Books: Mary Downing Hahn

A has a great author to recommend to you: Mary Downing Hahn. A has read 8 of her books and has loved them all. One of the things A likes about this author is the special twists, like what happens in Closed for the Season. If A shares them with you then that will ruin it :) Another thing is that they are exciting and keep you reading. Hahn puts cliffhangers at the ends of chapters. Finally, A says the author writes using first person narrative which helps understand how the characters feel and then you can connect with him or her.

The other books of Hahn's that A has read:

Deep and Dark and Dangerous
The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall
The Doll in the Garden
The Old Willis Place
All the Lovely Bad Ones
The Dead Man in Indian Creek
Wait Till Helen Comes

These books are aimed at readers aged 10 - 14.

Miscellaneous: Partal

Another amazing person is on my radar this summer. Maybe you could think of this person as an acquaintance because I am friends with her mother. She is an amazing teen who participated in the annual (every November) novel writing challenge, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month. The goal of the challenge is to write 50,000 from November 1st to the 30th. Young writers can make their own goals, but she wrote the 50,000!

So this acquaintance/friend, Skyler, was able to publish her book, Partal, through CreateSpace and Amazon. It is available for purchase here. It is a perfect book for young readers who like fantasy. I own a signed copy because I helped edit - even I feel special! Skyler plans to write the sequel during this year's competition. As a person who also likes to write, I admire this young person's persistence and imagination.

Books: The Girl With the Silver Eyes

I used to walk 4 miles round trip to get to my local library when I was 10 years old. It's a wonder I'm still alive with all the predators out there. But I digress. I couldn't miss my book mountain. I would check out at least 20 chapter books, go next door to the you-bag grocery for a package of $1.00 cookies, and walk home where I would devour both in a couple of sittings.

One of the books I picked up was The Girl With the Silver Eyes by Willo Davis Roberts . It was one of the first books I checked out because I was fascinated with the idea of having paranormal powers. I LOVED this book! When I saw this book years later at Goodwill, I snapped it up (My copy looks like the cover on the left). And reread it. Reviewed by about 70 readers at Amazon, it has 4 1/2 stars.

Of course, I encouraged A to read the book and she did last year. Here is HER review:
The Girl With the Silver Eyes by Willo Davis Roberts tells about a girl named Katie who feels different and out of place because she has powers. She feels bad because she was accused of her grandmother's death, moves to live with her mother, and while she likes her powers she still feels alone. Then someone starts asking questions about her powers.

I really liked that she had powers, and I like writing my own stories with characters that have powers. She uses her powers of telekinesis to make breakfast! But will she ever find people who like her for who she is? Does she find friends? You have to read to find out.

Me again: While it isn't superbly written, it is thoughtful and several of the other people who reviewed this book at Amazon felt the same nostalgic connection with the book that I did. I'm sure A will feel the same when she gets older.

Books: The Sisters Grimm

The summer is here, and I'm ready to celebrate! It's time to visit the local library because I have time to read. Of course I'm going to continue to read Robb's in Death series, but I'm on the lookout for new books and authors.

On our first library visit, A and M came first. While I was there (unsuccessfully trying to help A find a book she would enjoy) I found The Fairy Tale Detectives from The Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley. There isn't much on Wiki for Buckley so you'll have to take a look at the book series through Amazon. I've only read the first book and read the reviews for the first two books in the series. Buckley is on his seventh book, with two more planned.

It centers around two sisters, ages 11 and 7 when the books starts, who were left as orphans. The foster parent circle the kids end up in reminded me of Series of Unfortunate Events, but that's where that similarity ends. The sisters' last chance is a woman claiming to be their grandmother. The older sister, Sabrina, doesn't believe in the woman because their father told them there was no other family. I won't spoil anything by telling you here who the old woman really is, but be warned that the reviews give it all away.

The woman and now the girls live in a town made up of fairy tale characters. For example, the mayor is Prince Charming. There is a whole back story on how this came to be, plenty more make believe, and magic. The names some of them have (What is Little Red Riding Hood's real name anyway?) is reminiscent of Harry Potter, but again the rest of the story is a little different.

Anyway, if the kiddos are looking for something to occupy time. Check it out. M, no, not A, has taken a liking to the first book and my library copy is a hefty 284 pages (It's a small sized book). I think it's interesting. I'll have to remember to update when I've read more.

Books: Big Book of Everything

If you don't already know, I have children. So of course I was a victim of Adult-watching-children's TV Syndrome. There were several years in which I was forced to watch television directed at 3 to 8 year olds. One such show was Stanley. I wish I could tell you when it comes on Disney or if it even airs anymore, but the kiddos are a little too old to watch.

Anyway the kid had a Big Book of Everything in which he collected photos and information about the animal kingdom. When the oldest was younger we made our own book. Paper bag covered binder, construction paper, colored paper, magazine and computer printed pictures. It was too cute and super informative. The kids learned so much by making this book themselves. They still pull the book down and read the pages.

I'm somewhat brain dead right now, but when I collect my wits I will post a picture of their book. Right now I'm just trying to catch up with my blog posts! Oh, and then I'll think about how we can turn this into some new summer projects :o)

Books: Helen Lester

Helen Lester writes a wonderful set of children's books that teach kids lessons about behavior. I haven't read all of her books, but the ones that I have are delightful. Her Wiki lists 21 of her works.

The Wizard, the Fairy and the Magic Chicken is a cute book about working together and friendship. Listen Buddy tells of a bunny's consequences for not listening. Hooway for Wodney Wat teaches a lesson about differences. Me First shows how being the first at everything isn't always so great. The final Lester book I own is Princess Penelope's Parrot which shows the exact opposite of how to win friends and influence people.

Lester's books are illustrated by Lynn Munsinger who is so prolific it is easy to spot a book of her artwork. Here is more info about the two of them.

Books: Ink...

Cornelia Funke is the author of Inkheart, Inkspell, and the newest Inkdeath. I have a friend (BJ) who loves this series and has already seen the movie. The story is based on a man and his daughter who can read characters in and out of books. If you didn't know already, there is a movie starring Brendan Fraser. BJ has already seen the movie and is deeply into Inkdeath.

So, my opinion? While I found the first book (the only one I've read) to be imaginative and interesting, it was too slow for me. There wasn't enough action to keep me going and a lot of characters to keep track of. Although I checked Inkspell out from the library, I just couldn't get into it.

Maybe the film would hold my attention better, you say? Well, I haven't seen a good review of that either. I have this thing about books fitting well with movies. I nitpick about the details. From the trailer the characters enter the book world, but in the first book they don't. I have trouble with that. Maybe the trailers are wrong, though.

Anyway, if you like a deep book, and as BJ says, a young adult book, you might like to read the Inks. I think I'll pass.

Books: The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

If you aren't familiar with the name Chris Van Allsburg, then you should be. Let me refresh your memory...The Polar Express, Jumanji, and Zathura. All three of these books of Van Allsburg's were made into movies. As with all wonderful children's authors, these are hardly all his books. One such "neglected" book is The Mysteries of Harris Burdick.

When I was younger I was ceaselessly encouraged to go out and play, not sit around and watch TV, which has become increasingly frequent these days. We have noticed that children who watch a lot of TV have lost what we gained when we went outside - imagination. Many parents and educators are trying to entice children to read more books and bring about the excitement and imagery in books that increases imagination.

Imagine going one step further.

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick has pages of Van Allsburg's wonderful illustrations. Each illustration is accompanied by a book title and one or two lines from the "story". We not only have to bring the story to life with pictures as we read...we have to come up with the story, too! What a way to create imagination! A love of reading and writing all rolled into one.

This is a fun book for all from parents telling goodnight stories, to children learning to write stories in school, to adult writers who need writing exercises. At Amazon there are 76 reviews. Seventy-four of them are 5 star. I can't wait to get my hands on it because I don't own it...yet!(hint, hint)

Books: Chrestomanci

Diana Wynne Jones is a British fantasy fiction author best known for Howl's Moving Castle, a book upon which the movie by Miyazaki was based, and the Chrestomanci series. The Chrestomanci is a character in her books, started in 1977, who is a powerful enchanter. It is his responsibility to monitor magic use in the world and is born into the position by having nine lives. There are eight other parallel worlds where each person has a parallel self. For the Chrestomanci, the other eight don't exist giving all of their power to the Chrestomanci.

Even though he is a powerful enchanter, he can't keep himself from dying (well, after he loses his lives), so another person must take his place. Most of the books have Christopher Chant and Eric Chant, Chrestomanci and successor, as the important characters. There are other very interesting parts of this fantasy world, some of which will make you think of Harry Potter. In fact, Wiki says that some of Jones' lesser known books were republished as a result of Potter's success.

Jones' recommended reading order is Charmed Life, The Lives of Christopher Chant, Conrad's Fate, Witch Week, The Magicians of Caprona and the short stories (Mixed Magics) can be read in any order after that. The Pinhoe Egg, my recent read, can be read after The Lives of Christopher Chant, however I have not yet read Conrad's Fate. The chronological order (for the events in the story) is as follows: The Lives of Christopher Chant, Conrad's Fate, Charmed Life, The Magicians of Caprona, and The Pinhoe Egg. The other short stories can be read separate from the main stories.

All in all, this is a great set of children's books about magic and fantasy that I recommend as an adult. Jones is 73 years old now and still published a novella last year. Although the first few books seemed to start slow, once I was used to the story line and her writing, it was a breeze.

Books: Diary of a Wombat

Diary of a Wombat (link down further) is a cute and clever story of an egotistical little wombat and its daily adventures as it encounters its new neighors - humans. It is so incredibly delightful that I purchased it for myself, not A or M. The illustrations fit the words perfectly, and you can't help but fall in love with the little creature.

It was released about the same time as Diary of a Worm, which I found was not as endearing. You will find yourself wanting to share it with others who love books. I have read the story to friends or let them borrow my copy (it is better to let others read it on their own). A and M have dragged it from my bookshelf so often that I may need to buy another copy.

Amazon has the "search inside" feature, and I recommend you take a peek. It is among my top 5 favorite books ever.

Books: Graeme Base

I own a lot of books. I’d say half of the books are adult and half are children’s. My little library has threatened to take over B’s little collection of science fiction. One book that I fell in love with while I was in college was Graeme Base’s The Eleventh Hour.

The illustrations alone were mesmerizing, but add to that a mystery and ciphers and the book had me completely captivated. Base included drawings of wonderful architecture, furniture, and bits from places I’ve never been. I LOVE codes! It was such fun trying to figure out the mystery although I lost a few hours of my life. I can’t wait to share my glee with A and then M when they are old enough to complete the ciphers with me.

A and M are old enough for Animalia, another of Base’s books. It is the penultimate alphabet book. Every time we open its pages we find new pictures and new words.

Base also has a penchant for the environment which can be seen in at least two other books, The Sign of the Seahorse and Uno’s Garden. Both books are wonderfully illustrated and filled with tiny hidden things to think about. A has enjoyed both books and frequently pulls them off the shelf without my knowledge.

As an adult I shouldn’t be interested in children’s books, but how could you not when there are authors like Base. Next time you are in a bookstore check it out.