Young People Frequent Libraries

Very Interesting Article

Study finds young people frequent libraries!

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/22/young-people-frequent-libraries-study-finds/?ref=pewresearchcenter

Emily and Carlo, by Marty Rhodes Figley

It is unusual to witness a lofty literary great become humanized in a picture book, but that is what transpires in this story, Emily and Carlo.

Emily Dickinson was an introverted child, growing up to be a solitary young woman. Her father gave her a Newfoundland pup to keep her company on her walks. Their relationship is celebrated in this book. It allows us to enjoy their companionship. Children especially recognize the bonding of the girl and her dog.

Told in simple, straightforward text, the history of the relationship is chonicled with lively illustrations and quotes. There is no snuggly talk, no silly antics, but the reader understands clearly that this pair cherished each other. When Carlo passed at the ripe age of 17, Emily lost more than a companion. The sad note on which the book ends is not a deterrent at all, but a validation of a true love relationship between a girl and her treasured canine companion, and reveals the value of our pets in our lives today. And it helps children relate to a nearly legendary character through this simple fact of her life brought to the fore in this charming telling of it.

The Cloud Spinner, by Michael Catchpool

I really thought all concepts of fairy tales were exhausted. How can we possibly erect new tales that have been so well told in so many countries for so long?

I found just such a story - a fresh candidate for the fairy tale shelf.

In The Cloud Spinner, a little boy magically looms luscious fabric from the clouds in the sky. The colors in the clouds color the fabric. The king of the land spots the fabric one day, is enchanted by it, and wants all the fabric the little boy can make.

Of course, such demands cause a problem in the land, and many suffer for his indulgence.

What did I like about this book especially?  The tale is nicely told in simple clean sentences. There is a storytelling quality to the rythm of the text, making it very apealling. The illustrations are a study in adjectives - soft, plump, fluffy, serene. Once you open the book, you will understand. The color palette is very Roccoco to me, rich colors captured from an 18th century portrait. A not-so-hidden feature on each page shows the landscape reflecting the emotions of the story.

This is a gentle story of balance and the wise children who show a greedy king the meaning of guardianship and prudence.

It was a standout for me on the cart of new children's books.

hello! hello!, by Matthew Cordell

A little girl is uninspired when she tries to connect to various family members with a "hello". Unfortunately, they are all on different electronic devices. Dejected, she wanders to the back door. A leaf blows in, inviting her to explore her yard. She greets the leaf and other things she meets with a "hello", savoring each. We, the audience, can feel her become integrated in the natural environment, wild and overflowing, and it becomes a reverie of adventure and fun.

Suddenly, she is shocked back into reality by her own cell phone ringing. The fun doesn't stop here. She finds a way to include her disconnected family to spread the joy she has discovered.

Few words grace this book, but the pictures say all that needs to be said.   

I Am Small, by Emma Dodd

A child feels his lack of size in many ways when she is small. So it is with our baby penguin in this touching, beautifully rendered story. Our fuzzy little small fry sees the world around her with a vastness that her size just seems to magnify. She isn't up to the challenges her world presents.

But, the comfort lies in her realization she does not have to face these elements alone, when she snuggles up to her warm parent, and she understands that she is the most important thing in her parent/protector's life.

A very touching, reassuring read for little ones, and beautifully bold and simple illustrations to share.

I love this book.

The Crow, by Alison Croggon

The third book in the Books of Pellinor series by Alison Croggon deals with Hem, Maerad's brother, and his digression away from her, on his own mission.

The author makes a graceful switch to his story, leaving Maerad behind for the time being, her presence acknowledged by an occasional reference. We join Hem as he grows from a street urchin into a student bard, then a healer of great compassion. He witnesses destruction first-hand, discovers the magic within himself, and travels with a displaced band of bards and warriors who survive the destruction.

He experiences first-hand the fatal grip of the dark entity during their journey, taking on suffering and hardship, disguising his powers just to survive. His venture is wretched and riddled with dangers at every turn. It sounds grim, but is so expertly rendered we can't help but stay with the story. The compassion we feel for Hem keeps us engaged; we must know what happens, and that is the magic of this series, the reader building a relationship with the characters without realizing it.

The book's appeal is heightened with the introduction of Irc, the white crow.

His mission is heart-rending and absolutely riveting. This was my favorite book in the series by far. The characters were utterly memorable, the conditions Hem witnessed in places thoroughly deplorable, the story extraordinary.

One more part to go...

The Riddle, by Alison Croggon

In this continuing saga, the first being The Naming, Maerad experiences the full effect of becoming the Bard she is destined to be.

This volume is written beautifully, just like the first book, and the story is engaging. As I stated in the review of the first book, there are Tolkienian similarities. Although not always agreeable to me, and fortunately fewer in this volume, the borrowing of ingredients from Tolkien is just part of the fabric of the story. Perhaps a nod to Tolkien is the author's way to honor him. And who could blame her?

The story takes unusual turns and has a much darker theme. Maerad's persona is no longer innocent and ignorant of her powers, but made of many layers which make her more complicated than in the previous volume. This makes her real and believable. Dealings with the Winter King, unfortuately for me were vague and hard to imagine, and this is where I felt the book lagged. But Croggon's descriptions of the palace and surroundings felt authentic. I breathed the frigid air and actually saw the stars in my mind's eye.

Aspects unexpected present themselves through the wolves, and are written in such a beautiful way, I felt a part of them. Oh, I loved her wolves! This part of the book is absolutely captivating.

There are many surprises in store, some anticipated, some very unexpected, but all drove the story so that I couldn't put it down, could not leave the world behind, and immediately read the third book in the series.

The Dragon Puncher by James Kochalka

I haven't belly-laughed at a book (not counting Harry Potter, which I am constantly rereading) since the days of Calvin and Hobbes. You know that humor - the catching you in an explosion of guffaws that are beyond the response of typical humor. This book does that for me. It's completely silly, outrageous juvenile fun.

The pictures are hilarious, making the sweet kitty face the focus of the Dragon Puncher's persona. Dragon Puncher is quite the thespian, but the scene stealer is the sweet little dude who just wants to be Dragon Puncher's buddy.

The dragon itself made me almost spit out my coffee when I turned the page to be met by a big green critter with a one word vocabulary.

I heartily recommend this book and it's future sequels to anyone who loves back-of-the-classroom hijinks, where comedy is created on the fly and in generous doses. Blarg!

Been reading and reading, and lately my choices have been adult selections - Game of Thrones, some Agatha Christie, Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, specifically. Since this blog features juvenile and YA, please stay tuned! I have some interesting selections lined up.

Goddess of Yesterday, by Caroline B. Cooney

 

Caroline B. Cooney is the author of some heavy hitters. I am not sure how far-circulated this book has gone, but since I read it twice, I thought I would include it as a not-to-be-missed Young Adult keeper.

The story is based on the legend of Helen of Troy and the Trojan war. Anaxandra is the daughter of a pirate on a small island kingdom, and in order to survive its sacking, she assumes the identity of a dead princess, finds herself in the service of the children of Menelaus, king of Sparta and Helen, his wife. She follows the children to Troy with Helen, and lives through the destruction of Troy, witnessing it firsthand in the company of the Trojan royal family.

Cooney builds an ancient world we can live in, walk through its streets, and feel we are a part of it. The Trojan War is one of my favorite historical events to explore, and living vicariously through Anaxandra/Callisto (her alias) was a great pleasure. I felt a witness to this time and its famous personalities, and enjoyed every minute of it. The character of Cassandra was particularly enigmatic, fascinating.



Helen is portrayed as an egotistical narcissist, which I found to be a little difficult to accept, but allowing myself to enjoy the story as it was offered made the journey whole and satisfying.

Read this, period.

Say Hello to Zorro, by Carter Goodrich

I don't think this book has been given the attention it deserves. Mr. Bud, the dog, has a set routine, and everyone adheres to this routine. Introduce Zorro, the newcomer, and the story's conflict begins in charming, matter-of-fact simplicity.

The illustrations are an engaging study in doggie psychology. Anticipation, trepidation, and annoyance are all beautifully represented in the dogs' wonderful expressions. These faces are the best part of the book for me. The words easily take root. The conflicts are direct, to-the-point, the resolution gratifies, and the story has a happy end.


The blending of simple text and straightforward illustrations makes this story a gem of a picture book children and adults both can relish and appreciate. What a warm, sweet, amusing book.

The Naming: The First Book of Pellinor, by Alison Croggon

This series of four books had been recommended to me by 2 separate staff members. I finally broke the suspense and sat down to read the lengthy first volume, The Naming. The first one-third of the book was enjoyable. It had an interesting beginning, with appealing characters and wonderful ambiance. More than occasionally, there were generous nods to Tolkein, but the story maintained its own identity. I especially liked that the main character, Maerad, was very observant of her surroundings, and favored nice hot baths.

Then, by the halfway point, the similarities to the Lord of the Rings was absolutely distracting. I could not continue the story without wincing in anticipation of the next parallel. I wanted to like this book. The writing was lovely, articulate, detailed, and flourishing. But the constant storyline copy-catting of Tolkein greatly annoyed me.

This is one of my pet peeves; copying stories from another writer is cheating. Creating an original piece of literature is difficult, but, in my mind, very much like conquering Everest: others have done it before, but your circumstances cause you to navigate it differently. Riding on the coattails of another is a dicey thing, to say the least.

With that said, I relayed my feelings to one of the staff members who recommended the book. She frowned, disagreed with me, and suggested I continue on.

Grudgingly, I did so. And I must say, I came to enjoy the story much better after it veered from its current Tolkeinian course. There were some really original elements explored, and the language, descriptions, and atmosphere continued to delight me. The story was gritty, the characters noble and authentic, and the female lead real, strong, and gentle.

I ultimately found myself looking forward to reading the second book, and will let you know how I feel about that.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Victorian era fiction brings to mind sweeping castle-scapes and hunky men embracing women looking more like modern glamour queens than accurate renditions of their times. You know the ones, the romance novels we have all read at least once in our lives. Fortuntely, the Young Adult genre prefers to feature magical elements, leaving behind old story lines of these cookie cutter romances.

This enigmatic story deals with a mother's sacrifice, visions, unexplained magical places, friendships, struggles, and yes, romance, all wrapped up in the propriety of a girls school and a very structured way of life.

It is a read that keeps you desperately wanting to know the outcome and find the answers hinted at throughout. Immerse yourself in this smoke-and-shadows mystery, and enjoy the ride.

What to Read for Children at Each Age Level


What makes a book good for a child? Different age groups have different skill levels and needs. Here is a list of suggestions:

                                               

A baby (up to 18 months) is stimulated by rhymes, colors, or things familiar. Try Red, Blue, Yellow Shoe, by Tana Hoban; or Clip, Clop by Nicola Smee.

                                        

Toddlers are ready for more. Try Baby Shoes, by Dashka Slater; or Daisy’s Hide and Seek, by Jane Simmons. Simple counting or alphabet books are also good choices.

  

Pre-schoolers, ages 3-5, enjoy a fuller story and an expansion of concepts, such as Goodnight Moon 1 2 3, based on the classic by Margaret Wise Brown; Will Goes to the Post Office, by Olof and Lena Landstrom; or A Splendid Friend Indeed, by Suzanne Bloom.

                                               

Kindergarteners to Second graders still enjoy being read to, although they have been working hard to read independently. This age provides two options: easy readers for solitary reading, and picture books to share. Easy Readers such as Easy as Apple Pie, by Karen Gray Ruelle provides age-appropriate vocabulary to help sharpen skills. Books such as The Raft, by Jim Lamarche, provide a more complex storyline for the older child, complete with pictures.

                                                            Third grade to Middle schoolers are ready for chapter books: the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, or the plethora of series books available. These work right into Junior High level.

                                              

Young adult books are usually reserved for ninth graders and up. These include difficult subjects such as sex, drugs, or emotional traumas. They provide a bridge between younger-aged books and adult fiction. They may help teens deal with personal difficulties, or understand these subjects better.



Do consider this: Reading together can be enjoyed at any age!

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

I read this book almost 2 years ago, and it still has a haunting quality that stays with me. The writing feels unexpectedly familiar with a realm of the afterlife, making me wonder if the author hadn't crossed over and come back herself. She writes with a command and conviction of her characters' world.

The story is poignant, bittersweet. One feels an intimate bond with the characters, as they feel bonded to one another. It is a world of veils and smoke, harsh realities, past calamities, deep redemption.

Progression of the story leaves one wanting to discover and reveal the mystery; putting the book down is difficult. Immerse your mind in another world, and experience a love story devoid of artificial sweetness, rich with exquisite yearning, deep joy. A young adult choice book.

Children’s Gift Books – the Keepers

We all have one – a book from childhood we hold dear. It could be a magnificent array of illustrations that take us to a glorious place, or perhaps the text rings so right and true, it has a timeless quality.

This is a precious gift to give the beloved child in your life. Here are some suggestions to inspire, delight, and mesmerize the children you know.

For children 3 – 8

 

Owl Moon, by Jane Yolen; this simple story has breathtaking illustrations and a simple text that is poetry, pure, sweet, and simple.

The House in the Night, by Susan Marie Swanson; if you want to reassure a child that nighttime is good, this book does the trick. It soothes with its coziness and its minimal text, and paints joyful images that the moon, stars and a comfy room create.

For children 9 – 12



Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J. K. Rowling; I did not discover Harry until he had been in print for several years, but I am a bona fide fan. The story is engaging, and the writing is clever, witty and crisp. There are a total of seven books in the series, but the first book will get them started. Adults in a child’s life can share this well-written series, and book-talk with their youngsters.



The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkein; rich text and adventure define this treasure. This is a story to share; help your child navigate through some of the denser language. Don’t be afraid to try it: you’ll be surprised at how amusing Tolkein can be. I read it to my daughter when she was 10, although I wasn’t sure if she would like it. She loved it. We read it twice.

Book Review – Dreamdark - Blackbringer , by Laini Taylor

As a Youth Services staff member, I have been whittling down the list of must-reads recommended by both book review periodicals and fellow Juvenile and YA readers. I have been mired in teen angst, hurled through recycled adventures, and generally worn-out by stories that just don’t wow.

This book, Dreamdark, was recommended to me by a staff member. It sounded like another rehashing of fairy-tale ingredients, but because it had earned such praise, I forged ahead.

A world was crafted through the unlikely perspective of a clan of crows and their adopted faery, named Magpie. Never have I read a book so freshly inspired, with language so beautifully wrought, including the author’s own cleverly invented words. Her use of a story’s flow kept me reading, not able to put it down.

Taylor’s vision of her world is whole and three-dimensional, with colors and textures easily imagined. The story is unexpected, dark, thrilling. Characters are fully realized, believable, relatable, and amusing, including odd little creatures that endear or repulse, and some truly frightening antagonists. I would never limit this to a juvenile read. Any book lover who enjoys a gorgeously articulated story will savor this one

This book can be described in one word – delicious.