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.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Title: A Wrinkle in Time
Author: Madeleine L'Engle
ISBN: 0-312-36754-6
245 pages
Square Fish, 2007 edition

A very popular book for children and, again, one that I remember reading 'A Wrinkle in Time' was one of the first science fiction books I read (and even though I liked it, my love of sci-fi would not be sparked until later in my life). I vividly remember going to see a Seattle Children's Theater production based on the play, which had really cool, rolling sets that reversed themselves 180 degrees to be Meg's house or the different planets or dimensions.

Description:

The Murry family lives together with her family of three brothers and mother when when night she is visited by the mysterious Mrs Whatsit. The visitor informs Meg, the oldest daughter and protaganist, that an experimental idea her missing scientist father had been working on was in fact a reality. The Terrasact, a sort of wormhole or wrinkle in time (hence the title) that allows for travel between two dimensions. Meg, her youngest brother Charles and a friend Calvin travel to the house of Mrs Whatsit plus her friends Mrs Which and Mrs Who and learn that their father is imprisoned on the planet Camazotz which lies in another dimension. The only way travel there is through the Terrasact; essentially the fifth dimension. The three children learn that a massive evil entity called the Black Thing is currently planning to take over the universe. Meg, Charles and Calvin must travel to Camazotz and save Meg and Charles' father from his imprisonment under the all-knowing brain IT that controls the planet. It is up to the children to save Meg's father and fight against the evil that threatens to overtake the universe (in all dimensions).

Review:

One of the most unique books that I have had the pleasure of reviewing, the way in which L'Engle writes is unlike any other children's author. The book gives off a certain sense of mystery and awe that cannot be duplicated (in anything I have read). The book is a little difficult to understand (Einstein is mentioned briefly) and the idea of fourth and fifth dimensions is difficult for myself, let alone a 'tween'. The book is laced with religious overtones which may or may not throw off certain parents or teachers. The only other author that is reminiscent of L'Engle, that I can think of, is C.S. Lewis and that may explain some of the thematic similarities in their books. A really strange and fun book, especially for the older end of the 'tween' spectrum

Bridge to Terabithia by Katharine Paterson

Title: Bridge to Terabithia
Author: Katharine Paterson
ISBN: 0-06-440184-7
128 pages
HarperTrophy, 1987 edition

A Newbery Medal winner and long considered classic of children's literature, 'Bridge to Terabithia' was required reading when I was a 'tween'. Although that seems long, long ago for me (and may have been longer ago for some others), I still remember reading this book back in elementary school. I remember hearing about a move version being released not too long ago, but I can't imagine it is as moving as the original novel.

Description:

'Bridge to Terabitha' tells the beautiful story of two fifth graders whose relationship begins with a footrace, but blossoms into so much more. Jesse Oliver Aarons Jr. (or more simply, Jess) pines to be the fastest kid in his class, when a U-haul truck brings in some new neighbors; and new competition. Leslie Burke is the new kid in class and instantly creates tension by beating all of the other kids in school in running (even the boys).

The two kids, even with this contentious encounter soon become friends. Both having their own troubles fitting in with their peers, Jess and Leslie decide to imagine their own kingdom, Terabithia, that is only for them and in which they rule like King and Queen; "it would be so secret that we wouldn't have to tell anyone about it" (says Leslie in the book). Jess and Leslie soon become inseparable and through their adventures in Terabithia their relationship grows stronger. While Jess is away on a sort of field trip, a horrific tragedy befalls Leslie as she slips in a river and drowns. Jess is understandably devastated, but in his relationship with Leslie and the place they created, he finds strength (with that strength and a fortunate set of circumstances leading to him saving his sister from a similar fate).

Review:

My mother had told me, upon hearing about my reviewing of 'tween' books, that this book had been quite a bit controversial, even when I read it for my own class. With that being said, I see no reason for any controversy. The book is very sad and the death quite tragic,  and Jess does have an eye for a teacher, but none of these is off-putting or inappropriate. The book is beautifully written and, albeit very emotional and sad, Jess derives strength from the loss of Leslie. Short enough at 128 pages for kids not to feel overburdened but long enough for them to become attached to the characters, 'Bridge to Terabithia' is a fantastic book and I can see why it has become required reading in many schools.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Title: The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry
ISBN: 0-440-2376-88
179 pages
Laurel Leaf, 2002 edition

One of my favorite books when I was a kid, 'The Giver' is an eerie sci-fi influenced book that I was excited to relive.

Description:

Set in a world where everything is uniform, every one has the same house and dresses the same and everyone follows the same routine, 'The Giver' follows the story of a young boy named Jonas who is eleven years old (called an Eleven, as they call everyone by their age group). Every family looks the same, has the same number of people and is expected to act the same. The "Community" as it is often referred to, is where Jonas lives and in the community there lives the Receiver of Memories who serves as the library of all the knowledge and memories of everyone in the Community. Jonas is tabbed to be the next Receiver of Memories. Through this new occupation, Jonas is enabled to experience a whole range of emotions that are not possible in the cold, calculated and monotone world in which he lives.

Review:

The world that Lois Lowry has created in 'The Giver' (which has two sequels) is a classic setting in children's literature. The Community is a very unique invention and some of the most compelling parts of the book are when Lowry explains another oddity of the place where Jonas lives. It would be hard to review this book without mentioning some of the controversial aspects (which, to me, are nothing to be worried about). There are a few references to what are referred to in the book as 'stirrings' which are references to things of a sexual nature. These are mentioned only briefly and are in no way inappropriate for kids to read (in my opinion) and are actually dealt with in a very realistic and toned down manner. The overall socio-political structure of the Community has also drawn some criticism but the quality of the book and its uniqueness in terms of the world that Lowry has created make it almost a must-read for any kid. Highly recommended.