BookMoot

Necropolis

2009-07-06T08:50:00.005-05:00

Necropolis by Anthony Horowitz, Scholastic, 2009 -- Library download

The title, Necropolis, evokes an image of a dead city so it is no surprise that this book spins the Power of Five (aka Gatekeepers) saga into even darker territory. There are no happy-clappy moments in this story.

In the previous three books, the identities of four young gatekeepers were revealed. Thousands of years ago, it was the combined power of five young people that saved the world from destruction at the hands of the Old Ones.

Now, Matt, Pedro, Jamie and Scott have identified the fifth and final member of their group, a girl named Scarlet. Matt and Jamie set off to alert her to her role and rescue her from the Old Ones who are getting ready to open a giant can of "End Times" on the planet. The boys' search takes them to Hong Kong where Scarlet has been lured into the hands of the nefarious Nightrise Corporation. Nightrise is preparing the way for the Old Ones' return.

Before you can say,"Midsomer Murders," the bad guys are killing innocent bystanders and each other, left and right. The body count reaches stratospheric levels. This is Evil Incarnate after all. The Old Ones and their henchmen are mass murderers.

As a screen writer, Horowitz vividly captures dozens of fine details about the city of Hong Kong. He also supplies horror elements with hordes of flies, animated dead bodies, shape shifters and "Old Ones" versions of Tolkien's Nazgul. This is truly a creepy story.

Although the ultimate end to the tale is probably not in doubt, Horowitz supplies this installment with plenty of action and fight scenes along with a cliff hanger ending. He also infuses his storytelling with a whiff of current events and political themes.

This is by far the best book in the series. I did not know what to expect when I started listening to these but I am utterly hooked now.

Simon Prebbles is the voice of Anthony Horowitz, Inc. for Recorded Books. He provides a solid and highly entertaining performance here.

Food & Books

2009-07-05T13:25:00.002-05:00

Two blogs focused on my two favorite topics -- books and food.

Pinot and Prose
by Laura Lutz

Sweet Reads
by Rawley

When authors dine...

2009-06-20T23:26:00.004-05:00

Maureen Johnson's blog and tweets are always worthy of your time, but this account of her dinner with Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld is possibly, one of the funniest, laugh-out-loud things I have read in a long time.

NPR Series: Three Books...

2009-06-16T11:18:00.000-05:00

I confess I've never read Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell, but I did read
An Old-Fashioned Girl, by Louisa May Alcott and Understood Betsy, by Dorothy Canfield as a young'un.

Three Books...
by Lizzie Skurnick

Buck Up: Life Lessons From Young Heroines

How the Hangman Lost His Heart

2009-06-16T07:00:00.002-05:00

Review by entling no. 2

I am currently rediscovering the joy of reading. During my first semester of grad school, I didn't have time to truly read. Oh, I always had a book with me, to read before class, during breaks, or while consuming a meal. But these books were old friends, worn and battered from years of jostling in backpacks and purses.

During a recent visit home, I viewed, with alarm, the precariously teetering stacks and piles of books that have taken over several square feet of my mother’s bedroom. I offered to take several of the books that overflow our house.

How the Hangman Lost His Heart by K. M. Grant, Walker Books , 2007

is a book I have known about for some time. Last year, the entmother shared a book talk Grant did in England. Grant's humor was brilliant and the story of poor Uncle Frank's head, hilarious.

The story is set in the mid 18th century. Grant easily weaves the traditions and habits of the time with an engaging story that will grab a reader of any age. Alice, our heroine, is no blushing maid, nor is she a steely eyed shield-maiden. Alice is simply a young girl who wants to bury her beloved Uncle Frank's head with his body.

Poor Uncle Frank was executed for being a traitor to the King. The story opens with the execution, and treats the moments with as much good taste as possible. Alice, after meeting with her highly eccentric Aunt Ursula and rather dotty grandmother Lady Widdrington, goes to rescue her Uncle's head from the Temple Bar. The subsequent rescue and flight embroil Dan Skinslicker, the executioner, and Cpt. Hew Ffrench, a soldier originally tasked with arresting Alice.

This story was a joy to read while I sat out on a patio on campus during lunch. The lighthearted humor was an excellent distraction from a day that was, overall, not quite right.

Movie: The Hobbit

2009-06-13T15:47:00.008-05:00

Casting News

They're back!

"Sir Ian McKellen, Hugo Weaving and Andy Serkis will all be appearing in the new film version of The Hobbit, director Guillermo del Toro has confirmed."

del Toro: "We are just two geeks having an incredibly great time."

For all us who love the printed word

2009-06-11T00:36:00.001-05:00

Whether e-booked, audio-ed or between the covers, we love the books.

This Is Where We Live from 4th Estate on Vimeo.

Radiant Girl

2009-06-10T00:31:00.013-05:00

Radiant Girl by Andrea White, Bright Sky Press, 2008

The idea that the events surrounding the Chernobyl Disaster can now be classified as "historical fiction" is somewhat dismaying to me as I recall the news reports as a current event, not a historical one. Young people today though, have very little if any knowledge of the accident and the culpability of the government that could have prevented it.

Katya is anticipating cake and presents on her eleventh birthday and the celebration with her family and friends is wonderful. That night though, reactor number four at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station goes critical and her life is never the same.

The reader will be incredulous at the breathtaking silence and then false assurances of safety from the Soviet government in the hours and days following the accident. Children were sent home from school with only a simple admonishment that "the outdoors is dangerous." Katya's father, who works at the plant, continues there despite having received a large dose of radiation on the night of the explosion. Katya's Uncle Victor warns them all of the danger but her father will not listen.

It is several days before families in the area are ordered to evacuate. Katya and her mother are put on a bus and sent to Kiev where they are met with suspicion and fear that they are radioactive.

Underlying the confusion and world-gone-mad emotions she is feeling, there is the mystery of the strange boy she met in the forest the night of the accident. He predicted the accident and warned Katya that her life was about to change. Was he real or was he an imaginary being from the folktales her grandmother used to tell her?

Katya learns the truth about radiation poisoning and the danger it poses for her country. She is worried and furious about her father's seemingly blind devotion to the Communist Party and a government that lied to the victims of the disaster and to the workers who are now part of the clean up.

Even though time provides some healing, the horrible legacy of Chernobyl stalks her family and her country. Ultimately Katya must find a way to move forward and put the past to rest. The idea of disaster and recovery is certainly relevant in the aftermath of September 11, Hurricane Katrina, and the worsening economic news of today.

White has done extensive research and visited the Dead Zone. Do read her very funny account, "Radioactive Author," of a school program where she discussed her visit there with the kids.

She provides a glossary, references and even footnotes facts within the story. Thinking as a teacher- librarian, this would be useful to share with students as a good example of documenting sources.

I liked this book so much. I admit I found myself mentally shouting, "Look out! Get out of there!" to the characters. This is a very moving story.

Semicolon Interview with Andrea White

Andrea White Website

Andrea White's Blog, Passionate Supporter

48 Hour Book Challenge Wrap Up

2009-06-08T02:47:00.004-05:00

Wrapping Up

Books read: 2
Dragon Heir by Cinda Williams Chima. Hyperion, 2008 (5 hours)
Radiant Girl by Andrea White. Bright Sky Press, 2008 (2 hours)

Time Spent reading: 7 hours

Not so bad considering all that was going on this weekend.

Audiobooks listened to: 2
The Case of the Left-Handed Lady: An Enola Holmes Mystery by Nancy Springer, Katherine Kellgren (Narrator.) Recorded Books, 2007 (finished listening 1.5 hours)

The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets: An Enola Holmes Mystery by Nancy Springer, Katherine Kellgren (Narrator.) Recorded Books, 2007 (Began listening: 1.75 hours)

Can we just agree that Katherine Kellgren is one of the great audio book narrators of ALL time?

Listening Time: 3 hours, 15 min.

Total Time devoted to #48HBC = 10 hours, 15 min.

48 Hour Book Challenge

2009-06-07T00:00:00.006-05:00

Wide awake now and reading 3rd book in Cinda Williams Chima's "Heir" series, The Dragon Heir.

Have been stinging for months now over the ent nephew's astonishment that he had read a book before I had.

UPDATE:
Finished Dragon Heir. The ent-nephew told me something happened to one of the characters and it made him sad. He was right. It made me sad too.

UPDATE:
Starting second book, oohh, aaahh, wow....

UPDATE:
Radiant Girl by Andrea White. Bright Sky Press, 2008

Given this busy weekend I am glad I was able to read one book, much less two. What a terrific book to end on for my 48 Hour Book Challenge. I will review the book in more depth later this week but I will say that I was completely engrossed in this story. This well written historical fiction considers what it must have been like to have been a living near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant when the disaster occured.

48 Hour Book Challenge

2009-06-06T18:54:00.007-05:00

Almost twelve hours in.

Will not disclose the title of the book I am reading as I worry the activities comsuming my afternoon will be a reflecton on the book. The book is very good, so far.

Began 7 a.m.-is

Reading --
Stopped reading to say good-by to Entling no. 1 and the entling-in-law who were returning home for another high school graduation --
Finished breakfast and ablutions --
Reading --
Discussion of profile for graduation computing hardware gift for new graduate --
Awakened new high school graduate, who is sleeping soundly after all night Project Grad party in order to prepare for another graduation party west of town --
Google mapped location of party that Engling no. 3 has been invited to --
Delivered the entling to her party --
Reading --
Fell into deep unrelenting nap. --
Roused briefly from nap and fell asleep again. --
Opened one eye. What is wrong with me? Post graduation letdown? Relief that I am finished (as a parent) with public education? Ooohhh, the TURKEY sandwhich I ate for lunch.

Soporific!

48 Hour Book Challenge

2009-06-06T07:00:00.005-05:00

Visiting family, high school graduations, and children home for the festivities will not deter me from my participation in MotherReader's 48 Hour Book Challenge this year.

Oh, I may ONLY manage one book but it is fun to think that this is a weekend of reading all over the Kidlitosphere and beyond.

My theme this year will be: Books I should have read by now but never got around to.

Clocking in at 7 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2009.

The Donut Chef

2009-06-05T01:38:00.001-05:00

It is National Donut Day!

The Donut Chef by Bob Staake, Golden Books, 2008

The first indication that civilization has arrived in a new neighborhood or subdivision is the opening of a donut shop.

This donut chef opens his new Donut Land shop and it is a great success. When another donut shop opens on the street, the competition becomes fierce as both stores offer discounts, extra frosting and exotic flavors to entice the public. In an emperor-has-no-clothes moment a little girl laments that she cannot get a plain glazed donut and the chef realizes that simple is best.
This cautionary culinary tale emphasises the virtue and value of doing one thing very well.

Staake's signature digital illustrations consist of the circles and geometric shapes that are perfect for a book about donuts.

To continue the celebration of donuts go enjoy GottaBook's ode to donuts, Doughnuts! Oh, Doughnuts!

Less fat and fewer calories!

The End of the Year in a School Library

2009-06-02T21:18:00.014-05:00

Ah yes--the end of the school year is such an interesting time in a school library.

Librarians run and run and print and print reports that present the grim statistics about the horrific number of books STILL checked out to students even though the end of school is just a few days away.
Librarians send out MORE reminders and requests for the return of missing books.
Librarians cheerfully call home phone numbers and leave messages requesting any kind of response or acknowledgment of the lost school library books.
Librarians cheerfully walk to the shelves with students to look for the book that the student is positive he/she already returned or never checked-out in the first place, "no doubt about it, honest, they remember."
Librarians cheerfully point out that the book is NOT on the shelf, therefore, it will be necessary for the student to look again.
Librarians cheerfully suggest places the child can look for their library book.
Librarians cheerfully invite book characters like, say, Viola Swamp, to go on the morning announcements to request the return of library books. Viola infers she will be roaming the hallways and looking into classrooms for library books
The librarian's child, who is watching those morning announcements in horror, from her classroom, SWEARS her mother is NOT at school that day when her classmates suggest Viola bears a resemblance to her!
Librarians cheerfully roll book carts down to 5th grade and request that everyone clean out their desks in the hope that lost library books will materialize.
Librarians cheerfully roll book carts back to the library having netted at least twenty missing books that suddenly appeared in desks, on classroom counters and mixed in with classroom libraries.
Librarians cheer and clap as the student, who was sure that he/she had already returned or had never checked out that book in the first place, "no doubt about it, honest, they remember," comes running in, beaming with joy announcing, "I found it, I found it!"
Librarians cheerfully listen to teachers who explain they never checked out those materials for their classroom "no doubt about it, honest, they remember."
Librarians gulp hard and hug children who present them with flowers, cookies, picture frames, and precious thank-you notes for a year that was full of reading and imagination.

School librarians, you've worked so hard all year.

Thank you.

Have a wonderful summer and try not to think about your library every day this summer.

If only, I wish...

2009-06-01T22:54:00.001-05:00

Can't wait to read it!

2009-05-28T22:38:00.004-05:00

Tasha Saecker of Kids Lit blog has read Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins and describes it as "amazing" and "worth the wait."

Tasha is one of the original Kidlitospherians. I believe her!

Author: Kenneth Oppel

2009-05-26T12:54:00.002-05:00

Amanda Craig profiles Kenneth Oppel in the TimesOnline.

Copyright Limbo

2009-05-25T10:57:00.009-05:00

The copyright backlog lengthens beyond eighteen months...the new new $52 million goverment computer system is a Fail.

What a racket.

The delays do not appear to be hampering the business of the major publishing houses or those willing to spend $685 for a "special handling fee" that expedites registration. But the slowdown is frustrating hundreds of thousands of little-known people with big dreams. They paid $45 for the right to claim legal ownership of poems, fabric designs, plays, jingles, even computer manuals.

Nonfiction Monday: Pararescuemen in Action

2009-05-18T11:50:00.002-05:00

Dewey: 358.4

Pararescuemen in Action by Michael Sandler, Bearport Publishing, 2008
ISBN-10: 1597166332

Saturday was Armed Forces Day!

A commonly cited statistic is that more than 700,000 children in America have at least one parent deployed in the United State armed forces. Children also have grandparents, aunts and uncles, sisters and brothers who have served or are currently serving.

So, books about the armed forces are an important part of a school library collection. There are always a group of kids who want to read every book available about military units, military hardware, ships, aircraft and vehicles.

Sets of books on these topics are a staple of many nonfiction publishers. The recent action of the U.S. Navy SEAL snipers against the hijackers of the Maersk Alabama highlighted the usually low key work of special forces.

Bearport's Special Ops series focuses on the work of the Army Rangers, Green Berets, Navy Seals, Delta Force, Marine Force Recon and Pararescuemen.

My review copy of Pararescuemen includes color photographs of pararescue jumpers training and living their motto: So others may live.

The history of the PJs date back to WWII. In more recent times they have rescued the splashdown capsules of NASA space missions, survivors of Hurricane Katrina and personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A nice two page spread illustrates the "PJ's Gear." A glossary, index, bibliographpy and "read more" are also included. The book has a nice design and clear, easy-to-read typeface.

I recommend this series for elementary school libraries.

Just One Wish

2009-05-16T23:32:00.003-05:00

Just One Wish by Janette Rallison, G.P. Putnam, 2009

I have been a fan of BBC America's Guy of Gisborne... er... I mean, BBC America's Robin Hood series. That is until they killed off Maid Marion. Really, I'm asking you, how could they do that? I think having the television series in mind made this story even more fun.

Annika will do anything to help her little brother Jeremy get well. She just wants him to have a positive attitude when he goes in for surgery to remove the brain tumor that threatens his life. She braves the Black Friday crowds and does battle in a toy store to buy the Robin Hood action figure he yearns for. His favorite TV show is Teen Robin Hood.

But Jeremy wants to meet the "real" Robin Hood not just own the action figure. "Teen Robin Hood" is played by Steve Raleigh, a handsome young actor who is one of the reasons that Annika, herself, never misses an episode. The Make-a-Wish Foundation will take too long and a personal letter might never reach him.

The only way to make this happen for Jeremy is to find Steve Raleigh and ask him to make her brother's wish come true. Is he an arrogant celebrity or is he a friendly guy? The surgery is scheduled and time is short.

How do you find a television star?

Romance, screwball schemes, show business, paparazzi--I liked this funny and tender story very much.
I highly recommend it for junior high and high school libraries.

Reading Aloud

2009-05-16T21:02:00.003-05:00

Thanks to neilhimself for this link in the NYTimes, "Some Thoughts on the Lost Art of Reading Aloud" by Verlyn Klinkenborg.

Reading aloud recaptures the physicality of words. To read with your lungs and diaphragm, with your tongue and lips, is very different than reading with your eyes alone. The language becomes a part of the body, which is why there is always a curious tenderness, almost an erotic quality, in those 18th- and 19th-century literary scenes where a book is being read aloud in mixed company. The words are not mere words. They are the breath and mind, perhaps even the soul, of the person who is reading.

Read the whole thing.

Don't Lick the Dog

2009-05-11T22:09:00.008-05:00

Don't Lick the Dog: Making Friends with Dogs by Wendy Wahman, Henry Holt, 2009

Not sure if he is endorsing children's books but I think Cesar Millan would give this book a thumbs-up. Wendy Wahman has created a sweet rhyming text to guide children through the steps of interacting with and meeting and greeting dogs.

The illustrations really star with two page spreads and bright color wheel inspired pictures.

Dogs of every variety make stylized and smiling appearances in a way that reminded me of the opening sequence of the animated movie, 101 Dalmations. With simple strokes and lines, Wahman manages to create real dogs and children who regard each other with interest. When children need to avoid a nervous or angry dog, the text warns them to stand quietly and let the dog walk away or "cross your arms and turn your back when Jake jumps up and barks like that."

The advice is delivered in rhyme which makes it an easy and oh-so-enjoyable read-aloud.

Loved it!

Ruff!

Wendy Wahman Intervies
Just One More Book

Seven Imp

Wendy Wahman Website

Author: Rick Riordan

2009-05-06T15:10:00.004-05:00

Back in June or July of 2005 the youngest entling and I made our way over to Blue Willow Bookshop to hear this guy named Rick Riordan talk about his new book, The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1).

The entling finished it before night fell and the book became my carry-along book anytime I was subbing in a library.

The rest is history.

In the years that have passed, I have had moving conversations with parents who tell me how much they owe to Riordan because his books were the ones that turned their child (and usually it is a son) into a reader.

I have only missed one Percy Jackson signing. That was last year and I really did have to attend entling no. 2's college graduation. They were the same weekend. It was hard. I had to really, really think about it.

In about fifteen minutes, my youngest and I will saddle up to see RRR one more time and have him sign The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book 5)..

There were less than 30 people in the store that first time we saw him. Today, they are using the campus of my old high school because they expect so many people.

It has been a grand ride.

Thank you, Rick.
You are a rockstar.

Audiobook Mootings

2009-05-02T18:29:00.008-05:00

The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau, read by Katherine Kellgren, Listening Library, 2008

I may have indicated that I am an uber-fan of Kellgren's narration of the Jackie Faber saga. I knew that I was enjoying this story but did not note that Kellgren was reading until I was nearly finished. Her versatile voice and acting bring each character to life.

In this fourth book in the series, the city of Ember, itself, returns to the story to save the people of Sparks.

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson, read by Jeannie Stith, Brilliance Audio, 2009

Reasons why I loved this book:

Terrific! Fun! Wholly entertaining! Sympathetic and engaging characters! Loving family! Siblings who like and care for each other! Witty dialog!

When an exotic new guest, Mrs. Amberson, checks in to the Hopewell Hotel, the Martin's family's life will never be the same. She is one part diva, one part New Age health nut and eight parts "fairy godmother and Glinda the Good. Staying for an indeterminate length of time, she makes the doings of the Martin family her personal business. As Scarlett is in charge of the upkeep on her room, the Empire Suite, she becomes Mrs.Amberson's gopher and assistant.

Scarlett is hoping: that her brother can follow his dream to become an actor, that her sister Lola can find happiness with her wealthy boyfriend and that her younger sister can overcome the emotional and physical ravages of cancer.

This story had me racing back to my MP3 player at every available moment

Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer, read by Sean Patrick Reilly, Listening Library; Unabridged edition, 2006

Sean Patrick Reilly perfectly captures the shadings of Colfer's laconic humor and the sweet poignancy that underscores so many of his novels.

Fletcher Moon is a real private investigator and he has the badge to prove it. Although he is only twelve years old, his powers of observation and deduction prove to be right on target. (His name,"fletcher" = a person who makes arrows.) When he is hired by another student to get the goods on a member of the notorious Sharkey crime family, Fletcher's own well being is under threat. Colfer continues the lovely sub-theme of parental love that underscores his books.

Reilly's gentle Irish cadence roots the story. When there is a sequel, Reilly must continue as the narrator. First rate!

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, read by Madisun Leigh, Brilliance Audio; Unabridged edition, 2008

One of the best books of 2008. This is historical fiction at its very, very best. Madisun Leigh's interpretation of this story is beautiful. Her performance as Isabel, a thirteen year old slave in Revolutionary War era New York City, is a fine thing. The young slave, Isabel, has to walk a fine line to avoid the danger posed by her cruel and capricious owner and still remain true to herself. As the loyalists and the rebels square off, and the war begins, what side could a slave choose?

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, read by Carolyn McCormick, Scholastic Audio Books; Unabridged edition; 2008

Collins chilling and compelling dystopian tale echoes today. Can't wait for Catching Fire.

YA Poetry Contest

2009-04-17T11:59:00.005-05:00

Author, Mitali Perkins is calling for entries for the Seventh Annual Fire Escape Contest

for teen-authored poetry and short stories. Entries are due by June 1, 2009, and cash prizes are awarded for first, second, and third place...

This is a timely announcement for a local high school which is running a poetry contest of its own right now!

This a trailer for her new book Secret Keeper.