23. Inkspell

Inkspell
By Cornelia Funke
Scholastic Inc., 2005
Narrated by Brendan Fraser

Genre
Low-Fantasy

Awards

• Best Sense Book of the Year: Children's Literature (2006)

Review

Meggie and Dustfinger's apprentence, Farid travel into the book Inkheart to find Dustfinger and warn him that Basta, a villainous man who loves to use knives and hates Dustfinger, had returned to Inkheart not long after Dustfinger himself.  A few days after Meggie disappeared into the book, her parents, Mo and Risa, were still heart-broken and thinking they've lost her forever.  They walk into their house only to find more old enemies that came from the pages of Inkheart.  Basta (who hadn’t returned yet), Mortola, and Orpheus had broken in, looking for Mo, Risa, and Meggie to exact revenge on for killing their old leader (also Mortola's son), Capricorn.  When Meggie is nowhere to be found, Mortola has Orpheus read all of them back into Inkheart where Mortola promptly shoots Mo with a gun brought with them from Mo's world.  Meanwhile, after warning Dustfinger, Meggie searches for the book's author, Fenolgio, who had come to live in the book himself, but soon discovers her parents were captured and are in the book and Mo is gravely wounded.  The rest of the story finds the small family trying to finally be reunited outside of captivity, and follows Farid as he tries to keep Dustfinger alive.  Fenolgio tries along the way to write beautiful words for Meggie to read and help him "fix" his story, but everything seemed to turn against his intentions, like a wish made to a genie that wasn't specific enough.  Funke did a wonderful job of trying to include readers whose first experience of the Inkworld is Inkspell by including character synopses at the beginning.  There is also a map for readers to follow the characters as they travel the vast and magical Inkworld, and small illustrations scattered throughout the book, presenting the characters and making the book itself seem as magical as the words in it.

Opinion

This is a great continuation to Inkheart, the first book in the series, but it can't quite stand on its own.  Many events are referenced from the first book, and not all of them are explained enough for those new to the series to be fully aware of the whole story.  A fairly easy read despite its thickness, Inkspell would be a great option for tweens who enjoy the adventure and magic often found in fantasy.

Ideas

Since this book was originally written in German and translated, this may be a good book for a display about popular books originating for foreign countries.  Many of the descriptions in the books are detailed enough to suggest that readers choose their favorite scene and attempt to illustrate it, like an illuminator would do in the book.

22. Cinder

Cinder
By Marissa Meyer
Feiwel and Friends, 2012

Genre
Sci-fi

Awards

• ABC New Voices Title (2012)
• YALSA Teen's Top Ten (2012)
• Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens (2013)
• IRA Young Adult Choices (2013)
• Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year (2013)
• Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Awards: Master List (2013-2014)
• Abraham Lincoln Award Illinois' High School Readers' Choice Awards: Master's List (2014)
• NYSRA Charlotte Award High School Winner (2014)
• Indian Young Hoosier Award Middle Grade Nominee (2014-2015)
• MASL Readers Awards Nominee (2014-2015)
• Nebraska Golden Sower Award Young Adult Nominee (2014-2015)
• VSBA Middle School Nominee (2014-2015)
• Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award Nominee (2015)
• Oklahoma Sequoyah Young Adult Book Award Nominee (2015)

Review

A Cinderella story with a new twist: Cinder is a cyborg mechanic and is the property of her step-mother since her adoptive father died after rescuing her from the hovercraft accident she was disfigured in.  Prince Kai suddenly appears at her mechanic market stall once day requesting she fix his android.  Unfortunately, the plague that has been brushing the outskirts of town has begun to make its way inside the city, infecting Cinder's step-sister and the Emperor himself.  Cinder is "volunteered" as a test subject for vaccines to help with the epidemic where the doctor testing her teaches her much about her past and finds her immune to the illness.  Cinder continues to see Prince Kai, causing them both to develop feelings for one another.  Kai discusses with Cinder a looming threat of war from the Lunars (inhabitants that live on the moon and have special abilities resembling mind control).  Cinder discovers that the Prince's android holds secrets about a possibly surviving heir to the Lunar throne who has been thought dead!  If she is restored to the throne, Kai's concerns about war and possible marriage to the tyrannical Lunar queen could be put to rest.  On the night of a ball thrown by Prince Kai, with the Lunar Queen present, Cinder must make the difficult decision of escaping her terrible stepmother forever and never seeing Kai again, or warning him of impending danger and lose her only chance of escape.  This thrilling and unique retelling of Cinderella will keep readers engaged, always on the edge of their seats to see what will happen next.

Opinion
A very detailed, thought-out story with a rich setting and back story.  Cinder is a well fleshed out, believable character, with a sarcastic and mysterious side, but some of the other characters are a little flat, including Prince Kai.  Though he is a likable character, there is not much to him.  Some parts of the story seem to have been started and then stopped without much resolution leaving the reader unsure if that minor story line is cut short or may be continued in the next book.  Overall, this is a great sci-fi telling of Cinderella that is appropriate for middle grade through high school.

Ideas
Great for a display of modern fairy tale retellings.

20. The Dark is Rising

The Dark is Rising: Book 2 of the Dark is Rising Sequence
By Susan Cooper
Random House Children's Books, 1973
Narrated by Alex Jennings

Genre
Adventure, Low-Fantasy

Awards

• Newbery Honor (1974)
• Named one of the "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children" by the National Education Association (2007)
• Named one of the "Top 100 Chapter Books" of all time by School Library Journal (2012)

Review

Will Stanton prepares for his Midwinter birthday, but can’t shake the feeling something is wrong.  Animals are reacting aggressively toward him and he is given a strange metal symbol as a birthday present by a long-time family friend, Farmer Dawson.  Soon Will discovers he was the last Old One, an ancient and powerful being, to be born and he came into the fullness of his powers on his 11th birthday.  Will travels through time with other Old Ones "…for all times co-exist, and the future can sometimes affect the past, even though the past is a road that leads to the future . . . But men cannot understand this.”  He is told by another Old One that he is the Sign Seeker, and that he already had one of them, the item Farmer Dawson had given him.  There are six Signs that must be gathered to help fight off the Dark, dark forces that were trying to control the world.  Will, along with the light (the Old Ones and others) fight constantly to keep the Dark at bay.  The Dark had some influence on the world and were the ones causing the snow, which Will soon discovers, is at risk of killing people in his village.  Will learns to control his powers and the Signs to fend off the Dark a while longer and keep his family safe from something they don't know is happening.   Will visits with other Old Ones in different times to learn more about who he is and how he can help fight the Dark.  A captivating book that shows a young boy coping with his new situation that can sometimes be seen as a gift and at other times be seen as a burden.

Opinion

I didn't know this was the second book in a series until looking more closely at the cover.  The author did a wonderful job of making the book stand alone, but now that I know it is part of a larger series, I certainly want to read the first book, and all the rest!  The setting changes frequently and I wasn't always sure "when" the book was, but I was swept up in the story nonetheless.  There is mention of British folklore in this book, and I'm sure I would find it all that more entertaining if I was familiar with the basics of the original folk characters, like Heren the Hunter.

Ideas

A great book for reluctant readers since it is part of a series they can keep going with if they enjoy this one, but the book also stands alone well, allowing readers who may be unsure about fantasy to try new things.

17. Hercules

Hercules
Directed by Brett Ratner
Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, 2014

Genre
Action, Adventure, Legend

Awards
None Known

Review
A brand new telling of the legend of Hercules shows that he doesn't always fight his battles alone.  He has a group of friends and skilled fighters, who stand by him.  The story opens showing some of the great feats Hercules was said to have accomplished, but quickly comes back to present times to find the storyteller is the nephew of Hercules who has been captured by pirates and is trying to delay their attempt to kill him while waiting for Hercules to come rescue him.  The movie continues from there, always hinting that Hercules may or may not really be the son of Zeus, but all that mattered was that his legend lived on so it went ahead of him, casting fear into the hearts of his enemies and inspiring courage in his allies.  The movie also references Hercules's family being killed and that he was banned from Athens, accused of their murder, which lead him to become a mercenary for hire.  A cleaver balance of humor and action/adventure was shown, humor mainly being shown by the character Tydeus, but also at times by others in Hercules's party.  This movie is rated PG-13 due to brief nudity (a quick flash of a woman disrobing from the back and showing her bare buttocks), intense battle scenes and violence, and language.  This telling of the Hercules legend is based on The Thracian Wars comic series by Radical Comics and can certainly be enjoyed by newcomers to the Hercules story, but those who have followed previous shows, movies, or other tellings made about this legend may see references in the movie.

Opinion
I was surprised this movie was rated PG-13.  The battle scenes were intense, but showed little blood.  There were certainly many dead bodies, including those of children showed up close, and heads on spikes.  There was a flash of brief nudity and language concerns including a handful of uses of the word "shit" and a use of the "f-word".  Parental discretion is definitely advised with this movie, as this may be considered absolutely appropriate by some parents and absolutely not by others.  That aside, I think this movie was certainly appealing to the tween group due to the casting of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Hercules and the heavy action in the film.  The 3D effects were a little overwhelming at the beginning, but were very enjoyable and well-timed for the rest of the movie.  Humor was well-used, having Tydeus being a consistent relief during fighting scenes.

Ideas
I would certainly recommend parents to look into this movie before deciding if it is appropriate for their tween to see, whether alone or with an adult.  It is a good addition to the anthology of Hercules retellings and will be a good addition to a mythology display (after it is released on DVD) to hopefully attract older patrons.

12. A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 9: The Carnivorous Carnival

A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 9: The Carnivorous Carnival
By Lemony Snicket (Pen Name for Daniel Handler)
HarperCollins, 2002
Narrated by Tim Curry

Genre
Gothic Fiction

Awards
None known

Review

This is the ninth book in a 13 part series that follows the Baudelaire siblings, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, along a literal series of very unfortunate events that befall them.  Count Olaf and his odd troupe are still trying to find the Baudelaire's so they can likely kill two of them and capture the third to get their hands on a fortune left to the children by their parents.  The children must disguise themselves as circus freaks to fit in at a circus in the middle of nowhere.  The siblings spend their time at the carnival trying to escape and solve more of the mystery behind their parents' deaths before Count Olaf feeds one of the "freaks" working at the carnival to a group of recently acquired lions.  Handler creates a world where adults are ludicrous, caring more about the entertainment provided by "freaks", sloppy eating, and murder than the legality of the situation.  The children's guardian of sorts, Mr. Poe, is eternally inept causing the children to constantly try to escape Count Olaf on their own.  In contrast to the ridiculous adults, the three children are extremely smart and resourceful.  Handler also has a mysterious running side-story with the "author" Lemony Snicket who is supposedly chronicling the "true" tale of these children.  Their story somehow intertwines with his own unhappy circumstances, a mysterious organization named V.F.D., and a loss of his true love Beatrice.  The audiobook is satisfactory, with enough voice distinction to follow the characters and the narrator; there are orchestral inserts to introduce each chapter, played by The Gothic Archies created specifically for these audiobooks.

Opinion
This whole series is Gothic and dark, possibly disturbing some younger readers.  There is, however, dark comedy in how absurd the adults are in the face of all the children's problems.  Despite a lack of moral compass in many adults, the children maintain their own morals and struggle with having to do things that are wrong in order to ensure their survival.  I have read the previous books; this is the first book in the series I have listened to the audio of and I was disappointed.  I found the reading to be adequate if not lackluster, and I found the music irritating, abrupt, and distracting.

Ideas
This books shows many instances where the children must rely on their own skills to get out of situations.  Adults can show tweens that adults are not like this in reality - there is always someone they can talk to whether it's their parents, teachers, police, etc.  On a more positive note, this book has a lead female character who is an imaginative inventor, a role mostly taken by male characters.  Handler also instills a love of books through Klaus, an avid reader and apt researcher.  Children can learn that whatever their skills may be, they can be useful, especially when combined with others.

3. Wings

Wings
By Bill Brittain
HarperCollins Children's Books,1991

Genre
Low Fantasy

Honors

• ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (1999)

Review
Ian has been having severe back pain for quite a while, causing him to see the doctor frequently.  This is irritating to his mother, who is pulled away from her perfect daughter to take Ian to the physician.  Eventually, after many tests and x-rays, the doctor found the cause of Ian's pain -- he was growing wing! The news, and eventual eruption of the wings, turn Ian's world upside-down.  His politically ambitious father tried to hide Ian in the home, confining him to his room and keeping him from attending the start of his 8th grade year.  Eventually Ian threatens to tell all the reporters that have been hounding his parents about the wings if he wasn't allowed to go to school.  School is difficult, as his classmates consider him a "freak", despite his teacher's best efforts.  A girl who had been considered the "class freak" for having a 6th finger on her left hand befriends Ian and supports him as he learns how to use his wings.  While hiding away from reporters at his new friend's home, Ian learns to be brave and finds out why his parents act like they do.  In the end, he is faced with a tough decision: keep his wings, leaving him a "freak" forever, but knowing the freedom of flying, or have them removed, making him "normal" again, but forever grounded.  A simple book that addresses many common problems experience while growing up, even for children who don't grow wings.

Opinion
This book is a favorite of a friend's 6th grader, so I thought I would read it for this assignment.  I loved the plot and found the story to be very enjoyable.  The story progresses quickly, with the main character also developing quickly.  Most of the characters lacked depth, but the reader feels some sympathy for Ian's family situation.  When left to make a "grown up" decision at the end of the book, the reader know that which ever decision Ian makes will affect the rest of his life and can understand the pros and cons of each choice.

Ideas
This book is a unique way of telling the story about the "different" kid in class and is a great way for children to learn about teasing, as well as a little bit about open communication within a family.  They also learn about friendships and what really makes a good friend.

1. Fortunately, the Milk

Fortunately, the Milk
By Neil Gaiman

Illustrated by Skottie Young

Harper Collins Children's Books, 2013
Narrated by Neil Gaiman

Genre
Sci-fi, Humor

Honors

• A Globe & Mail 100 Selection: Young Adult (2013)

Review

When a father is left to care for his two children while his wife is away for a few days, the children wake up in the morning to find they have no milk for their cereal.  The father goes to the store to get milk and is gone for a long time, but when he returns, he tells the children the amazing events that happened to him on his way home.  This is a humorous book about travels through space and time in a hot-air balloon with Professor Steg, the stegosaurus.  During his travels, the father escapes pirates, encounters a volcano god, outsmarts wumpires, and saves the planet from green globby aliens who want to redecorate it, all the while carrying a carton of milk.  The audio book, read by author Neil Gaiman, keeps the reader engrossed in the story, able to follow each character with their unique voices.  Young's illustrations are reminiscent of Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein, creatively showing this father's adventure through space-time and what the children do while waiting for him to come home.  The typeface is lively and almost artistic on its own, curving around the illustrations and the letters dancing across the pages.

Opinion
I really enjoyed listening to and looking at this book.  If possible, I feel like that is the way to go as you will get the voices from the audio and the illustrations from the book.  However, I usually prefer reading to listening if I need to choose and would therefore prefer to read this book.

Ideas
I think children in middle to late elementary school will enjoy the goofiness of this book.  If children don't like reading, this book may be good for them to start with as the humor and fast-paced plot will draw them in so they'll finish reading before they even notice.