear it's his only option he decides escape wouldn't be a bad thing - and he's definitely had enough of Charley Cray's reporting on him, and giving him a horrible nickname.
His arrival in Italy shows him to be a self-absorbed American, but the welcome he receives from his new coach and teammates brings him around. Rick finds himself surprised at how much he's enjoying Italy. Playing with people who really want to play football, learning to appreciate a 4-hour Italian dinner, the Opera, and the American student he meets who makes Rick enjoy the culture of Italy changes his outlook on his career, life and goals.
Grisham continues to surprise me with his writing - from quite legal to non-fiction, he's running the gamut of people he can reach through his books.
I will admit that I wasn't a huge fan of the ending. I know, I know, sometimes not knowing exactly what's going to happen is ok, but I was left with some questions that needed answering. Mainly, I want to know what was going on in Livvy's family (she's the American student) and what happens to her and Rick.
Something to note: if you don't follow football at all you may have trouble knowing what's going on when the plays being run are described. I found it to be fabulous, but I like football (and I LOVE Italy). I really enjoyed this book.
Recommended For:
I don't know if any of you are missing book reviews from me, but just in case you are, there will be one coming soon! I've been busy working on a paper for a conference and just didn't think you'd be interested in reviews of scholarly-type books. Granted, it's on Lewis Carroll and I find it fascinating, but I usually provide fictional reviews for you and I didn't want to bog you down with my stuff while you're working on yours! Oh, and it will be a review of the newest John Grisham book. Very exciting! He's someone I've followed since his first book came out, so you know I have them all! Talk to you soon!
Interested in human rights? Want to know more? Look into this site:
http://www.hurisearch.org/
Hurisearch is a portal that allows you to search over 3000 human rights websites in one shot! You can also search for information on the fate of an individual, the human rights situation in a country, or information about any human rights issue or theme. If you're looking for newsletters on a particular topic (just type "newsletter" and the name of your topic), RSS feeds, or even job vacancies.
Sorry I haven't featured a site for you for, oh, what is it now....2 maybe 3 weeks? (I really hope I haven't been that bad!) In my pitiful attempt to make it up to you (and to make excuses for myself) I wanted to let you know why I have been remiss in my posting! Oct. 24-26 I was at a library conference here in Mankato, then on Nov. 28th I headed to California for an Internet Librarian Conference. It's a lovely conference! Days of information all jam-packed together so that I had to take pages and pages of notes (really! I almost filled up an entire notebook!) so that I could remember what I learned and bring it back here to implement some of the new technologies! Alright, I've bored you enough!
I'm doing something unheard of - I'm posting a site review on a Monday! And in the spirit of it being a Monday, I thought something fun would be nice - I did have this really great site on rhetoric, but maybe I'll save it.....
http://www.wejustgotback.com/
This website will give you some (hopefully) helpful travel tips for the holidays, and the rest of the year! Take a gander!