Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

 

Rating: Clean

Audience: Jane Eyre is pretty dark, so I'd probably say ninth grade and up.  There is some foul language. Nothing racy happens, though Jane does have to turn down an offer to become Mr. Rochester's mistress.

Plot: After a miserable childhood, orphan Jane Eyre takes up a post as a governess at Thornfield Hall.  The master of the hall, Mr. Rochester, intrigues Jane, but things are not always what they seem, and Mr. Rochester has a secretive past that will compromise their relationship . . .

What makes it great?

From the description above, Jane Eyre sounds like a soap opera, but it isn't just about the drama.  The best part of the book is how boss-awesome Jane is as she gains her independence, keeps her integrity, and transcends the boundaries placed on her by gender and social class.  Now that's more like it!

It also has just the right amount of creepiness to thrill you without actually freaking you out, so if you are wimp like me, it is perfect.

P.S. If you aren't going to read it because you hated Wuthering Heights, don't worry, I hate Wuthering Heights too.  Jane is a heroine you will like and her story actually has a happy ending. 

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Rating: Cleanest

Audience:  Anyone. I think I read it in second grade.

Plot:  Everyone is probably familiar with Little House on the Prairie, but it is actually a whole series.  Little House in the Big Woods is the first book (and the best in my opinion) and tells the story of Laura's family living in a small cabin in the big snowy woods of Wisconsin.  They tap maple syrup from trees, have run-ins with bears, and listen to stories by the fireside at night. One of my favorite scenes is when Laura and her family travel by sleigh to their grandparents house for a big dance and Christmas party. Laura's dad plays the fiddle, and ever since reading this book in elementary school, I've wanted to go to a Christmas party with dancing and fiddle music. (If anyone knows of any, let me know).

What makes it great?

This book is enchanting.  Laura has a magical childhood in the Big Woods and it is fun to see it all from her perspective.  This is also a fun book to read around Christmas time since so many of the best scenes involve the snowy Wisconsin wonderland. 

Holes by Louis Sachar

Rating: Cleanest

Audience:  Fourth grade and up (though younger readers can enjoy).  I don't remember there being anything troublesome to watch out for.

Plot: Holes is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats  (whoa-ho, you see what he did there? S T A N L E Y Y E L N A T S), who has rotten luck thanks to a curse put on his ancestor.  After he is charged with a crime he did not commit, he is sentenced to time at "Camp Green Lake," a youth correctional facility in the middle of the desert.  The boys at Camp Green Lake dig holes in the desert every day. The counselors say it is to build character, but Stanley guesses that the warden is using the boys to search for something buried in the desert. Stanley soon discovers that he has to solve the mystery and right history to free himself and break his family's curse.

What makes it great?

Everything. When I was in elementary school, all the sixth graders were polled on their favorite book and Holes won with flying colors.  The plot is weird (in a good way), the characters are weird (in a better way), and the whole book is one big puzzle.  At first you don't see how everything fits together, but by the end, you're jumping up and down yelling "IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW!"

A word on the movie:  The movie is great.  It's one of those few movies that actually follows the book, so I can highly recommend both. 

Esperanza Rising

Rating: Cleanest

Audience: 3rd grade and up (though younger readers can enjoy).

Plot: Esperanza is the daughter of a wealthy ranch owner in Mexico, and lives with her parents and grandmother in an almost fairy tale existence, but when her father dies and her uncles seize control of the family ranch, Esperanza and her mother flee to California.  Desperately poor, they are taken in by relatives of their previous servants and become field workers.  Esperanza goes from riches to rags and has to rebuild her life the middle of the great depression.

What makes it great?

Esperanza grows from her trials and eventually rises above them. I love the lyrical voice of the narration and it is interesting to learn about how life might have been for an immigrant and a field worker in the great depression.  Also . . . I love Miguel.

This is a beautiful book, and I recommend it to anyone who likes coming of age stories and/or historical fiction.

Spy X: The Code by Peter Lerangis

Rating: Cleanest

Audience: Third grade and up (though younger readers can enjoy).

Plot:  Andrew and Evie are twins who have just moved to a new town with their Dad.  Their mom went missing a year ago on their birthday and all three are still trying to adjust.  One day, however, the twins get a package of random junk from Alaska accompanied by a cryptic note. But further study reveals that each item has a special purpose (like a kaleidoscope that is actually a camera). Under the training of their new crazy next door neighbor, they enter the world of spying and begin to unravel the mystery of their mother's disappearance.

Warning: This is the first book in series that, alas, will never be finished. You can find books two (Hide and Seek), three (Proof Positive), and four (Tunnel Vision), but the series is now out of print, and Lerangis never wrote a fifth or sixth or seventh book.  I was so upset when I learned this that I went on to his website and emailed him, begging him to consider continuing the series, or to at least tell me how he would have ended it, and within a day or two he emailed back! Props to him! He told me that he wished he could have continued the series, but in the end it was up to his publishers and he had to move on.  He told me that he was considering many possibilities for the ending but never decided on one specific path. So really, I couldn't expect a nicer answer, but I was  still a little sad.  I guess I hoped that he would be a depressed man who had given up on his dream to write a series about child spies fighting against a top secret operation, and that he would read my email and suddenly have a purpose again--to write for his one true die-hard fan, and that through me, all would be made right.  Of course, I am glad that he isn't depressed, and he is still writing awesome books, so I should just move on.  Maybe this post can be my way of getting closure.

Allright, here goes nothing...

FAREWELL SPY X! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HOURS OF JOY YOU GAVE ME! I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!

Well, I feel a little better. "Spy X" is an awesome series, and I highly recommend it, but just know before you start that you will have to make up your own ending. Thanks for reading.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Book 1 of the Heroes of Olympus series

Read book 2: The Son of Neptune
and book 3: The Mark of Athena

Rating: Cleaner

Audience: Fourth grade and up. As always, it depends on the child. There is a good dose of violence and the complexity of the myths can be hard to follow.

Plot: This is a separate series from Percy Jackson and the Olympians but it's the same world, with some of the same characters and places.  Percy and Annabeth come back in later books, but this book is about three new demigods: Leo, Piper, and Jason.  All three are found at a school in the desert for juvenile delinquents, and taken to Camp Half Blood, where they are almost immediately sent off on a quest to rescue the goddess Hera, who is imprisoned by a new threat to Olympus.  The main twist of the series is that the Olympian gods have two main personalities/forms--Greek and Roman, and Jason, who is suffering from hard-core amnesia, recognizes all the gods by their Roman names. If that isn't weird enough, he already has a sweet weapon and battle reflexes, though he has no idea where he got them.

What makes it great?

This book was awesome--I loved it! If you liked the Percy Jackson books, I can almost guarantee that you'll like this one too.  It has the same funny, adventure-packed writing, and all sorts of great plot twists.  I don't suggest reading this series if you haven't read the Percy Jackson series yet;  Riordan gives you all the background you need to at least understand the story, but you'll get so much more out of it if you've read the first series.

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

  

Rating: Cleanest

Audience: Fourth grade and up (though younger kids can enjoy).

Plot: Tired of living in his family's cramped city apartment, Sam decides to run away to his family's deserted ancestral farm in the Catskill mountains and lives there alone for an entire year.  He learns how to trap animals, makes a home inside a giant tree, and raises a hawk named Frightful to help him hunt, all while trying to avoid being found by civilization. It's pretty cool.

What makes it great?

This book is a classic.  I read it with my family a long time ago, and it is still one of my brother's favorite books.  Sam's story of survival is cool, but even cooler is the way he makes survival look fun and exciting.  He builds a fireplace and makes all these gourmet meals with acorn pancakes with homemade jam--I hate to call Sam's wilderness survival "glamping," but it totally is.  I think a lot of us just have this desire to live in the great outdoors, far from civilization, and while we probably won't ever do that, Sam does.  Reading about his life makes us feel like we are living that dream too.

Elephant Run

Rating: Clean/Cleaner

Audience: There are some war horrors (like beatings and be-headings), so I'd say sixth grade and up.  The target audience is middle school, but I enjoyed it and my grandma (who lived in Cambodia for a few years) loved it, so there is no cap on the upper end of the age range.

Plot:  Nick Freestone is sent to Burma (Myanmar) to live on his father's Teak Plantation after his mother's London apartment in WWII.  His parents, who are divorced, both think he will be safer in Burma, but it isn't long before the Japanese invade and Nick's father is sent to a prison camp.  Nick spends some time as a prisoner in his own home, and eventually breaks out with a girl named Mya,an old monk named Hilltop, and a couple elephants to find his father and get safely out of Burma.

What makes it great?

1. elephants 2. WWII historical fiction from Southeast Asia perspective 3. secret passageways 4. Sargent Sonjii.

If any of those things intrigue you, I can guarantee that you will like it.  If you still need convincing, let me tell you that it is exciting and a page turner and you will come away satisfied.  I like reading war books that highlight on the humanity of both sides, and I think this book really did that.  The characters are a mixture of Japanese, Burmese, and British, and there are good and bad on every side.  I don't really care which of these teasers convinces you to read it, but I hope that one of them does, because I think this is one that everyone should read, if only just to learn about a part of the world that we usually don't focus on when we talk about WWII.

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Rating: Cleanest

 

Audience: The nastiest word in the series is "cakesniffer" so you don't have to worry about language or sexual content. However, Count Olaf and his henchmen do get drunk a lot and the books are very dark for young readers.  So I would recommend sixth grade and up.

The Story: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire lose their parents and their mansion in a horrible fire.  They inherit an extensive fortune from their parents, but the evil Count Olaf wants it for himself. He will stoop to any low and wear any ridiculous disguise in order to get it.

What makes it great?

Disclaimer--the orphans never do get a happy ending. In every book you think "Yes! This is the one where fortunate events are going to happen" and then . . . they don't.  So know before you start that these books are not happy. They just aren't.  But they ARE brilliant, and if you go into them just planning to enjoy Lemony Snicket's awesome writing and the horribly wonderful characters and bizarre plot twists, then I believe you really will.

I love the way Lemony Snicket portrays himself as a man on the run and has to leave his research about the Baudelaires in weird places for his editor to trck down.  I also love the series because it taught me so much cool vocab and so many strange facts. But the best part of the series is the villains, from Count Olaf to Principal Nero to Esme with the dangerous stiletto heels.  Villain perfection.

P.S. if you enjoy this series go on to YouTube and watch the Arthur episode about Fern and Persimmony Glitchet.  It's very funny.  Fern writes to Persimonny Glitchet (the Lemony Snicket of Arthur), who gives her top secret writing advice to use a fake name when she writes her stories so people will tell her what they really think.  She writes a story called "Happy Happenings", which is a lot like "A Series of Unfortunate Events" except NOTHING bad happens.  

The Wanderer

Rating: Cleanest

Audience: Fifth grade and up.

Plot:  Sophie, her two cousins, and her three uncles set off on a modern pilgrimage across the Atlantic ocean, crewing their own boat, to visit their Grandfather "Bompie" in England.

But that's not the whole story. Sophie has deep, scarring fears she refuses to acknowledge except in fictional stories about the grandfather she's never met, Cody's never good enough for his father, Uncle Mo wishes he had followed his dream to be an artist, Uncle Dock is still longing for the love of his past . . . deep stuff.  Through Sophie and Cody's travel logs, we see all the real desires of the characters unfold, and they learn how to support each other and confront their own fears.

What makes it great?

Sharon Creech doesn't write thrillers--her stories are moved forward by emotion, not by plot.  That being said, I think this one has the most interesting plot out of the ones I've read. Reading about life on a ship is exciting, especially to someone (like me) who doesn't live anywhere near an ocean. The characters learn the phonetic alphabet (alpha, bravo, charlie, foxtrot, etc.), and how to navigate the seas, as well as how to dig for clams, juggle, draw caricatures, and tell stories. They run into a storm, and have to get their small boat through it with only six people (three of them children) on crew. That's just cool!  But the novel is also lyrical and beautifully written.  I can read this book again and again.  It's probably not for everyone. If you want a book is mostly action instead of emotion, this is not the book for you, but if you want to walk away from a book feeling something deeper, I highly recommend it.

Airman

Rating: Cleaner

Audience: My whole family enjoyed this one, but it is a little dark and there is some violence. I would recommend fifth grade and up.

Audio book recommendation: Yes! Loved it.  The narrator does all the accents and voices.

Plot: Conor Brokehart is born in a hot air balloon and has always felt a connection to the air. He lives with his parents on the island nation of Great Saltee off the Irish Coast, where he befriends Princess Isabella and works with with the great inventor, Victor, to build the first working flying machine. But when he is convicted of a crime he did not commit, he is sent to work the underwater diamond mines on the prison island Little Saltee.  Now he must invent for himself a new identity as "the airman" to escape the island and save his family, his home, and the princess from the evil Bonvilain.

What makes it great?

The Saltee Islands are a real place but the story is fantastical and high-adventure, which is why it's fun to read. Conor is smart and resourceful and survives prison by giving the main thug advice on hair gel.  That's just awesome! Also, there is just something about the desire to fly that I think we can all relate to. 

Howl's Moving Castle

Rating: Cleanest

Audience: This is a good fantasy for any age, but I think the target age is maybe fifth grade through ninth.

Plot: Sophie is the eldest of three daughters and is resigned to her future as a failure (in tales it is always the youngest who succeeds) and to her life in her parent's hat shop.  But when the Witch of the Waste turns Sophie into a ninety-year-old woman for no apparent reason, Sophie sets out on a quest to break the spell and ends up in the moving castle of the disreputable wizard Howl, where she finds more than one spell in need of breaking.

What makes it great?

What I like about this book is that it is very different from any fantasy I've ever read.  Sophie's world is relatively normal. She works in a hat shop, after all. But the weird stuff is considered just as normal as working in a hat shop.  Sophie lives in a wizard's house, befriends Calcifer the fire demon, and wields magic of her own without even realizing it.  I also love the idea of Howl's door.  The moving castle has one door that leads to at least four different places depending on where the knob is turned, which is really clever.  Mostly though, I just love the characters.  Sophie is stubborn and funny, Howl is dashing and mysterious, and you just can't help but love Calcifer.  The romance between Sophie and Howl is the cherry on top.

A word on the film:

This is one of the few times when I can recommend the movie just as highly as the book. The book is weird.  The movie is weird in a completely different way.  I like them both. The plots are slightly different, but I think Miyazaki did a great job of capturing the every-day magic of Sophie's world. Check it out!

The Westing Game

OKAY...so I was trying to think of more ideas for slightly sinister books, and I saw a comment online about how this was a great scary-ish book.  I remembered seeing it in the award-winning section of my library, so I stopped by and checked it out.  Turns out, it really isn't scary at all.  But it's funny, it's clever, and it BLEW MY MIND, so I am including it anyway.

The Plot:  The body of Sam Westing, a mysterious millionaire with a complicated past, is found dead in his mansion on Halloween night.  His sixteen heirs are summoned to the mansion to hear the reading of his will, but are surprised when they are split into teams and given clues.  In his will, Westing states that his life was taken from him by one of the players and it is up to the rest to discover who.  The winner will inherit the majority of Westing's money.   So begins The Westing Game.

Sounds kind of creepy, right?  A dangerous game of murder and intrigue... but things are not always as they seem.  Is Westing a good man trying to build friendships between the people he loves, a bad man seeking revenge on his enemies, or just a brilliant mind playing one last game?  You'll just have to read it and find out.

Why It's Great:  I think we can all agree that reading is generally not a loud hobby, but my roommates got a good laugh out of listening to me read "The Westing Game" because every few pages I would gasp, or laugh, or say "What!?" and re-read that paragraph to make sure I got it right.  It was so fun to read because I was constantly being surprised.  I would think I had it all figured out, and then discover that I was wrong, and then that I was right, and then wrong again.  Not only was it a constant surprise, but it was funny.  The characters are quirky and fun (my favorite, though, is Jake Wexler, who is actually pretty normal), and I love how they start out as mere neighbors but end as friends.

Age Group: This is a short book and it is is easy to read, but it is not easy to understand.  I think elementary school kids would enjoy the story, even if the finer points of the plot are lost on them.  Let's face it, the finer points of the plot were lost on me, and I'm a college student, so don't let that hold you back.  The best age to read this book is probably junior high/ middle school, however.  It's a fast, fun read that will keep you guessing, and I think anyone can and will enjoy this one.

The Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden

When I asked my mom for October book ideas, I should have known what she was about to say: "The wicked ladies one!"  I laughed when she said it, because when she bought "The Wicked Wicked Ladies in the Haunted House" a few years ago, I read it and didn't think much of it. 

 

I've been running out of "slightly sinister" ideas, however, so I took a quick run to the Library to see if I could find it, and TADA, I found the original version: "The Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden" by Mary Chase.  I read the first chapter that night before bed as the rain was pounding outside my window (it really was a dark and stormy night!) and ended up having a nightmare that a wicked pigeon lady stole my scooter.  I don't even have a scooter!  Anyway, over the last two days I've really enjoyed it. I finally see why it left an such an impression on my mom when she was a kid. 

The Story: Maureen Swanson is a trouble-maker.  She's rude and pushy, and the neighborhood kids call her "Old Stinky".  She likes to hang around the deserted Messerman Mansion, but one day she finds a way in, meets a leprechaun, and angers the seven Messerman daughters--the wicked pigeon ladies--who haunt the house.  

Why It's Great:  If you can, try and find the older version: "The Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden",  versus "The Wicked Wicked Ladies in the Haunted House", because the old version has these awesome illustrations that just make the whole thing creepier.   Also, it's a short, fast read, and teaches a good lesson as Maureen learns that she doesn't want to be mean.

Scariness:  I know the first chapter gave me nightmares, but if I'd just read a read a few more chapters I would have been fine! The Pigeon Ladies really are selfish and heartless, but the worst they do to Maureen is take her back in time, which is actually kind of cool.  I think this book is best for elementary aged kids, probably third or fourth grade. It's sinister but not too dark--the perfect thriller for kids.  Enjoy!

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley's masterpiece was my first summer reading assignment for school, and I may have complained about the assignments and the time I gave up out of my summer, but I can also say that since then I have read it at least twice just for fun.  It's a great book, and a perfect read for Halloween.  It is definitely dark, but I read it the summer after eighth grade, so anywhere from that age up (maybe a little younger) should be good.  Give it a try!

Common Misconceptions:  

1. Frankenstein is not a big green monster with an affinity for purple. That's the Incredible Hulk, people. Frankenstein is actually the scientist, not the monster. The creature never gets a name, never wears purple as far as I remember, and doesn't have so much as a green thumb. 

2. Everybody thinks that Frankenstein's monster is a dumb brute, but he's really not.  He is very intelligent, and starts out very innocent and kind.  

3. Igor.  What the heck is an Igor?  There certainly isn't a hunchbacked assistant in the book, though I must say...these misconceptions sure make for good cinema.

A clip from "Young Frankenstein"

The Witches

For a slightly sinister Halloween theme, Roald Dahl's "The Witches" is a giveaway.  If you've never read it, you are missing out--luckily, it's never too late to start!

I will forever associate this wonderful book with my fourth grade reading teacher, Mrs. Larsen.  She read this book out loud to all her classes, referred to herself as "a vitch", and kept a tiny bottle of green potion on her desk.

The story:  A little boy (I don't know his name--the story is told in first person), goes to live with his loving grandmother after his parents die.  She takes him in and immediately begins to tell him about witches, what they've done to children she knew, and most importantly, how to recognize them.  Think you know how to recognize a witch?  Here's a quiz:

Witches...

a. are bald
b. have square feet with no toes
c. have claws
d. have blue spit
e. all of the above

The answer, of course, is "e", but witches are masters of disguise.  They wear wigs and gloves, and they shove their square feet into tiny pointy shoes, so the boy's grandmother gives him tips on how to recognize the disguise.

The boy likes hearing his grandmother's stories, but when they go on vacation to a grand hotel where the annual convention of English witches is being held, he will need all his grandmother's knowledge and his own bravery to defeat them.

A Warning:  looking back, this book is more than slightly sinister.  A lot of witches die, and bad things happen to children...even the little boy (though it does have a happy ending).  It is kind of scary, and while my fourth grade class really enjoyed it (and probably third graders would too) I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone younger.

This book is a classic, and a perfect read for Halloween, and if you haven't read it, beeline it to your local library.

I know that there is a movie, but I've never seen it.  I watched the trailer on Youtube, and it scared me a little, so I'm leaving it off this post, but watch it if you wish.

The Graveyard Book

This is another random book my family listened to on a road trip.  (A word about our audio books:  Mom almost always picks them out at the library because the rest of us are too busy)  So, when she pulled out "The Graveyard Book", we were hesitant...

It turned out to be a great read, or I suppose in our case, a great listen.  We were intrigued by the story and curious about what would happen to Bod and his ghostly friends and relatives.

The story:  Bod (short for Nobody) Owens has been raised from infancy in a graveyard.  The ghosts and other inhabitants of the graveyard all help raise him, but he is especially watched over by the Owens ghosts and his mysterious guardian, Silas.  Bod has a very happy childhood, learning how to fade and sleeping in a tomb, and even making friends with one human girl who comes to do grave rubbings, but when the murderer who killed his parents comes back for Bod, he'll need all his friends and his ghostly skills to escape.

A word of Caution:  obviously, it's kind of dark, what with murder and all.  Neil Gaiman also wrote "Coraline", and while the book is not nearly as messed up as the movie, Gaiman is clearly not afraid of getting creepy.  That being said, however, this book isn't as dark as you might think.  The graveyard aspect is not sinister at all.  The ghosts who live there truly love Bod and try to raise him right.  It's really sweet, actually.

This book is slightly sinister, teaches a good lesson about love, and is really weird--I know it's a crazy combination, but that is also why it works.  Check it out. I don't think you will regret it.

Which Witch?

Today's post isn't even slightly sinister, but it does go nicely with Halloween, and I'm kind of a sucker for plays on words.

First I'd like to say a word on the author, Eva Ibbotson.  My student teacher in third grade read "Which Witch" aloud to us--a chapter a day--and when we she finished (much to our dissappointment), I went in search of other books by Ms. Ibbotson.  I discovered half a dozen more stories about witches and ghosts and mermaids, and she soon became my favorite author.  (I think in total, she's written over twenty books, but I haven't read them all yet).  I love this book because it was the first one I read, and to a large extent, her books helped me learn to love reading.

The Story:  Arriman, Wizard of North, is tired of all his sorcerer's duties, and though he is still quite young, decides it is time to retire.  The only problem is that he needs an heir--a baby with powerful black magic of its own--and for that, he needs to marry a witch.  He invites the witches of Todcaster to his manor to compete to be his wife--the blackest witch will win.   Belladonna immediately falls for Arriman, but she is a white witch and has no chance unless she can find some black magic fast.  By some odd chance, she happens upon an orphan named Terrence, who may possess the key to unlocking her magic, unless the evil Madame Olympia can stop them first.

Why you will love it:  It's just a fun story.  The characters of the other witches are crazy!  Mother Bloodwort is always accidentally turning herself into a coffee table, Ethel Feedbag always wears her signature manure-covered wellies, and Mabel Wrack's familiar is an octopus named (of all things) Doris.  The story is  light and fun and a great one to read around Halloween, and I highly recommend it.

Peppermints in the Parlor

By Barbara Brooks Wallace

The Story:  Emily Luccock, recently orphaned, goes to live with her Aunt and Uncle Twice in their mansion, Sugar Hill Hall, but when she gets there, she is shocked to find that the mansion has become a home for unwanted old people.   The establishment is run by evil Mrs. Meeching and syrupy-sweet Mrs. Plumly (I sort of get a Delores Umbridge vibe), who lock the elderly in "the Remembrance Room" if they talk to each other, or look happy or (worst of all) steal a peppermint from the glass bowl in the parlor.  Uncle Twice is nowhere to be found and Aunt Twice is the home's cook.  Emily cannot understand why, because Aunt Twice is too afraid to tell her what is going on, but she becomes a servant in the house too.  Emily is not easily broken, however.  She makes friends with her fellow servant, Tilly, with Kipper, the fish delivery boy, and with the silent old people, as she tries to solve the mystery and restore her Aunt's home.

Why you will love it: This book is creepy and suspenseful and once you start it you won't put it down.  Let's be honest, we've all been to an retirement home that just doesn't seem right.  It smells weird and the lights are all dim and the hallways are too narrow.  Now, take that memory and magnify it by ten!  At Sugar Hill Hall, the elderly residents sit in chairs around the parlor and don't move or speak...all day.  And if that's not creepy enough, throw in Mrs. Meeching and Mrs. Plumly, and Whoo! I'm freaking myself out.  This is one of the best slightly-sinister reads out there.

Age Group: Any age really.  I think I read it in elementary school, and it was creepy while I read it, but it didn't give me nightmares or anything, and it ends really happy.  On the other end of the spectrum, I recently read it again, and loved it just as much as the first time.

There is a sequel: "The Perils of Peppermints", which I still need to read, but it is probably fantastic.

Oh, and p.s. if you were wondering, I'm think I'm going to be a Kyoshi warrior from "Avatar: The Last Airbender" for Halloween this year, so pictures to come on that.

The Silver Crown

I first read this book--well listened to it--on a long road-trip to California.  I don't want to give too much away, but at one point Ellen gets chased through a dark forest by a man in a green mask.
We happened to be listening to this part while driving on a lonely highway through a dark forest late at night, and we were freaked out.  I was probably fourteen, but I still get a creepy yet pleasant shiver up my spine every time I remember that trip.   Since then, I've read this book again and again.  Eliza (my eleven year old sister) just finished it and called me to tell me how great it was, so it isn't too creepy for elementary readers.

 

The plot:  Ellen wakes up on her birthday to a silver crown on her pillow, and leaves the house to hold royal court in the park before her family wakes up.  She hears sirens and follows firetrucks back to her own house which has burned to the ground.  Her family is presumed dead (spoiler alert--they're not), and she sets off on her own to find her Aunt Sarah in Kentucky.

Now this is weird already--what kind of society lets a little girl hitchhike to Kentucky? But it gets weirder.  Ellen is chased by a man in a green mask, befriends an old woman and a little boy in the middle of the forest, and discovers the castle fortress of the Hieronymus cult, which is under the power of a black crown identical to Ellen's...

Anyway, because Ellen has the Silver Crown, she is the only one who can destroy the Hieronymus machine and save the world (I'm not even exaggerating--go read the book!).

This book is weird and exciting and slightly sinister, and it is just a great read, so please try out.

October Reads: the Slightly Sinister

Today is October 10th--only 21 days until Halloween! Mostly I just love Halloween for the costume aspect.  Having an excuse to dress up is the greatest!  Last year, I was affectionately called the grandma of my apartment because every morning I wore a bathrobe and glasses and put my hair in a bun.  My roommates liked to tell people that I went to bed 18 and woke up 85, so for Halloween I simply went as, well, myself!

The rest of Halloween....well, haunted houses terrify me, and I take horror movies way too seriously, and i don't like spiders--even the plastic decorative ones.  So... you can assume that horrific books are also out.  However, I do enjoy the slightly sinister, and a little tingle up my spine is always good, so for the rest of October I will present books for all ages that are just a little bit scary, suspenseful, and/or creepy.  (And maybe a few fun Halloween themed ones as well).  I don't know what they will all be yet, but I will post the titles back on this page once we hit November.  So stay tuned, and feel free to send me ideas and recommendations for "THE SLIGHTLY SINISTER"...dun dun DUN!


The List (Updated Oct. 31, 2012) :

The Silver Crown by Robert O'Brien

Peppermints in the Parlor by Barbara Brooks Wallace

Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden by Mary Chase

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin


Also, I just found out about an awesome new thing called "All Hallows Read".  Check out their website for more ideas for scary/Halloween reads:

http://www.allhallowsread.com/

Happy Halloween!

Wildwood Dancing

Fairy tale adaptions are my favorite.  But, while it is hard to go wrong with a fairy tale adaption, the best ones are the ones that still keep you guessing even when you should know how it ends.  "Wildwood Dancing" by Juliet Marillier is a prime example.

The fairtytale:  This story comes mainly from "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" which happens to be on one of my favorite stories, but also incorporates elements from "the Princess and the Frog" and a couple vampires. That's right, I said vampires.  (Audible Gasp). I know what you are thinking, but I am not betraying my own creed here.  The story takes place in the mountains of Transylvania, and the vampires are the stuff of very old Transylvanian legend--they aren't even called vampires, rather "night people", and, no, they do not sparkle in the sunlight).   This is a beautiful and magical tale, but it is also really interesting, because we don't often get to hear the folktales of Transylvania, or experience what life there may have once been like.

The Story:  Jena and her four sisters live in an old castle in the wildwood, and when they were very young they found a portal which led to a magical world paralleling their own.  Every full moon for years they have gone dancing in this magic realm, but when their father leaves for a warmer climate to predict his frail health, their world shifts.  Their power-hungry cousin is determined to control the lives of the sisters, as well as destroy the magical folk of the wildwood.  Of course, this is when the night people show up as well, and bring with them a whole host of other trials for Jena and her sisters.  Here is an excellent fan-made book trailer that may present the story better than I can:

Isn't that just beautiful?  The trailer does a nice job of highlighting the huge part true love plays in the story, and if you can't already guess, that is my favorite part! I love stories where the conflict can really only be solved by love--they are just so satisfying.  Anyway, this is another story that I don't think has gotten nearly as much attention as it deserves.  It is thrilling, enchanting, and I keep re-reading it, so please take my advice and give this one a try.

Age group:  I recommend this book for junior high and high-school aged folks


Just so you know, there is also a sequl: "Cybele's Secret", which is about Paula, the fourth sister.  I like the first one better, but I really enjoyed this one too, and it is fun because Paula explores the exotic world of Istanbul.  (I've also heard that Marillier may be writing a third book about the youngest sister, Stela.  If this ever happens, I will alert you all immediately).

  (P.S.  This concludes Jo's Top Five Favorite Love Stories.  I hope you have enjoyed the list, and will give them a try.  Thanks for reading!)

 

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

When someone asks me what my favorite book is, I give them that look.  Yeah, you know the look.  The look that says "Well, first tell me which is better, the pancake or the waffle?"
Even if you don't love to read, you probably have that same look when someone asks you your favorite movie, or favorite dessert, or favorite child...(at least I should hope you have that look).
But, if the question of my favorite book is on one of those little getting-to-know-you coloring pages, and there is only one line in which to explain all this inner conflict, I give up and simply write "The Witch of Blackbird Pond".

The Story:  Kit Tyler has always lived an enchanted life in the West Indies, but when her grandfather dies, she makes the journey to Connecticut colony to live with Puritan relatives she has never met.  Kit doesn't fit in with rigid Puritan culture, but she learns from her mistakes and makes friends with various other outcasts--including Hannah Tupper, the rumored witch who lives in the meadows.  When hard times hit the town, however, Hannah and Kit are the first to be blamed, and Kit must find a way to remain in the life she has come to love.

Why I love it: Well...I really like historical fiction, and this book features a lot of things that actually happened in Connecticut's history...the characters are really well developed, and loved imagining myself in their places...Kit is really awesome....but let's me honest.  This is my "favorite book" because of the love story in it.  Nat Eaton is the Dmitri of the book world: he's a little infuriating but you just can't help but fall for him.  And it isn't just Nat and Kit that get to have some fun.  Kit's cousins Mercy and Judith are thrown into the mix, and it looks like everyone is going to end up with the wrong person, and even though you know it will turn out right, you still don't breathe easy until it does. It's like a colonial Pride and Prejudice.

Age Group:  I remember a bunch of girls I knew reading this in fourth grade, but I didn't read it until junior high.  I honestly think it is a great book for any age: elementary, junior high, high school, infinity and beyond.

These is My Words: the Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine

This book is neat because, while it is fictional, the author, Nancy E. Turner, was inspired to write in by the legacy of her great-grandmother, Sarah Prine, who was a real frontier woman and lived a similar life to Sarah's in the book. 

 

Why I love it:  First of all, I love the character of Sarah.  She is strong and determined, she has a love of learning and a love of life, she is loyal and brave, she's got a shot like Annie Oakley...and yet I think any person (regardless of time period or situation) can relate to her doubts and fears.

Second, this book is inspirational and emotional, and it paints a vivid picture of the rough and beautiful Arizona territory in the 1800s.  In other words, it is a satisfying read.  I learned a lot, felt a lot, and it made me think.

And last, this is just a wonderful love story.  Sarah experiences a lot of heartache throughout her life, but when she does find love it is real and beautiful in all its ups and downs.  It is the love-story component that I think makes this book so timeless.

I'm not going to tell you what happens, because I want you to experience it for yourselves.  Please don't let the lack of selling and enticing on my part convince that this book isn't worth your time, because it is! Most the books I promote on this site are pretty well known, but this is one that very few people have read (at least that I have talked to) but is loved by everyone who has.

Disclaimer: This book is not for a younger-than-high-school audience. While I wouldn't consider it "dirty" it does address mature subjects like rape and murder, and you should be aware of that before you start.  That being said, this is one of the best books I've read.  Sarah's world is rough, but she is strong, and makes a good life out of a lot of horrible trials.

I can't recommend this novel strongly enough. Please go read it right now. 

The Blue Sword

In retrospect, I should have titled this segment "Harry and her Home-girls" to match up with last weeks Harry's homeboys theme, but that would imply that Harry is the leader of this group of awesome book heroines, and while she is a leader...

she is a very reluctant one. 

Upon becoming an orphan, Harry Crewe is sent to the Desert land of Damar where her brother is stationed with the Homeland army.  She falls in love with the wildness of the desert, but is restrained to much of the same activities she had at home: taking tea with the army wives and daughters, riding gentle ponies, etc.  

But there is magic in the hills of the desert--an ancient magic that can be very painful for the bearers--and Harry, though she doesn't know it, possesses a strong gift of her own.  Corlath, king of the mysterious Hillfolk, cannot ignore the demands of his own gift, and kidnaps Harry from her home in the dead of night.
Though it is first unclear to both Harry and Corlath what her destiny might be and why she has been chosen, she is trained as a warrior and leaves her old life behind her forever as the Hillfolk prepare for war with the inhuman armies of the North. 

 

Why I love it: As you can probably tell, this is an adventure novel.  Robin Mckinley is a master of storytelling, and the writing in this book (and all her books) is beautiful and exciting.  The land of Damar is an imaginary place, with a new culture and language, but Harry's world parallels the Victorian-era British empire, so it is easy to mentally imagine the social problems in the conquered land. But what is so cool is that Harry rises above both her own social constraints and the divide between the two cultures. Harry is a foreigner and a girl, but that doesn't stop her from having an incredible adventure and changing the fate of two very different peoples.

Why you will love it too:  this book is the perfect blend between adventure, magic, and romance. Harry is insecure, but stubborn and strong deep down, and really finds her inner-awesomeness in this book.  Corlath is confindent and stubborn and strong, but finds his humility.  Now throw in some incredible war-horses, a hidden city, an ancient magic, and a battle scene, and you have "The Blue Sword".

Sadly, no Youtube special today.  I'm truly surprised that this one isn't a movie already, but maybe it is better this way.   If you like this book, there is a prequel, "The Hero and the Crown", but I didn't like the romance aspect of it very much.

I recommend this book for girls (especially, but boys may like it as well) in junior high or high school.  I think elementary school is a little young to appreciate it, and Harry has to train for a long time to become a warrior, so that takes some fast reading and perseverance.  For anything older though, this is a really great story and one that I have read again and again. Enjoy!

Ella Enchanted

This is a love story I can recommend for all ages.  Elementary, junior high, high school, college...heck, I'll probably still be reading it in a retirement home someday.

 

"Cinderella" is a great story, and one that shows up in the folklore of cultures all over the world, but she lets her step-family walk all over her, and that bugs me.  In "Ella Enchanted", it all makes sense--Ella is given a "gift" of obedience by the fairy Lucinda at her birth, and from that point on cannot physically disobey orders.  But that doesn't mean she doesn't try. She resists orders until she is at the point of passing out, and if she doesn't like a command, she tries to work it to her own advantage.  She is spunky and clever and has all sorts of adventures as she runs away from boarding school, falls for Prince Char, uses her talent for languages, and tries to break her curse.

Why you will love it:  Ella is smart and funny, Char is kind and noble, and their romance is sweet without too much sugar.

Why I love it:  Because of their letters.  I am the worst pen-pal in the world, but I do send a letter each week to a wonderful guy in California, and because of that I feel a sort of kinship to Ella and Char. 

The movie with Anne Hathaway is nothing like the book, and while the book is better (as is almost always the case), the movie was fun too.  I like them both--I just have to think of them as separate stories.  So if you love the movie, and are worried that you'll have to give it up after you read the book, never fear.  

And now, because I love Youtube, a special treat.  Watch the original movie trailer first, and then watch the Disney mash-up version someone made using the same sound.  It's awesome! Apparently there are a ton of these things on the internet, but this is the first one I've seen and I think it's hilarious. 

Best Love Stories

I hope you all enjoyed "Harry and his Homeboys", but now it is time to give the ladies a spotlight. Now, there are a lot of wonderful girl-power books with no hint of a romantic sub-plot, but...I just don't like those ones as much.  I'm sure a few will come up, and maybe I'll do another set just for them, but this week and next I'll be presenting something even more fun:

Jo's Top Five Favorite Love Stories

Here's a look at what's coming up:

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley

These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

Ella, Harry, Sarah, Kit and Jena aren't just objects of affection (we're not talking about tw***ght on this site, remember)--all five are smart, independent women.  But of course, women like this just can't help it when men fall for them, so luckily we get beautiful love stories as well.  If you are looking for quality tales of love and adventure, stay tuned!

Artemis Fowl

And finally...the troublemaker...the bad boy...every group needs a criminal mastermind, and for "Harry's Homeboys" that kid is Artemis Fowl.

The best thing about Artemis Fowl is that he doesn't start out as a "good guy". I guess the official term is probably "anti-hero" but even though he is cold, cynical, and doesn't appear to care about anyone, you can't help but like him.  Throughout the series, he thaws out and becomes a real hero.  Ironically, however, it isn't humans that help Artemis find his humanity--it's fairies.

Yes, that's right, fairies. Tough, combat-boot wearing, armed and dangerous, magical flying fairies.  The whole adventure starts when Artemis kidnaps a fairy and holds her for ransom in order to rebuild his family fortune.  Artemis is always two steps ahead, but this time he has seriously underestimated his enemy...

If you haven't read the Artemis Fowl series, it's about time to start.  Eoin Colfer is a great writer (I'll spotlight his stand-alone book "Airman" another day), and Artemis' story is exciting, complex, and will keep you turning pages through all eight books.

Here are their titles:

#1 Artemis Fowl
#2 Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident
#3 Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code
#4 Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
#5 Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony
#6 Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox
#7 Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex
#8 Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian

Oh, and one more thing...This is an awesome song I found on Youtube:  "Call Me Artemis Fowl". I don't know how well it really matches up with the style of the books, but it's just so dang catchy!  I was reading the comments below and this one made me laugh: Ha ha "I never started this" we all know that's a lie--well said "Julia May", well said.

Ranger's Apprentice

It's nearly impossible to write about the mysterious Rangers while watching "Thumbelina" on a giant projector screen, but I'll do my best.

Will is the quiet one in "Harry's Homeboys"--he's easy to overlook, but as you'll see in his book series "The Ranger's Apprentice", he's anything but ordinary.

Will is an orphan--a ward of the local lord until he is old enough to become an apprentice, hopefully, in battle school.  But when the day comes to be chosen for training, his fellow wards go to various vocations and his rival is chosen for battle school, but he is deemed too small to become a knight.  Instead, he is surprised when the mysterious Ranger, Halt, offers to train him.

Will learns how to blend in to the shadows, ride the small but incredibly tireless ranger horses, and wield the ranger knives with deadly precision.  I love these books because Will's size doesn't stop him from becoming a hero.  (Whoa. Now. Hold the phone. Thumbelina is starting to influence this post.  Let me just clarify: Will is small, but he's not THAT small.  Think like 64 inches, not 64 centimeters.) Rangers seldom get credit for their actions, but they are the ones who keep the kingdom safe.  In essence, they stop wars before they can start.  Unfortunately for them, but fortunately for us (otherwise there wouldn't be much of a story),  they don't always get there in time.  The fate of the kingdom rests with Will, Halt, and their friends (are you seeing a general theme in these books? We all need help to reach our full potential).

My brother Ryan has gotten really into this series lately, and read all ten books over the summer.  I've only read the first three, but Ry's putting the whole series on his Christmas List, so I'd bet that they stay exciting.

This is fun series, especially if you are into the traditional battle scene.  These other books have magical/supernatural fight scenes, but if you like swords and horses (without a lot of gore) Will's world is for you.

Here are the titles:
1. The Ruins of Gorlan
2. The Burning Bridge
3. The Icebound Land
4. The Battle for Skandia
5. The Sorcerer of the North
6. The Siege of Mcindaw
7. Erak's Ransom
8. The Kings of Clonmel
9. Halt's Peril
10. The Emperor of Nihon-Ja

P.S. If you don't like battles, go watch "Thumbelina"

Michael Vey

 

Michael is the new kid on the block.  At the moment, his series consists of only two books, so I think that Harry and his homeboys are still making up their mind about him, but so far they like what they see.

I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed book number one.  I'd seen the posters and billboards around advertising it, and I thought to myself, "Ope, there's another Potter wannabe", but a few months later I was bored...
and my brother had "Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25" on his shelf...
and I said, "okay. I'll give it a try."

I was pleasantly surprised.  Michael has Tourette Syndrome, and is bullied a lot at school.  His secret is that he could fry his tormentors in a split second with the electric shock powers he has had his entire life, and it is always a struggle for him to leave them alone.  Like Percy Jackson (Saturday's post), who has dyslexia and ADHD, I like this book because the hero is kind of an underdog who struggles in school, but who either rises above his disadvantages or uses them for good. I was bugged that Taylor's main description is "cheerleader", but I felt better when I realized that she was breaking down stereotypes, not reinforcing them.

But things really start to happen when they LEAVE the school.

I don't want to tell you anything more about what happens, but...

all right, I'll spill! Michael isn't the only kid with electrical powers!

So I'm a sucker for kids with powers, we all know that.  But I think this series is going to be a really exciting adventure and I recommend you read it, so you will be ready to jump right into book two, "Rise of the Elgen".  I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I will keep you "posted" (blog pun). I'm adding the trailers for both books here, but (as always) watch at your own risk. They are pretty cheesy.

(Oh and the target audience for this book is probably middle-school boys and girls, but it is a fun read for high school and older elementary aged kids too)

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 (By Richard Paul Evans)

Michael Vey: Rise of the Elgen (By Richard Paul Evans)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

In "Harry's Homeboys" Percy is probably Harry's best friend and also his biggest rival.  I say he's the best friend because he's smart and resourceful, and probably gives Harry a fresh outlook when he's in one of his depressed stages. I say rival because he holds his own style and because they have similar taste in girls (if we are going for the book versions of Ginny and Annabeth--not the movie versions), so it's fair to assume that if they lived in the same world, they would probably have to compete for a lot.  

Now, if you went and saw the movie "the Lightning Thief" and enjoyed it, I am distressed to have to tell you this, but... it wasn't very good. At least compared to the book. Usually, when there's a film version of a book I'm promoting, I'll include the movie trailer with the post, but in this case I just can't.  The trailer itself isn't so bad, but it gives the wrong impression about a lot of things I love in the book, and I don't want to mess up your perception if you haven't seen it.  If you have, forget it while you read and you will be much happier.

The plot: Oh. The Plot.  The plot is really complex, and I can't really give a good summary of it here without giving away important stuff that I want you to experience first hand...so here's just a quick teaser: Percy discovers that he is a demigod, a son of the Greek god Poseidon.  How is this possible? He learns that the gods, the monsters, and the rest of Ancient Greek mythology are directly tied to the fire of western civilization, and move with it through the centuries.  At the moment, the heart of western civilization is in the United States, so that is where the gods are as well.  Percy learns to fight monsters at Camp Half Blood, but when he is accused of stealing Zeus' master lightning bolt, he and his new friends have to go on a quest across the U.S. to find the real culprit and get the bolt back.

Why I love it: For one, this series is just really well written.  All the books are told from Percy's perspective, and he has a great almost-sarcastic humor about all the crazy things that happen to him.  For example: the chapters are called things like "I Accidentally Vaporize my Pre-Algebra Teacher", "I Wrestle Santa's Evil Twin" (that's in the third book), and "The Underworld Sends Me a Prank Call" (book four), if that gives you any idea.  These books are also a great way to learn about Greek mythology.  All the gods have specific personalities, and their demigod children often inherit the stronger traits. The books are full of adventure, humor, and a little romance, and right after Harry Potter, this is my favorite series.

Extra endorsement from "The Team": when I asked my three siblings (read about them in the sidebar) what their all-time favorite books were, all three put Percy Jackson on the top of their lists. I read them in high school, my brother read them in junior high and my sister and second brother read them in elementary school.  These books transformed my brother Ryan into the huge reader he is today. Finding the right book is the key to getting into reading, and this series is one that is easy to start and hard to put down, so go give it a try!

If you read the first the one, you'll have to read them all, so here are the titles:
#1-The Lightning Thief
#2-The Sea of Monsters
#3-The Titan's Curse (my personal favorite--Apollo and the Hoover Dam make for some great laughs)
#4-The Battle of the Labyrinth
#5-The Last Olympian (The last book of a series is always a gamble, but this one ended perfectly!)

 I didn't like the movie adaptation, but I can't lie, they made an EXCELLENT poster!

Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King Series)

The first six books (there are two more)

Of all Harry's Homeboys, I think Charlie is probably the tag-along.  If these fellas really were a standard neighborhood group of kids, then Charlie might be Harry's kid-brother, because they have some very obvious similarities. For example:  Charlie's hair is always a mess (Harry's is sort of lanky and messy, and Charlie's is described as "a hedge" that he can't flatten, but they both get chided for their hair by their unpleasant relatives), they both go to special boarding schools, and they both have magical powers (that one is sort of a given, though).

With all that aside, Charlie really is awesome!  I love these books. The first book (Midnight for Charlie Bone) isn't fantastic: the writing isn't as great as some, and the climax of the plot isn't very exciting.  However, it does set up the background really well for the next seven books in the series, and in my opinion the writing just gets better.  (I think my personal favorite is The Time Twister, so at least read up to that point).  

The plot: Charlie lives in an old, mysterious city somewhere in the British Isles.  He himself has always lived a normal life in the suburbs with his mother, his mysterious uncle Paton, and his two grandmothers: Maisie Jones and the creepy Grandma Bone.  He is told that his father died in a car accident when he was two, but he doesn't even know what he looks like because there are no pictures of him in the house.  One day, however, Charlie discovers that he can hear the voices of the people in photographs, and Grandma Bone and her evil sisters, the Yewbeams, send him to "Bloor's Academy". The Academy, run by the wicked Dr. Bloor and his son, is a school that houses artistic geniuses as well as a handful of children called "the endowed" who are all descendants of a great magician-king and have inherited some of his strange gifts.   Charlie soon discovers, however, that the war started between the Red King's children (of the ten, five were good and five turned evil) has continued through the centuries, and is still waiting to be resolved.

Why I love these books:  the fictional history of the Red King is so complex and mysterious. In every book, new information about the past twists Charlie's world (and because his gift is listening to old photographs, he can learn a lot about the past that has been silenced by the Bloors and the Yewbeams).  The city is full of old secrets, and there many endowed people--children and adults--who have escaped the controlling hand of the Bloors and can secretly aid or hurt Charlie and his Friends.  Also, the strange gifts can be anything, which is really fun and crazy. The books are full of surprises, fun to read, and a little dark, though good always prevails.  You will enjoy them!

Just so you know, here is the order of the series, all by Jenny Nimmo:
#1 Midnight for Charlie Bone
#2 Charlie Bone and the Time Twister
#3 Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy
#4 Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors
#5 Charlie Bone and the Hidden King
#6 Charlie Bone and the Wilderness Wolf
#7 Charlie Bone and the Shadow of Badlock
#8 Charlie Bone and the Red Knight

Harry and His Homeboys: two weeks of series with fantastic boy protagonists

Now, despite my own opinions on the Twilight Saga, I have my own opinions on who, out of Edward and Jacob, is the better man, but that doesn't matter because when it comes down it, I am proud member of "Team Potter".

Y'all are almost certainly acquainted with the wonderful world of HP (if you're not, put down whatever I've been telling you to read and hop aboard the Hogwarts Express immediately.  King's Cross Station is the exact same distance away as your local library), and I think it is clear that Harry's reign of most-read is well deserved.  However, there are a lot of other series with great male protagonists that are worth your time as well.  They all have similarities, but not enough to make you say "Ugh, another Potter wannabe".  These stories are great for boys and girls alike, but especially for boys, since I think elementary/junior high--aged boys have a hard time getting into series with girl protagonists.  SO I've picked out my favorites and will spend the next two weeks convincing you to lend the spotlight to a few of Harry's lesser known friends.

Here's a preview of what is coming up:

Charlie Bone...a boy who can hear voices is photographs and joins the war between two factions of an ancient magical family.

Percy Jackson...son of Poseidon, a demigod living in New York and learning to fight monsters at Camp Half Blood.

Michael Vey...a kid struggling to appear normal with Tourette syndrome...and wicked cool electrical energy powers!

Will (the Ranger's Apprentice)...an ordinary boy is deemed too short and slight for knight's training, but who is chosen to apprentice with Halt, the mysterious Ranger.

Artemis Fowl...a child genius and billionaire who is sometimes good, sometimes evil, and always the one who comes out on top.

Boy: A genuine not-bored-to-tears autobiography

Once, long ago, I made a great literary discovery.  I was in fourth grade and one of great highlights of my life was the Scholastic book order catalog that the school sent home every few months. I loved those things, especially because my mother always let me choose one item.  Sometimes, I’d pick the little bead bracelet kits on the back of the catalog, but I always regretted them and wished I’d chosen a book instead. Once, we decided to splurge on a whole set of paperback Roald Dahl novels.  When the books arrived, I read one at a time: Matilda, the BFG, the Twits, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory…but there was one that I avoided reading because it was an autobiography.  Boy is an intriguing sort of title—it’s not “The Boy” or “A Boy” and when I saw it I thought “WHAT BOY?!” in an annoyed mental voice. No the title's not the problem. But “autobiography” is one of the most gruesome words that have ever been invented--right up there with stroganoff and mulch.  Eventually, however, I ran out of the interesting-looking books and decided to give it a try. I loved it.  

Roald Dahl's autobiography is great because he writes with humor and is (as we know) a natural storyteller, but it is also fun because we can trace where he got ideas for his stories from his own life.  For example, he worked as a chocolate taste- tester for Cadbury, and then years later used those memories when writing "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".  What a job, right? I especially loved reading about the pranks he plays on his teacher, his sister's boyfriend, and any other unsuspecting victim.  You are curious now. Time for the slam dunk...

                                                     

Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl is a great literary discovery BECAUSE at least once in his or her young life, every kid is going to have to do a book report on an autobiography and I can proudly say I've found the solution for both an A+ and an interesting read.

Dinotopia: a read for all ages

Growing up, I shared a room with my two younger brothers, and we didn’t get a lot of sleep. No big deal—kids need much less sleep than our parents think we do.  The one thing that kept us up more than anything was building nests out of our blankets. We did this almost every night, and once our nests were built we occasionally curled up in them as birds, but more often as pterodactyls. (Fun fact about the blogger: I’m famous for my pterodactyl squawk.)  Why pterodactyls? Because we had been inspired by one of the most amazing worlds that has ever been imagined: Dinotopia.

James Gurney’s original book, “Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time” is hands down the greatest book for children and adults alike.  My father first read it to us when we were in elementary school, and still every time I read it, I am transported to a world where humans and dinosaurs exist side by side, blending their cultures, and having incredible adventures.

The Plot: a Victorian-era British scientist, Arthur Dennison, and his son Will are shipwrecked and rescued from the waves by dolphins.  They find themselves on an island which has remained isolated from the world by an impassible coral reef.  The inhabitants of the island are the descendents of other ship-wrecked humans from all around the world, and of course the dinosaurs who have lived there for thousands of years.  The book is set up as Arthur’s diary, and he tells of their discoveries and the friends they make (human and dinosaur alike) as they travel over the incredible island to find their place in the new world they cannot leave. 

Gurney’s illustrations are probably the best part.  He is detailed and imaginative, and I still get a thrill every time I see the pages on Waterfall City and Treetown.  A word of caution:  It’s not a short read.  We read a few pages every night, but it was a lot like reading a standard chapter book.  You don’t even have to read the whole thing to little kids—it’s just as fun to look at the illustrations and make up your own stories about them.  Regardless of how you choose to experience Dinotopia, it is a magical experience. 

Treetown

Waterfall City

Hallmark made a mini-series about Dinotopia, so if you want to go even farther, you can check it out at the library or Blockbuster.  I watched it once, and thought it was pretty good.  It’s a different story: different characters, different problems, and even a different time period, but still a lot of the same elements are there. Here’s the trailer (posted below)-- it’s not rated but I don’t remember it being too scary (though it probably is too much for really young kids) and I think the romance is clean.  Gurney wrote two other books about Dinotopia, and then allowed any writer to use the island as long as they changed the characters, so I know there is a plethora of other Dinotopia reading material if you enjoy this one (and I’m betting that you will).