Journey of a Book-Addicted Librarian: September 2010

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN: How do you know what's good?

While there are many places (especially on the internet) where you can read book reviews, how do you really know if it's a good book or not when a single book might receive anywhere from one to five stars?
The answer: read the reviews of a book-addicted teacher librarian.

NOTE:
** The age recommendations are guidelines only; whether or not a certain book is suitable for a particular child depends on multiple factors, including their maturity, reading level, interests, and in some cases their experiences.
** While the ratings are largely based on my own personal appreciation/enjoyment of the book, they are also influenced by my experiences as a teacher and the potential attraction for the target-aged child (acknowledging that what one child may love, another may find exceptionally boring). A rating of 5 indicates the book is likely to be popular with the majority.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Series: Book of Ember (Fic)

AUTHOR: Jeanne DuPrau (USA)
PUBLISHED: 2003+
SERIES: Book of Ember
BOOKS: The City of Ember, The People of Sparks, The Prophet of Yonwood, The Diamond of Darkhold,

PLOT (The City of Ember):
The city lies in a world of darkness, lit only by lightbulbs powered by the generator and the river running underneath it. When two 12-year-olds graduate into Ember's workforce, their combined curiosity and conviction that all is not right in Ember lead them on a journey to discover the truth about Ember's existence.

REVIEW: Gripping in parts, the ending leaves you curious (although not jumping-out-of-your-chair, sprinting-to-the-library eager) to read the sequel. The book has a movie tie-in.

AGE: 10-15
GENRE: Fanatsy
RATING: 4 1/2 stars

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Series: The Magician's House (Fic)

AUTHOR: William Corlett (UK)
PUBLISHED: 1990
SERIES: The Magician's House
FIRST BOOK: The Steps Up the Chimney

PLOT:
Three children go to their uncle's house where they discover a magician at the top of stairs inside a chimney. He recruits them to fight against his evil apprentice.

REVIEW:
Similar to, but not as good as the Narnia series. The first book is reminiscent of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Deals with "magic" bordering on wizardry, with spiritual possession of animals (not something I'd promote lightly), good vs evil, etc.

AGES: 9-11
GENRE: Fantasy
RATING: 3 1/2 stars

Monday, September 6, 2010

Then (YA Fic)

AUTHOR: Morris Gleitzman (Aust) PUBLISHED: 2008

PLOT: Two children run away from a Nazi train bound for a concentration camp. They befriend a farmer woman who tries to protect them. The story is confrontational, and gives perspectives from many people: Nazi soldiers, those who are sympathetic to Jews (including some soldiers), etc.

Similar to The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

AGES: 10+
GENRE: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction
RATING: 4 1/2 - 5 stars

Series: Monster Blood Tattoo (YA Fic)

AUTHOR: D.M. Cornish (Aust) PUBLISHED: 2008+
PAGES: ~600 pgs. SERIES: Monster Blood Tattoo
BOOKS: Foundling, Lamplighter, Factotum

PLOT (Lamplighter):
A young boy becomes an apprentice lamplighter: people charged with lighting the lamps lining the roads in order to keep people safe, and deter the monsters who live in the area. One night he witnesses a carriage attacked, and he forges an unsteady friendship with one of the occupants.

REIVEW:
The language is archaic and new vocabulary is added. Different names are given to known objects, tasks, etc, making it a difficult read, even for those who love to do so. Overall, the story drags. It is a very long book (599 pgs, not including appendices), and a tedious read.

Links to a website.

The Ranger's Apprentice is FAR better.

AGES: 11+
GENRE: Fantasy
RATING: 3 stars. It holds little appeal overall, but some may thoroughly enjoy it.

Series: Vampire Academy (YA Fic)

AUTHOR: Richelle Mead (USA) PUBLISHED: ~2008
SERIES: Vampire Academy
FIRST BOOK: Vampire Academy

PLOT:
The story is told through the eyes of Rose: a Dhampir - half vamipre, half human; guardians charged with protecting vampires. The first three books are set in high school, where the Dhampirs learn the art of guardianship and the vampires learn... school things. Other characters include Lissa, Rose's vampire best friend who brings her back from the dead, and Dimitri, another Dhampir, Rose's trainer, and the object of her love.

REVIEW:
With some twists on vampire lore, it's enjoyable if you can get past the "tortured teenager" threads (which, of course, will hook the target reader - the tortured teenage girl).

AGE: 13+. Some sex in the third book.
GENRE: Fantasy, Adventure
RATING: 4 1/2 stars