Don't Like This Book? You're Dead Wrong

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Someone once described this Newbery Award and Hugo Award winning book to me as The Jungle Book (Rudyard Kipling) except instead of a boy raised in a jungle by animals, it's a boy raised in a graveyard by ghosts.  I have to admit that I'm only familiar with the Disney version of The Jungle Book, but I think it is an accuarte description.  That description (despite so many people's glowing reviews) also made me skip over the book since I knew the plot and I'm not much for ghosts. 

With limited choices for audio books for a trip, I grabbed The Graveyard Book.  My husband and son loved it, so I said I would read it.  I'm glad my husband encouraged me to listen to the audio version.  I think listening to Neil Gaiman read the book greatly improved the experience.  The voices, suspense, and the accent to remind me "we're in England" added a lot.

The book is incredible.  Read it, or perhaps even better have Neil Gaiman read it to you.

(My husband's review of the book)

Reviews from Blogger (rathern than Booker)

"Holes": I had seen the movie based on this Louis Sachar book, but David really wanted to listen to this one on our trip to Kansas City so we gave it a go. With only 4 discs, it was a quick listen and one that David and I enjoyed.

Stanley Yelnants is an unlucky kid. After being accused and convicted of a crime he didn't commit, Stanley is sent to Camp Green Lake. Upon arrival he first discovers there's no lake, then he meets Mr. Sir, who informs him that he is to dig 1 hole, every day. The hole must be as deep and as wide as his shovel, which happens to be 5 feet. As an overweight kid, this is arduous work for Stanley. Almost as difficult is finding his place with his bunk mates. Over time, Stanley gets better at digging holes, and befriends Zero. When Zero runs away, Stanley goes after him, but with no water or food, how long will the boys survive, and will they break the curse that has haunted Stanley's family for over a hundred years.

"Holes" the book, is very similar to "Holes" the movie. There's a bit more on the back story of Green Lake and it's inhabitants, as well as the back story on the Warden. But, if you've seen the movie, you pretty much know the book. Still, if you liked to movie, I think listening to or reading the book would be worth your time.


"The Graveyard Book": I don't use this term often, but this Neil Gaiman book is great, not good...great! I suspect it was even better because we listened to the audio book, read by Gaiman himself. Such an interesting and compelling story, I couldn't wait to hear what came next.

At the beginning of the story, we happen upon The Man Jack as he's in the process of murdering a family (trust me it's ok for an 11 year old kid). But, he fails in his task as the youngest boy, a toddler, somehow wanders off before The Man Jack can complete the job. They young boy wanders up to a nearby graveyard, where it's ghostly inhabitants give the young boy the freedom of the graveyard and decide to raise him as their own. They name him Nobody Owens (after the Owens family who takes him in), and the mysterious Silas agrees to be his guardian. But how can a live boy grow up in a place of the dead? And what will happen if he ever leaves the graveyard with The Man Jack still out there, ready to finish the job?

I loved this story. It's so interesting to meet the various inhabitants of the graveyard, some dating back even farther than Roman times, and it's interesting to see the influence they have on young Bod (Nobody gets shortened to Bod). Bod's forays into the living world make for some excitement, and the secondary story about Silas keeps mystery going all throughout the book. I highly recommend giving this one a read, or even better, a listen.

Peter Pan's Past Plus

Booker's Review
Peter and the Starcatchers (Starcatchers Series #1)  by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

I had avoided this book for a long time, even though the artwork was very appealing and customers asked for the book often.  I'm not much of a Peter Pan fan and didn't want to read a retelling of the story.  When trying to decide from a limited choice of audio books to take on our long car trip, we settled on Peter and the Starcatchers.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  (It doesn't hurt that the audio book is read by Jim Dale.)

The story is really a prequel to the Peter Pan most are familiar with.  It is fun to follow the story as different elements of Peter Pan's past are revealed such as how he can fly, how he came to be in Neverland, how he met Tinkerbell, and more. 

The story is interesting on it's own as well.  The authors did a good job of adding their own plot to the story so the book is much more than a revelation of Peter Pan's past.  We are introduced to the Starcatchers.  These people gather the left over remains of fallen stars and secret it away into safe keeping.  The remnants retain powerful magic that anyone with an evil intention could use to rule or destroy the world.  This first book has a nice conclusion while still leaving the reader anticipating what more is to come.

There's one more thing I liked about this book that I have to mention.  I have never liked the way the Indians are portrayed in the Disney Peter Pan movie.  With all these "re-mastered" and :now available in 3-D" announcements, I thought they'd come out with "new scenes" for Peter Pan and fix the awful sterotypical and racist portrayal of the natives in the movie.  There's no way they could have portrayed African natives that stupid or stereotypical and have kept it like that this entire time.  There would have been an outrage.  Anyway, I really liked how the native people are portrayed in the book.  They are not perfect, no one in the story is, but they are not stupid and they are not friends with the people they view have threatened them.  I really appreciated their role in the story.


Blogger's Review
"Peter and the Starcatchers":  This was a really good story by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. What Barry and Pearson have done is kick off a series that tells us all the origin of Peter Pan.

Peter and 4 other orphans are being sent away from their orphanage for unknown reasons. They are told by their caretaker to board a ship called The Neverland, but they don't know why. On the ship, the boys are treated very poorly, and as the leader of the group, Peter takes to stealing food to make sure the boys have enough to eat. It's on these food missions that Peter comes to know Molly, and they embark on an adventure to secure a chest of "star stuff" (the little bits of a star that falls to the earth and grants powers to the user), and keep this chest from falling into the hands of the Evil Black Stash. Along the way, we find out how Peter gains the ability to fly, how he doesn't grow old, and how he and the lost boys end up on that island. Oh, and we meet Captain Hook for the first time.

I really liked this story! I'm hoping to read others in the series soon. There's humor and plenty of action, and it's all offset with a story of friendship and loss. Just a really good book.

Didn't Find This Book Very Happenin'

Booker's Review
Happenstance Found (Books of Umber Series #1) by P. W. Catanese

I hate writing that I didn't enjoy a book because I could never right a book.  And sometimes people don't like a book that is actually really good.  So keep that in mind as you read this review.

Happenstance is found in a dark room without any memory of who he is or how he came to be there.  Lord Umber received a secret message to keep the boy with him at all times.  Why remains a mystery for the entire book.  A creature is chasing Happenstance to collect Hap's unusual eyes.  As the story goes along, we learn a little more about Happenstance's origins and who Lord Umber really is.  Yet, I found the story revealed too little over too long a time.  There is an exciting confrontation with the hunting creature at the end and a stunning surprise to entice you into reading the second book in the trilogy; however things developed much too slowly for me.

I should also say that I listened to this book all in one sitting riding in the car.  This may have influenced my reception of the book.

Kids who enjoy fantasy and mystery, who like to try to figure out things on their own or imagine lots of possibilities, I think, would enjoy this book.

Blogger's Review
"Happenstance Found":  I was really excited to listen to this audio book, and since this book is the first in a series, I thought maybe I'd have my next great series to read. Instead, "Happenstance Found" was slow to develop and really didn't leave me wanting to read more of the Books of Umber series.

P.W. Catanese has a really neat idea here. Happenstance is a boy, we don't know exactly how old, found in a buried city by Lord Umber and his band. Happenstance is different in that he has bright green eyes, can see in the dark, and seems to possess a few other abilities. As they return to Lord Umber's home, we learn that something is following them, and it's not good. The rest of the tale takes place in and around Lord Umber's home, and we learn a little more about Happenstance, where he came from, and we find out more about Lord Umber.

A neat premise, but it just didn't move fast enough for me. I don't plan to read any more books in this series.

The Sisters Grimm Make Me Grin

The Sisters Grimm Series by Michael Buckley

I absolutely love this series.  No one I have ever recommended it to has not liked it--kids and adults alike.  The ninth and final book of this series came out today, so those who haven't discovered this series yet, you won't have to deal with the suspense that plagued current readers.  There are some real cliffhangers.

The series is about two sisters who don't know they are related to the famous Brothers Grimm.  There parents are missing and they've been moving from one disastrous foster house to another, until their grandma (who they never knew existed) comes to bring the girls home with her to Ferryport.  The sisters (Sabrina and Daphne) learn that all the fairy tale creatures are real, and were trapped in Ferryport to prevent a war between them and the humans.  That is, they are trapped in Fairyport as long as a Grimm descendant lives...

Each book has it's own adventure and conclusion while there is an overall story arc of finding their missing parents.  It's fun to see the personalities and occupations Buckley gives to different fairy tale characters.  These books have exciting plots, humor, suspense, and surprises.  It has two strong girl characters, which makes this series unique, and all the better.  You've got to read this series.

(I actually put the first book down after the first chapter or so, but later picked it up and I'm so glad I did.  If you feel the same as I did, just keep reading!!)

A Fun Find

DRAGON SLIPPERS by Jessica Day George

I might not judge books by their cover, but I sure do pick them by their cover.  I hate to admit how often I find a book I like because the cover set it apart from the other books.  I'll be busy putting books back on the shelf, but I'll notice a cover which entices me to stop and take the time to find out what the book is about. And so it was with this book. 

Our heroine, Creel, is left at a dragon's cave by her aunt with hopes a prince will save her and marry her or a dragon will find her and eat her.  Either way she'll be out of her aunts hair.  Creel is not rescued by a prince, nor is she eaten by a dragon.  With these two possibilities out, Creel heads for the kingdom's capital city, hoping to find an apprenticeship at a dressmaker's shop.  (Creel is a very talented embroiderer.)  A fantastic adventure follows with dragons, friendships, secrets, danger, and love. 

I love books with dragons and royalty and this book just left me feeling warm and satisfied. Stained-glass windows and embroidered dresses decorate the story.  I'm not familiar with embroidery or stain-glassed windows though I admire them both, so that added to the pleasure I found reading this book. 

The author has written two other books featuring Creel and the dragons, Dragon Flight and Dragon Spear.  Though I found Dragon Slippers the strongest of the three, fans of Creel and her friends will enjoy the sequels, too.  Jessica Day George has a new book out, which sound fabulous and is high on my list to read, called Tuesdays and the Castle.

Jessica Day George has also written some teen books that are based on fairytales.  (Another of my favorite reads.)  I haven't read any of them yet, though I hope to soon.  I've listed at least some of the titles below.
     Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow  (folktale of the girl and the polar bear prince)
     Princess of the Midnight Ball  (twelve dancing princesses) and companion book Princess of Glass

She has another book projected to be published in November 2012.  If you enjoy Shannon Hale you should also read Jessica Day George, and thank goodness she has so many books waiting for you.

Raise Your Spirits

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester

Piper McCloud, an imaginative, curious, irrepressibly positive girl, lives in a very quiet rural town where nothing out of the ordinary happens nor is it welcome.  But, when Piper is seen flying, shocking the town's people isn't the only consequence.  The McCloud's home is swarmed by reporters, until Dr. Hellion and her swat team descend upon the McCloud home clearing the area of any reporters and voyeurs.  Dr. Hellion explains to the McClouds that she has a special school where children like Piper can go and learn in safety.  Not realizing she'll be leaving her parents, Piper agrees to go to the school.  She's always wanted to go to school (rather then being isolated at home).  The school seems wonderful, except for Conrad, who bullies the kids.  However, not everything is as it seems.  Piper will need all of the courage and love in her heart to overcome all that is against her.  And somehow, overcome she does.

This book was interesting and uplifting.  I don't know if there will be others to follow, but I would enjoy reading more about Piper and her unique friends.

This is the art on the paperback cover.  I think the art on the hardcover edition makes the book seem very serious and somber.  The cover here protrays the action that's also waiting for the reader to enjoy.

This Book is Over the Top Awesome

Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles #1) by Suzanne Collins  

I have been meaning to read this book for years.  I finally did.  It was one of the free books offered to kids who completed the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program.  My friend was having a book discussion on it, so I got the audio for the kids and I to listen to as we drove back and forth from camp.  I mentioned earlier that my kids don’t really like fantasy books, so I wasn’t expecting them to like this book, but since we were stuck in the car I hoped they would just keep listening.  Well, they were hooked within the first couple chapter when the cockroaches say Gregor’s two-year old sister smells good and she announces, “I poop.”  I think I had to pause the CD so they could finish laughing and copying what they heard, but they were hooked and they paid close attention throughout the whole story.  And, we all loved it!!!!  We immediately listened to the second book once we finished the first, and we can’t wait to read the third!

Suzanne Collins wrote this story after wondering what city kids would think of Alice in Wonderland.  They wouldn’t have rabbit holes around.  I’m so glad she wondered that, and then wrote about it.

Life has been difficult for Gregor and his family after his father disappeared over two years ago (Grerogt can tell you how long his dad’s been gone to the day).  Soon into the story, Gregor and his sister, Boots,s fall down a shaft taking them to Underland.  Giant cockroaches find them and greatly admire Gregor’s sister.  Eventually, Gregor and Boots find themselves in Regalia, a city of underground dwelling humans who ride giant colored bats.  They live in fear of the Gnawers.  Gregor learns of a prophecy telling of a warrior who helps them against the rats.  The humans believe Gregor is the warrior.

So far, this follows the path of the ever-loved classic quest.  A boy, unsure of himself, is forced upon a quest to find his father and help his friends, if only he can find the inner strength to make the right decisions.  There’s a reason we love quest stories so much.  And this is definitely one to love!

Rick Riordan Is At It Again

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

Blogger...

All the man does is write entertaining, high quality books for kids, young adults and 30 somethings who are recapturing their childhood.  In The Throne of Fire we are once again reading the transcript of a recording made by Carter and Sadie Kane.  Carter and Sadie are descendants of the Egyptian Pharaohs, in fact, 2 of the most powerful Pharaohs, and they are also magicians.  The problem is, other magicians think they are outlaws because their father released trapped Egyptian gods back into the world.  He did this to save the world from the return of Apophis, the most evil of all the ancient gods.  Carter and Sadie believe that their father is right, that the old gods of Egypt are the solution to stopping the rise of Apophis, and they are bent on seeing this mission through.  This time they have the help of a few other junior magicians who answered the call they put out with their first message in The Red Pyramid.

The Throne of Fire is another masterfully crafted story from Rick Riordan, who is my favorite author.  As this is the 2nd book in The Kane Chronicles series, we have already met our narrators, Carter and Sadie.  Each character tells about 2 chapters before "switching" with the other narrator.  Riordan varies the storytelling style enough that you really believe you are reading 2 different views of the events.  It's a really cool way to read a story.

At first, I wasn't thrilled with this book.  It took me a while to remember what I read in The Red Pyramid, which is the problem with only releasing 1 book per year.  Once it all came back to me though, I thoroughly enjoyed the 450ish pages of this book and really look forward to the final book, due out next year.  If you haven't picked up The Kane Chronicles, by Rick Riordan yet, give these books a shot.  I think you'll really enjoy them.

Rick Riordan Is At It Again

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

Blogger...

All the man does is write entertaining, high quality books for kids, young adults and 30 somethings who are recapturing their childhood.  In The Throne of Fire we are once again reading the transcript of a recording made by Carter and Sadie Kane.  Carter and Sadie are descendants of the Egyptian Pharaohs, in fact, 2 of the most powerful Pharaohs, and they are also magicians.  The problem is, other magicians think they are outlaws because their father released trapped Egyptian gods back into the world.  He did this to save the world from the return of Apophis, the most evil of all the ancient gods.  Carter and Sadie believe that their father is right, that the old gods of Egypt are the solution to stopping the rise of Apophis, and they are bent on seeing this mission through.  This time they have the help of a few other junior magicians who answered the call they put out with their first message in The Red Pyramid.

The Throne of Fire is another masterfully crafted story from Rick Riordan, who is my favorite author.  As this is the 2nd book in The Kane Chronicles series, we have already met our narrators, Carter and Sadie.  Each character tells about 2 chapters before "switching" with the other narrator.  Riordan varies the storytelling style enough that you really believe you are reading 2 different views of the events.  It's a really cool way to read a story.

At first, I wasn't thrilled with this book.  It took me a while to remember what I read in The Red Pyramid, which is the problem with only releasing 1 book per year.  Once it all came back to me though, I thoroughly enjoyed the 450ish pages of this book and really look forward to the final book, due out next year.  If you haven't picked up The Kane Chronicles, by Rick Riordan yet, give these books a shot.  I think you'll really enjoy them.

A Magical Series

THE MAGIC THIEF by Sarah Prineas

Booker...
So far, there are three books in the Magic Thief Series: The Magic Thief, Lost, and Found.  (As of Sept. 2010, I believe five books are planned for the series.)  I really like this series.  We meet, Conn, a young orphan surviving on the streets of Wellmet by his slight of hand as a pickpocket, until he pickpockets a wizard--then things begin to change for Conn.  Eventually, Conn becomes his apprentice.  Conn must learn to read in runes, memorize spells, and locate a locus magicalicus--a stone that enables a wizard to perform magic.  Conn must also face a force of dark magic looming over the city.

Ms. Prineas has carefully constructed this wonderful fantasy with it's own history and culture.  And, her story is full of interesting and compelling characters.  Conn is bright and honest.  His wizard mentor, Nevery Flinglas, seems harsh and cold, but we learn he actually cares a great deal about Conn.  I especially enjoyed the wizard's journal entries, "reproduced" periodically throughout the book.  This gives us a unique insight into his thoughts and feelings. 

When I read these books, I become immersed in the world of Wellmet.  This is a sure pick for those who enjoyed Harry Potter or any fantasy fan.  My children and I actually listened to the first one as an audio book.  It was very well done.  I didn't want to stop driving.  We liked the book so much, we went to a talk by the author.  We were the first in line to meet her.  She autographed a book for each of us and wrote a message in Rune for us to decipher using the tranlation page in the books.  The book's website may also be of interest to readers.  
http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/kids/gamesandcontests/features/magicthief/

I've only read the first two and I can't wait to open up the third!!

      

Return of the Percy

THE LOST HERO by Rick Riordan

Blogger...

I think Rick Riordan might be my favorite author. First he wrote the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series, which were 5 fantastic books. Then he got started on "The Kane Chronicles", which I thoroughly enjoyed. And now, he's giving us a sequel to the Percy Jackson series, "The Heroes of Olympus." I just completed it's first book, "The Lost Hero."

"The Lost Hero" is different from the Percy Jackson books in that it is told from a 3rd person point of view, and centers around 3 new heroes...Jason, Piper and Leo. This story takes place about 1 year after "The Last Olympian" (the final book in the Percy Jackson series), and things are amiss all around. First, Jason shows up at Camp Half-Blood, and is pretty sure he doesn't belong there, but he is also suffering from amnesia so he doesn't know why. Piper and Leo have memories of Jason that may or may not be real. It turns out, all 3 are demigods...children of the Greek gods. Oh, and one hero of Camp Half-Blood has gone missing (I bet you can't guess who that is).

I loved this book...couldn't put it down. I read it's 557 pages in about 4 sittings. The 3rd person point of view didn't bother me at all, and I liked that Riordan continually switches the focus between Jason, Piper and Leo. All 3 characters are great and mold well with the carry-over characters from the Percy Jackson series. I did miss some of the old characters, but I think all of my old favorites will gain more prominent roles and the series progresses. There's also the suspense of not knowing where the lost hero is and the worry over that throughout the book that kept me turning pages. Just a top notch story.

But, I will issue a warning, there is quite the cliffhanger at the end, so if you don't like cliffhangers, wait for the 2nd book to be released next fall. The title of the next book will be "Son of Neptune"...hmmm, wonder who that could be?

You May Know the Lightning Thief, But Do You Know the Demigod Files?

PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS THE DEMIGOD FILES by Rick Riordan

Blogger...

This book takes place between books 4 and 5 in the Percy Jackson series, and is a collection of 3 short stories and interviews with some various Demigods, including Percy and Annabeth. Each of the short stories features Percy on some type of mini-quest with another Demigod (remember Demigods have a human parent and a Greek god as a parent). The short stories are classic Percy Jackson, told from the first person, with lots of heroics and humor. Great stuff!

The interviews with the Demigods are also hilarious. Rick Riordan does such a great job writing these characters. I can't wait for more books...if only someone would invent time travel so I could go forward and read the rest of the books in the "Heroes of Olympus" series. Alas, we don't have a Delorean, or a flux capacitor. But if we did...88 mph here we come baby!

Note: If you don't understand the time travel references I just made, I feel pity for you.

Anyway, back to the book...if you are in need of a Percy Jackson fix, pick up a copy of "The Demigod Files". It's a quick read and you won't be disappointed.