Backlist files - "Tuesdays at the Castle"

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I was a child.  I was a child that loved reading, and loved anything to do with reading, and stories, and that included television shows about my favorite stories.  There existed, a long time ago, a show of fairy tales whose name I have long since forgotten.  I do remember, however, bits and pieces of the stories it told me.  One particular detail that always stuck out for me was a magic castle that would disappear and reappear in another place altogether, a castle that was enchanted so that only very special people could find it.  Why this one story element has continued to rattle around my head for *mumblemumble* years, I don’t know, but I was reminded again of this magic castle when I picked up Jessica Day George’s Tuesdays at the Castle.  The castle in question here pulled no disappearing acts, but had plenty of magic of its own.

Celie, Lilah and Rolf are the royal children of King Glower the Seventy-Ninth and his wife the Queen, and all are occupants of Castle Glower, a magical, self-adjusting castle that puts Hogwarts’ moving staircases to shame.  Celie, especially, has a special relationship with the castle, and has worked tirelessly to create an atlas of its ever changing hallways.  When tragedy befalls the royal family and enemies beset its halls, the children must call upon Castle Glower to help them escape the machinations of the vicious Prince Khelsh.

This book is actually quite constrained, taking place exclusively inside the walls of Castle Glower, but it feels like a sprawling adventure.  That is the magic of the castle, and of Ms. George’s writing.  There is always some new passageway or trap door to sneak through, as the castle aids Celie and her siblings in their campaign against the malicious intruders.  Think Home Alone, but on a much bigger scale.  The castle shows its approval and disapproval of its occupants by the size and luxury (or lack thereof) of their rooms, and isn’t beyond messing with bathroom privileges either.  Celie, Lilah and Rolf are the perfect children for this castle.  They are brave, resourceful and kind, which makes it very easy to root for them to win the day.  But really, Castle Glower is the star of this book.  I dare you to read it and not dream just a little about wandering the castle’s ever-changing topography.

The sequel, Wednesdays in the Tower, has just been released, and I will be first in line to give it a go.

Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
2011, Bloomsbury
Personal copy

Review - "Whatever After - Fairest of All"

I remember having a collection of fractured fairy tales when I was younger, and reveling in the familiar tales gone wrong. This interest has continued into my adult years as I devour retellings of my favorite stories like Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre. But fairy tales have always been close to my heart, (you can only imagine how fond I am of TV’s“Once Upon a Time”) so when a popular author like Sarah Mlynowski comes out with a new series of fairy tale books, called Whatever After, you can bet I wanted to get my hands on them. Starting off the series is Fairest of All, a take on the Snow White tale (not to be confused with Serena Valentino’s Fairest of All, which is the Wicked Queen’s side of the story), which introduces us to our main characters and gives us our first glimpse of the magic involved in these story-busted tales.

If you’ve ever moved from one place to another, you know how Abby feels. Everything seems upside down. The kids play the wrong kind of tag, they don’t know the proper way to make peanut butter and banana sandwiches and they call Coke, Pepsi, etc. “soda”. Soda, I tell you! All this change makes Abby long for something familiar and normal. Unfortunately for her, “normal” isn’t in the cards. While doing some late night exploring, Abby’s younger brother Jonah discovers something mysterious about the creepy mirror in the basement, and before you can say “Mirror, mirror on the wall”, both Abby and Jonah (along with some furniture and a fair amount of law books) are sucked into the mirror and taken far, far away. A little bit of exploring later and the kids find themselves witness to a familiar scene: a haggard old woman attempting to give an apple to a beautiful girl. Just in time, Abby realizes what’s going on and stops Snow White from eating the poisoned apple, thus saving her life, and the day. But Abby and Jonah soon realize that saving the day has messed with Snow’s story, and now she might never get her prince and her happy ending. Now Abby, Jonah, Snow and seven dwarves (some of them women!) are on a mission to fix Snow’s story and find the Queen’s Magic Mirror to send the siblings back home.

There are so many little things about this book that I enjoyed, I’ll start there. First of all, I loved the personalities and the diversity of the seven dwarves. Making some of them female is genius; I’ve never come across that idea before. In fact, I enjoyed all the characters at play here. Abby, our heroine, is ultimately smart, creative and relatable. Jonah has heart (and stomach), bravery and is very loyal. And while Snow White starts out naïve and a little simple, she quickly grows into someone quite clever, though she will probably never be a good cook.

Mlynowski has a really good handle on her story, as well. She wastes no time in setting the scene. In two short chapters we are introduced to Abby and her new girl worries, and her brother and his mysterious discovery. From chapter three onward, we are off! The action moves at a very quick pace (at only 169 pages, it’s an easy one-sitter for an adult reader), but leaves nothing out. All the seeds are planted for an interesting series, and I can’t wait to see what stories Mlynowski muddles with next.

Whatever After: Fairest of all by Sarah Mlynowski
2012, Scholastic
Library copy

Review - "Goblin Secrets"

"All the world's a stage,/ And all the men and women (and goblins) merely players;/ They have their exits and their entrances;/ And one man in his time plays many parts..."

This is the second time I have begun a blog entry with this particular quote from Shakespeare, but who can blame me? It is a cracker jack quote. Here’s another, while I’m at it: “The play’s the thing…” Now imagine a world in which masks have been outlawed (for humans at least), and players are considered bandits of a sort, stealing away with their audience’s credulity. But on the fringes of society are rebels, considered outcasts, who go on with the show. This is the world presented to us in William Alexander’s rich Goblin Secrets.

Rownie has nothing. His family is merely a scrapheap collection of orphans, molded together by a Baba Yaga like witch named Graba. He used to have a brother, but said brother has disappeared. Rownie doesn’t even have a name, his own being merely a juvenilization of his older brother’s name, Rowan. Life seems to be going nowhere fast until one day he is pulled on stage during a goblin performance, and the whole world changes. Now Rownie has something to look forward to (illegal though it may be), a means of escaping Graba and new friends to help him along the way. Rownie lives with the goblins on the fringes of society and learns that he’s not the only one that’s been searching for news of his wayward brother. The goblins seek him as well, in hopes of enacting some ancient magic to save the city of Zombay from the rising waters that seek to consume them.

Goblin Secrets has some moments of levity, but on the whole goes into some rather dark places. Graba is a terrifying figure, perched on mechanical chicken legs and wielding inhuman powers and influence over her hoard of children. Rownie lives under an oppressive regime that has banned mask wearing and play-acting, led by a corrupt Lord Mayor and enforced by imposing Guards. Even the happy ending comes at the discovery of a huge and heartbreaking cost. I like that Alexander was not afraid to go dark, pulling the reader into the uncertain world of Zombay. Children can use a little darkness sometimes, as Lemony Snicket has taught us. And Alexander’s world creating is so richly detailed as to feel totally real, even quotidian; the goblins are more ordinary than the ordinary people.

I’m not sure what made me pick this title up. It doesn’t have a particularly remarkable cover, or catchy title, and yet I was drawn to it. This appears to be the case for others as well, because the book has gone out many times since I put in on the shelf, and it was awarded the National Book Award. Now that I know of the good stuff inside, I’ll be sure to try and get it in even more hands. I don’t think it will be a hard sell.

Goblin Secrets by William Alexander
2012, Margaret K. McElderry Books
Library copy

Review - "The Big Bank Burglary"

As a librarian, I mark the success of a book in several ways.  Reviews are nice, shiny award stickers are special, and high circulation numbers always get my attention.  But one of the most rewarding ways to measure success is literally in the eyes of the reader.  I read and reviewed Kim Donovan’s debut entry in the St. Viper’s School for Super Villains (at the author’s request), and liked it enough to purchase a copy for my collection.  It’s light enough for reluctant readers and funny enough to get those who just love a good laugh.  The other day, I discovered the best kind of feedback.  I was booktalking The Riotous Rocket Ship Robbery with a nine-year-old boy, whose eyes grew bigger and bigger the longer I talked, and then he promised to come back to get the book when he was done with the books he had to read to get his requisite points at school.  He wanted to read it for fun!  Huzzah!  

And so it was with great pleasure I turned to the second volume in the St. Viper’s series, The Big Bank Burglary.  The second time around, Demon Kid and his friends are trying to earn their place on the prestigious bank burglary team, part of a grander scheme run by the grown-up super villains in their overall quest to rule the world.  Thanks to his notoriety from the rocket ship incident, Demon and his friends are flying high, until a new student, Copycat, joins the class and quickly takes Demon’s place as top dog.  No matter what Demon does to try and stand out, Copycat is always one step ahead.  But there’s something fishy going on, and Demon may be the only one that can save all our super villains from the heroic clutches of super heroes like Captain Cool and Muscle Man.

What I enjoyed about the first volume of Ms. Donovan’s series was the rampant humor and the very relatable need to make a name and a place for oneself.  In this second outing, another universal theme is explored, one every kid can understand: the new kid.  The new kid is so special, the new kid is so great.  Teachers love him, kids love him, and he succeeds at everything he does, especially the same things that you always thought made you unique.  Demon’s eventual victory over Copycat is classic wish fulfillment, and it’s a great turnabout that I didn’t see coming.

I could still use some more character development, and I still want to spend more time with Demon’s kooky teachers, but overall I was pleased with this second installment of St. Viper’s School for Super Villains.  Once again, it’s a quick, satisfying  read that I know will appeal to little troublemakers and do-gooders alike.

St. Viper’s School for Super Villains: The Big Bank Burglary by Kim Donovan
2013, Squawk Books
Electronic copy provided by author for review

Review - "Virginia Wolf"

There are lots of children’s books about having a bad day. Poor Alexander and his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day comes immediately to mind. So does Kevin Henkes’ Lilly in Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, in which her kind teacher tells her, “Today was a difficult day. Tomorrow will be better.” This life lesson has served me well over the years, and is the subject of Kyo Maclear’s wonderful new picture book, Virginia Wolf. And no, that is not a typo.

Virginia woke up feeling “wolfish”. She didn’t want to play with her friends, or with her sister, Vanessa. She was even irritable with the birds outside. “The whole house sank. Up became down. Bright became dim. Glad became gloom.” Vanessa tries her best to cheer up her sister, but nothing works, until her sister mentions a place full of flowers and frosted cakes and “absolutely no doldrums” (what a wonderful word!). “Where is that?” Vanessa asks. “Bloomsberry, of course,” came the reply. And so Vanessa decides to paint and create her sister’s happy place. “I made it look just the way it sounded…I brought the outside inside.” Vanessa’s act of sisterly affection turns Virginia’s gloomy day glad and saves the day.

According to the author info on the cover flap, Maclear based her story on the real life sisters of Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell, but really, the emotions she’s dealing with are universal. Like Alexander, like Lilly, Virginia simply has a bad, bad day. And who can’t relate to that? Maclear perfectly captures that feeling of being down, especially when it’s for no apparent reason. Isabelle Arsenault’s sumptuous illustrations are equally impressive in representing Virginia’s wolfish mood (she is first seen only in silouette) and Vanessa’s artistic effort is bright, imaginative and full of both childish scribbles and more mature undertakings.

I loved Virginia Wolf when I first read it, and in sharing it with young ones, I’ve come to appreciate it even more. The universality of the story, mixed with a very personal connection to Virginia’s “doldrums” make this one of the stand out picture books of 2012.

Virginia Wolf by Kyo Maclear, ill. by Isabelle Arsenault
2012, Kids Can Press
Library copy

Backlist Files - "Cheesie Mack is Not a Genius or Anything"

Cheesie Mack is Not a Genius or Anything, but Steve Cotler just might be. I picked up the aforementioned Cheesie Mack based on a glowing review for its sequel Cheesie Mack is Cool in a Duel. I thought,“Hey, that sounds kind of nifty. And I do need to read more ‘boy’ books anyway.” So I tracked down the book (it had been mistakenly shelved in adult fiction), took it home and read it, nearly in one sitting. I don’t do that for many books. Even short books get put down occasionally so I can pet the cat, make dinner or watch a movie. But Cheesie Mack is so darn endearing, I had a hard time putting him away.

Fifth grade is almost over for Ronald “Cheesie” Mack and his best friend Georgie. Normally, this would be cause for celebration, but this summer the boys will not be spending their typically idyllic vacation at camp in Maine. Georgie’s father has been let go, and they can no longer afford the tuition, and in an act of sympathy, Cheesie declares he won’t go without his friend. So the two are facing a summer of possible boredom and probable teasing/fighting with Cheesie’s big sister, June (“Goon”) when Georgie makes a surprising discovery. Now the boys have a mystery to solve, a graduation to prank, a sister to survive and a dream of a summer saved.

Cheesie Mack is your average dude. He’s short (second shortest in his class), but he makes up for it in sheer pluck. He’s also a nice guy. He detests cheating, loves his dog, and is steadfastly loyal to his best friend, even to the point of giving up a summer of fun. This is part of what makes this book tick so well. Cheesie is an every-dude, not someone possessed of superior powers or wisdom. He and Georgie are ultimately relatable (who hasn’t had an obnoxious sibling, or had to give up something they loved because of financial struggles?).

Another facet of Cotler’s narrative that works is the book’s online interactivity. Unlike other web-connected books such as Patrick Carmen’s Skeleton Creek series (which, for the record, scare me to death), you don’t have to have internet access to continue or enjoy the story. Instead, Cheesie often mentions his website (CheesieMack.com) as a place to send in suggestions or questions for Cheesie, or indeed, just a place to chat with him. One such use of this feature occurs when Cheesie answers his grandfather’s coin riddle (the answer is not revealed to the reader), and Cheesie invites readers to go online and guess how he figured it out. This nifty device gives readers a chance to stretch their brain power and share their success with an outside source.

Now that I’ve read Cheesie’s first installment, I’m looking forward to further adventures. I hope they live up to my expectations, but I have faith in Cotler that it will. I’m hoping the series continues, as well, because this is a great book to put in the hands of Wimpy Kid fans, and reluctant readers. I think Cheesie’s humor and humility will pull them in.

Cheesie Mack is Not a Genius or Anything by Steve Cotler
2011, Random House Children’s Books
Library copy

Review - "Temple Grandin"

Interesting tidbit: when I ordered Sy Montgomery’s Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World, and the order came in, my assistant director asked me if this is what I had really wanted. She thought the title looked too old for my audience (I’m the children’s librarian, so I cover 0-12). I told her that yes, this book was on the high end of my clientele, but it most certainly was the book I had intended to get. I believe Temple to be an exemplary role model, and someone I wanted my kids to get to know, and I trusted Montgomery to be the one to introduce her.

Of course, in reading Temple Grandin, it is Temple herself that the readers first meet. Ms. Grandin has written a wonderful forward to this volume about her life, in which she gives practical advice for all children, not just those on the Spectrum, but those who consider themselves nerds or outcasts, or anyone who has ever felt a drive towards doing something special. To wit: everyone. This was the beginning of my falling in love with this book, and with Temple herself. As Montgomery relates Temple’s early life and struggles, I struggled along with her. Montgomery is so deft and delicate with describing Temple’s symptoms, I could almost understand what it must have felt like inside adolescent Temple’s head. However, it isn’t until later, when an adult Temple begins her crusade for the humane treatment of all animals, and Montgomery gives direct quotes from Temple about how she relates to what the animals, especially the cows, are thinking, that it really clicked. I could feel the terror and uncertainty, but also the relieved peace that Temple’s inventions bring about.

I had a very visceral reaction to reading this biography, and I’ve heard similar responses from patrons as well. My library does not carry any of Temple’s own books (something I’d like to rectify if I can), so Ms. Montgomery’s biography is the only link we have to this amazing person and her extraordinary story. I know the book may be tough reading for some of the kids in my room, but that won’t stop me from pushing it into any eager hands I can find, or from dragging teenagers downstairs, away from their own collection, and getting them to read it as well (my hook: Claire Danes played Temple in an HBO movie. Read the book, watch the movie!). I’ve always been an animal lover, but I still feel like getting to know Temple Grandin has changed the way I look at the world. My hats off to Temple and especially to Sy Montgomery: an excellent book about a thoroughly excellent woman.

Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World, by Sy Montgomery, forward by Temple Grandin
2012, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Library copy