The Secret Adventures of WriterGirl

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Trap the Worm by Brian Tyler [Children of Dune soundtrack].



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

Giants Beware! by Jorge Aguirre & Rafael Rosado
Published: April 10, 2012
Publisher: First Second
Pages: 208
Current Amazon Rank: #44,824
Author's Website: Giants Beware
Want it? Find it here.




The First Line:

"He was the most evil creature ever to set foot in the valley... A depraved monster that took joy in terrorizing our beloved town of Mont Petit Pierre. We called him... THE BABY-FEET-EATING GIANT!"





My Take:

You know when you find a story that is fun to read no matter how typical it may seem on the surface because of how it is told? If you can't guess, Giants Beware! is like that. :) We have young Claudette who has a single, universe-pulling purpose in life: to fight giants. Her best friend Marie, who happens to be a princess in training, is most tolerant of her antics and Claudette lets her sword-making, pastry chef-aspiring little brother Gaston tag along without a problem. She soon of course decides it best to sneak out of town on her own to find this giant, and just happens to lie to her friends to get them to come along, saying the princess board with look quite favorably on Marie's application, and their father would finally teach Gaston sword making. This of course isn't going to come back to haunt her at all.

I really enjoyed a lot of aspects in this story. Above all, is the art. The art is hilarious and uses the full extent of its hyperbolic, almost comic strip-like medium to great effect. Claudette's facial expressions and movements are especially humorous and she tends to pull you right in with her friends on her adventures. She's as fiesty as they come and one amusing joy after another to see her "come alive" on the page.





On a technical note, the paneling does a fantastic job of pacing and changing angles to fully immerse the reader. All very subtle of course, unless you are looking for it. But it makes the reading flow so smooth and natural and I wanted to say "bravo!" all along. The humor ranges from high to low brow and is something very young children through adults can enjoy thoroughly. Even scanning through makes me want to read it again. Once off, there are quite a few scenarios where things are terribly convenient for our little troupe, but if you can let that go, your are in for a fun romp. The ending was a bit too formulaic for me as well, but the humor patched over these well enough that it didn't kick it out of the running.

I loved the seeing their dad's own mini arc as he went out to find his kids and bring them safely back. It was also really cool to see him as a handicapped character (in a wheelchair) not only being a natural part of the story without his disability as a focal point, but also that he managed to kick butt just by being who he was. This story left room for a sequel but wraps up nicely as it is, with hints of an already realized (and potentially expanding) world. I really wouldn't mind seeing more of little Claudette, Gaston, and Marie again, especially if they can keep the humor ramped up.




The Final Word:

A light read with humor reigning supreme. The art style and writing win out for the laughs in this fun find.









P.S See if you can spot the art mistake between pages 51 and 57. :)

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): The Book of Iona by Bruno Coulais [The Secret of Kells soundtrack].



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

Cat's Cradle: The Golden Twine by Jo Rioux
Published: August 1, 2012
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Pages: 112
Current Amazon Rank: #1,522,965
Author's Website: Jo Rioux
Want it? Find it here.




The First Line:

"Alright Igor, out you go."





My Take:

Looking at that line up there, it really does not give justice to the story, which once again shows how integral both art and words are to a graphic novel. And as you can see from the amazon ranking (we may have a new record for lowest ranked book here yet), I am bringing you a very buried gem.

Cat's Cradle tells of a young girl, Suri, who wants nothing more in all the world to be a monster tamer, but has more to overcome than her small stature to get there. In the meantime she is also having to run from their travelling camp's leader, where she has become a semi-permanent stowaway (with the help of just about everyone in the camp except said leader). And then there are of course the monsters, some who have already invaded unbeknownst in their midst...


This is a delightful opening to a very promising series. The illustrations are absorbing and the color palette Jo Rioux has chosen is gorgeous and sink-into worthy. I love the character's expressions, which are so evocative and complement the visual action and written dialogue so well. She is great at illustrating atmosphere, as well as action (both of which can be difficult to achieve). And can I say I love to death that she started this series because she was a fan of graphic novels herself? Double awesome points there. This love translates well onto the page, where the frames flow naturally from one sequence to another and the subtle stretchings of the artform play well at the back of your mind without ever calling attention to themselves.





This really is a fun read. I read it straight through in one sitting. However, one character at the end did not feel like he was 500 years old, but since it is geared toward a younger audience I'm willing to overlook his attitude since it is easier to relate to in that age group. It also ended on something of a cliffhanger, or perhaps a hook I should say, which is more of a hrumph for me than an actual complaint. Gotta love when you have to wait for more of a good story. :)



The Final Word:

Squeaky clean and great fun, I highly recommend this unknown gem. And here's hoping more installments are swift in coming.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): When I Look At You by Frank Wildhorn and Nan Knighton [The Scarlet Pimpernel musical soundtrack].



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
Published: June 12, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 416
Current Amazon Rank: #30,623
Author's Website: Diana Peterfreund
Want it? Find it here.




The First Line:

Dear Kai,
My name is Elliot, and I am six years old and live in the big house. Everyone says your smarter than me but I know I am the smartest. I bet you can't even read this letter.
Your friend,
Elliot North


OR


Elliot North raced across the pasture, leaving a scar of green in the silver, dew-encrusted grass.






My Take:

I adore this book. Go. Read it as soon as you possibly can. Buy many copies. *tosses fairy dust in your eyes*

Somehow, even though that is all I want to say over and over, I don't think that will cut it.

This book is a post-apocalyptic retelling of Jane Austen's last novel, Persuasion. If that doesn't catch you in a ball of squee right there, Elliot's character will capture your heart within pages. I love Elliot. She is so smart, and kind, and resourceful. And so incredibly brave, but not in any of the normal sword-wielding, butt-kicking ways you might immediately think of (don't get me wrong. I love those girls aplenty too). She is strong by standing still, like a rock against a terrible, relentless storm. She is the only one standing between the people who work on her estate and her own family. She is the only one who truly cares about them and sees them.

That is why, four years ago, when her closest friend and the boy she deeply loved asked her to leave with him, she refused him. The people on the estate needed her more. But now Kai is back, but he is Kai no longer. He has taken the name Malakai Wentforth as a sign of shedding his status as a "post-reduction" worker. Employed under a group of explorers known as the Cloud Fleet, he is now rich beyond imagining. And with her estate on the knife's edge of ruin because of her family opulence, she has no choice but to rent out land to them so they can build a new ship.

At first she hopes that something might be mended between them, but those hopes are quickly incinerated when Kai shows her just how little he cares and what she lost. There are times when I literally wanted to thump Kai upside the head with a 2x4, but at the same time, I understood Kai's hurt and betrayal. Also, knowing this was a reimagining of Jane Austen kept me turning the pages in eager anticipation, fully realizing how this would end. But oh man, does she [Austen and Peterfreund] put you through the emotional wringer. I read this into the wee hours of the morning, refusing sleep because I could not put the book down. That doesn't happen often, and it is a glorious moment when it does. Because there is a secret Kai is keeping from everyone, and he is not the only one.

Elliot is not the arrogant, demure and obedient Luddite he believes her to be, and the secret Kai keeps could bring their entire world to its knees. It changes everything, for both of them.

It is such a fantastic read, and let me just say this now - THE BARN SCENE. Oh my gosh you might die during the barn scene. And no, it has nothing to do with hay. Diana Peterfreund has done something masterful in this work. She has paid a beautiful homage to Jane Austen while fully making it her own. Absolutely wonderful.




The Final Word:

For lovers of Austen and of good stories everywhere. So so good. Really, just go read it.





Extras:

There is a FREE ebook that serves as a bridge/prequel to For Darkness Shows the Stars! It tells all about Kai and what happened to him after he left the estate. If you ever got frustrated with Kai, you will understand him a whole lot more now. It is fantastic and is a perfect compliment, in my opinion. It's called Among the Namelss Stars.

Also, if anyone is terribly interested (like I am), Diana is offering a marked up copy of this book as a part of Presenting Lenore's Dsytopian Month.  And there are some other amazing ones there too. You may want to submit your own dystopian review soon. Like, before Saturday.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Best of Me by Kyle Tallman.



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
Published: April 27, 2004
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Pages: 400
Current Amazon Rank: #5,578
Author's Website: Nancy Farmer
Want it? Find it here.




The First Line:

In the beginning there were thirty-six of them, thirty-six droplets of life so tiny Eduardo could see them only under a microscope. He studied them anxiously in the darkened room.






My Take:

With a positive bursting of dystopians available out there, it can be hard to find one that sticks with the kind of force that requires flipping right back to the beginning to start over.

I've mentioned this book before, but I've been saving reviewing it until Lenore's Dystopian month came up again. Nancy Farmer really is an extraordinary writer (I mean, she won three Newbery Honors in almost as many books).

Matt's story of realizing he's a clone to one of the most powerful drug lords in Opium--the imaginary strip of country in between the US and Mexico--is a riveting, multi-layered adventure. She makes many wonderful decisions, like having Matt realize he is a clone within the first chapter instead of waiting for the "big reveal" that the end. He's only five years old and it is heartbreaking what happens after.

I adored the Hispanic elements of this story. I loved how Celia, his caretaker and one of the few people that actually loves him, spoke Spanish to him. It just made the story that much deeper. And by the way Chupacabras are really freaky.

Nancy Farmer excels with the craft of language, but also her characters. She has an incredible knack for making even the villains (including Matt's horrible extended family) filled with layers and hidden parts to where you feel real sympathy for them. Even El Patron, the ancient drug lord from whom Matt was created, has glimpses of humanity. And trust me, this dude is evil. You want an totalitarian dictator more soul-shivering than President Snow? Look no further. You have him right here, full stop. Because this man is terrifying. I cringed from reading some of his passages. You read about dystopians with "absolute control" and it is something you learn to accept. But here, I actually felt it. I fully believed this man had control of every particle of his little empire. I think this works so well because it echoes reality just enough to make it feel real. I know about drug lords and the rule they have, I know of men like this. El Patron does not try to control the world, but he does control his world. I could not turn the pages fast enough.

But first and foremost, this is Matt's story and I loved every twist and turn in it. Biggest complaint though? There is a part (trying not to give too much away here) where he leaves the opium plantation for a bit and until he gets back that little piece does not feel like it belongs to the rest of the book. It feels… disjointed. When I reread this, I often forget that it is there. But other than that? Hardcore love. This is the best kind of story, one that raises the best questions while being a story first.


The Final Word:

A dystopian that has stood the test of time. Rich, complex, and different, this is a dystopian I would recommend almost without exception, especially for the different cultures represented.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): The Book of Iona by Bruno Coulais [The Secret of Kells soundtrack].



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
Published: September 27, 2011
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
Pages: 320
Current Amazon Rank: #25,911
Author's Website: Anne Ursu
Want it? Find it here.




The First Line:

It snowed right before Jack stopped talking to Hazel, fluffy white flakes big enough to show their crystal architecture, like perfect geometric poems. It was the sort of snow that transforms around it into a different kind of place. You know what it's like--when you wake up to find everything white and soft and quiet, when you run outside and your breath suddenly appears before you in a smokey poof when you wonder for a moment if the world in which you woke up is not the same one you went to bed in the night before. Things like that happen, at least in the stories you read. It was the sort of snowfall that, if there were any magic to be had in the world, would make it come out.
And magic did come out.






My Take:

As you can see, I added more than the first line. Much more, in fact. I honestly couldn't stop, because I wanted you to see what kind of world Anne Ursu builds with this story and how it draws you in. Tell me you don't want to read the next page after reading that.

This is a story about a girl named Hazel, and her friendship with a boy named Jack. They do everything together. Jack doesn't mind that she is a girl. They talk and draw and play together, helping each other through their problems. And they each have them. Hazel's dad and mom are divorced and Jack's mom draws herself away from everyone at unexpected times. Hazel's mom does her best to get by for them, but Hazel has had to move from her private school to this new one where the teachers do not seem to understand her and the other kids torment her. But she doesn't mind, not too much at least. Because she has Jack. That is, until the day something happened when the snow fell and Jack stopped talking to her.

I do not want to give away too much, but I will say that this is a retelling of The Snow Queen. Or perhaps a better way to describe it is as an extension of that lesser-known fairy tale. I loved this book. From the language that positively begs to be read aloud (and is one of the best ways to determine the best MG books, in my opinion) to the characters and setting, it is immersive. You want to be lost in it. References to A Wrinkle in Time, The Golden Compass and Jack and Hazel's own "shrieking shack" are so original and done so seamlessly that feels instantly both timeless and at the same time utterly new for this generation. When you get to the fairy tale, let's say you had better be up on your fairy tale primer. There were references to Anderson's fairy tales that even I failed to place, and I loved that because it made the characters even more real. So when I got to the matchstick girl, I was rooting for her in more ways than one.

But don't get me wrong. This feels like a complete and original story. It is not an episodic checklist from one fairy tale to the next. Hazel goes into the woods to find her friend and things start to blur. And can I say Hazel is one resourceful little girl? She absolutely rocks. I would love to have her as a role model for my kids. This story is both light and deep. You will not always be happy, but you will not always be sad, either. It is a story to sink into. I did not find my way out easily.



The Final Word:

Such a wonderful gem of a story. Hazel is an amazing character for both boys and girls, but also surprisingly for adults. You will take away a whole additional layer the kids might not see in this book of friendship. A beautiful story, cool and fun. What more could you want?


(by the way, this cover? Hardcore LOVE)

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie.



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

All About Sleep From A to Zzzz by Elaine Scott
Published: October 16, 2008
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Pages: 64
Current Amazon Rank: #608,751
Author's Website: Elaine Scott
Want it? Find it here.




The First Line:

Late at night on Saturday, June 25, 2005, a fifteen-year-old girl left her house near London, England.






My Take:

This is different than any review I've done thus far. This is my first foray into non-fiction book reviews.


*dances*


I picked this one up at my library on a whim. Maybe it was the zombiefied sleepwalker on a treadmill, maybe it was the punnily clever title. Or maybe it was because it looked short and honestly, I didn't know that much about sleep other than stages of sleep and REM cycles.

It's a fascinating topic, right? We sleep a third of our lives away and it is so necessary that if we are deprived of it for too long, our bodies will shut down, even if we are in mortal peril. Yet we are still deciphering many mysteries of this alternate state of being. And the cool thing is, this book does a really fun job of laying it out in an accessible and enjoyable.

I read this in one sitting, straight through. That was one indicator it needed to be in my personal library. It does help it is only 64 pages long (all the better! No need to be daunted!) but that is beside the point. The information was so interesting and laid out so easily my brain absorbed it like a sponge. Plus, the cartoon sketches throughout the book are fun, like little prizes for turning more pages.

I learned things like:
When you dream everything below your neck is paralyzed (and for good reason)
The sewing machine was invented because of a nightmare
Sleepwalking has been used as a defense for murder

And other really cool bits of brain-matter stuff!

If you're thinking of dipping into non-fiction, this is certainly a delightful place to start.


The Final Word:

A fun little book chock full of information on sleep. The pictures are fun too.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): How I Go by Yellowcard.



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

Waiting For Normal by Leslie Connor
Published: February 5, 2008
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 304
Current Amazon Rank: #315,602
Author's Website: Leslie Connor
Want it? Find it here.




The First Line:

Maybe Mommers and I shouldn't have been surprised; Dwight had told us it was a trailer even before we'd packed our bags.






My Take:

Waiting for Normal is one of those wonderfully rare books that wrenches your heart and fills you with hope (and courage) at the same time. And so much of it has to do with the main character, Addie.


Life's not been easy for her. When Addie's parents divorce, she is separated from her step-father and younger half-sisters. Dwight is unable to get custody for her because he is not her biological father. Life is as far from normal as it can get when she and her mother move into a cramped, yellow trailer underneath a highway overpass. But with her unconquerable spirit, Addie makes the best of it. She practices her flute, struggles with a reading disorder, and makes friends with the people who frequent the convenience store across the street while trying to create a safe haven for herself and her rather unpredictable, "all-or-nothing" mother who often disappears, sometimes for days at a time. Yet she finds happiness whereever she is while "waiting for normal" to come.


Addie's voice is vivid from the first page. It sucked me in and didn't let me go. I felt like I was still holding my breath even after I'd read past the final word. This book takes you for a turn and then some, but never drags you down. The author handles the very weighty and difficult subject matters of divorce, bi-polar disorder, child neglect and others with such grace and poignancy she makes it look easy. Addie's ingenuity and heart surge this story along into something sincerely uplifting, even as your heart breaks for her. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed and loved this story. It felt unique and utterly familiar, diverging from the common tropes it could have been peppered with in less capable hands. I loved it for its hope and reality that made that hope all the more potent. It felt real.




The Final Word:

So good. An utterly enthralling story about a young girl's indomitable spirit, filled with hope and poignancy. Powerful and beautiful, this is a first-rate read.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): A Forrest by Lunar Click.



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

Imagine a Day Sarah L. Thompson and Rob Gonsalves
Published: Janurary 25, 2005
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Pages: 40
Current Amazon Rank: #41,074
Author's Website:
Want it? Find it here.




The First Line:

Imagine a day...





My Take:

This is another picture book I love. The thing I love about picture books is how much can be evoked in such a small space. Sometimes it is the words used to masterful effect. Sometimes it is the illustrations so creatively and absorbingly done that you want to fall right into them, and feel you are already partway there. Of course, the best are when these two work in harmony with each other to create something extraordinary.

Imagine a day is like that. It plays with your mind in the best possible ways. You see, it relies heavily on optical illusions to give a depth of meaning the words or pictures alone cannot convey. Standing by themselves they do not have nearly the impact when they are next to each other.

Here, I'll show you.



Imagine a day...
...when you can dive
down through branches
or swim up
to the sun.






Imagine a day...
... when you forget
how to fall.


The words are poetry (I am willing to argue most picture books are) and paired with the illustrations (created before the text, mind you) they offer something of a paradigm shift, like seeing the world in a different way. It is a perfect pick-me-up or anytime read. There are two others in this series at least, Imagine a Night and Imagine a Place, though I must admit I do love Places last. This is a really fun and beautiful book and one I don't mind coming back to frequently.




The Final Word:


Words and pictures combine to make something utterly wonderful. I daresay it is synergy at work here. :)

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Sarah by Trevor Rabin [Labyrinth soundtrack].



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

Chime by Franny Billingsley
Published: March 17, 2011
Publisher: Dial
Pages: 368
Current Amazon Rank: #58,833
Author's Website: Franny Billingsley
Want it? Find it here.




The First Line:

I've confessed to everything and I'd like to be hanged. Now, if you please.





My Take:

Chime is one of those special sort of books. The kind that gets under your skin and has a good burrow for a while. And if you stop to think about it long after you've read it, that feeling will bubble to the surface and with it a sort of longing to experience it again.

Now understand me, this can be one of those polarizing books. You will likely love it or hate it. I fall firmly in the love category. The language is beautiful but the repetition and use of words in how Briony experiences her world can be either off-putting or immersive. Her self-convinced behavior that she is evil and wicked, firmly setting her up as an unreliable narrator can have some readers throwing their arms up in the air in frustration or curious to find out the real reason for her self-hatred. I feel that frustration with some reads, but for me, I loved this one.

Briony is a twin (love) and has strong reasons to believe she is a witch. After all, bad things happen whenever she lets her emotions get the best of her. That's what happened to her sister, Rose. And her stepmother. But everything is turned upside down when a young man with a lion's smile and a delightful laugh comes to Swampsea. I quickly felt very little was what it appeared to be. It is not a mystery, but it is mysterious. And the atmosphere sucks you in. I also loved the secrets had to do with Briony herself and not coming from the advent of the "mysterious stranger." No, he is just the catalyst that sets events in motion. :)

This was a wonderful read with a wholly unique setting. I can list on my fingers how many stories I've read that take place in a swamp. I loved it. I really enjoyed the fact that Briony is not a perfect little heroine. She has many faults, but to me they only served to make her realistic, complex, and three-dimensional. For example, I loved that fact that she wants to learn how to box. Eldric is a fantastic love interest and such a refreshing change from the brooding types filling so many YA stories today (not to mention narry a love triangle in sight). Unique and absorbing, this was a treasure to read all around.





The Final Word:


An alternate history/fantasy with a fantastic heroine, this is a special read. I recommend this one easily and frequently. If you pick this up, you are in for a treat.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Same Direction by Hoobastank.



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Julie Paschkis
Published: September 4th, 2007
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pages: 32
Current Amazon Rank: #64,706
Author's Website: Paul Fleischman, Julie Paschkis
Want it? Find it here.



The First Line:

Once upon a time there lived a wealthy merchant whose wife had died.





My Take:

I have a secret love for picture books. Even though I don't have any kids, I buy them in abundance. They are simply remarkable to me. So much story in so few words, and so gorgeously/uniquely/stunningly illustrated! They bring me no small amount of joy. And you are about to be introduced to one I love.

Cinderella is a worldwide fairy tale. Some people have called it a phenomenon because in almost every culture of the world there exists a version of Cinderella. Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal is a celebration of all these.

From Zimbabwe to Iran, Laos, Indonesia and Mexico, seventeen different versions of Cinderella are melded into one lovely story here in a seamless and vivid way, highlighting the beauty of each culture but also revealing how similar we all really are. The story jumps between countries, sometimes in the middle of a sentence, but each country's name is shown in the background (which is really cool) and the story flows seamlessly.

The illustrations evoke each culture, paying homage to them and their uniqueness and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate and love this fact.

I loved this story. For me, I can't think of another picture book of Cinderella I ever want to show to my kids (when I have them) or as a recommendation to anyone else now.




The Final Word:

Absolutely lovely, this truly is a "worldwide Cinderella" story. It is the Cinderella I turn to now to appreciate all this fairytale is.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Falling In Love at a Coffee Shop by Landon Pigg (great song by an unknown artist).



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge
Published: May 1, 2011
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 192
Current Amazon Rank: #279,172
Author's Website:
Want it? Find it here.



The First Line:

Sketchbook Rule #1 - No more excuses! Buy a sketchbook and draw a few pages each week.




My Take:

Proportionally, if you haven't been able to glean from my reviews, you can tell I like graphic novels. Everything from Flight to Crogan's Vengeance to The Arrival and everything in between. It's like a love-fest between two great mediums and the best graphic novels know how to stretch to the limits of both their mediums. Page by Paige is no exception.

Paige Turner (pun intended. Her parents are writers and hoping she will be too) has just moved to New York City from Virginia and is trying to adjust while feeling lost on almost every level. The graphic novel is her sketchbook as she draws her way through and tries to make sense of her life, who she is, what she wants to be, and forge a new path for herself.

The story is most lacking in serious conflict. Even the conflict between her mother has a quick resolution, but overall, I didn't really mind. It isn't what this story/sketchbook is about. It is her journey through the inner pieces of herself and that sets a different pace. So don't expect an Attack of the Squid Monsters From Space! (though actually, that sounds like a fun graphic novel. Please someone, tell me if such a work exists). It made this story refreshing, in that sense (also, a couple instances of mild language for my gentle readers).

I was most taken with the illustrations and how she blended art and story into one. The art becomes an integral part of grasping deeper levels and meanings as Paige draws out her inner and outer self, often coexisting side by side (or upside down). Laura Lee Gulledge's way of manipulating the panels is wonderful and it was often through these extraordinary displays of creativity that I found myself, understanding perfectly what Paige was saying in a way that words were not needed.





I quite enjoyed this book and its foray into a young girl's mind and her journey to discovering herself. And right after I finished reading it, my sisters swiped it from under my hands and read it within the same day.




The Final Word:

Not fast paced or even full of any kind of intense conflict, but the creativity of the illustrations is something not to be missed. Watching this young girl struggle to find herself, I often found pieces of me instead.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): And Thou Bethlehem by Mychael Danna [Nativity Story soundtrack].



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

BookSpeak! Poems About Books by Laura Purdie Salas (author) & Josee Bisaillon (illustrator)
Published: October 25, 2011
Publisher: Clarion Books
Pages: 32
Current Amazon Rank: #216,438
Author's Website: Laura Purdis Salas, Josee Bisaillon
Want it? Find it here.



The First Line:

Calling All Readers




My Take:

This book is a wonderful little gem, especially for any readers/lovers of words in your life. It is both more and exactly what it seems. The illustrations are vivid and whimsical, but also offer a hidden depth the more you lose yourself in them. Another thing I loved, like Zorgamazoo the typography plays a key part, making this a visual feast. And the words. These seemingly simple poems are something to savor, a joy to let them roll over your tongue and drift over your mind.

There are 21 poems here, each one taking on a different personality of aspect of a book, say, a character left on a cliffhanger, a cover, an index, or a bookplate.


Book Plate

I don't need your napkin.
I'm not your soup bowl's mate.
I don't want your peas or bread.

I'm not that kind of plate!

Write your name upon me.
I'm a paper love tattoo.
Paste me in your book to show

that I belong to you.

--Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved


These voices, like the index arguing why it is the best while gently slamming the table of contents or the banter of the middle part of a novel with the beginning and the end both surprised and delighted me. I have at least one other book of poetry based on books (I really need to review it for you soon) but I knew I had to have this one the moment I finished reading it. There was something that resonated about these words and made only brighter by the illustrations. Often I had to set the book down and pause for a moment after reading one. A beautiful collection and highly recommended if you love pictures or poems. (And not a bad gift if you don't get what you want for Christmas). ;)







The Final Word:

Wonderful, unique illustration enhance an even more powerful set of poems touching every aspect of a story. It positively delighted me. Fun, thoughtful, and powerful, I knew I had to have this one the moment I finished.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Smooth Criminal by 2CELLOS.



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John
Published: November 11, 2010
Publisher: Dial
Pages: 352
Current Amazon Rank: #101,327
Author's Website: here
Want it? Find it here.



The First Line:

For the record, I wasn't around the day they decided to become Dumb.





My Take:


I love this book. There are so many reasons why I love this book that it is hard to know where to begin. How about because it features a deaf main character, which I've never heard of before (and in fact I've only read one other novel that had a deaf character in it at all. And it wasn't very good. Believe me), plus, though not pictured on the cover (they pretty much captured Piper by the way) there are two POC - "person(s) of color", or different ethnicities - portrayed in the book, one who is the love interest? Or the fact that Antony John really did his research, not only in rock history and culture, but also on Deaf culture? He nailed it, in fact.

You see, I took sign language for three years in high school. My teacher, who had a deaf sister, made sure we integrated Deaf culture (yes, there is such a thing) into our studies. And let me tell you, Mr. John did his homework.

Not only did he brush up on places like Gallaudet University, he also understood the conflicts that often exists on so many levels in this community. For example, to learn sign language or no signing? Lip reading only or in conjunction with sign? Cochlear implant (a device to help some deaf regain partial hearing) or no? Does it destroy your identity or fix you? DOES something need to be fixed? Not only did he understand it, he integrated it into the story and I loved that. It made the story that much richer. I am really trying not to go overboard on all there is, but I am positively bursting because again, I have never seen a book like this, and not only that, one that handles the topic so well and yet so naturally. It never felt like a lesson on Deaf culture, it felt like a story, with one heck of a protagonist.

Here is a little blip from the description glimpsing into some of the characters:

How can Piper possibly manage one egomaniacal pretty boy, one talentless piece of eye candy, one crush, one silent rocker, and one angry girl?

(Can I also just say that it is awesome he made Piper's family an active part of her life? No parents vanishing mysteriously here. Yay for dodging that trope bullet). And I loved her brother, Finn. In fact, I loved almost every character in this book.

But beyond hitting all of these points so well (in my opinion), the story rocks. I mean, a deaf girl who agrees to find a paying gig for a high school rock band she can't even tell if they are any good? It sounded amazing. It was amazing. And Piper's voice rings out loud and clear from the very first page.

Granted, I didn't get all of the rock history references, but he does an admirable job of navigating the novices like me through. He made me want to look up more about Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain after I was done. And also worthy of nit-picky note, Piper also does something to alter her appearance partway through the book and it felt sudden to me, but I grew to accept it by the end.

This story is tight and clean and moves at a great clip (beware, there is some language for my gentle readers). This is a fantastic story I would recommend highly to almost anyone. It is different than anything else you've read.



The Final Word:

A top notch read that is so unique and vastly refreshing than anything else I've come across. In fact, I am hard pressed to find another book to compare it to. Fun, engaging and so wildly different. I would love to see more stories like this.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): The Forest of the Deer God by Joe Hisaishi [Princess Mononoke soundtrack].



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

Toad to a Nightingale by Brad Leithauser
Published: September 1, 2007
Publisher: David R Godine
Pages: 64
Current Amazon Rank: #2,013, 934 (this might be a new record)
Author's Website: [None]
Want it? Find it here.



The First Line:

None really. It's a book of poetry.



My Take:


Poetry, the kind that strikes just the right chord is something utterly sublime to me. I love how the words are so carefully crafted, refined and clarified to the most potent distillment. It makes me more aware of words and language than almost any other thing.

This collection I found at a local bookstore during a large sale. It was tucked in between a myriad of picture books, and even with the illustrations (which are gorgeous) done by his brother no less, I do not believe this is a book meant for children only.

It opens with a nightingale speaking with a toad in an exchange of sorts. From there it morphs into a series of poems based around various subjects, like "Plant Creatures," "Four From the Forrest Floor" and "Periodic Riddles" (which include such poems as "Hydrogen." "Oxygen," and "Neon."). Most are on a very specific focus, but change the way one such simple things, like in "A Dropped Watermelon."



Here is one example



An Alarm Clock Powered by AAA Batteries

Two slender bodies are the fuel
It feeds upon. You might suppose them dead
And buried, but their hearts are beating...
Witness the blood-bright light they shed.
It's the sheer steadiness of appetite -
Never a moment when the thing's not eating -
That chills you in the dead of night.
Time isn't just unjust but cruel.




The Final Word:

Unusual and wonderful, this book of poetry is startling, and not meant just for a young audience. But if any adult is not willing to give it a chance, more the treasure for them.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): The Forest of the Deer God by Joe Hisaishi [Princess Mononoke soundtrack].



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
Published: 2004
Publisher: Eos
Pages: 355
Current Amazon Rank: #342,586
Author's Website: Here
Want it? Find it here.



The First Line:

Sailing toward dawn, and I was perched atop the crow's nest, being the ship's eyes.



My Take:

Imagine if airships had become the dominant form of sky transport instead of planes (and were, how should we say, far less flammable) inside of an alternate history circa (roughly) 1920, add in a dash of high seas piracy and pursuit of scientific discovery, and you have one excellent story on your hands.

Matt Cruse, a cabin boy aboard the floating airship Aurora spots and saves a distressed hot air balloon with a dying old man inside. Before he dies, he speaks of a remarkable creature that could not possibly exist. One year later, a stalwart and headstrong young Kate de Vries comes aboard the Aurora looking for the very creature described in her grandfather's notes. A bond is formed because of their connection to her grandfather and he agrees to help her. They get a lot more than they bargained for in the process.


The characters are wonderful and alive. I loved the developing relationship between Kate and Matt. It felt so natural, but so did the characters themselves. Kate can be exasperating. The secondary characters have genuine depth and reality to them. And Matt is not perfect. In fact he has obvious fits of jealousy against someone who doesn't deserve his venom, but it only serves to make him relateable and real. And oh my goodness, the kissing scene. Heck. Yes. I was listening to this on audio first and this was the first time I skipped back so I could hear it again. But no, I am not telling you where it is. :)

The story is wonderful, the dialogue utterly organic and natural (it is probably one of his greatest strengths), fantastically paced especially once you get past the first couple of chapters, this story is exciting and the perfect blend of different. Adventure, discovery, high (high) seas pirate action, this hearkens back to the best kind of adventure books but is infinitely fresher and down to earth. So to speak. Highly recommend.




The Final Word: This is the best kind of modern Robert Louis Stevenson imaginable with action, adventure, and thrilling theatrics. Highly recommended for both boys and girls alike.








P.S I love the last line. It made me grin all kinds of silly. But don't you dare read it first, you last page cheaters! It will have no meaning for you if you don't read it start to finish.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Dare You To Move by Switchfoot.








Sometimes my taste border alongside the weird and wonderful. I see things in a strange way, and through a different lens. It may explain why I like such things as The Nightmare Before Christmas and might explain why I have a propensity for Neil Gaiman. Sewing buttons on eyes? A boy raised by ghosts in a graveyard? There is something slightly shudder-inducing and yet compelling about them. They are... different, and that would explain why I am drawn to them. One of his lesser known creations is a novella of sorts called Mirrormask, and the best way I can describe it is Alice in Wonderland on acid.

I knew it first as a small, independent movie coming out (which did not come to my small college town by the way. Still bitter about that one). Pair up Neil Gaiman with the Jim Hensen Company and color me intrigued. It is strange, in some ways unnerving, but also good. It is about a girl named Helena who is a part of a circus and wants to run away to real life. Things only get more interesting from there.

But the best part of this whole deal is that the book (novella really. The entire book is only one disk on audio and barely over an hour from start to finish) is read by the girl who played Helena in the movie. She is a really good reader. I like the book because it offers insights not offered in the movie. Because honestly, it is kinda trippy. No matter how many times you watch it. Okay, really trippy (remember - Alice in Wonderland on acid). The sphinxes with rainbow wings who eat books are rather creepy and intimidating (not to mention odd), but the library is one heck of a cool scene. As well as the advice for rejecting books. :) This story is not for everyone, and honestly teeters on the verge of my weird limit, but it is makes me see things in a different way, and I like seeing in a different way.

If you listen carefully, you can hear how great a writer Neil Gaiman is. He can weave words in a powerful way, telling so much in so little. Listening to him on audiobook is one way to hear him, really hear him, savoring each inflection, the cadence and rhythm of every word. It really kind of a wonderful thing. If you want a more lighthearted and less weird example of him, The Graveyard Book is also excellent, and read by Mr. Gaiman himself, British accent and all. But I am rather fond of this little audiobook.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): The Old Ways by Loreena McKennitt.











This series is truly a gem. I don't know how else to describe it. It is fun, creative, mesmerizing, enchanting, and beautiful. It is fairly unknown and for the life of me I cannot imagine why. The "Rabbit Ears Treasury" is a series of world tales and fairy tales, both familiar and unknown, telling everything from Anasazi to East of the Sun, West of the Moon, and read by narrators you would more than recognize. Anyone from Morgan Freeman to Meryl Streep, from Jodie Foster to Denzel Washington, Robin Williams, Cher, Emma Thompson, and Ben Kingsley. Just to name a few.

They are about a half an hour in length each, with is perfect for story time, or "quiet time" as it was known in my house when I was a small one. Also, something I did not expect but wholly enjoyed was the music intro and outro. Almost always it is a song by itself and creates a remarkable atmosphere and anticipation where you are anxious and excited for the story to arrive. Each story comes with an original score that is never overbearing and adds perfectly to the powerhouses of highly dedicated and experienced actors they've found to bring the words to life.

I love these also because these are world tales and cover the gammut of stories both familiar and less so, and offers a marvelous opportunity to your mind, or another's, to a new world, and some beautiful ones at that.

A simply marvelous and incredible collection. Really, this is a series you really do not want to miss.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Do No Wrong by Thirteen Senses.

I am going to leave most of the "review" part out of this one, because I plan on covering it in greater detail in a future review. We're here for the audiobook version, and I must say, it is an absolute delight to listen to. Sometimes I have been hesitant about a "full cast" reading of any particular work, mostly because there is a greater change of an actor/actress going overboard, or sounding not how I might have imagined. The more actors, the more likely chance I may not like one of them. Not so here. I *loved* Matt's narrator. He got ever inflection, every nuance of his character just right and was a joy to listen to him flesh out his character and literally bring him to life and have him jump off the page. The other characters, including his friend Tobias, Captain Walken, and the headstrong Miss Kate de Vries were all fantastic. I can't name a single character/actor who grated on me (except for one, but her character was kind of written that way to begin with). The music and sound effects (minimally used) are put to subtle and effective use. Nothing overbearing, and just enough to suck you in. This is literally a high seas adventure full of action, fleshed-out characters, great dialogue, and an utterly fantastical setting. This would be one of my higher recommendations if you are wanting to start into the foray of audiobooks, or just want something really good for your plate next. Also, quite kid-friendly (except for a few moments of swearing). A very enjoyable listen.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Road to Manhood by Michiru Oshima [Fullmetal Alchemist soundtrack].

This was one of the first audiobooks I really enjoyed. Robert Ramirez's voice is smooth and has an excellent pacing, but what I really loved was how well he portrayed each of the characters. True, as with many male actors, he has a bit of difficulty in portraying the female characters, but this only really showed in Maria, and considering she is a young girl through most of the book, that is something I am willing to forgive. The rest of the characters are top notch, especially Matt (the main character), Celia, Tam Lin, and the evil El Patrón. And personally, I thought it was incredible how he was able to switch from a Scottish to Hispanic accent so easily. That was one of my favorite parts of this reading.

There is another, newer version out with Raul Esperanza as the narrator. I have not heard this one, but just so you are aware, there are two. The one with Robert Ramirez is from 2003, I think.

It's 12 disks long, but worth every minute. This was possibly the first audiobook that made me realize they were really fun to listen to.






(On a fun side note, I met* Mr. Ramirez one summer while watching a Shakespeare play he was in. I saw his name in the program, thought it had to be a coincidence. Nope, it wasn't).

**"meeting" as in, I saw him on stage. :)

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): The Forest of the Deer God by Joe Hisaishi [Princess Mononoke soundtrack].



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

The Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
Published: Janurary 20, 2009
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Pages: 304
Current Amazon Rank: #88,502
Author's Website: Here
Want it? Find it here.



The First Line:

Because he had once been human, the King Under Stone sometimes found himself plagued by human emotions.



My Take:

This story took me a bit by surprise. I knew of the story of the 12 Dancing Princesses since I was young (and often balked when my friends had never heard the story before). Since then it has become quite popularized in many versions, such as Entwined by Heather Dixon, Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier, The Thirteenth Princess by Diane Zahler, and several other renditions. Each has a special place in my heart because of their unique take on this fun fairy tale, but this one struck a few of my favorite spots.

One thing it did - it touched on politics in a real way. A pet peeve of mine in fantasy is that the "kingdom" acts in isolation. Now, this doesn't necessarily have to be an issue, except when the main characters are meant to deal with this every day, aka princesses and royalty. That was not the case here. It wasn't even a politic story, but you could feel outside pressures, and it gave it an extra level of authenticity. In fact, she touched on many difficult subjects in a smooth and beautiful manner and I really enjoyed that aspect.

The characters were also great. The problem with having 12 princesses is that the cast can easily get a bit muddled. And while I cannot say she gave distinct personalities to all of the sisters, she did an excellent job and I can name most of the cast, including side characters, back to you. I wish more of the sisters (namely Poppy and Lily) had gotten more of the limelight, but I suppose that is just a further testament of how in so little space, she managed to make them come alive. The one exception, however, was one particularly religious sister that felt so wooden and two-dimensional that it bothered me every time she came on screen. Her character really could have been explored in much greater and more realistic depth. But let me tell you - I LOVED that Galen, our resident soldier, hero, gardener, and partial narrator knitted. Yes, I kid you not. He knits, and it is awesome. It was so unique and gave him such a wonderful flair, and it was not tacked on but was completely believable and a real part of the story. I loved it (and she has knitting patterns in the back of the book. How much cooler can you get?!) And for sticking so close to the fairy tale, she had a very believable and creepy villain indeed.

I would definitely recommend this one, especially if you are looking for a fun, clean, and plain well-written fairy tale retelling.


The Final Word: Nice pacing, good characters and unique elements all add up to one fine close retelling of the now-popular fairy tale. Clean, exciting, fun.