Author: Danell Jones
Written from Virgina's POV, advice to young writers as if the reader were in a class taught by her.
Helpful advice. Would read again.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
The Sisters 8: Durinda's Danger
Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted with Greg Logsted & Jackie Logsted
Not sure what the draw is. Third grade octuplets are left home alone, each receiving a 'gift' and coming into their 'power' each month. Problem is, the gift seems kind of lame, and as much fun as the power is, the girls are preoccupied with the boy that they all like, and keeping their parent's absence a secret and other sort of mundane things (like the talking fridge that loves the robot maid). It sounds better than it was.
120 pages, twelve chapters , some illustrations.
Not sure what the draw is. Third grade octuplets are left home alone, each receiving a 'gift' and coming into their 'power' each month. Problem is, the gift seems kind of lame, and as much fun as the power is, the girls are preoccupied with the boy that they all like, and keeping their parent's absence a secret and other sort of mundane things (like the talking fridge that loves the robot maid). It sounds better than it was.
120 pages, twelve chapters , some illustrations.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Shenzhen: A Travelogue in China
Author / Illustrator: Guy DeLisle
Beautiful, reflective look at a lonely life in Shenzhen, working in an animation studio. Makes me think of Cliff.
Beautiful, reflective look at a lonely life in Shenzhen, working in an animation studio. Makes me think of Cliff.
Nights at the Circus
Author: Angela Carter
Fantastic circus tale about a cockney girl with wings who becomes an aerialist in the circus and tells her story to a disbelieving young american journalist. Really picks up speed in the middle when everything goes to hell as the apes get out of their contract, the head clown goes insane and the tigress attacks the woman dancing with her mate. Then the train crashes somewhere in Siberia and things start to get weird.
Must look for more by this woman.
Fantastic circus tale about a cockney girl with wings who becomes an aerialist in the circus and tells her story to a disbelieving young american journalist. Really picks up speed in the middle when everything goes to hell as the apes get out of their contract, the head clown goes insane and the tigress attacks the woman dancing with her mate. Then the train crashes somewhere in Siberia and things start to get weird.
Must look for more by this woman.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Half of a Yellow Sun
Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
About a time and place that was completely new to me - the brief state of Biafra in the late sixties, splintered from Nigeria. Fascinating characters and circumstances.
Interesting splitting of the narrative into four parts, 2 set during the civil war and 2 in the time leading up to it, but placed so the reader goes back, forward, back, and forward again. Lots of mystery created this way. Best part was how believably the characters loved and forgave and lived.
About a time and place that was completely new to me - the brief state of Biafra in the late sixties, splintered from Nigeria. Fascinating characters and circumstances.
Interesting splitting of the narrative into four parts, 2 set during the civil war and 2 in the time leading up to it, but placed so the reader goes back, forward, back, and forward again. Lots of mystery created this way. Best part was how believably the characters loved and forgave and lived.
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
Author: Rhoda Janzen
It looked familiar, but was so funny when I opened it and I was just in that kind of mood and had to read it again. Good for crappy days - quite a pick-me-up.
It looked familiar, but was so funny when I opened it and I was just in that kind of mood and had to read it again. Good for crappy days - quite a pick-me-up.
The Return
Author: Victoria Hislop
Less a romance than a drama. A woman discovers her mother's untold story. Lots of detail about the Spanish Civil war - now I feel ready for Pan's Labyrinth. Also, intrigued enough to seek out some non-fiction on that era.
Less a romance than a drama. A woman discovers her mother's untold story. Lots of detail about the Spanish Civil war - now I feel ready for Pan's Labyrinth. Also, intrigued enough to seek out some non-fiction on that era.
Winnie Goes Batty
Author: Laura Owen
Illustrator: Korky Paul
Chapter book about a witch and her unscary, slightly gross adventures. Liked the layout, heavy on illustrations wrapping text.
Illustrator: Korky Paul
Chapter book about a witch and her unscary, slightly gross adventures. Liked the layout, heavy on illustrations wrapping text.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Maybelle in the Soup
Author: Katie Speck
Illustrator: Paul Ratz de Tagyos
Adventures of a fussy cockroach and her flea pal, as they're discovered, travel with the family to the hotel (during extermination) and then return home.
Illustrator: Paul Ratz de Tagyos
Adventures of a fussy cockroach and her flea pal, as they're discovered, travel with the family to the hotel (during extermination) and then return home.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Every Soul a Star
Author: Wendy Mass
Three POV's give different views of an eclipse experience by three teens who are pushed out of their comfort zones. They work together with geeky younger siblings to take on a planet tracking experiment and succeed.
Children were very well portrayed, a few of the adults were mere plot devices (Stella's son, who refuses to take on the experiment) and the campground concept was kind of wacky but wonderful and over the top.
Three POV's give different views of an eclipse experience by three teens who are pushed out of their comfort zones. They work together with geeky younger siblings to take on a planet tracking experiment and succeed.
Children were very well portrayed, a few of the adults were mere plot devices (Stella's son, who refuses to take on the experiment) and the campground concept was kind of wacky but wonderful and over the top.
Friday, October 14, 2011
The Human Stain
Author: Philip Roth
Hated it. Too much intellectualizing, female characters that were not believable, author intrusions that came and went somewhat randomly. I hope he enjoyed writing it, because I did not enjoy reading it. Much of a slog.
Hated it. Too much intellectualizing, female characters that were not believable, author intrusions that came and went somewhat randomly. I hope he enjoyed writing it, because I did not enjoy reading it. Much of a slog.
Mr. Putter & Tabby Paint the Porch
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Four short chapters, an adult main character and it still works. Amazing loose illustrations. First published in 2000, so not so very old.
Will reread and look closely at story and language.
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Four short chapters, an adult main character and it still works. Amazing loose illustrations. First published in 2000, so not so very old.
Will reread and look closely at story and language.
Lighthouse Family: The Octopus
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Preston McDaniels
These books are so satisfying and nurturing. The writing and the soft pencil illustrations own equal parts of the whole.
Just five short chapters.
Illustrator: Preston McDaniels
These books are so satisfying and nurturing. The writing and the soft pencil illustrations own equal parts of the whole.
Just five short chapters.
the Case of Madeline Smith
Author / Illustrator: Rick Geary
I love this true historical crime series of graphic novels. I'm glad that someone is obsessed enough to get these books out there.
Fantastic use of line and B&W.
I love this true historical crime series of graphic novels. I'm glad that someone is obsessed enough to get these books out there.
Fantastic use of line and B&W.
Man in the Moon
Author: Dotti Enderle
Great middle grade novel, depression era feel but possible set post WW2. All the best elements, dying younger brother, mysterious old army friend and a heat wave. Beautifully written.
Great middle grade novel, depression era feel but possible set post WW2. All the best elements, dying younger brother, mysterious old army friend and a heat wave. Beautifully written.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
The Story of Bear
Author: Hilary McKay
Illustrator: Serena Riglietti
The sweet and heart touching story of an unwanted stuffy that survives the dumpster and the dump to make a home of his own, where he brings other rejected toys to live.
Simply beautiful.
Illustrator: Serena Riglietti
The sweet and heart touching story of an unwanted stuffy that survives the dumpster and the dump to make a home of his own, where he brings other rejected toys to live.
Simply beautiful.
Wombat & Fox: Tales of the City
Author / Illustrator: Terry Denton
Chapter book with down under flavour and great illustrations. Very playful and kid-like.
Chapter book with down under flavour and great illustrations. Very playful and kid-like.
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