2012, ROC
My son and I read the Dresden Files books as they arrive. I saved this one for his Christmas present. He finished it in 3 days as did I (even while I was leveling up in WOW).
My son perhaps said it best "Everything you'd want in a Dresden book."
It is filled with magic and feats of daring combined with thoughtful explorations of motivations and politics. It is also infused with humor. Butcher is one of the few authors who continues to surprise me. My son agreed--we were both caught off-guard by the ending. I won't spoil it, but if you are able to anticipate what is to happen I will award you a badge of foresight.
This is a book I would easily recommend to adolescents. It particularly will fit students who are drawn to fantasy/adventure and quest literature. It could easily be used in coordination with game-based learning. There had been a video game (RPG) version as well as a one season television series. He also had a series of comic books based on the Dresden characters. For you graphic novel/comics students this would be a leveling up.
Why am I such a fan? First, Butcher himself has a great take on becoming a writer and the work ethic necessary to reach goals. Anyone who needs "inspiration" should look at what Butcher says about these topics. Secondly, Butcher has extremely complex characters. Although good and evil are at constant war, most of his developed characters have a mix. It is excellent character development and can help adolescents and young adults explore roles and decisions. Finally there is Harry Dresden himself. He's funny, in a way that will appeal to many readers, especially adolescent and young adult males. But, as a mature woman I can also appreciate the humor.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Butcher suggests that he's hoping for 23 books in the series. Cold Days is #14. I'll try and be patient while waiting. Maybe I'll try one of the comics to tide me over. But, I have a reading assignment--look for A Confederacy of Dunces in my next review. (My book club's choice.)
Showing posts with label magical creatures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label magical creatures. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Friday, December 28, 2012
Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wreded
2009, Scholastic
It pays to pick up random books at the library. One of the disadvantages of the "hold" system is that too often I just run in, pick up my holds, and leave. The stacks are a great place to be reminded of favorite authors and to make new finds.
I have been a passionate fan of Wrede's Enchanted Forest series (Dealing with Dragons etc.). I don't know how her works fell off my radar. She has three series out that I haven't read. It looks like I'll be spending some time filling in gaps in both this series (Frontier Magic) and the Regency Magic Series including Cecelia and Kate series and the Mairelon series (coauthored with Caroline Stevermer). I'm glad that I'm teaching YA lit in the spring. It will give me a good reason to explore these two series.
Wrede uses strong young women as her protagonists. In this book the main character, Eff (short for ??--Francine??--I'll fix this later!), is a twin to a 7th son of a 7th son. Her parents have managed to produce 14 children. Consequently she is number 13. Her uncle and several other family members are convinced that this is very unlucky and that she will bring doom upon all around her.
In part, because of this negativity, her parents decide to move to a college on the "frontier" where her father will teach and Eff will be freed of the negative expectations of her relatives.
Wrede has created an alternative history of the US. As I read it, she is paralleling the westward expansion in the US. The college is on the banks of the "Mammoth River" which I believe is the Mississippi. In this alternative world there is magic and Eff's father is a professor of magic at the university. It appears to me that the theme of the series relates to how cultures have combined in the US to create a new world (that is really new!, not just a salad of the cultures who have arrived here). Included is the challenge we all face with letting go of our expectations and seeing the world as it exists, rather than allowing our history to color or distort everything we see.
I am always impressed with Wrede's narrative skills. She slowly reveals the truth of her characters but keeps the reader going with "action" that intrigues. This is going to be a book I recommend to readers as a way to examine the "truth" of history. Although Wrede's world is fantasy, the alternative historical plot offers readers the opportunity to consider the truth of history. History is too often told by the "victor" and there are always alternative versions. Eff is a character that helps us consider how the "victors" in the US have perhaps overlooked some of the important elements of American History. She even throws in some gentle criticism of science and scientists.
A secondary theme that I suspect Wrede is exploring in this series is related to the magics that are present in the world. There are Aphrikan, Hirjer-Cathayan, and Avrupan magic traditions. I'll admit that it took me a while to do the phonics and understand that these might be considered African, Japanese-Chinese, and European magics. Regardless, Wrede does a good job of helping readers consider the value of embracing difference in any area of study (or world views).
I'll get back to you as I read the other books in this series.
It pays to pick up random books at the library. One of the disadvantages of the "hold" system is that too often I just run in, pick up my holds, and leave. The stacks are a great place to be reminded of favorite authors and to make new finds.
I have been a passionate fan of Wrede's Enchanted Forest series (Dealing with Dragons etc.). I don't know how her works fell off my radar. She has three series out that I haven't read. It looks like I'll be spending some time filling in gaps in both this series (Frontier Magic) and the Regency Magic Series including Cecelia and Kate series and the Mairelon series (coauthored with Caroline Stevermer). I'm glad that I'm teaching YA lit in the spring. It will give me a good reason to explore these two series.
Wrede uses strong young women as her protagonists. In this book the main character, Eff (short for ??--Francine??--I'll fix this later!), is a twin to a 7th son of a 7th son. Her parents have managed to produce 14 children. Consequently she is number 13. Her uncle and several other family members are convinced that this is very unlucky and that she will bring doom upon all around her.
In part, because of this negativity, her parents decide to move to a college on the "frontier" where her father will teach and Eff will be freed of the negative expectations of her relatives.
Wrede has created an alternative history of the US. As I read it, she is paralleling the westward expansion in the US. The college is on the banks of the "Mammoth River" which I believe is the Mississippi. In this alternative world there is magic and Eff's father is a professor of magic at the university. It appears to me that the theme of the series relates to how cultures have combined in the US to create a new world (that is really new!, not just a salad of the cultures who have arrived here). Included is the challenge we all face with letting go of our expectations and seeing the world as it exists, rather than allowing our history to color or distort everything we see.
I am always impressed with Wrede's narrative skills. She slowly reveals the truth of her characters but keeps the reader going with "action" that intrigues. This is going to be a book I recommend to readers as a way to examine the "truth" of history. Although Wrede's world is fantasy, the alternative historical plot offers readers the opportunity to consider the truth of history. History is too often told by the "victor" and there are always alternative versions. Eff is a character that helps us consider how the "victors" in the US have perhaps overlooked some of the important elements of American History. She even throws in some gentle criticism of science and scientists.
A secondary theme that I suspect Wrede is exploring in this series is related to the magics that are present in the world. There are Aphrikan, Hirjer-Cathayan, and Avrupan magic traditions. I'll admit that it took me a while to do the phonics and understand that these might be considered African, Japanese-Chinese, and European magics. Regardless, Wrede does a good job of helping readers consider the value of embracing difference in any area of study (or world views).
I'll get back to you as I read the other books in this series.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Side Jobs, by Jim Butcher
A collection of short stories featuring the main and supportive characters from Butcher's Dresden Files series. Reading these made me yearn for the next book in the Dresden Files series. As always, Butcher's humor tickles me and his plots/characters compel me to continue reading. This collection of short stories may be an excellent way to pull adolescent readers into the series or Butcher's other series, The Codex Alera. Although readers of the series will be able to bring a layered and complex understanding of the characters and plot to these short stories I also believe that readers new to this would find each story engaging and lucid.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Inkspell and Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
Funke's recognition as a fantasy writer is well deserved. I have greatly enjoyed the entire Inkheart trilogy. The series' exploration of the power and possibilities of the printed word especially speak to me as a reader and writer. At the present moment I am having to devote more time in my professional life to writing and publishing. Funke's side-story of the pleasures and frustrations of the author's craft speaks loudly to me. Her mirror worlds of fantasy will appeal to a wide range of readers and will secure her spot in children's and young adult literature.
All three books present a challenge to younger readers in their length alone. Yet, readers willing to take on the Harry Potter saga will be able to handle this series. I believe that the books are complex enough to engage a wide range of ages and readers. It encouraged me that the first book has already been accepted by the commercial film industry. It was the feature film on a flight I took to Ecuador this summer. I didn't really follow the film, but plan to view it at home soon.
All three books present a challenge to younger readers in their length alone. Yet, readers willing to take on the Harry Potter saga will be able to handle this series. I believe that the books are complex enough to engage a wide range of ages and readers. It encouraged me that the first book has already been accepted by the commercial film industry. It was the feature film on a flight I took to Ecuador this summer. I didn't really follow the film, but plan to view it at home soon.
Friday, September 19, 2008
The Pinhoe Egg, by Dianna Wynne Jones
This is number six in the Chrestomanci Series. I love these books. They are short, more ironic, but less complex Harry Potter-read a-likes. I found Dianna Wynne Jones looking for Potter read a-likes and found her book "The Dark Lord of Derkhelm." In "The Pinhoe Egg" you have two extended families of magicians hiding out right under the "great man Chrestomanci's" rule. The families have placed spies in the Chrestomanci household. Meanwhile the Pinhoe's gammer (female lead) has been befuddle by the Farleigh family gammer and the Pinhoe gaffer has died.
All the adults get so caught up in intriques and revenge that the children are allowed to carry on as they will (for the most part). In her attempts to help Marianne Pinhoe gives Cat Chant a globe from the attic. This begins the entire series of events: the globe hatches a griffin, curses and counter curses plague the towns, and Chrestomanci seems preoccupied.
Of course all works out for the kids. Meanwhile readers will get insights into friendship, trust, faith in others, honest, and feuds. This is a series I would recommend to children grades 4-7 depending upon their reading skills, interests, and interest in fantasy.
All the adults get so caught up in intriques and revenge that the children are allowed to carry on as they will (for the most part). In her attempts to help Marianne Pinhoe gives Cat Chant a globe from the attic. This begins the entire series of events: the globe hatches a griffin, curses and counter curses plague the towns, and Chrestomanci seems preoccupied.
Of course all works out for the kids. Meanwhile readers will get insights into friendship, trust, faith in others, honest, and feuds. This is a series I would recommend to children grades 4-7 depending upon their reading skills, interests, and interest in fantasy.
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