Beyond the Laughing Sky (Jnr Fic)

AUTHOR: Michelle Cuevas (US)
PUBLISHED: Dial Books ; 2014.
PAGES/ILL: ~160 pages.

PLOT:
Ten-year-old Nashville doesn’t feel like he belongs with his family, in his town, or even in this world. He was hatched from an egg his father found on the sidewalk and has grown into something not quite boy and not quite bird. Despite the support of his loving parents and his adoring sister, Junebug, Nashville wishes more than anything that he could join his fellow birds up in the sky.

Some people in town understand him, but most don't. Children in his class are curious and can be cruel, but gradually they accept Nashville for who he is. Eventually, he builds himself some wings and flies away.

REVIEW:
This is a sweet little story about individual differences. It would be an appropriate read-aloud for a year 1 class.

AGE: 7+.
RATING: 3 1/2 stars.

Series: The Dark Is Rising (Middle Grade Fic)

AUTHOR: Susan Cooper (UK)
PUBLISHED: Originally published by Random House Children's ; 1965-1977.
PAGES/ILL: ~260 pages.
SERIES: The Dark Is Rising Sequence. Over Sea, Under Stone ; The Dark Is Rising ; Greenwitch ; The Grey King ; Silver On The Tree.

PLOT: (Second book: The Dark Is Rising)
When Will Stanton turns 11, his life is changed forever when he learns he is the last of the Old Ones - members of the Light who protect the world from the Dark. Together with the first Old One, Merriman Lyon, he must find six symbols of the Light, which together are a major defence against the Dark and the Black Rider. Merriman was introduced in the first book, and both he and Will feature in the remaining books.

REVIEW:
This series combines Celtic and Norse mythology as well as English folk lore and faint elements of demonology. The second book in the series was adapted as a film in 2007, titled The Seeker in the US and The Dark Is Rising in the UK.

This is a solid good-vs-evil fantasy. Recommended for ages 11-16 and for those who enjoyed the Narnia and Ranger's Apprentice series who enjoy or need a gateway to works like The Lord of the Rings.

AGE: 11+.
GENRE: Fantasy Adventure.
RATING: 4 stars.

Neil Gaiman reads 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens

If you have an hour or so and feel like sitting back and listening to a story, try this.

 Neil Gaiman is reading from Charles' own prompt copy of the story (which is held at the New York Public library), complete with his notes and amendments about how to read the story aloud.

This audio includes a short introduction by the NYPL and Neil Gaiman. The actual reading starts at about the 11 minute mark. The whole audio is just over 1 hr 20 mins.