Book Review - A Tale Dark and Grimm

Author: Adam Gidwitz
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (October 28, 2010)
Reading Level: Ages 9 to 12
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Description from GoodReads:
Brooklyn schoolteacher Adam Gidwitz offers imaginative new slants on children's classics in this new collection inspired by nine Grimm Brothers fairy tales. Never before have Hansel and Gretel had an adventure like this!

The Brothers Grimm have met their modern day rival in Adam Gidwitz.  His debut book, A TALE DARK AND GRIMM, weaves the tale of Hansel and Gretel into various other Grimm fairy tales creating a new and inspired look at some old favorites.  I truly believe that Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, famous for stories such as Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty, would have approved of Gidwitz's twist on their stories.  
  
However, as the narrator of A TALE DARK AND GRIMM cautions "if there are little kids...why don't you go hire a babysitter.." Gidwitz does not hold back in his version of the classic folk/fairy tale. This tale is not one for the faint of heart. There is a cannibalistic old woman, and a moon that would like nothing more than to eat the tender flesh of a child, and the hacking off of various body parts.  

For those who want to protest that children would be frightened by Gidwitz's rendition of Hansel and Gretel, may I remind you of the popularity of books such as R.L. Stine's Goosebumps or the clamor of children around a campfire or at a sleepover for a scary story to be shared.  Children love scary stories. And they love stories with happy endings and where children turn out to be the heroes.  

A TALE DARK AND GRIMM begins with the narrator who sets the stage for what will be revealed and at various points in the story he interjects himself into the book to warn or explain to the audience what has happened or what will be happening.  Then he takes a step back and begins with the time shortly before Hansel and Gretel are born.  This movement backwards is critical for it sets the stage for what is to come and provides the parameters for the tale.  

As I read through the book, I loved the pacing of the story and how Gidwitz would throw in a "The End" and in turning the page a "Not really".  Hansel and Gretel evolve from very young and frivolous to young and wise.  The things that they have seen and experienced provide a foundation for this growth and teaches them important lessons along the way.  Part of their quest is to find parents who would be loving and kind and caring and not do cruel things to their children and yet they learn over and over again how hard that is to find or even be.  As well as what it means to forgive and to "under-stand".  

If you are in doubt about this book, I would encourage you to check out Gidwitz's Frequently Asked Questions (click here).  He does a much better job of explaining the reason and purpose for the blood and gore.  

For me, I will book talk it and get it into the hands of children who I know will love it.  Understanding that for some children, it might be better if they wait some before attempting to read this book.

I am excited to have discovered Adam Gidwitz's debut novel and I look forward to future books from this talented writer.

Book Review - Turkey Trouble

Author:  Wendy Silvano
Illustrator: Lee Harper
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Reference (October 1, 2009)
Reading Level: Ages 4 to 8 years
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

It's not easy being a turkey especially on Thanksgiving.  In Wendy Silvano's book Turkey Trouble, one scheming turkey decides that maybe if he doesn't look like a turkey then he won't find himself as the main dish.  First, he tries to disguise himself as a horse.  When that fails, he moves on to covering up as a cow, sheep, pig and finally a rooster.  Unfortunately, when Farmer Jake thinks that the rooster might make a good substitute for the main course if the turkey can't be located, our main bird thinks it is time for an alternative menu plan.

Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving (click here for review) may be one of my favorite non-fiction seasonal picture books, but Turkey Trouble is competing for top rank in my pile of humorous Thanksgiving picture books.  The costumes that Turkey devises are hysterical.  I found myself giggling out loud as I was reading the book. Young children will love the disguises and the predictable pattern of the text.  Silvano's hilarious text is complimented by Harper's comical watercolors.  Though the text is strong on it's own, Harper's illustrations really lift this book to a new level.  I loved the expressions on the face of the Turkey as he was attempting to hide or when he knew he was outted.  And though I figured I had guessed the ending, it was fun to see what twist was in this book.

As an educator, I like having a collection of books around certain topics which can be used to set up a unit or to explore a topic with more depth.  This is one picture book that I plan to keep on the top of my seasonal picture books as long as others don't walk away with it.  Maybe I should just keep an extra one.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and may it be filled with lots of blessings!

-Aly

Book Review - Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Illustrator: Matt Faulkner
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (September 27, 2005)
Reading Level: Ages 4 to 10 years
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Description from GoodReads:

 

We the people of the United States...

 

Almost Lost Thanksgiving

 

Yes. That's right!

Way back when "skirts were long and hats were tall" Americans were forgetting Thanksgiving, and nobody seemed to care!

Thankfully, Sarah Hale appeared. More steadfast than Plymouth Rock, this lady editor knew the holiday needed saving. But would her recipe for rescue ever convince Congress and the presidents?

Join acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson on a journey of a woman and a pen that spanned four decades, the Civil War, and five presidents, all so you could have your turkey and eat it too!

 Thanks to @mrschureads on Twitter I have a new favorite Thanksgiving Picture Book - THANK YOU, SARAH: THE WOMAN WHO SAVED THANKSGIVING.  This non-fiction picture book tells the story of Sarah Hale.  A woman who was well ahead of her times.  Hale, a mother of five, had a well established career as an advocate, writer, and editor.  She even wrote "Mary Had A Little Lamb".  However, when she discovered that people were not observing Thanksgiving regularly and it was potentially going to be lost as a holiday, Hale began a 38 year letter writing campaign to convince the President to declare it a National Holiday on a set date.  It wasn't until 1863 and Abraham Lincoln that Hale finally met with success. 

Laurie Halse Anderson, though more well-known for her Middle Grade and Young Adult books (SPEAK, CHAINS, FEVER, FORGE, and more), tackles the re-telling of Hale's journey to rescue Thanksgiving in a delightful and humorous manner.  With a bit of irreverency in both text and illustrations, Halse Anderson brings alive Hale's perseverance and tenacity while Faulkner does an excellent job making the text pop with caricature style drawings.  At the end of the story, Halse Anderson challenges readers to "Pick up your pen. Change the world." And Hale certainly did that with her pen.

When I recently read the book aloud to a group of third graders, they were fascinated with the story.  Children wanted to spend time looking at the illustrations which definitely match the tone and intent of Halse Anderson's writing.  This is one book that I am going to need to keep several copies of so that I will always have one to loan out.

So what is your favorite Thanksgiving picture book or chapter book?

Book Review - Beautiful Darkness

Authors: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers (October 12, 2010)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Personal Copy

Description from GoodReads:
Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.

Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

**** Please note, though this is spoiler free for Beautiful Darkness, there may be some very 

small spoilers for Beautiful Creatures. ****** 

Back in July, I had an opportunity to read an Advanced Reader's Copy of Beautiful Darkness.    However, at that time I wanted to wait to post a review.  Of course, closer to the release date work became insane and reviewing had to wait.  So now that things are settling down, I am going back and trying to catch up on reviews. Here goes..

In Beautiful Creatures, Garcia & Stohl introduce readers to the Caster World, to the South and to some amazing characters.  I fell in love with Ethan & Lena, Macon & Alma, Link & Ridley, Marian, the 3 aunts, and others.  You could feel the humidity, smell the lemons and rosemary, and taste the pie.  It was paranormal goodness at it's best.  At the end, there was a battle, and loss, and decisions that still had to be made and consequences for those that were made.  There were questions and suspense.  And I had to wait months until I could read the next book.


Just like Ethan, the reader is now aware of the Caster World which lies behind the life that most of Gatlins' residents are familiar with.  And just like anyone who is introduced to a new world, or culture, or experience, you can never go back to the state of being unaware.  In the second book of the Caster Chronicles, there are some answers, there are some new characters, and there is an emotional roller coaster.  More than once I wanted to throw the book.  Not because I disliked the book but because it is so hard to see beloved characters go through tough experiences.  


After reading it and as reviews started popping up for Beautiful Darkness, I was surprised by the feelings of animosity towards Lena.  I was puzzled.  What did people really think was going to happen after the first book?  At the end of Beautiful Creatures, Lena had made some big choices and also avoided making an even bigger decision.  The second book picks up shortly after the first one, and we see the consequences and the impact of those choices.  And Lena wasn't the only one that had consequences to face.  All of the key characters were essentially changed.  However, before a resolution can occur there must be a period of confusion, darkness, and despair.  Basically, without essentially a crisis of faith, characters can not grow or change.

Yet, this is why I often dislike second books in a series.  Just like I would want to protect my friends and family from unpleasant stuff, I want to protect beloved characters from having to walk/live/survive the darkness.  What I get even more annoyed with book 2's is that often they are completely substance-less - just a filler for a series until you get to the 3rd or 4th book in the series and have your resolution and possible happier times for your characters.  I was pleased though that the second installment of the Caster Chronicles, is not just filler. I felt that the steps and journey that Ethan and Lena were on - no matter how separate it may have appeared - were important and moved the story forward.  


It is in this book that we learn more about Ethan's mother, are introduced to some new characters, discover more of the complexity of the Caster World, and begin to see how the puzzle pieces fit together.  And yet, as the book progress and some questions are answered, other questions arise.  


Of course, it will be interesting to see what will happen in Book 3. Ridley still has mischief written all over her.  I expect that we will see more of John (bad boy extraordinaire) and knowing that there will be at least 4 books in this series...Ethan, Lena, Link have even more consequences for their actions that they must deal with.  


After finishing Beautiful Darkness, I still want more of Gatlin, Alma's cooking, Caster magic, quirky & eccentric characters, and to hang with Ethan, Lena, Link, Ridley, and the others as the roller coaster continues.  


To spread some Beautiful Darkness love, I have a small Swag contest tied into this review.  For more details, read the directions below.  


If you haven't seen this Beautiful Darkness book trailer made by the very talented Vania (VLC Productions) take a minute to check it out.

Beautiful Darkness Swag Contest Includes the following items:

1 signed Beautiful Darkness Poster

1 Beautiful Darkness Bracelet

1 Beautiful Darkness Keychain

1 Beautiful Darkness Dogtag

1 Beautiful Darkness Pin

1 Beautiful Darkness/Beautiful Creatures Postcard (bookmarks)

Here are the rules:

1. You must complete the form below.  (Comments are appreciated by will not enter you into the contest.)

2. You must be 13 years or older.

3. You do not need to follow this blog but being a follower will earn you additional points.

4. All entries must be submitted by November 28, 2010 at 11:59 PST.

4. International participants are welcome.

Book Reviews - Halloween Came Belatedly

I am adding a disclaimer to the review of these two books.  I was asked to review them and I had hoped that they would arrive prior to Halloween but unfortunately they did not.  Fortunately, they can still be read and enjoyed after the holiday.

Author: Jason Mayo
Illustrator: Justin Wolfson
Publisher: Author House (August 23, 2010)
Reading Level: Ages 4 to 8
Source: Copy for Review
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Description from GoodReads:
"Do Witches Make Fishes?" is the moral tale of a young boy who favors candy over his mother's outlandish but healthy dishes. When faced with an ultimatum from his mother, the boy has to make a difficult choice. What ensues is a series of extraordinary and fantastical events that will take the reader on a magical journey through the imagination of a child. In the end, you will find yourself asking, Do Witches Make Fishes?

Jason Mayo's self-published first picture book, Do Witches Make Fishes?, reminds me a little of Allard's Miss Nelson Is Missing.   A young boy would much prefer to eat candy than things like carrots or fish.  So what is a mother to do?  While mother gives him the "mothers know best" stare, the child closes his eyes and makes a wish.  He wished her gone and in her place was a witch (this is where I make the Allard connection - the sub was Miss Nelson in disguise.  Is the mom the witch in disguise?).  A witch who tells him he better eat healthy foods or she will cast a spell on him.  With a sticky, sweet mess, the boy combats the witch and wishes for his mother again.  Maybe those carrots and fish aren't so bad after all.

Mayo's story is told in rhyming poetry.  It is silly and has a strong feeling of a parent making up a tale to get their own child to eat his/her veggies.  Justin Wolfson's illustration are colorful and silly.  Children will get a kick out of the book.  And proceeds are being donated to charity.

Author: Laura Marchesani
Illustrator: Tommy Hunt
Publisher: Grossett & Dunlap ( August 26, 2010)
Reading Level: Ages 4 to 8
Source: Copy for Review
Rating: Undecided

Description from GoodReads:
When innocent Dick and Jane meet a creepy, cape-wearing vampire, the unexpected happens: he becomes their friend! Dick and Jane and Vampires borrows from the classic stories and art we all know and love, but adds an of-the-moment twist: a vampire, illustrated in the classic Dick and Jane style. 


Marchesani's Dick and Jane and Vampires is written and illustrated in classic Dick & Jane style.  Short chapters, controlled vocabulary and repetitive language that increases by one word per line are used to tell this strange twist on the well known basal reader.  

At first, a bat begins to show fleetingly on the pages, and then the children begin to see things that or do they? At first there is the glimpse of a head in the bushes, and a shoe under the bed.  Eventually, the vampire begins to be bolder and show up more consistently until he is practically a regular at the household.  So much so that the milkman delivers a bottle of "blood" along with the milk.  The children play hide and seek and dress up with their new friend.  And eventually, they introduce their vampire friend to a goth looking female.  


Adults who are familiar with the original Dick & Jane readers will get a kick out of this book.  Beginning readers will quickly find success with the controlled language of the book.  However, in some ways this is really for an older audience who will get the humor of the story.  


I feel like I have been saying this a lot lately in reviews but I have some mixed feelings.  I couldn't help being a little creeped out by the stalker feeling of this book where an adult male vampire is hiding/hanging around 3 small children.  I don't think that was the intent of the author but it crossed my mind more than once when I was reading this book so I felt I needed to add it to my review.


Who would I recommend it to: Primarily a teen or an adult audience who enjoys twists on a classic and will fully get the humor of the story.