You Gotta Read This!
|
Title: In Other Lands
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan Publisher: Big Mouth House (2017) ISBN13: 978-1618731203 Genre: Fantasy, Romance, YA Topics/Themes: Found family, self-discovery, coming-of-age, navigating friendships/romantic relationships, violence is not the answer Diversity Tags: Main Characters: LGBTQIA+: Gay, Bisexual Recommended Age Level: 14-19 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: This is the tale of Elliot. Elliot is 13 years old, smart, witty, and only a tiny bit obnoxious… On a class field trip, he sees a wall that no one else can see, and on the other side of that wall is a magical world called “The Borderlands”. In the Borderlands, technology doesn’t work, but there are magical creatures, such as elves, dwarves, harpies, and even mermaids. Elliot has the opportunity to leave his world behind in exchange for this new one and to study and train to help protect this magical land. Without a second thought Elliot jumps at the chance because who wouldn’t want to study an entirely new land and its equally amazing magical creatures. As he begins his training, he meets fellow recruit Serene, a strong independent elven warrior, who also happens to be the most beautiful girl that Elliot has ever laid eyes on, and her friend Luke, the blond-hair, blue-eyed, annoyingly likeable human. Over the next several years, Elliot must navigate and find his place in this strange new world that is obsessed with war and violence with the help of his begrudging allies (NOT friends, mind you) Serene and Luke. “Amid shifting relationships, the threat of war, and substantial growth among the characters, Elliot’s razor-edged wit and general inability to keep his mouth shut make for blissfully entertaining reading.” (Publishers Weekly, 2017) Professional Reviews: “Smart explorations of gender stereotypes, fluid sexuality, and awkward romance only add to the depth and delight of this glittering contemporary fantasy.” – Publishers Weekly, 2017 “A stellar, if dense and lengthy, coming-of-age novel; those with the patience to sit through our hero's entire adolescence will find it a wholly rewarding journey.” – Kirkus Reviews, 2017 Personal Insights: This book was snarky, hilarious, and so very entertaining (but also had some serious and heartfelt moments). Brennan’s writing style and format of this book feels very different than a “normal” novel, and more like an internet fan-fic written in installments……which is in fact how this story came to be! In the author’s notes, Brennan explains that this story started out as a short story she wrote on her blog that people loved so much, she just kept adding to the story. While this style may not be for everyone, I thought it was a great way to make the story just a little bit different and unique. One of my favorite things about this story is how the stereotypical ideas of gender get flipped on their head and poked fun at. For instance, the Elvish culture is matriarchal, and to an extreme: the men are the “gentler sex” who stay home and take care of the family while having domestic hobbies, while the women are the leaders and breadwinners. The women elves are all incredibly sexist towards men and vocal about it (think stereotypical sexist language that was frequently used by men all throughout history, but if women were saying it about men) One of the main characters, a female elf, is constantly at odds with the human males in her classes, and the culture clashes make for some highly entertaining, but also incredibly thought provoking moments. Notable (and also some hilarious) Quotes: “And he did not want to be loved as a second choice, as a surrender. He had spent his whole life not being loved at all, and he had thought being loved enough would satisfy him. It would not. He did not want to be loved enough. He wanted to be loved overwhelmingly. (...) He had never been chosen, so he had never had a chance to know this about himself before now: he wanted to be chosen first.” “I am not winning any arguments because I know how to hurt someone. How does that prove that you're right? How does being stronger or more vicious prove anything, except that all this talk about honor is stupid? Where's the honor in being better at hurting somebody? Telling me I have to do this is insulting, as if I can't win any other way. As if I can't win in a better way.” “If you must know, she is the one soul destined for my own, and we are going to be together forever,” he declared loftily. “That’s weird,” Luke told him. “We’re thirteen.” “I don’t need you to explain to me the concept of a magical land filled with fantastic creatures that only certain special children can enter. I am acquainted with the last several centuries of popular culture. There are books. And cartoons, for the illiterate.” “There isn’t any kind of relationship that’s all problem-free delightful unicorns. You can’t have a relationship without issues and prejudices. The way to be equals is if both people agree to be equals, and treat themselves and each other as equals, despite all that.” Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (2017) - Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen. That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right. Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here — it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up. The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic by F.T. Lukens (2017) - Desperate to pay for college, Bridger Whitt is willing to overlook the peculiarities of his new job—entering via the roof, the weird stacks of old books and even older scrolls, the seemingly incorporeal voices he hears from time to time—but it’s pretty hard to ignore being pulled under Lake Michigan by… mermaids? Worse yet, this happens in front of his new crush, Leo, the dreamy football star who just moved to town. Fantastic. When he discovers his eccentric employer Pavel Chudinov is an intermediary between the human world and its myths, Bridger is plunged into a world of pixies, werewolves, and Sasquatch. The realm of myths and magic is growing increasingly unstable, and it is up to Bridger to ascertain the cause of the chaos, eliminate the problem, and help his boss keep the real world from finding the world of myths. Winger by Adam Smith (2013) - Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids in the Pacific Northwest. He’s living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he’s madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy. With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life’s complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what’s important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart.
0 Comments
Title: Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer series #1)
Author: Laini Taylor Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (March 28, 2017) ISBN13: 978-0316341684 Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult Topics/Themes: Personal Identity, The Power of Stories, Imagination, and Dreams Recommended Age Level: 14-19 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: Lazlo Strange loves books and stories. Growing up an orphan, his dreams and imagination have been his only safe haven, and ones he feeds and nourishes from the myths and fairytale section of the Great Library of Zosma he now works for. Specifically, since he was 5 years old, he has been enraptured with the mythical city of Weep: a place of unimaginable happiness and opportunity. Lazlo dreams of someday crossing the massive desert that supposedly separates Zosma from the city of Weep, leaving his life behind. But his lot in life as a lowly librarian, not to mention the dangers of traversing the desert, prevent him from ever being able to fulfill his dream. That is, until, the Godslayer and his band of legendary warriors from Weep appear in Zosma. In one day, Lazlo, and the rest of Zosma, find out that Weep is far from mythical, is in fact very real, and it has a very real problem of its own. Lazlo jumps at the chance to not only visit the city he loves, but to help rescue it from whatever caused it to disappear from history 200 years before. In the adventure that follows, Lazlo uncovers more than a lifetime of mysteries surrounding Weep, including how the name “Godslayer” was earned as he pieces together the identity of a blue-skinned goddess that continues to appear in his dreams. Professional Reviews: “The characters are carefully, exquisitely crafted; the writing is achingly lovely; and the world is utterly real. While a cliff-hanger ending will certainly have readers itching for book two, make no mistake—this is a thing to be savored.” – Maggie Reagan, Booklist 2017 “Gorgeously written in language simultaneously dark, lush, and enchanting, the book will leave readers eager for the next.” – Jane Putch, Publishers Weekly 2017 Weep [the main city in the story] becomes a laboratory in which Taylor examines slavery, trauma, memory, and appropriation, ending this first installment with a cliffhanger that leaves readers wondering if healing is even remotely possible. Lovers of intricate worldbuilding and feverish romance will find this enthralling.” – Kirkus Reviews 2017 Personal Insights: This book is 100% going to be on my top list of the year. I normally don’t go for the romance side of things, but even with the romance aspects, the fantasy world building and story far surpassed anything else I have read in while. The fantasy components had a unique spin of influence from middle eastern culture and there was a diverse set of characters represented, both racially and in terms of sexual orientation. I will say that this story has some very heavy topics, namely the aftermath of sexual assault, that are key components of the story that would definitely require a more mature mindset (middle school would probably be a bit too young for readers) Everything is tastefully done, however, and there are no graphic scenes as it is more hinted at in the memories of some of the characters. The romance itself has some elongated steamy scenes, but there are no explicit details. Any sex that does occur is skimmed over, focusing more on the kissing, hand-holding, and gentle caresses. Like I said earlier, this component is not my cup of tea, but I do know that there are many readers out there who eat this stuff up (my wife being one!) I listened to this book via audiobook, and the narrator, Steve West, does an amazing job with the performance. I would highly recommend listening to this book! Notable Quotes: “You’re a storyteller. Dream up something wild and improbable," she pleaded. "Something beautiful and full of monsters." “Beautiful and full of monsters?" “All the best stories are.” “It was impossible, of course. But when did that ever stop any dreamer from dreaming.” “I think you’re a fairy tale. I think you’re magical, and brave, and exquisite. And I hope you'll let me be in your story.” “And that's how you go on. You lay laughter over the dark parts. The more dark parts, the more you have to laugh. With defiance, with abandon, with hysteria, any way you can.” “You think good people can't hate?" she asked. "You think good people don't kill?"[...}"Good people do all the things bad people do, Lazlo. It's just that when they do them, they call it justice.” “Life won't just happen to you boy, he said. You have to happen to it.” “As for fairy tales, he understood that they were reflections of the people who had spun them, and were flecked with little truths - intrusions of reality into fantasy, like toast crumbs on a wizard's beard.” Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Daughter of Smoke & Bone (series #1) by Laini Taylor - Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky. In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low. And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war. Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out. When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself? Deeplight by Frances Hardinge (2019) - The gods are dead. Decades ago, they turned on one another and tore each other apart. Nobody knows why. But are they really gone forever? When 15-year-old Hark finds the still-beating heart of a terrifying deity, he risks everything to keep it out of the hands of smugglers, military scientists, and a secret fanatical cult so that he can use it to save the life of his best friend, Jelt. But with the heart, Jelt gradually and eerily transforms. How long should Hark stay loyal to his friend when he’s becoming a monster—and what is Hark willing to sacrifice to save him? Shadow and Bone (#1 in trilogy) by Leigh Bardugo (2012) - Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee. Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.
4/29/2020 0 Comments Story Thieves by James Riley
Title: Story Thieves (Story Thieves series #1)
Author: James Riley Publisher: Aladdin (December 15, 2015) ISBN13: 978-1481409209 Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Action/Adventure Topics/Themes: Personal Identity, The Power of Stories, Imagination Recommended Age Level: 9-13 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: Owen Connors’ life is incredibly boring. Between school, homework, and chores, he wishes with his whole heart that real life could be more like his favorite books, and that he could have the life of his favorite character, Kiel Gnomenfoot (a boy wizard-in-training who fights a mad scientist trying to wipe out the world of magic in the name of science). All that changes when he accidentally witnesses a girl in his class, Bethany Sanderson, climbing OUT of a book while they are in the library his mother runs. As impossible as it seems, Owen discovers that Bethany is half-fictional herself and that she has been searching through books in order to find her missing father. In exchange for keeping Bethany’s secret, Owen makes a deal that she has to take him into any one book of his choice. His obvious choice is the Kiel Gnomenfoot series, since it’s been his lifelong dream to visit, and Bethany tentatively agrees. But as he soon finds out, his ENTIRE dream may yet come true as he gets stuck in the story and is forced to live out Kiel Gnomenfoot’s final adventure, regardless of how it ends. Professional Reviews: “A droll and clever opener likely to leave readers breathless both with laughter and anticipation.” – Kirkus Reviews 2014 “Aimed at avid readers (the Kiel stories are a spoof of the Harry Potter books), this series starter is packed with humor, adventure, and twists, and it bodes quite well for the second volume. Giddy, book -based fun.” – Sarah Bean Thompson, Booklist 2014 Personal Insights: This book (and the entire five book series) absolutely blew me away. This book was recommended indirectly when someone in one of my classes offhandedly mentioned their love of the author, James Riley, and I figured I would give it a chance. I am SO glad I did because I now own the entire series, am forcing my wife to read them as well, and I will be definitely recommending this series to any middle school kids that are looking for something fun and exciting. This story can be appreciated on so many levels: for kids who are already avid readers, they will love the nods and homages to famous books and other nerdy bookish things. For those who are more reluctant readers, the nonstop action and dry wit humor will capture the love of kids who don’t like reading the slower paced and realistic fiction that is often required reading in school. The characters are well developed and appealing, the storyline is brilliant and witty (and also incredibly meta!), and my attention was captured for every last page, which is a considerable claim given that each book in the series is at least 350 pages. Added audiobook review: I finished this book as a hybrid of audiobook and reading the physical book (which is the first time I’ve tried that) and the narrator, Kirby Heyborne, performed fantastically and played each character better than I could have imagined them in my own head. Very much worth your time to listen to this book in audiobook format if that is your preference! Notable Quotes: “The second rule they taught us in librarian school is that you can have as many favorite books as there are books.” "Don't worry. Maybe you just haven't found your favorite book yet. I honestly don't think anyone has. Just when you think you might have a favorite, something better comes along." “Why imagine a world in your head when you could just go visit another one in a book?” “Embrace the impossible! Find the magic within! BE MORE FICTIONAL.” "You don't ever speak to me again, do you understand? And if you ever tell anyone about me, I'll find the deepest, darkest math book I can find, and drop you into the most boring part!" Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) If you liked this book, you HAVE to read the rest of the series. Seriously, start there. It only gets better, and there are 4 more books to read!! The Revenge of Magic (The Revenge of Magic series #1) by James Riley (2019) - Thirteen years ago, books of magic were discovered in various sites around the world alongside the bones of dragons. Only those born after “Discovery Day” have the power to use the magic. Now, on a vacation to Washington, DC, Fort Fitzgerald’s father is lost when a giant creature bursts through the earth, attacking the city. Fort is devastated, until an opportunity for justice arrives six months later, when a man named Dr. Opps invites Fort to a government run school, the Oppenheimer School, to learn magic from those same books. But life’s no easier at the school, where secrets abound. What does Jia, Fort’s tutor, know about the attacks? Why does Rachel, master of destructive magic, think Fort is out to destroy the school? And why is Fort seeing memories of an expelled girl every time he goes to sleep? If Fort doesn’t find out what’s hiding within the Oppenheimer School, more attacks will come, and this time, nothing will stop them! The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories series #1) by Chris Colfer and Brandon Dorman (2012) - Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairy tales. The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about. But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought. Book Scavenger (Book Scavenger series #1) by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman and Sarah Watts (2015) - A hidden book. A found cipher. A game begins . . . . Twelve-year-old Emily is on the move again. Her family is relocating to San Francisco, home of her literary idol: Garrison Griswold, creator of the online sensation Book Scavenger, a game where books are hidden all over the country and clues to find them are revealed through puzzles. But Emily soon learns that Griswold has been attacked and is in a coma, and no one knows anything about the epic new game he had been poised to launch. Then Emily and her new friend James discover an odd book, which they come to believe is from Griswold and leads to a valuable prize. But there are others on the hunt for this book, and Emily and James must race to solve the puzzles Griswold left behind before Griswold's attackers make them their next target.
Title: Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster
Author: Jonathan Auxier Publisher: Puffin Books (September 25, 2018) ISBN: 978-1419731402 Genre: Historical Fiction Recommended Age Level: 9-15 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: Nan Sparrow, an eleven-year-old orphan, is the best chimney climber out of the kids that are indentured to Wilkie Crudd, their heartless and cruel chimney sweep master. He provides food and a place for them to sleep in exchange for long days of extremely dirty and dangerous work. For five years her skills and wit have gotten her out of many tight situations, but she meets her match when she gets stuck in a flue with a chimney fire roaring beneath her. The next thing she knows, she is safe, waking up in the attic of the building, but with a small creature made of ash and coal next to her. Together, Nan and this creature (which she later discovers is a Golem), create a new life, away from the cruel and abusive master, who thinks she died in the fire. Nan raises and cares for the Golem, and as she allows herself to love and be vulnerable in a world that has always been cruel and indifferent to her, she comes to realize that she just might be able to change their corner of the world for the better, with the help of her new friend and “monster”. Professional Reviews: “A stunning historical fantasy novel about the power of friendship, our potential for courage, and the beauty of remembering loved ones, set in Victorian England.” – Amy McInerney, School Library Journal “Auxier wipes away the grime from a bleak chapter in history where children were forced to work dangerous jobs that claimed many lives. He questions what makes one a monster and applauds helping others, activism, education, earthly marvels, and the possibility of magic.” – Julia Smith, Booklist Personal Insights: The part that most amazed me about the story was reading through the author’s notes at the end and realizing just how much research went into this book to make it so historically accurate (fantastical “monsters’ aside). Auxier is able to describe the setting so well that you can’t help but feel transported in time. He gives such a stark look at the harsh realities of life in that day while also weaving an intricate and glowing story that leaves the readers feeling as if they are holding their own, little piece of warm char. Notable Quotes: “Am I a monster?” Nan hesitated a long moment before answering. She thought about Crudd and Trundle and the cruel indifference of every person in the city who didn’t care if she lived or died. “I’ve met monsters before,” she said, resting her head atop his. “And you are not one of them.” “That’s what it is to care for a person,” Toby said. There was not even a hint of mocking in his voice. “If you’re not afraid, you’re not doing it right.” “That’s how it works, doesn’t it? We are saved by saving others.” Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (2007): Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery. Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell (2013): Everyone thinks that Sophie is an orphan. True, there were no other recorded female survivors from the shipwreck which left baby Sophie floating in the English Channel in a cello case, but Sophie remembers seeing her mother wave for help. Her guardian tells her it is almost impossible that her mother is still alive, but that means still possible. You should never ignore a possible. So when the Welfare Agency writes to her guardian threatening to send Sophie to an orphanage, she takes matters into her own hands and flees to Paris to look for her mother, starting with the only clue she has - the address of the cello maker. Evading the French authorities, she meets Matteo and his network of rooftoppers - urchins who live in the sky. Together they scour the city for Sophie's mother before she is caught and sent back to London, and most importantly before she loses hope. Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk (2016): Growing up in the shadows cast by two world wars, Annabelle has lived a mostly quiet, steady life in her small Pennsylvania town. Until the day new student Betty Glengarry walks into her class. Betty quickly reveals herself to be cruel and manipulative, and while her bullying seems isolated at first, things quickly escalate, and reclusive World War I veteran Toby becomes a target of her attacks. While others have always seen Toby’s strangeness, Annabelle knows only kindness. She will soon need to find the courage to stand as a lone voice of justice as tensions mount. Title: Zoey and Sassafras (#1): Dragons and Marshmallows
Author: Asia Citro Pictures: Marion Lindsay Publisher: The Innovation Press (March 14, 2017) ISBN: 9781943147090 Genre: Fantasy Topics: STEM, Animals, Science, Mystery, Adventure Recommended Age Level: 6-10 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: Zoey and her sidekick Sassafras, the cat, discover that her mother has been caring for and rehabilitating magical creatures since she was a little girl. When Zoey’s mom needs to leave on a business trip, this responsibility falls to Zoey to care for any creatures who may come while she is away. No one else can see them, not even her father, so it is up to Zoey to use problem solving, the scientific method, and her knowledge of regular animals to help save these creatures in need of help. Professional Reviews: “Concepts are explained concisely and clearly, and a short glossary provides valuable vocabulary building. The slightly larger font makes the text inviting for emerging readers, and the illustrations blend perfectly into the story. This book is a natural fit for STEM collections and deserves a place in all libraries serving young readers.” – Sarah Wetheren, School Library Journal 2017 Personal Insights: There are two main elements that make this story (and series) rise to the top of quality literature for this reading level. The first being a strong sense of connection to STEM and introduces problem solving and the scientific method to the young readers of this book in an engaging way at their reading level. The second being the cast of diverse characters portrayed, and illustrated, in this book: Zoey is an intelligent and science-minded girl of color who uses her own ingenuity and determination to save the day. Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) March of the Mini Beasts (The DATA Set #1) by Ada Hopper and Sam Ricks (Illustrator) (2016): Gabe, Laura, and Cesar live on a quiet cul-de-sac. They are the whiz kids of Newtonburg Elementary and each specializes in their own subject. In fact, everyone in town lovingly refers to them as the Data Set. However, their quiet days of learning take a sudden turn for the exciting when they meet Dr. Gustav Bunsen—a mad scientist who throws the kids into a wild spiral of adventures. When Dr. Bunsen’s latest invention, a growth ray, hits several tiny animal toys, the mini beasts don’t just grow, they come to life! The DATA Set love their new tiny pets…until they continue to grow. Now there’s an actual elephant in the room—not to mention a chimp, a giraffe, and a dinosaur. When the beasts wander off, it’s up to the DATA Set to track them down. But will they catch the mini beasts before they grow big enough to start trouble in town? Frankie Sparks and the Class Pet by Megan Frazer Blakemore and Nadja Sarell (Illustrator) (2019): The best thing EVER is happening in Frankie Sparks’s third grade class: They are getting a class pet! Their teacher, Miss Cupid, tells them they will vote on their pet, but it has to meet some “parameters.” Their pet must: 1. Fit in aquarium. 2. Cost less than $50. 3. Be easily portable. 4. Be able to be left alone for the weekend. Frankie thinks that a rat—just like the rats in her beloved Aunt Gina’s lab—would be the perfect fit. But her best friend, Maya, doesn’t think a rat would be great at all. They are kind of gross and not as cool as a hermit crab, which is Maya’s top choice. Using her special workshop, can Frankie find a way to convince her teacher and her best friend that Team Rat is the way to go? Mighty Meg and the Magical Ring (Mighty Meg #1) by Sammy Griffin and Micah Player (Illustrator) (2019): Eight-year-old Meg's life is turned upside-down when the ring she received from her Aunt Nikki, an archaeologist, gives her superpowers, but can she find the courage to be the superhero her town needs? Title: The Beast Player
Author: Nahoko Uehashi (Translated by Cathy Hirano) Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (March 26, 2019) ISBN: 978-1250307460 Genre: Fantasy Recommended Age Level: YA 13+ Awards / Recognitions:
Professional Summary and Review: Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2019 “Can humans bridge the gulf that separates them from beasts ? Is it love that binds all sentient life—or fear? In this translation of the first entry in international-award-winning Japanese author Uehashi's ( Moribito, 2014, etc.) hit series, 10-year-old Elin idolizes her mother, a skilled beast doctor for Toda, fearsome battle serpents. When some Toda die mysteriously, Elin's mother is sentenced to death. Elin escapes and finds a kind beekeeper in the mountains who raises her as his own. As she grows into adulthood, she discovers her love for all living creatures and a unique gift for communicating with the magical Royal Beasts . But the nation's political structure is fragile. Soon Elin is thrust into deadly civil conflict and must decide whether to use her beloved animal friends as tools of war. The author creates complex societies and fantastical creatures with imaginative, immersive detail. In a refreshing change for Western readers, the central issue hinges on neither individual power nor romantic love but kindness balanced against responsibility, and the narrative jumps among the perspectives of numerous characters in a more digressive style than they may be accustomed to. It's lovely to watch Elin blossom from a quiet, curious child into a compassionate, thoughtful young woman with a steadfast moral compass—even if that compass sometimes leads her astray. A richly detailed coming-of-age fantasy epic that rewards the patient and contemplative reader.” Personal Review: The above Kirkus Review is a fantastic summary and review of this book in my opinion. It is hard to summarize just how rich and complex the world is that Uehashi has created in this book, but the last line of the Kirkus review is right: this is not your stereotypical YA fantasy novel. While there are high energy action scenes, what gives this book its clout is the precarious cultural and political climate that is so masterfully painted. It is a refreshingly original tale with fantastical creatures to match, that will leave a lasting impression on any lover of fantasy stories. Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McPhillip (1974): Sixteen when a baby is brought to her to raise, Sybel has grown up on Eld Mountain. Her only playmates are the creatures of a fantastic menagerie called there by wizardry. Sybel has cared nothing for humans, until the baby awakens emotions previously unknown to her. And when Coren--the man who brought this child--returns, Sybel's world is again turned upside down. Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman (2018): In the medieval kingdom of Goredd, women are expected to be ladies, men are their protectors, and dragons get to be whomever they want. Tess, stubbornly, is a troublemaker. You can’t make a scene at your sister’s wedding and break a relative’s nose with one punch (no matter how pompous he is) and not suffer the consequences. As her family plans to send her to a nunnery, Tess yanks on her boots and sets out on a journey across the Southlands, alone and pretending to be a boy. Where Tess is headed is a mystery, even to her. So when she runs into an old friend, it’s a stroke of luck. This friend is a quigutl—a subspecies of dragon—who gives her both a purpose and protection on the road. But Tess is guarding a troubling secret. Her tumultuous past is a heavy burden to carry, and the memories she’s tried to forget threaten to expose her to the world in more ways than one. Eragon by Christopher Paolini (2003): When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands. |