Author: Tanith Lee
Publication: London: Hodder Children's Books
Pub. Date: 2004
ISBN: 0-340-854456
Pages: 370
Summary: When Artemesia bumps her head at training school she suddenly remembers that she grew up on a pirate ship with her pirate captain mother, Molly. No longer wishing to conform to how a "proper" girl should behave, she dresses up in boys clothes and escapes Angels Academy to return to the life she once led.
Major Characters: Art Blastside, Felix Phoenix, Little Goldie Girl
Comments: This is quite an unusual book. First of all, Lee sets the story in the past, but includes modern elements, so the reader feels caught somewhere in between. Secondly, the writing is very choppy and the characters use unusual phrases so you're not always sure what they are saying. The action moves so slowly in the beginning that I almost abandoned the book twice, but I'm glad I stuck with it. I found myself cheering for Art - the pirate who doesn't kill anyone - as she rejoined her mother's former shipmates and sailed off in search of adventure and treasure. Once you get used to the style, you'll find yourself caught up in the story, and won't want to put it down.
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Age Level: 10+
Monday, August 01, 2005
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publication: Vancouver: Raincoast Books
Pub. Date: 2005
ISBN: 1-55192-756-X
Pages: 607
Summary: The sixth in a series of stories about the boy wizard and his battles against the evil wizard Lord Voldemort.
Major Characters: Harry Potter, Professor Dumbledore, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Professor Snape, Draco Malfoy
Comments: No one on the planet can claim to love YA literature and not know about Harry Potter. That's why this blog would not be complete without an entry on the most highly anticipated book release of the year. For a long time now, HP fans have been warned that this installment would include the death of a major character, and it was not an empty threat. Rowling departs from her usual formula for this book, however. Even though the story begins with Harry at the Dursleys, the stay is cut short, as Dumbledore comes to pick him up after only a few weeks. There is also the issue of a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to contend with, and readers will be surprised at how that turns out. Also, unlike most of the other books, there is no face-to-face battle between Harry and Voldemort. Don't take that to mean that the book ends uneventfully, however. Rowling has successfully fueled the fire of anticipation for HP7.
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 10+
Publication: Vancouver: Raincoast Books
Pub. Date: 2005
ISBN: 1-55192-756-X
Pages: 607
Summary: The sixth in a series of stories about the boy wizard and his battles against the evil wizard Lord Voldemort.
Major Characters: Harry Potter, Professor Dumbledore, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Professor Snape, Draco Malfoy
Comments: No one on the planet can claim to love YA literature and not know about Harry Potter. That's why this blog would not be complete without an entry on the most highly anticipated book release of the year. For a long time now, HP fans have been warned that this installment would include the death of a major character, and it was not an empty threat. Rowling departs from her usual formula for this book, however. Even though the story begins with Harry at the Dursleys, the stay is cut short, as Dumbledore comes to pick him up after only a few weeks. There is also the issue of a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to contend with, and readers will be surprised at how that turns out. Also, unlike most of the other books, there is no face-to-face battle between Harry and Voldemort. Don't take that to mean that the book ends uneventfully, however. Rowling has successfully fueled the fire of anticipation for HP7.
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 10+
The Prince of the Pond
Author: Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrator: Judith Byron Schachner
Publication: New York: Dutton Children's Books
Pub. Date: 1992
ISBN: 0-525-44976-0
Pages: 151
Summary: An adaptation of the fairy-tale in which a frog is turned into a prince by the kiss of a princess. The story begins shortly after the prince has been turned into a frog by an ugly hag, and follows him as he tries to adapt to his new, amphibious life.
Major Characters: De Fawg Pin (The Frog Prince), Jade (his froggy wife), the Hag
Comments: Napoli does an excellent job of transforming a fairly boring story into an amusing, original adventure. It is hilarious to read along as Pin learns how to hop and croak and do everything that frogs do. The story has something for everyone: action, suspense, love and humour, and Schachner's amazing drawings bring it all to life.
Genre: Revised fairy-tale
Age Level: 10-13
Illustrator: Judith Byron Schachner
Publication: New York: Dutton Children's Books
Pub. Date: 1992
ISBN: 0-525-44976-0
Pages: 151
Summary: An adaptation of the fairy-tale in which a frog is turned into a prince by the kiss of a princess. The story begins shortly after the prince has been turned into a frog by an ugly hag, and follows him as he tries to adapt to his new, amphibious life.
Major Characters: De Fawg Pin (The Frog Prince), Jade (his froggy wife), the Hag
Comments: Napoli does an excellent job of transforming a fairly boring story into an amusing, original adventure. It is hilarious to read along as Pin learns how to hop and croak and do everything that frogs do. The story has something for everyone: action, suspense, love and humour, and Schachner's amazing drawings bring it all to life.
Genre: Revised fairy-tale
Age Level: 10-13
The Shakespeare Stealer
Author: Gary Blackwood
Publication: New York: Puffin Books
Pub. Date: 1998
ISBN: 0-14-130595-9
Pages: 216
Summary: Widge, a young, orphaned apprentice, is sent ot copy Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Hamlet, during a performance at the Globe Theatre. While he attempts to complete the task, he ends up being invited to join the Players as a theatre apprentice and must decide whether to obey his master or remain loyal to his friends.
Major Characters: Widge, Falconer (Widge's master), Sander (Widge's friend)
Comments: As an older reader, I found the book to be a little predictable. There are some typical elements in the plot, such as a girl pretending to be a boy, and another player who gets jealous of Widge and tries to make his life miserable. However, I can imagine that as a pre-teen, the story would be very exciting. Falconer is truly despicable, and so you can't wait to get to the end of the book to see what happens to him. The historical and theatrical facts are also well researched and interesting. It was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and the School Library Journal's Best Book of the Year.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 10-15
Publication: New York: Puffin Books
Pub. Date: 1998
ISBN: 0-14-130595-9
Pages: 216
Summary: Widge, a young, orphaned apprentice, is sent ot copy Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Hamlet, during a performance at the Globe Theatre. While he attempts to complete the task, he ends up being invited to join the Players as a theatre apprentice and must decide whether to obey his master or remain loyal to his friends.
Major Characters: Widge, Falconer (Widge's master), Sander (Widge's friend)
Comments: As an older reader, I found the book to be a little predictable. There are some typical elements in the plot, such as a girl pretending to be a boy, and another player who gets jealous of Widge and tries to make his life miserable. However, I can imagine that as a pre-teen, the story would be very exciting. Falconer is truly despicable, and so you can't wait to get to the end of the book to see what happens to him. The historical and theatrical facts are also well researched and interesting. It was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and the School Library Journal's Best Book of the Year.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 10-15
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