I have tried to use the same format for all of my entries to this blog and provide information so that anyone reading it would be able to find the same item that has been reviewed. All images were found using google image and are not my property; they are only used to give an example of the exact edition I read. To that end, all the images are of the exact edition I reviewed so readers may know how old/new the printing/release may be. I have reviewed a majority of adventure/sci-fi titles due both to my preference for the genre and the fact that by reviewing more of one type of title, one can compare any two items more easily.
There is a 'blog archive' box on the right side of the page, but by scrolling back through the pages or following the various tags at the top right one can more easily navigate the blog. There are slightly more than 50 reviews contained in the blog with less than 20 being movies and television while the remainder are in book format.
I hope you enjoy the reviews,
Grant
The Limit by Kristen Landon
Title: The Limit
Author: Kristen Landon
ISBN: 978-1-4424-0271-3
291 pages
Aladdin Books, 2010 edition
Description:
Set in a not-so-strange and not-so-futuristic world, 'The Limit' tells of a world where children are taken away from their homes and their schools and taken to what amount to be big factories, called workhouses, if their families cannot abide by the laws. The main law that sees many kids taken away is called 'the limit' and is a limit on how much federal debt anyone family can accumulate. Early in the book, the protagonist Matt sees a number of his peers taken away by the government. To his surprise, the government soon comes for him too. His father is too slow in trying to protect his son from being taken away, and Matt is brought to a workhouse to serve his sentence. To his surprise Matt has been placed in a different area of the workhouse where only certain kids are sent. He is allowed and computer and a cell phone and may order up just about anything he can desire (except freedom). Matt's sister is too taken to the same workhouse but sent to a much different section. He soon learns the truth behind the workhouses, but will he be able to stop it?
Review:
Not the most thrilling of the books I have read, but it is unique in that it fully understands the use of cell phones and technology by 'tweens'. There is texting and computer use going rampant throughout the book (as is the case in real life) and the kids are never far from their devices. The plot is sort of cheap science fiction/mystery and nothing too surprising (to my mind). The pace moves pretty fast and the reader is drawn up into the world of Matt and the workhouses before they even realize it. While not an exemplary piece of 'tween' fiction, it does get some things right and many a 'tween' might very well enjoy it, if only for the use of technology and its pivotal role in the novel.
Author: Kristen Landon
ISBN: 978-1-4424-0271-3
291 pages
Aladdin Books, 2010 edition
Description:
Set in a not-so-strange and not-so-futuristic world, 'The Limit' tells of a world where children are taken away from their homes and their schools and taken to what amount to be big factories, called workhouses, if their families cannot abide by the laws. The main law that sees many kids taken away is called 'the limit' and is a limit on how much federal debt anyone family can accumulate. Early in the book, the protagonist Matt sees a number of his peers taken away by the government. To his surprise, the government soon comes for him too. His father is too slow in trying to protect his son from being taken away, and Matt is brought to a workhouse to serve his sentence. To his surprise Matt has been placed in a different area of the workhouse where only certain kids are sent. He is allowed and computer and a cell phone and may order up just about anything he can desire (except freedom). Matt's sister is too taken to the same workhouse but sent to a much different section. He soon learns the truth behind the workhouses, but will he be able to stop it?
Review:Not the most thrilling of the books I have read, but it is unique in that it fully understands the use of cell phones and technology by 'tweens'. There is texting and computer use going rampant throughout the book (as is the case in real life) and the kids are never far from their devices. The plot is sort of cheap science fiction/mystery and nothing too surprising (to my mind). The pace moves pretty fast and the reader is drawn up into the world of Matt and the workhouses before they even realize it. While not an exemplary piece of 'tween' fiction, it does get some things right and many a 'tween' might very well enjoy it, if only for the use of technology and its pivotal role in the novel.
Up (Film)
Title: Up
DVD, 2009
Directed by Pete Doctor
One of those movies that, in my opinion, is great for 'tweens' because of its combination of real life, grown up problems and the sense of wonderment that only a child possesses.
Description:
The film begins with a young boy named Carl who is full of spunk and zeal and a love for adventure and exploration. He finds that one of his heroes has to face claims of fraudulence yet never gets a chance to return, to Paradise Falls, the site of a legendary bird. Carl meets his future wife Ellie and they vow to build a house above Paradise Falls together. Fast forward to the present day, we find Carl living in the same place he did with his wife Ellie, but now she has passed away and Carl has retired. After fighting with his neighbors over the recent urbanization of his neighborhood, Carl is told he must move out of his home and into an old folks home. Deciding to fulfill his promise to his deceased wife, Carl ties hundreds of balloons to his house so that he can take his house with him to Paradise Falls.
Believing himself to be alone, Carl soon finds that a young boy from the neighborhood has accidentally tagged along. Russell draws the grumpy side of Carl out, as he had hoped to go on his voyage unimpeded. Russell and Carl find their way to Paradise Falls and discover that Carl's childhood hero still lives their in secrecy, still searching for the rare bird he had fraudulently claimed to have found. Muntz, as the man is named, turns out to be unworthy of the hero status Carl had once given him. It is up to Carl and his young friend Russell to find the bird for themselves and the process, Carl learns more about himself than he had anticipated.
Review:
It is difficult to cover all of the scenes in the film in such a short description but, needles to say, the film is filled with awe-inspiring animation and heart-warming relationships between the characters that are sure to satisfy the most stingy viewer. Real life problems like death and loss are not skirted over in this film, and in many respects this is a very, very sad film. The curmudgeonly old man and the chubby naive boy make for quite the disparate pair, but through Russell, Carl sees the young adventurous spirit he once was (and in some respects still is). A very beautiful movie and one worth revisiting over and over again.
DVD, 2009
Directed by Pete Doctor
One of those movies that, in my opinion, is great for 'tweens' because of its combination of real life, grown up problems and the sense of wonderment that only a child possesses.
Description:
The film begins with a young boy named Carl who is full of spunk and zeal and a love for adventure and exploration. He finds that one of his heroes has to face claims of fraudulence yet never gets a chance to return, to Paradise Falls, the site of a legendary bird. Carl meets his future wife Ellie and they vow to build a house above Paradise Falls together. Fast forward to the present day, we find Carl living in the same place he did with his wife Ellie, but now she has passed away and Carl has retired. After fighting with his neighbors over the recent urbanization of his neighborhood, Carl is told he must move out of his home and into an old folks home. Deciding to fulfill his promise to his deceased wife, Carl ties hundreds of balloons to his house so that he can take his house with him to Paradise Falls.Believing himself to be alone, Carl soon finds that a young boy from the neighborhood has accidentally tagged along. Russell draws the grumpy side of Carl out, as he had hoped to go on his voyage unimpeded. Russell and Carl find their way to Paradise Falls and discover that Carl's childhood hero still lives their in secrecy, still searching for the rare bird he had fraudulently claimed to have found. Muntz, as the man is named, turns out to be unworthy of the hero status Carl had once given him. It is up to Carl and his young friend Russell to find the bird for themselves and the process, Carl learns more about himself than he had anticipated.
Review:
It is difficult to cover all of the scenes in the film in such a short description but, needles to say, the film is filled with awe-inspiring animation and heart-warming relationships between the characters that are sure to satisfy the most stingy viewer. Real life problems like death and loss are not skirted over in this film, and in many respects this is a very, very sad film. The curmudgeonly old man and the chubby naive boy make for quite the disparate pair, but through Russell, Carl sees the young adventurous spirit he once was (and in some respects still is). A very beautiful movie and one worth revisiting over and over again.
Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi
Author: Avi
ISBN: 078682647-9
262 pages
Hyperion Books, 2002 edition
Having heard so much about Avi, and being recommended so many of his works for this assignment, I would be remiss if I did not include at least one review of his work. After reading up on his literary output, I selected 'Crispin' based solely on my own personal interests as the novel that sounded most interesting.
Description:
Asta's son is the only name he has ever been called and after her death, Crispin feels lost in the world. The year is 1377 and the place is rural England. Shortly after his mother's death, Crispin overhears a conversation between the local steward John Aycliffe and a mysterious man, but the two notice him and his flight in terror begins. After narrowly escaping from Aycliffe and his henchman, Asta's son has a bounty placed on his head. A public announcement is made that proclaims Crispin a wolf's head, a persona-non-grata who may be captured, and killed, upon sight. A rogue jester and juggler, nicknamed the Bear due to his great size, is the only person willing to aid Crispin in his flight. The Bear turns out to be a much more complicated man than Crispin had bargained for, and the two make a hasty dash across the English countryside to evade the constant pursuit of Aycliffe and his men.
Review:
A very fast paced tale of flight from one of the biggest figures in children's books, 'Crispin' gives kids a good glimpse into the life of medieval England. Avi gives just the right amount of background information and historical data without making 'Crispin' seem like a history lesson. The characters are vividly detailed, especially the boy and the Bear, and the veil of Christianity shrouds all aspects of this exciting novel. While some might be turned off by the overtly religious nature of the book, it is in keeping with the superstitious and devout nature of people from that time. There is a nice balance struck between making the book realistic and true to its' time period and making the novel palatable for younger readers. The images of torch and sword wielding pursuers come from both the cover and the pages within, and anyone looking for an interesting and exciting book need look no further.
Enchanted (Film)
Title: Enchanted
DVD, 2008
Starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey
Essentially a reinvention of the classic fairy-tale love story. Came highly recommended by my sister.
Description:
The fairy-tale princess Giselle lives in the magical land of Andalasia, which in the film is an animated land (except for the humans) filled with the requisite courts and royalty and animals that speak. However, an evil-stepmother-like character played by Susan Sarandon grows jealous of Giselle and sends her hurtling through time and space, when finally she lands in downtown Manhattan. She runs into a very handsome lawyer who's daughter convinces him to let the pretty princess stay with them in their home. Prince Edward, Giselle's husband-to-be from Andalasia, travels through the portal to save her, but he is followed by workers for his evil stepmother who will stop at nothing to make sure he fails. Combining elements purposefully copied from classic Disney films like 'Snow White' and 'Cinderella', Giselle learns much about herself and true love through her adventures in Manhattan.
Review:
Not exactly my cup of tea, but I can see why my sister enjoyed it so much. The talking animals are cute and funny and the inevitable misunderstandings and laughs that arise from a fairy-tale princess taking to the streets of New York are entertaining. The true love bit is beaten over the audiences head a little, but there is plenty of fun to be had. The story, the situations and the expectations outlined for young girls are totally unrealistic, but not in so unforgiving a fashion. While it might not portray the most realistic goals for a young lady, it is surely a film that 'tweens' will enjoy (maybe not so much for the boys, however).
DVD, 2008
Starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey
Essentially a reinvention of the classic fairy-tale love story. Came highly recommended by my sister.
Description:
The fairy-tale princess Giselle lives in the magical land of Andalasia, which in the film is an animated land (except for the humans) filled with the requisite courts and royalty and animals that speak. However, an evil-stepmother-like character played by Susan Sarandon grows jealous of Giselle and sends her hurtling through time and space, when finally she lands in downtown Manhattan. She runs into a very handsome lawyer who's daughter convinces him to let the pretty princess stay with them in their home. Prince Edward, Giselle's husband-to-be from Andalasia, travels through the portal to save her, but he is followed by workers for his evil stepmother who will stop at nothing to make sure he fails. Combining elements purposefully copied from classic Disney films like 'Snow White' and 'Cinderella', Giselle learns much about herself and true love through her adventures in Manhattan.Review:
Not exactly my cup of tea, but I can see why my sister enjoyed it so much. The talking animals are cute and funny and the inevitable misunderstandings and laughs that arise from a fairy-tale princess taking to the streets of New York are entertaining. The true love bit is beaten over the audiences head a little, but there is plenty of fun to be had. The story, the situations and the expectations outlined for young girls are totally unrealistic, but not in so unforgiving a fashion. While it might not portray the most realistic goals for a young lady, it is surely a film that 'tweens' will enjoy (maybe not so much for the boys, however).
Title: The Swiss Family Robinson
Author: Johan Wyss
ISBN: 0-448-06022-1
388 pages
Grosset & Dunlap, 1999 edition
When I asked my local librarian for books intended for 'tweens' and told her about the course I was taking, this is the first book she pointed out. I had heard the name before, but did not really know what it was or what to expect. The cover is horribly cheesy and although it is a 1999 printing, the book looks ancient.
Description:
Narrated by the ever-so-manly father of the family Robinson, the story details the account of the family as they attempt to travel to Australia. On their way, the family becomes shipwrecked and must rely on their knowledge of flora and fauna as well as their carpentry and other learned skills to survive. While it is considered one novel, it plays out more like a series of interconnected short stores. Some of them include the family building a bridge across treacherous terrain. Another example is the building of a tree house in which the family so famously lives. Others include buffalo hunts and salt cavern and even the discovery of a skeleton. Through it all the family with their four sons must rely on their wits to survive their strange and tropical new surroundings.
Review:
This is one of the few books that I have selected for review where, from reading, there was derived almost zero satisfaction. The initial few chapters were fun as we learn about the family and their shipwreck. But once the family settles in, the book reads more like an Audobon Society manual or a how-to guide than a children's book. So much of the text is concerned with the flora and fauna of their tropical home and the skills needed to tame it. The author goes on, ad nauseum, over the most trivial of details. There are some exciting adventures mixed in to the story, but the building of tree-huts and bridges is not exactly my idea of fun. I have co-worker who's son loves engineering, building and mechanical types of things and I have a feeling he may very well enjoy a book like this. However, for most 'tweens' or adults, they may find this book quite the bore.
Author: Johan Wyss
ISBN: 0-448-06022-1
388 pages
Grosset & Dunlap, 1999 edition
When I asked my local librarian for books intended for 'tweens' and told her about the course I was taking, this is the first book she pointed out. I had heard the name before, but did not really know what it was or what to expect. The cover is horribly cheesy and although it is a 1999 printing, the book looks ancient.Description:
Narrated by the ever-so-manly father of the family Robinson, the story details the account of the family as they attempt to travel to Australia. On their way, the family becomes shipwrecked and must rely on their knowledge of flora and fauna as well as their carpentry and other learned skills to survive. While it is considered one novel, it plays out more like a series of interconnected short stores. Some of them include the family building a bridge across treacherous terrain. Another example is the building of a tree house in which the family so famously lives. Others include buffalo hunts and salt cavern and even the discovery of a skeleton. Through it all the family with their four sons must rely on their wits to survive their strange and tropical new surroundings.
Review:
This is one of the few books that I have selected for review where, from reading, there was derived almost zero satisfaction. The initial few chapters were fun as we learn about the family and their shipwreck. But once the family settles in, the book reads more like an Audobon Society manual or a how-to guide than a children's book. So much of the text is concerned with the flora and fauna of their tropical home and the skills needed to tame it. The author goes on, ad nauseum, over the most trivial of details. There are some exciting adventures mixed in to the story, but the building of tree-huts and bridges is not exactly my idea of fun. I have co-worker who's son loves engineering, building and mechanical types of things and I have a feeling he may very well enjoy a book like this. However, for most 'tweens' or adults, they may find this book quite the bore.
The Black Stallion (film)
Title: The Black Stallion
DVD, 2009
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
One of the most famous kids' movies of all time, this was one that I found in the stacks at my local public library. I vaguely, and I mean quite vaguely, seeing it as a kid and thought it might be fun to revisit.
Description:
'The Black Stallion' tells the story of Alec and his Arabian Stallion simply known as "the Black". Set in the 1940s, the movie begins with Alec and his family on-board a cruise liner and he becomes enamored with the Arabian Stallion. The ship, in a horrible accident, catches fire and creates a panic on-board. After the accident, Alec finds himself on the beach of a deserted island, and the only other soul he finds that has made it to the island is the horse. Initially reluctant in dealing with the boy, the horse and Alec soon gain the trust of one another. After much trial and tribulation, the boy finally manages to climb atop the horse and ride him up and down the beach. Eventually rescued from their deserted island, the boy returns home with horse in tow. Their relationship grows and Alec soon learns just how fast of a horse 'The Black' is, signing the horse up for a hugely important horse race for the movies climactic scene.
Review:
Although, quite honestly, I found the film quite boring I can see how it has become a classic. The scenes of Alex and his horse on the beach are some of the most easily recognizable scenes in cinema. There is this feeling that pervades the movie that Alec, a kid, is the only one who truly understands and loves the horse. This is a very common theme in kids and 'tween' titles and is certainly at work here. There is a scene in which Alec loses the horse and searches frantically to find him. He finds that an old jockey has found him and claimed him as his own. After seeing Alec with the horse, he soon sees the errors of his ways and knows that the boy is the horse's real owner. A classic kids movie that many, especially horse-lovers, will cherish but that others may find a bit slow.
DVD, 2009
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
One of the most famous kids' movies of all time, this was one that I found in the stacks at my local public library. I vaguely, and I mean quite vaguely, seeing it as a kid and thought it might be fun to revisit.
Description:
'The Black Stallion' tells the story of Alec and his Arabian Stallion simply known as "the Black". Set in the 1940s, the movie begins with Alec and his family on-board a cruise liner and he becomes enamored with the Arabian Stallion. The ship, in a horrible accident, catches fire and creates a panic on-board. After the accident, Alec finds himself on the beach of a deserted island, and the only other soul he finds that has made it to the island is the horse. Initially reluctant in dealing with the boy, the horse and Alec soon gain the trust of one another. After much trial and tribulation, the boy finally manages to climb atop the horse and ride him up and down the beach. Eventually rescued from their deserted island, the boy returns home with horse in tow. Their relationship grows and Alec soon learns just how fast of a horse 'The Black' is, signing the horse up for a hugely important horse race for the movies climactic scene.
Review:
Although, quite honestly, I found the film quite boring I can see how it has become a classic. The scenes of Alex and his horse on the beach are some of the most easily recognizable scenes in cinema. There is this feeling that pervades the movie that Alec, a kid, is the only one who truly understands and loves the horse. This is a very common theme in kids and 'tween' titles and is certainly at work here. There is a scene in which Alec loses the horse and searches frantically to find him. He finds that an old jockey has found him and claimed him as his own. After seeing Alec with the horse, he soon sees the errors of his ways and knows that the boy is the horse's real owner. A classic kids movie that many, especially horse-lovers, will cherish but that others may find a bit slow.
The Navigator by Eoin McNamee
Title: The Navigator
Author: Eoin McNamee
ISBN: 978-0-375-93910-5
342 pages
Wendy Lamb Books, 2006 edition
Description:
A sort of fantasy/science fiction combination, 'The Navigator' tells the story of a young boy named Owen. His father has taken his own life and his mother has sunk into the depths of a deep depression. Owen's world is filled with anxiety and fear. He hears murmurs about his family being crazy and has an overwhelming fear of water. His one refuge is his den, a place out in the woods where he can be secluded from all the world's problems. After meeting a tiny man only known as the Sub-Commandant who tells his daughter Cati to essentially be Owen's bodyguard, and is recruited into a group called simply the Resistors. When Owen is brought amongst the Resistance the are skeptical of him due to some of his similarities to their greatest enemy, the Harsh (namely that both hold a phobia toward bodies of water). Owen must not only prove that he belongs, but must take on the mythic role of the Navigator, the only hope against in the battle of good versus evil.
Review:
I found this title to be extremely derivative of other good vs. evil, 'the chosen one' type of stories where one seemingly unaware and none-to-special (initially) child turns out to be the only hope for the 'good guys'. While not poorly written in any sense, one gets the feeling that we've all already read this book (or maybe just so many others like it). I am sure that some young people, especially boys interested in the whole good guys versus bad guys aesthetic, will enjoy this book. But, for me, it was very run-of-the-mill and offered little in excitement or innovation.
Author: Eoin McNamee
ISBN: 978-0-375-93910-5
342 pages
Wendy Lamb Books, 2006 edition
Description:
A sort of fantasy/science fiction combination, 'The Navigator' tells the story of a young boy named Owen. His father has taken his own life and his mother has sunk into the depths of a deep depression. Owen's world is filled with anxiety and fear. He hears murmurs about his family being crazy and has an overwhelming fear of water. His one refuge is his den, a place out in the woods where he can be secluded from all the world's problems. After meeting a tiny man only known as the Sub-Commandant who tells his daughter Cati to essentially be Owen's bodyguard, and is recruited into a group called simply the Resistors. When Owen is brought amongst the Resistance the are skeptical of him due to some of his similarities to their greatest enemy, the Harsh (namely that both hold a phobia toward bodies of water). Owen must not only prove that he belongs, but must take on the mythic role of the Navigator, the only hope against in the battle of good versus evil.Review:
I found this title to be extremely derivative of other good vs. evil, 'the chosen one' type of stories where one seemingly unaware and none-to-special (initially) child turns out to be the only hope for the 'good guys'. While not poorly written in any sense, one gets the feeling that we've all already read this book (or maybe just so many others like it). I am sure that some young people, especially boys interested in the whole good guys versus bad guys aesthetic, will enjoy this book. But, for me, it was very run-of-the-mill and offered little in excitement or innovation.
Osmosis Jones (Film)
Title: Osmosis Jones
DVD, 2001
Starring Bill Murray and Chris Rock
One of the various movies that the librarian gave me when I asked about 'tween' titles, 'Osmosis Jones' is a film that I had never heard of and thus had no preconceived notions.
Description:
The movie is a mix between live-action and animation as Frank (played by Bill Murray) ingests a virus after eating food that he has dropped when on the job at the zoo. He explains to his daughter that the 10-minute rule was still in effect and eats the questionable piece of food. Following the germ into Frank's body, the film becomes animated and the white blood cell Osmosis Jones is on the case. Frank takes a cold medicine called zenadrix (Drix for short) and the odd-couple duo try to get to the bottom of what's making Frank sick. What is really going on is that the evil villain Thrax has infiltrated Frank's immune system and plans on taking over Frank's body. It is up to Drix and Osmosis to save Frank from his own body.
Review:
The mix of live-action and animated sequences is a really neat idea as there is an entire world inside Frank. The animation is pretty slick and the voice acting is done well, with lots of familiar voices. The movie relies heavily (far too much so) on the type of potty humor that is easily found when exploring the body. Some of it is actually pretty filthy given the movies PG rating. For most 'tweens' however, the movie poses nothing really inappropriate. The dynamic between Frank (a single father) and his daughter who is trying to get him serious about his health is the only emotionally significant portion of the movie, and it is talked about so little that it is almost forgotten. Playing up this dynamic would have helped make the experience more rewarding for its' 'tween' viewers and might have made for a better overall film.
DVD, 2001
Starring Bill Murray and Chris Rock
One of the various movies that the librarian gave me when I asked about 'tween' titles, 'Osmosis Jones' is a film that I had never heard of and thus had no preconceived notions.
Description:
The movie is a mix between live-action and animation as Frank (played by Bill Murray) ingests a virus after eating food that he has dropped when on the job at the zoo. He explains to his daughter that the 10-minute rule was still in effect and eats the questionable piece of food. Following the germ into Frank's body, the film becomes animated and the white blood cell Osmosis Jones is on the case. Frank takes a cold medicine called zenadrix (Drix for short) and the odd-couple duo try to get to the bottom of what's making Frank sick. What is really going on is that the evil villain Thrax has infiltrated Frank's immune system and plans on taking over Frank's body. It is up to Drix and Osmosis to save Frank from his own body.Review:
The mix of live-action and animated sequences is a really neat idea as there is an entire world inside Frank. The animation is pretty slick and the voice acting is done well, with lots of familiar voices. The movie relies heavily (far too much so) on the type of potty humor that is easily found when exploring the body. Some of it is actually pretty filthy given the movies PG rating. For most 'tweens' however, the movie poses nothing really inappropriate. The dynamic between Frank (a single father) and his daughter who is trying to get him serious about his health is the only emotionally significant portion of the movie, and it is talked about so little that it is almost forgotten. Playing up this dynamic would have helped make the experience more rewarding for its' 'tween' viewers and might have made for a better overall film.
The Twits by Roald Dahl
Title: The Twits
Author: Roald Dahl
ISBN: 0-14-034640-6
76 pages
Puffin Books, 1991 edition
A favorite of mine and my sister's growing up (not the sister who is currently a 'tween', we have a big family), 'The Twits' is a fun and short book that anyone can pick up and instantly enjoy. While the reading level might be slightly too low for many kids age 9-14, I know plenty of children at my work that are in this age group and would find this level of reading to be right up their alley.
Description:
The Twits are the nastiest kind of people; they don't bathe, Mr. Twit has nearly an entire compost bin of gross, old food stuck in his unkempt beard and they are just generally rotten people. The have a troupe of trained monkeys that they torture relentlessly and force to do their disgusting bidding. The book contains several little stories about the Twits and their mistreatment of their monkeys (called the Muggle-Wumps) whom they make stand on their head all day long. The stories progress in their filth and general horribleness until the Muggle-Wumps have enough and return the favor, so to speak, to their nasty owners.
Review:
Just as short as it is fun, 'The Twits' is a great short read for kids. The Twits are disgusting and hilarious and are nearly as mean to each other as they are to everyone else. There are not really chapters, just small interwoven stories with accompanying illustrations from Quentin Blake. Even for 'tweens' who's reading level has eclipsed books of this sort, 'The Twits' remains a fun option for a rainy day.
Author: Roald Dahl
ISBN: 0-14-034640-6
76 pages
Puffin Books, 1991 edition
A favorite of mine and my sister's growing up (not the sister who is currently a 'tween', we have a big family), 'The Twits' is a fun and short book that anyone can pick up and instantly enjoy. While the reading level might be slightly too low for many kids age 9-14, I know plenty of children at my work that are in this age group and would find this level of reading to be right up their alley.
Description:
The Twits are the nastiest kind of people; they don't bathe, Mr. Twit has nearly an entire compost bin of gross, old food stuck in his unkempt beard and they are just generally rotten people. The have a troupe of trained monkeys that they torture relentlessly and force to do their disgusting bidding. The book contains several little stories about the Twits and their mistreatment of their monkeys (called the Muggle-Wumps) whom they make stand on their head all day long. The stories progress in their filth and general horribleness until the Muggle-Wumps have enough and return the favor, so to speak, to their nasty owners.Review:
Just as short as it is fun, 'The Twits' is a great short read for kids. The Twits are disgusting and hilarious and are nearly as mean to each other as they are to everyone else. There are not really chapters, just small interwoven stories with accompanying illustrations from Quentin Blake. Even for 'tweens' who's reading level has eclipsed books of this sort, 'The Twits' remains a fun option for a rainy day.
Shadow of a Bull by Maia Wojciechowska
Title: Shadow of a Bull
Author: Maia Wojciechowska
ISBN: 0-689-30042-5
155 pages
Atheneum Books, 1964 edition
This book was recommended to me by my mother and was the first thing she thought of when I told her what a tween was. Winner of the Newbery Medal, this book has been in print for nearly 50 years.
Description:
'Shadow of a Bull' tells the story of young Manolo whose father is the greatest and most revered bullfighter in all of Spain. Manolo's deep dark secret is that he has no desire to fight the bulls, even amidst the pressure from everyone in his community. Not only is Manolo the heir apparent to the the crown of bullfighting, but he also looks like his father thus doubling the efforts of those that would pressure him into the ring. Manolo's friend Juan is an up and coming bullfighter, who shows great promise. In own memorable scene where Manolo witnesses the killing of a Bull which takes minutes but "seems to last a lifetime" we see the gentle side of Manolo and are faced with the reality that we may feel the same as him and would react the same in his shoes. Manolo uses his relationship with his father and his position in his community to gain Juan access to a fight of his own, to which he responds with great success.
Review:
Sort of a strange topic given that the writer is Polish, writing in English, about happenings in Spain. But the story is a wonderfully written one and the reader immediately, from the first page, empathizes with Manolo. Also, one might think that a book about bullfighting would be overly gory for a group as malleable and easily persuaded as 'tweens', but Wojciechowska does a wonderful job to not skirt around the issue so much that the meaning is lost, but does not go into great detail. For instance, she explains one of the killings by saying something along the lines of "then, the life left the beast" instead of explaining in graphic detail. An engrossing tale of the pressures young people face from the family and communities that, despite it's age, has lost none of its' luster.
Author: Maia Wojciechowska
ISBN: 0-689-30042-5
155 pages
Atheneum Books, 1964 edition
This book was recommended to me by my mother and was the first thing she thought of when I told her what a tween was. Winner of the Newbery Medal, this book has been in print for nearly 50 years.
Description:
'Shadow of a Bull' tells the story of young Manolo whose father is the greatest and most revered bullfighter in all of Spain. Manolo's deep dark secret is that he has no desire to fight the bulls, even amidst the pressure from everyone in his community. Not only is Manolo the heir apparent to the the crown of bullfighting, but he also looks like his father thus doubling the efforts of those that would pressure him into the ring. Manolo's friend Juan is an up and coming bullfighter, who shows great promise. In own memorable scene where Manolo witnesses the killing of a Bull which takes minutes but "seems to last a lifetime" we see the gentle side of Manolo and are faced with the reality that we may feel the same as him and would react the same in his shoes. Manolo uses his relationship with his father and his position in his community to gain Juan access to a fight of his own, to which he responds with great success.
Review:
Sort of a strange topic given that the writer is Polish, writing in English, about happenings in Spain. But the story is a wonderfully written one and the reader immediately, from the first page, empathizes with Manolo. Also, one might think that a book about bullfighting would be overly gory for a group as malleable and easily persuaded as 'tweens', but Wojciechowska does a wonderful job to not skirt around the issue so much that the meaning is lost, but does not go into great detail. For instance, she explains one of the killings by saying something along the lines of "then, the life left the beast" instead of explaining in graphic detail. An engrossing tale of the pressures young people face from the family and communities that, despite it's age, has lost none of its' luster.
Toy Story (Film)
Title: Toy Story
DVD, 2010
Starring Tim Allen and Tom Hanks
My younger brother and sister, both in the 'tween' age range, were insisting that I review 'Toy Story 3' for this digital record. But, having not seen the second installment and barely remembering the first, I decided I would do a little reminiscing of my own and revisit the first film in the series.
Description:
'Toy Story' tells a tale set in a world where, when no one is looking, all of the world's toys come to life. Andy is a young boy with plenty of toys, but the old cowboy Woody is his favorite. He doesn't go anywhere without his pal Andy and has even scrawled his name on Woody's shoe (a distinction of honor and contention between Andy and the other toys). This is all fine and well until on Andy's birthday he gets a Buzz Lightyear toy. The coolest space hero and coolest toy in the world, with his "To infinity and beyond!" catch phrase. Buzz Lightyear is not only Andy's new favorite plaything, but he also believes he is a real space hero and that he can really fly and convinces all of the other toys of these beliefs much to the chagrin of Woody. After a mishap at a pizza restaurant the two toys fall into the hands of the vicious and twisted neighbor of Andy; the dreaded Sid. Woody and Buzz must work together to escape their captor and return to their rightful owner Andy.
Review:
Much of the above description may be unnecessary, as this movie is ever so popular. But seeing it again, after 10 or more years, I forgot just how good the music, the voice acting and the story are. An absolutely great movie for kids of all ages. While not a particularly 'tween' title, even though the boy in the picture may be within that 'tween' age range, this movie is fun for your entire family (and I do mean entire). Everyone from the youngest to the oldest, for those who have yet to see it, will enjoy every minute to the very last drop.
DVD, 2010
Starring Tim Allen and Tom Hanks
My younger brother and sister, both in the 'tween' age range, were insisting that I review 'Toy Story 3' for this digital record. But, having not seen the second installment and barely remembering the first, I decided I would do a little reminiscing of my own and revisit the first film in the series.
Description:
'Toy Story' tells a tale set in a world where, when no one is looking, all of the world's toys come to life. Andy is a young boy with plenty of toys, but the old cowboy Woody is his favorite. He doesn't go anywhere without his pal Andy and has even scrawled his name on Woody's shoe (a distinction of honor and contention between Andy and the other toys). This is all fine and well until on Andy's birthday he gets a Buzz Lightyear toy. The coolest space hero and coolest toy in the world, with his "To infinity and beyond!" catch phrase. Buzz Lightyear is not only Andy's new favorite plaything, but he also believes he is a real space hero and that he can really fly and convinces all of the other toys of these beliefs much to the chagrin of Woody. After a mishap at a pizza restaurant the two toys fall into the hands of the vicious and twisted neighbor of Andy; the dreaded Sid. Woody and Buzz must work together to escape their captor and return to their rightful owner Andy.Review:
Much of the above description may be unnecessary, as this movie is ever so popular. But seeing it again, after 10 or more years, I forgot just how good the music, the voice acting and the story are. An absolutely great movie for kids of all ages. While not a particularly 'tween' title, even though the boy in the picture may be within that 'tween' age range, this movie is fun for your entire family (and I do mean entire). Everyone from the youngest to the oldest, for those who have yet to see it, will enjoy every minute to the very last drop.
Lost Time by Susan Maupin Schmid
Title: Lost Time
Author: Susan Maupin Schmid
ISBN: 978-0-399-24460-5
169 pages
Philomel Books, 2008 edition
This book was on a sort of 'featured' table at the public library near my family's house (which is about 45 minutes away from my home in Seattle) and the cover design and jacket looked interesting enough for me to try. I know the mantra "don't judge a book by its cover" should be ringing in my ears, but old habits die hard.
Description:
This is a tale of the planet of Lindos, a world of ancient cultures and deserts of red sand dunes. The story revolves around a young girl named Violynn, whose parents have disappeared after a trip to a famed archaeological site. Violynn is highly suspect of the Arbiter, the powerful ruler of her planet in the disappearance of her parents and a recent break-in at her home. The Arbiter invites her to a masquerade ball and the Coil, a mysterious and powerful figure, also begins to show interest in Violynn. What is so special about her that two of the most powerful beings on her planet have all the sudden become very interested in Violynn? It turns out that some of her father's belongings possess some very powerful information; information that in the wrong hands could prove deadly. It is up to this one 12-year-old girl to save the fate of her planet and to find her parents.
Review:
This book is a strange blend of sci-fi, fantasy and a sort of pseudo-mystery book and, to me, is reminiscent of the works of Ursula K. LeGuin (albeit for children). The length of the book isn't too daunting or unnecessary (like many works of sci-fi/fantasy) yet there is no sacrifice in characters depth or plot development. The mix of genre's and the futuristic technology of the Croon (the ancient civilization) was enough to keep me interested, but the kids will probably relate more to the protagonist Violynn. Although nothing spectacular in terms of breaking new ground, this was a pretty fun book that is recommended for fans of sci-fi/fantasy.
Author: Susan Maupin Schmid
ISBN: 978-0-399-24460-5
169 pages
Philomel Books, 2008 edition
This book was on a sort of 'featured' table at the public library near my family's house (which is about 45 minutes away from my home in Seattle) and the cover design and jacket looked interesting enough for me to try. I know the mantra "don't judge a book by its cover" should be ringing in my ears, but old habits die hard.Description:
This is a tale of the planet of Lindos, a world of ancient cultures and deserts of red sand dunes. The story revolves around a young girl named Violynn, whose parents have disappeared after a trip to a famed archaeological site. Violynn is highly suspect of the Arbiter, the powerful ruler of her planet in the disappearance of her parents and a recent break-in at her home. The Arbiter invites her to a masquerade ball and the Coil, a mysterious and powerful figure, also begins to show interest in Violynn. What is so special about her that two of the most powerful beings on her planet have all the sudden become very interested in Violynn? It turns out that some of her father's belongings possess some very powerful information; information that in the wrong hands could prove deadly. It is up to this one 12-year-old girl to save the fate of her planet and to find her parents.
Review:
This book is a strange blend of sci-fi, fantasy and a sort of pseudo-mystery book and, to me, is reminiscent of the works of Ursula K. LeGuin (albeit for children). The length of the book isn't too daunting or unnecessary (like many works of sci-fi/fantasy) yet there is no sacrifice in characters depth or plot development. The mix of genre's and the futuristic technology of the Croon (the ancient civilization) was enough to keep me interested, but the kids will probably relate more to the protagonist Violynn. Although nothing spectacular in terms of breaking new ground, this was a pretty fun book that is recommended for fans of sci-fi/fantasy.
Space Race by Sylvia Waugh
Title: Space Race
Author: Sylvia Waugh
ISBN: 0-385-32766-8
241 pages
Delacorte Press, 2000 edition
Being a fan of science fiction, I often am partial to select a book merely on the title and just hope that the contents fit my expectations (maybe not the best idea). Anyhow, that is how I chanced upon Sylvia Waugh's book. No recommendation, not even was the book set up differently on the shelf, I just noticed the spine, grabbed and was on my way.
Description:
'Space Race' tells the story of a young English boy names Thomas. Thomas lives a normal life, except that his parents are from what they call the Other Place and sometimes talk about it or say things in the old language. This is not too strange, as many kids' parents are from other countries but, as Thomas will soon find out, his case is quite different.
Thomas' parents are from the planet Ormingat and have been here on Earth since Thomas was quite young. Thomas and his family are going to have to go back to their home planet and his father tries rekindle Thomas' memory of his own people and world. In learning about his alien self, Thomas also gains a great deal of knowledge (and appreciation) for his 'normal' life on Earth.
Review:
To be honest, this was kind of a strange book for me. It is not that the writing was particularly poor or the plot ill-concieved, but for some reason nothing resonated with me. I had little connection to the characters and was hoping to see what their home planet was like. Instead the imminent trip 'home' never gets off the ground and once I realized this was the case, I lost interest. Maybe some kids out there will pick this book up and enjoy it greatly. But, for my money, there are so many other books out there that it is hard to recommend this one.
Author: Sylvia Waugh
ISBN: 0-385-32766-8
241 pages
Delacorte Press, 2000 edition
Being a fan of science fiction, I often am partial to select a book merely on the title and just hope that the contents fit my expectations (maybe not the best idea). Anyhow, that is how I chanced upon Sylvia Waugh's book. No recommendation, not even was the book set up differently on the shelf, I just noticed the spine, grabbed and was on my way.Description:
'Space Race' tells the story of a young English boy names Thomas. Thomas lives a normal life, except that his parents are from what they call the Other Place and sometimes talk about it or say things in the old language. This is not too strange, as many kids' parents are from other countries but, as Thomas will soon find out, his case is quite different.
Thomas' parents are from the planet Ormingat and have been here on Earth since Thomas was quite young. Thomas and his family are going to have to go back to their home planet and his father tries rekindle Thomas' memory of his own people and world. In learning about his alien self, Thomas also gains a great deal of knowledge (and appreciation) for his 'normal' life on Earth.
Review:
To be honest, this was kind of a strange book for me. It is not that the writing was particularly poor or the plot ill-concieved, but for some reason nothing resonated with me. I had little connection to the characters and was hoping to see what their home planet was like. Instead the imminent trip 'home' never gets off the ground and once I realized this was the case, I lost interest. Maybe some kids out there will pick this book up and enjoy it greatly. But, for my money, there are so many other books out there that it is hard to recommend this one.
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Title: The Phantom Tollbooth
Author: Norton Juster
ISBN: 0-394-82037-1
257 pages
Bullseye Books, 1988 edition
Another one of those books that many kids in the 'tween' age group undoubtedly read, this was also another title on the shelf of non-checkout books available at my library with no library card needed. Illustrated by world-renowned Jules Fieffer, this book was one that me and many of my friends read when we ourselves were 'tweens' and one that I am sure many other kids are, and will be exposed to.
Description:
A young boy named Milo is presented with a strange gift; a turnpike tollbooth. The gift has no name on it and says simply, "For Milo, who has plenty of time". This cryptic message is a hint of what is to come. After constructing the tollbooth, Milo finds that this is no ordinary tollbooth. Upon paying the toll one is ushered into a whole new world of fantasy, where time acts a little differently than in his normal, boring life. Milo gets lost in the Doldrums, a place of where no fun or excitement is allowed and happens upon a watchdog (a literal term, as attached to the dog there is a massive clock) named Tock who accompanies him on his journey. Milo finds himself on an adventure letters are sold in bazaars and numbers are mined in favor of precious gems. Milo meets a cast of interesting and eccentric characters, like the 22 sided Dodecahedron, and learns that Rhyme and Reason have gone missing (like most of the characters in the book, Rhyme and Reason are literal translations of their names). Milo and Tock must save the day and find Rhyme and Reason. Milo is finally ushered back into his room where the tollbooth is nowhere to be found, but his adventures have instilled in him a new interest in his previously dull life.
Review:
Truly an original piece of fiction for children. Re-reading the story brings back so many memories, like the subtraction stew and the Dodecahedron. Milo's adventures in the lands beyond the tollbooth are filled with strange creatures and items that are unaffected by normal time and space. Soup that makes you hungrier and other such anomalies are possible in this magical land. Milo and his friend Tock learn much about the nature of things as well as themselves, and are better off for it (as is the reader). What a fun and silly story that is still, somehow jammed full of that sense of wonderment that eludes much of adult literature. The author, Norman Juster, is sort of an anomaly himself. Most children's authors who have written books as popular as this one have a least some sort of sequel or other book that comes close to matching the renown of their 'big hit'. But in Juster I can find no such book. His bibliography in my copy states he has other books, one of which was transformed into an Academy Award winning short film, but I have never physically seen another book of his on the stacks. At any rate, this is truly a great book that will get the kids' imaginations firing on all cylinders.
Author: Norton Juster
ISBN: 0-394-82037-1
257 pages
Bullseye Books, 1988 edition
Another one of those books that many kids in the 'tween' age group undoubtedly read, this was also another title on the shelf of non-checkout books available at my library with no library card needed. Illustrated by world-renowned Jules Fieffer, this book was one that me and many of my friends read when we ourselves were 'tweens' and one that I am sure many other kids are, and will be exposed to.Description:
A young boy named Milo is presented with a strange gift; a turnpike tollbooth. The gift has no name on it and says simply, "For Milo, who has plenty of time". This cryptic message is a hint of what is to come. After constructing the tollbooth, Milo finds that this is no ordinary tollbooth. Upon paying the toll one is ushered into a whole new world of fantasy, where time acts a little differently than in his normal, boring life. Milo gets lost in the Doldrums, a place of where no fun or excitement is allowed and happens upon a watchdog (a literal term, as attached to the dog there is a massive clock) named Tock who accompanies him on his journey. Milo finds himself on an adventure letters are sold in bazaars and numbers are mined in favor of precious gems. Milo meets a cast of interesting and eccentric characters, like the 22 sided Dodecahedron, and learns that Rhyme and Reason have gone missing (like most of the characters in the book, Rhyme and Reason are literal translations of their names). Milo and Tock must save the day and find Rhyme and Reason. Milo is finally ushered back into his room where the tollbooth is nowhere to be found, but his adventures have instilled in him a new interest in his previously dull life.
Review:
Truly an original piece of fiction for children. Re-reading the story brings back so many memories, like the subtraction stew and the Dodecahedron. Milo's adventures in the lands beyond the tollbooth are filled with strange creatures and items that are unaffected by normal time and space. Soup that makes you hungrier and other such anomalies are possible in this magical land. Milo and his friend Tock learn much about the nature of things as well as themselves, and are better off for it (as is the reader). What a fun and silly story that is still, somehow jammed full of that sense of wonderment that eludes much of adult literature. The author, Norman Juster, is sort of an anomaly himself. Most children's authors who have written books as popular as this one have a least some sort of sequel or other book that comes close to matching the renown of their 'big hit'. But in Juster I can find no such book. His bibliography in my copy states he has other books, one of which was transformed into an Academy Award winning short film, but I have never physically seen another book of his on the stacks. At any rate, this is truly a great book that will get the kids' imaginations firing on all cylinders.
Madagascar (Film)
Title: Madagascar
DVD, 2005
Starring Ben Stiller and Chris Rock
Another movie recommended by some of the children I work with (where are they getting all of these movies from?). This one I borrowed from one of my co-worker's whose children appear to be the Siskel and Ebert of kids movies.
Description:
'Madagascar' tells the story of a group of zoo animals from the wilds of Africa. The only problem is, that these New York City animals are much more Big Apple showbiz types than real African wildlife. Alex the Lion (voiced by Stiller) is the star of the show, drawing in the biggest crowds with his mighty Lion's roar. Alex and his best friend Marty the Zebra grow disillusioned with the captive life and plan an escape from the zoo with a group of their friends. The animals are captured upon their escape and are deemed too wild for captivity and shipped off to an African wildlife reserve. A group of surly and strangely militaristic penguins take over the boat en route to Africa and accidentally crash-land the ship in Madagascar. There the meet the mighty (or not so much) King Julien of the lemurs (voiced hilariously by Sasha Baron Cohen) and discover more about themselves than the ever could in the zoo back home.
Review:
With such a great cast of voice actors, it is no wonder this movie is such a success. The story is really cute and funny and the viewer really falls for the characters. The lion Alex starts to regain his hunter's instincts after his escape from the zoo and the audience starts to empathize with him. The penguins, acting like a rogue military battalion, provide much of the comedy relief (along with the lemur king) and both kids and adults will be chuckling along constantly. With just the right mix of moral consequences, character development and downright knee-slapping comedy, this is a movie that is sure to satisfy the whole family.
DVD, 2005
Starring Ben Stiller and Chris Rock
Another movie recommended by some of the children I work with (where are they getting all of these movies from?). This one I borrowed from one of my co-worker's whose children appear to be the Siskel and Ebert of kids movies.
Description:
'Madagascar' tells the story of a group of zoo animals from the wilds of Africa. The only problem is, that these New York City animals are much more Big Apple showbiz types than real African wildlife. Alex the Lion (voiced by Stiller) is the star of the show, drawing in the biggest crowds with his mighty Lion's roar. Alex and his best friend Marty the Zebra grow disillusioned with the captive life and plan an escape from the zoo with a group of their friends. The animals are captured upon their escape and are deemed too wild for captivity and shipped off to an African wildlife reserve. A group of surly and strangely militaristic penguins take over the boat en route to Africa and accidentally crash-land the ship in Madagascar. There the meet the mighty (or not so much) King Julien of the lemurs (voiced hilariously by Sasha Baron Cohen) and discover more about themselves than the ever could in the zoo back home.Review:
With such a great cast of voice actors, it is no wonder this movie is such a success. The story is really cute and funny and the viewer really falls for the characters. The lion Alex starts to regain his hunter's instincts after his escape from the zoo and the audience starts to empathize with him. The penguins, acting like a rogue military battalion, provide much of the comedy relief (along with the lemur king) and both kids and adults will be chuckling along constantly. With just the right mix of moral consequences, character development and downright knee-slapping comedy, this is a movie that is sure to satisfy the whole family.
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
Title: The Magicians Nephew
Author: C.S. Lewis
ISBN: 0-06-447110-1
221 pages
HarperTrophy, 1994 edition
This is the much less famous first book in 'The Chronicles of Narnia' which is set roughly 40 years before the oft-mentioned 'Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe'. While this is the first book in the series, it was one of the last of the series to be published (the initial copyright in my book dates to 1955) and thus is different than most series of books in that it is more of a prequel. It may be due to these facts that the story from this book does not hold as strongly in my mind as its more famous companion novel.
Description:
'The Magician's Nephew' tells the story of two English children living around the turn of the century in London. Polly Plummer lives in one of the homes in a row of tightly bunched houses began to dominate London after the industrial revolution. When a young boy is seen living in the house of the old, strange man Mr. Ketterley next door, Polly decides to investigate. Digory, the name of the boy which Polly tells him is quite odd, is the nephew of Mr. Ketterley who has been forced to live with his uncle while his father is away in India. The two become quick friends and begin to spend their time in a secret compartment that Polly knows of in her house. One day, through their secret compartment of tunnels and caves, they stumble upon the secret workshop of Digory's uncle. It turns out that Mr. Ketterley is in fact a magician and is working on a strange, bewildering experiment. When he gives Polly a magic ring, she disappears into the world of Narnia. Digory must take a magic ring himself, and bring two other magic rings for the return voyage, and go to Narnia to save Polly. And thus begins the first adventure in the land of Narnia.
Review:
While not as famous as 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' this book is nevertheless very entertaining. The book has a few illustrations per chapter and one really gets the old-timey feel of turn-of-the-century London through Lewis' writing. The story does not stick in one's head as strongly as the more famous novel in the Narnia series, but that may be a product of having the other story repeated to me and people my age through reading and the watching of movies. The book gives the reader a real sense of wonderment, especially in a scene where Digory and Polly find a series of pools each leading to an alternate universe (and hopefully one that leads back to London!). While not as awe-inspiring as its more famous counterpart, this novel is still quite a treasure and worthwhile for any reader seeking a little adventure.
Author: C.S. Lewis
ISBN: 0-06-447110-1
221 pages
HarperTrophy, 1994 edition
This is the much less famous first book in 'The Chronicles of Narnia' which is set roughly 40 years before the oft-mentioned 'Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe'. While this is the first book in the series, it was one of the last of the series to be published (the initial copyright in my book dates to 1955) and thus is different than most series of books in that it is more of a prequel. It may be due to these facts that the story from this book does not hold as strongly in my mind as its more famous companion novel.Description:
'The Magician's Nephew' tells the story of two English children living around the turn of the century in London. Polly Plummer lives in one of the homes in a row of tightly bunched houses began to dominate London after the industrial revolution. When a young boy is seen living in the house of the old, strange man Mr. Ketterley next door, Polly decides to investigate. Digory, the name of the boy which Polly tells him is quite odd, is the nephew of Mr. Ketterley who has been forced to live with his uncle while his father is away in India. The two become quick friends and begin to spend their time in a secret compartment that Polly knows of in her house. One day, through their secret compartment of tunnels and caves, they stumble upon the secret workshop of Digory's uncle. It turns out that Mr. Ketterley is in fact a magician and is working on a strange, bewildering experiment. When he gives Polly a magic ring, she disappears into the world of Narnia. Digory must take a magic ring himself, and bring two other magic rings for the return voyage, and go to Narnia to save Polly. And thus begins the first adventure in the land of Narnia.
Review:
While not as famous as 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' this book is nevertheless very entertaining. The book has a few illustrations per chapter and one really gets the old-timey feel of turn-of-the-century London through Lewis' writing. The story does not stick in one's head as strongly as the more famous novel in the Narnia series, but that may be a product of having the other story repeated to me and people my age through reading and the watching of movies. The book gives the reader a real sense of wonderment, especially in a scene where Digory and Polly find a series of pools each leading to an alternate universe (and hopefully one that leads back to London!). While not as awe-inspiring as its more famous counterpart, this novel is still quite a treasure and worthwhile for any reader seeking a little adventure.
The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer
Title: The Case of the Missing Marquess
Author: Nancy Springer
ISBN: 978-0-14-240933-6
214 pages
Puffin Books, 2006 edition
At the local branch of the Seattle Public Library near my house, they have a bookshelf of popular titles that children or parents (or people like myself) may take home and read without checking out and with no particular due date. This title was one that the librarian had suggested so I thought that I would check it out. The idea of having these titles available for kids to take home without a library card is a really neat idea and one that should be adopted wherever possible.
Description:
Enola Holmes is the younger sister of the famed Sherlock Holmes and, on her fourteenth birthday no less, learns that her mother has been kidnapped. Enola, alone spelled backwards, goes to her two older brothers in hopes of finding the location of her missing mother. After being told by her brothers that she will be sent away to boarding school, Enola decides to take the search upon herself and runs away from home in hopes of solving the mystery; to mysterious, dark and murky London. Upon her arrival in London, Enola reads about another missing person; the young Marquess of Basilwether. What do this young, 12-year-old girl and Enola's mother have in common? That is what Enola plans to figure out.
Review:
I was initially excited about the premise of this book, which is the first in a series of books about Enola, with Sherlock's younger sister getting into the action. The subject matter may be a little bit too heavy for some of the younger 'tween' readers as Springer's London is a pretty scary place. Right from the get go, there are mentioned prostitutes and other decidedly adult characters that populate Springer's novel. While none of them is given too much detail, some might be tentative to have their children reading books with this type of material. While I don't usually go for, or enjoy for that matter, mystery books for kids or adults, this one was admittedly good. The plot is engaging, the back story and connection to Sherlock Holmes is a fun and amusing take on the classic, and overall the novel is quite good.
Author: Nancy Springer
ISBN: 978-0-14-240933-6
214 pages
Puffin Books, 2006 edition
At the local branch of the Seattle Public Library near my house, they have a bookshelf of popular titles that children or parents (or people like myself) may take home and read without checking out and with no particular due date. This title was one that the librarian had suggested so I thought that I would check it out. The idea of having these titles available for kids to take home without a library card is a really neat idea and one that should be adopted wherever possible.
Description:
Enola Holmes is the younger sister of the famed Sherlock Holmes and, on her fourteenth birthday no less, learns that her mother has been kidnapped. Enola, alone spelled backwards, goes to her two older brothers in hopes of finding the location of her missing mother. After being told by her brothers that she will be sent away to boarding school, Enola decides to take the search upon herself and runs away from home in hopes of solving the mystery; to mysterious, dark and murky London. Upon her arrival in London, Enola reads about another missing person; the young Marquess of Basilwether. What do this young, 12-year-old girl and Enola's mother have in common? That is what Enola plans to figure out.
Review:
I was initially excited about the premise of this book, which is the first in a series of books about Enola, with Sherlock's younger sister getting into the action. The subject matter may be a little bit too heavy for some of the younger 'tween' readers as Springer's London is a pretty scary place. Right from the get go, there are mentioned prostitutes and other decidedly adult characters that populate Springer's novel. While none of them is given too much detail, some might be tentative to have their children reading books with this type of material. While I don't usually go for, or enjoy for that matter, mystery books for kids or adults, this one was admittedly good. The plot is engaging, the back story and connection to Sherlock Holmes is a fun and amusing take on the classic, and overall the novel is quite good.
Superfudge By Judy Blume
Title: Superfudge
Author: Judy Blume
ISBN: 978-0-14-240880-3
178 pages
Puffin Books, 2007 edition
Judy Blume is the quintessential 'tween' author; so adept at describing the wonders and worries of young pre-teen and early teen kids. Her books have become world famous, and rightfully so. 'Superfudge' is not the first book with the character Fudge (that honor goes to 'Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing') but one of my co-worker's children lent me 'Superfudge' explaining that I did not have to have read the others to enjoy it.
Description:
'Superfudge' is really the story of a young boy named Peter who is dealing with life and his crazy family; namely his younger brother Farley (nicknamed Fudge). Heaped on to this is the fact that his mom is set to give birth and his whole family is moving to New Jersey. Once the baby, Tootsie, is born Peter is forced to navigate the world of his new family dynamic and his new home (even though its only for one year) with four-year-old Fudge a constant nuisance. Fudge is extremely intelligent for his age and knows things that a four-year-old ought not know about making his actions all the more aggravating to Peter. Initially reticent to enjoy his time in New Jersey, Peter slowly begins to make new friends, even if their lives are different from his old home in the 'Big City' (New York City).
Review:
The dynamic between Peter and Fudge is hilarious and reminiscent of real-life scenarios that I can remember vividly. There is constant talk of Superman and Fudge likes to see himself as some sort of caped crusader (thus the title) which is very real in terms of boys this age (this is the age group that I work most with and the boys are non-stop with their superhero/harry potter-type talk). The book is definitely a fun one and is filled with the kind of pseudo-angst that makes adolescence so real and so funny.
Author: Judy Blume
ISBN: 978-0-14-240880-3
178 pages
Puffin Books, 2007 edition
Judy Blume is the quintessential 'tween' author; so adept at describing the wonders and worries of young pre-teen and early teen kids. Her books have become world famous, and rightfully so. 'Superfudge' is not the first book with the character Fudge (that honor goes to 'Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing') but one of my co-worker's children lent me 'Superfudge' explaining that I did not have to have read the others to enjoy it.
Description:
'Superfudge' is really the story of a young boy named Peter who is dealing with life and his crazy family; namely his younger brother Farley (nicknamed Fudge). Heaped on to this is the fact that his mom is set to give birth and his whole family is moving to New Jersey. Once the baby, Tootsie, is born Peter is forced to navigate the world of his new family dynamic and his new home (even though its only for one year) with four-year-old Fudge a constant nuisance. Fudge is extremely intelligent for his age and knows things that a four-year-old ought not know about making his actions all the more aggravating to Peter. Initially reticent to enjoy his time in New Jersey, Peter slowly begins to make new friends, even if their lives are different from his old home in the 'Big City' (New York City).Review:
The dynamic between Peter and Fudge is hilarious and reminiscent of real-life scenarios that I can remember vividly. There is constant talk of Superman and Fudge likes to see himself as some sort of caped crusader (thus the title) which is very real in terms of boys this age (this is the age group that I work most with and the boys are non-stop with their superhero/harry potter-type talk). The book is definitely a fun one and is filled with the kind of pseudo-angst that makes adolescence so real and so funny.
The Pebble and the Penguin
Title: The Pebble and the Penguin
VHS, 1995
Starring Martin Short and Tim Curry
My roommate found a collection of VHS tapes at his mom's house and suggested this film by the same Director as 'All Dog's go to Heaven'. The voice actors (listed above) were reason enough to check it out.
Description:
This movie tells the story of Hubie, a penguin whose species is known for giving a pebble to a female of their kind and mating with that one female for life. The only problem is that Hubie is too shy to give his pebble to the girl that he really likes named Marina. Also, the evil and muscular penguin Drake (voiced by Tim Curry in his typical villain role) has his eyes on Marina and will do just about anything to get her. Hubie is then caught by a fishing boat and finally escapes with the help of another penguin named Rocko. Rocko and Hubie initially butt heads, but over the course of their trip back to Hubie's home, the become friends and vow to get the pebble to Marina before Drake can.
Review:
Probably more geared towards elementary school kids (and thus the younger end of our 'tween' spectrum) the movie is a fairly formulaic animated kids movie. Their are some song and dance numbers, but the music isn't all that catchy and the same song is repeated more than once. The voice acting by Martin Short and Tim Curry is really well done, as one might expect from those two, and the story is, for the most part, endearing. I would not go out of my way to recommend this movie, being a rather rudimentary movie, but its not all that bad.
VHS, 1995
Starring Martin Short and Tim Curry
My roommate found a collection of VHS tapes at his mom's house and suggested this film by the same Director as 'All Dog's go to Heaven'. The voice actors (listed above) were reason enough to check it out.
Description:
This movie tells the story of Hubie, a penguin whose species is known for giving a pebble to a female of their kind and mating with that one female for life. The only problem is that Hubie is too shy to give his pebble to the girl that he really likes named Marina. Also, the evil and muscular penguin Drake (voiced by Tim Curry in his typical villain role) has his eyes on Marina and will do just about anything to get her. Hubie is then caught by a fishing boat and finally escapes with the help of another penguin named Rocko. Rocko and Hubie initially butt heads, but over the course of their trip back to Hubie's home, the become friends and vow to get the pebble to Marina before Drake can.Review:
Probably more geared towards elementary school kids (and thus the younger end of our 'tween' spectrum) the movie is a fairly formulaic animated kids movie. Their are some song and dance numbers, but the music isn't all that catchy and the same song is repeated more than once. The voice acting by Martin Short and Tim Curry is really well done, as one might expect from those two, and the story is, for the most part, endearing. I would not go out of my way to recommend this movie, being a rather rudimentary movie, but its not all that bad.
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