A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston

A Child of Books

by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston

"I am a child of Books.  I come from a world of stories..."  This enchanting book has just become my favorite children's book.  I can truly identify with the "child."  As an only child growing up in the rural Midwest without access to television, I was a child of books.  The books whose words construct the pictures for this book were dear to me.  Many of the books mentioned had become an integral part of my life by the time I reached 7th grade; and, in my mind, I roamed their pages frequently.  The illustrations in the book are built with words from books.  The child floats on an ocean of imagination filled with the words of The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle, Robinson Crusoe, The Swiss Family Robinson, The Count of Monte Cristo (I loved that one!), Kidnapped, Gulliver's Travels, and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.  A road paved with Alice in Wonderland leads to the mountains of Peter Pan and Wendy (I would have used Heidi here).  We float through a dark cave of Kidnapped and Treasure Island to discover a chest of treasure.  Books of fairy tales create a forest while Frankenstein, Dracula, and other Gothic tales create a monster attacking a castle.  If you love books, A Child of Books will find a home on your shelf!  I've already ordered my own copy...I love amazon.com !  By the way, order through smileamazon.com to donate painlessly to your favorite charity.

EQ:  What books were important to you as a child?  

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

The Serpent King

by Jeff Zentner

372 pages

Zentner pours his heart for teens into his first novel, The Serpent King.  He says, "I wanted to write about young people who struggle to lead lives of dignity and find beauty in a forgotten, unglamorous place.  Who wonder what becomes of dreams once they cross the county line.  This book is my love letter to those young people and anyone who has ever felt like them, no matter how or where they grew up."  

I was one of these young people from a rural area, so the plight of these kids reached straight into my heart and pulled out the memories.  I know the kids who dreamed and escaped. I know the kids who dreamed and died, I know the kids who dreamed and stayed, and I know the kids who did not dare to dream and live there still, some struggling to live and others trying to make life better for those who remain behind with them. My admonition to readers is to remember that there IS beauty even in that which seems mundane and unglamorous.  Sometimes we have to search hard and long to find it, and sometimes it just quietly lies there waiting to be noticed.  

Travis, despite his father, is able to see beauty in the art of taking apart and putting an engine back together or loading a pile of lumber. He can enjoy stars and the cool of an evening while he toils to make a few dollars. He is not afraid to dream, and he is not afraid to be different.  I knew someone like him.

Talented and tormented, Dill believes he is trapped by his family's past.  When he listens to his heart instead of his head, he is freed to build his own future.

The fashionable, witty Lydia learns that her world is not quite as dreary and unappealing as she has believed.  She begins to realize the benefits of growing up in rural Tennessee and learns that true friends honestly acknowledge and accept one another as they are...no hiding.

EQ:  How much influence does our environment have on the paths we choose in life?

The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid

The Diabolic

by S.J. Kincaid

403 pages

The Diabolic is an exciting book dealing with the implications of human genetic engineering in a futuristic world.  Diabolics are genetically altered and trained to be bodyguards to the person imprinted upon their minds.  They are born, bred, and altered to be killers.  Can they change? Donia thinks so.  The story follows Nemesis, Donia's Diabolic, as she takes Donia's place as hostage to the hostile court of the Emperor.  Inspired by Robert Graves' I, Claudius, Kincaid describes the dangers and intrigues of a dangerously political imperial court while delving into the moral realm with questions of what determines whether or not a genetically-engineered being has a soul.  The story becomes a bit predictable when Nemesis refuses to acknowledge her growing love for Tyrus, nearly loosing him because of her stubborn refusal to admit that she can love.  Of course, the decadence of society and refusal of the supreme family to allow the advancement of scientific knowledge has essentially doomed all of the "races" and planets.  Space itself is beginning to disintegrate.
EQ: What comparisons may be made between Graves' I, Claudius and Kincaid's The Diabolic?

Nobody Likes a GOBLIN by Ben Hatke

Nobody Likes a GOBLIN

by Ben Hatke

When adventurers--note to Tolkien fans: The adventurers are ironically pictured as a man, an elf, a dwarf, and a wizard--invade Goblin's dungeon, steal his possessions, and kidnap his old friend Skeleton, Goblin goes on a quest to rescue him.  Goblin strikes out wearing a crown, his only remaining treasure. On the journey, he meets Troll who has also encountered these destructive adventurers.  Troll warns him, "Be careful....Nobody likes a goblin."

Goblin travels far into the world of men and elves where he is shunned and pursued.  He finally happens upon the thieving adventurers and is able to escape with Skeleton.  As they run, they encounter more goblins...remember who is wearing a crown...?  Goblin, Skeleton, and his new friends now have the advantage.  Oh, there's a kidnapped girl involved as well...who will get the girl?

EQ:  Do you ever consider how a story would change if viewed from the opposing side?  Think how different The Hobbit or LOTR would be if written from the goblin viewpoint.

The Boy on the Wooden Box: A Memoir by Leon Leyson with Marilyn J. Harran & Elisabeth B. Leyson

The Boy on the Wooden Box: A Memoir

by Leon Leyson with Marilyn J. Harran & Elisabeth B. Leyson

231 pages

This incredible man was one of the youngest of the Jews on Schindler's "list." He tells his heart-wrenching story of loss, bravery, intrigue, and determination with simple honesty and a generosity that few would be able to maintain after going through such horrors.  

Leon Leyson presents Oskar Schindler's heroism in his effort to save hundreds of Jews from certain death in the work camps and concentration camps of Poland and Germany. From Schindler, Leyson learned that "one person can stand up to evil and make a difference." He quotes Joseph Campbell as saying that "a hero is an ordinary human being who does 'the best of things in the worst of times.'" Leyson goes on to say, "Oskar Schindler personifies that definition."  

I personally believe that Leon Leyson is a hero.  This man did not hold bitterness and anger in his heart.  He grew into a man of compassion and kindness, a man who honored "the memory of his family and of the millions of other victims of the Holocaust" as he shared their story.

The Boy on the Wooden Box is well worth reading.

EQ: What are the qualities that you believe makes a person heroic?

The Journey by Francesca Sanna

The Journey

by Francesca Sanna

Apropos for our current political and social situation, The Journey tells of the confusion and terror suffered by a young family which has lost their father to war.  They flee the country as the war creeps closer to them. Exhausted, frightened, hungry, and bereft, they are smuggled across borders, hiding from those who would stop them and return them to their war-torn country. The travelers hold on to the hope that one day, their journey will end as they find a new home in a safe place and once again be able to go on with their lives. Sanna based her book on true stories she was told by refugees she met in Italy where she was studying art.  She wrote and illustrated The Journey hoping to give voice to and honor the strength of these brave immigrants.

EQ:  What are you willing to do or give up to help those who seek shelter in a safe harbor?

We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen

We Found A Hat

by Jon Klassen

Two turtles wandering in the desert find a hat.  The hat looks great on both of them, but there is only one hat.  What will they decide to do?  Klassen explores the value of friendship over that of material objects in this endearing picture book.  I can't wait to read I Want My Hat Back!  I love the subtle lessons in these books!

EQ: Are you willing to sacrifice things you want for those you love?

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

This Is Not My Hat

by Jon Klassen

Poor fish...

"Be sure your sins will find you out"!  A rather large fish is searching for his very small hat which has been stolen while he sleeps.  A very small fish wearing a hat which fits him very well is fleeing.  He thinks he can hide.  Klassen's concise little book teaches lessons on many different levels, and the illustrations allow children to use their imagination to fill in important parts of the story.  This hat series is a "must read."

EQ: Why is it sometimes more effective to leave details to the reader's imagination?

Kristen Hearne introduced me to this great reading website where teachers and professionals can read, critique, and recommend pre-published books.  I was so thrilled this morning to find that I have 4 new books on my "shelf" ready to be previewed! After the big game--Wren High's Varsity Basketball team is in the AAAA state championship game!!!!--I'll be READING!