Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from me and my minions!

Updates will resume after the new year.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Leo's my favorite

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles produced by Nickelodeon.

Plot: A new version of the popular series, Nickelodeon shares the story of four mutated turtles and their rat sensei, Splinter. After going above the sewers for the first time, the four teenagers find themselves assisting a girl named April as she tries to rescue her father from evil aliens. While they manage to defeat other mutants created by the aliens, the turtles abruptly find themselves targeted by their teacher's old nemesis, the Shredder. The four must learn to work as a team to rescue April's father, but their adventures attract many foes and allies.

Genre: Television, Animation

Reading Level: Most episodes are rated TV-Y7

Similar Titles: Ben 10, Power Rangers

Personal Thoughts: The show balances new and old concepts from the franchise very well. Most of the major characters maintain their core personalities while achieving deeper development. For example, Michelangelo remains the goof-off, but he also displays a desire for acceptance and affection, making him more sympathetic and less stereotypical. The turtles are much younger in this show than previous lines, but this seems to enhance the story. In other shows, the teenagers do not act like teenagers. They behave like naive adults. Reducing the age provides a more natural opportunity to display lessons about growing up, accepting responsibility, and developing talents within the show's context. April also enjoys an age reduction, making her more of a team member than a foil for the turtles. While some long-time fans protest the changes in tone, characterization, and style of the show, it seems to suit the post-2010 audience very well.

The Hobbit, or, There and Back Again

Try reading it together

Tolkien, J. R. R. The Hobbit, or, There and Back Again. New York : Ballantine, 1937.

Plot: Bilbo Baggins, one of the most respectable and undramatic hobbits in the Shire, finds himself on an adventure. Pressed into service by Gandalf the wizard and thirteen dwarves, he begins a quest to steal the treasure of the Mountain King from the wicked dragon, Smaug. The journey quickly becomes difficult when the group of fifteen meet trolls, goblins, eagles, skin changers, giant spiders, elves, and men. Eventually, they reach the mountain and the treasure, but keeping the wealth may prove difficult. Still, Baggins possesses luck and common sense, allowing him to rescue the dwarves once Gandalf leaves them. Yet, his most notable accomplishment comes before the wizard's absence. He discovers a cold, metal ring on a cave floor...

Genre: Fantasy

Reading Level: Grades 9-12

Similar Titles: Sea of Trolls, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, A Book of Three

Personal Thoughts: The title remains one of the most famous and influential fantasy novels of the modern era, outlining many current characterizations of dwarves, elves, and orcs. However, it may prove difficult for readers, particularly tweens, to read. While the story elements are suitable enough for all ages, the language and style of the text proves daunting to younger readers. The novel may be a better choice for reading out loud in a class or with a family than a personal read for a young tween.

The story provided the basis for a truly cheesy animation in 1977 and a blockbuster-styled trilogy in 2012.  

Wrapped-Up Foxtrot: A Treasury with the Final Daily Strips

A gift for me? Ooooo

Amend, Bill. Wrapped-Up Foxtrot: A Treasury with the Final Daily Strips. Kansas City, MO : Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2009.

Plot: The text provides a two-year collection of Foxtrot comics, including the final daily strips. The comics explore the adventures of the Fox family. Notable arcs include Peter and Paige cookies, camping in the backyard, and gold farming in WarQuest.

Genre: Comics

Reading Level: Suitable for grades 2 and up

Similar Titles: Camp Foxtrot, Zits, Baby Blues

Personal Thoughts: I grew up reading Foxtrot in the daily newspaper, so the text represents a bit of an ending for me. Amend's family sitcom-styled humor provides an entertaining but easily read text. While the longer story arcs will be missed, the Sunday strips continue to reach newspapers nationwide. 

Good Eats

Snack time?

Good Eats presented by the Food Network.

Plot: The show provides a cultural, scientific, practical, and comedic approach to food. Each episode, hosted by Alton Brown, discusses a particular dish, ingredient, or cooking style. After he introduces the topic of the episode, Brown addresses current beliefs or views of the food, usually with colorful graphics, "family" stories, or animated images. He then consults experts explaining the traditional relevance or science behind the topic in an approachable manner. For example, for the fish and chips episode, he discusses the different chemical makeup of fats through the use of a toy train. Similarly, he speaks with a historical anthropologist to discuss the original dishes of Thanksgiving, as well as an explanation for the transition to turkey. Brown then prepares a dish using the topic, offering the recipe to viewers. Through the use of humor, science, and culture, Alton Brown provides a food show for non-foodies.

Genre: Documentary, Food

Similar Titles: America's Test Kitchen

Personal Thoughts: Brown uses a surprising amount of humor to capture the imagination and science behind food. As such, the show provides surprisingly approachable and entertaining lesson about the things we eat. In some ways, it is similar to Mythbusters, since it addresses legends and science surrounding often overlooked or dismissed subjects.

Wreck-It Ralph

He's gonna wreck it

Wreck-It Ralph produced by Disney.

Plot: After thirty years of playing a villain for a popular video game, Ralph takes a bet to improve his miserable standing within the game world. He finds himself playing through several games to fulfill the bet, inadvertently ruining his own game while threatening several others. Ralph is not the only character stuck in a chronically poor situation, however. A little girl, Vanellope, desperately needs his help to change her status in her game. Ralph must assist her, but attempting to do so reveals a shocking, decades-old conspiracy within the arcade.

Genre: Movies, Computer Animation

Reading Level: Rated PG

Similar Titles: Toy Story, Bolt

Personal Thoughts: I feared the movie would act as little more than a video game cameo parade. Yet, the film offered a surprisingly appealing plot. Unlike the insistence of some reviewers, though, the film does not offer a Toy Story for video games. A critic better described the movie as Nightmare Before Christmas for video games. The film follows a misunderstood protagonist's ill-guided attempt to improve his situation and the consequences of the attempt. Unlike the popular Jack Skellington, though, Ralph must face his own faults without a brief song to fix things. He has to make his apology through action, admittance, and acceptance. As a result, he does change himself and his world positively, even if the changes do not align to his original goal.

The Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera

Jerome's sorry attempt to look operatic

Husain, Shahrukh. The Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera. New York : Barefoot Books, 1999.

Plot: Operas do not merely showcase singing. All operas, at their core, tell stories through song. The text reviews some of the more popular tales. Some emerged purely intended for the opera, such as The Magic Flute and The Little Sweep. Other operas, like Hansel and Gretel or Orpheus and Eurydice, re-imagine classic fairy tales and myths. Operas will often seek inspiration from traditional folklore, like Christmas Eve and The Flying Dutchman. Colorful illustrations enhance the theatrical background of the stories while helping readers keep track of key characters.

Genre: Picture Books

Similar Titles: Silver Moon: Stories from Antonin Dvorak's Most Enchanting Operas, The Love for Three Oranges

Reading Level: Grades 4-9


Personal Thoughts: I feel obligated to congratulate Husain for finding six operas with happy endings. All sarcasm aside, the book offers solid story-telling for an often vilified medium (consider how often opera is used to punish people in television shows).

Whittington

Charlotte's Web meets Al Capone Does My Shorts

Armstrong, Alan. Whittington. New York : Random House,  2005.

Plot: After fleeing his home, Whittington the tattered tomcat finds a ramshackle farm. The cat eventually befriends the barn dwellers under the guidance of the Lady, the duck leader of the animals. Eventually, even the farmer's two grandchildren also find him. However, Ben, the grandson, is struggling in school, especially reading. The last time Whittington saw such behavior, his family broke apart. Determined to save his new home from the fate Whittington left, Lady encourages Ben to study and take chances at school. Whittington helps the boy through the story of another child, who his ancestor met long before.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Animals

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Time Cat, Charlotte's Web

Personal Thoughts: The novel blends biology, historical fact, popular folktales, and modern remedies to create a memorable story. Animals display human characteristics, but also share information about their natural behaviors. Folktales become believable through accurate descriptions of popular society and everyday culture from the Age of Exploration. Even Ben's lessons rely on actual courses offed to dyslexic children.

Sensitive readers may need to be warned, since many characters, particularly Lady and Whittington, have tragic backstories.

Death Trap: The Story of the La Brea Tar Pits

Thompson, Sharon Elaine. Death Trap: The Story of the La Brea Tar Pits. Minneapolis, MN : Lerner Publications Co., 1995.

Plot: Rancho La Brea, better known as the La Brea Tar Pits, has a long history of providing fossils of ancient mammals, plants, birds, and insects to eager scientists. The text studies the history of digging at the site, as well as changing views of the location, ecology, and situations surrounding the fossils. For example, scientists now believe fairly few animals actually got caught in the tar consistently. Instead, a few, large-scale occurrences provided the bulk of the remains. However, some mysteries, such as the La Brea Woman, continue to intrigue scientists.

Genre: Science, Animals

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: When Mammoths Walked the Earth, The Tar Pit, National Geographic: Prehistoric Mammals

Personal Thoughts: Remember kids, no dinosaurs exist at the La Brea Tar Pits!

Side Note: Chillax, Jerome. I already said there were no dinosaurs (or extinct marine reptiles) at the tar pits.

Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang

Fleming, Ian. Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang. New York : Random House, 2003.

Plot: After making millions with through a musical candy invention, the Potter family decides to buy a special car. After looking throughout the town, they discover a broken-down green machine with a racing history. Through several months of work, the family makes the car into something truly remarkable. The car thinks for itself and can fly like an airplane or float like a boat. At the car's urging, the Potters travel to France for a holiday, but the discovery of a mobster's armory could put a damper on the trip.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang Rides Again, Mary Poppins

Personal Thoughts: The title manages to create a fantasy story with a frank view of childhood and adulthood silliness. Parents and children accept the magical world the of the green car with little problem, allowing the adventure to continue for the adventure's sake.

Some readers, like me, probably saw the movie produced by Disney before reading the book. As such, I feel obligated to warn potential readers that no child-hating barons, castles, pompous grandfathers, or benign heiresses exist in the text. Instead, the Potter family consists of a man, a woman, and twins who use their fantastic car to fight mobsters and save a French candy maker.

Ian Fleming is actually best known for his books about a member of the British Secret Service, famously known as Agent 007. 

Hoaxed: Fakes & Mistakes in the World of Science

Isabella, Jude and Woo, Howie. Hoaxed: Fakes & Mistakes in the World of Science. Toronto : Kids Can Press, 2009.

Plot: Hoaxes, both accidentally and intentionally, spread throughout humanity's history. The text teaches readers to detect frauds through several historical examples, such as the Pitdown man fiasco. Other examples, such as a media frenzy surrounding a flawed experiment of cold fusion, began with genuine but misinformed belief in current times. A few hoaxes, such as a California film of Bigfoot, stem from intentional deception. A few chapters address hoaxes that persist through modern times, such as the belief in crop circles and aliens in Roswell. Additional texts address methods for avoiding hoaxes, as well as real, non-hoax events.

Genre: History, Science

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Fantastic Feats and Failures, Science Detectives: How Scientists Solved Six Real-Life Mysteries

Personal Thoughts: The text nicely balances between historical presentation and scientific methods to show readers the impact of both on everyday life. Through the study of hoaxes, text encourages readers to be skeptical of news stories without dismissing the genuine facts. As a result, the trivia-heavy book allows readers to use science class lessons into a misinformation-laden world.

Side Note: It's the Loch Ness Monster!

Babymouse: Queen of the World

Holm, Jennifer L. and Holm, Matthew. Babymouse: Queen of the World. New York : Random House Children's Books, 2005.

Plot: The imaginative Babymouse longs for the life of a queen. However, she lives with chores, messy whiskers, math, and evil lockers. Felicia Furrypaws, the most popular girl in school, definitely enjoys the royal lifestyle, and her slumber party offers a peek into a regal world. Babymouse must convince the school queen to let her join the party. However, the high life may not offer the pleasures or acceptance she expects.

Genre: Graphic Novel, Comics, Coming of Age

Reading Level: Grades 1-6

Similar Titles: Junie B. Jones series, Babymouse: Rockstar

Personal Thoughts: The titular character presents an unusually balanced view of a junior higher. While Babymouse suffers from bullies, school, and failures, she also enjoys friends, hobbies, and successes through trial, error, and an overactive imagination. Many novels tend to portray the world of tweens as chronically terrible (the Star Wars prequel model) or constantly ending happily ever after (the Brady Bunch method). Babymouse offers a view of someone with creativity, sarcasm, and hopes. Sometimes she wins, sometimes she looses, but she always survives the situations. As a result, the series is positive without becoming preachy.

The series recently published its 17th book.
 

Darth Vader and Son

Brown, Jeff. Darth Vader and Son. San Francisco : Chronicle Books, 2012.

Plot: What if Darth Vader took an active role in raising Luke? The book offers answers through a series of colored comics. Many images reflect everyday situations, such as work, shopping, and naptime with the added complications of Wookies, emperors, bounty hunters, and Jar Jar Binks toys. Fans of the movies will recognize quotes, characters, and concepts from the films.

Genre: Comics, Science Fiction, Humor

Reading Level: All ages

Similar Titles: Star Wars Origami,  I Want to Be a Jedi

Personal Thoughts: A funny, easy to read book with strong and accurate references to the movie series.


Side Note: This book saved my sister from receiving nothing but gift cards from me for her birthday.

The Buccaneers

Lawrence, Ian. The Buccaneers. New York : Delacorte Press, 2001.

Plot: After a series of adventures, John Spencer and the Dragon find themselves in the pirate-free Indies. Much to the crew's surprise, they discover a lone shipman rowing a worn boat in the middle of the Atlantic. The rescued sailor, known as Mr. Horn, works hard, but says little. A series of questionable events forces Spencer and the captain to confront Horn. The seaman to reveals he was castaway after his captain went rogue. Instead of obeying original orders, former naval leader Captain Grace pursues piracy and brutally punishes all perceived resistance. John must protect Mr. Horn while avoiding the murderous crew's intentions.

Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Treasure Island, The Smugglers

Personal Thoughts: While the book displays beautiful writing, it falls victim to its own set-up. Nautical terms cause readers to become lost in a series of naval jargon. Also, while the villain and heroes receive excellent backstories, the characters do not accomplish much during the actual story. For example, the story's climax takes less than one and a half pages. As a result, the text seems underwhelming.

The book is apparently the last in the High Seas trilogy.

Mummies and the Secrets of Ancient Egypt

Malam, John, and Fletcher, Joann. Mummies and the Secrets of Ancient Egypt. New York : DK Publishing, 2001.

Plot: A history book on Egyptian mummies. While other mummies, particularly those in Europe, find mention, the title focuses on the purpose and process of creating an Egyptian mummy. Other aspects of ancient Egyptian life, including agriculture, government, religion, and fashion find ample description as well. Colorful illustrations, additional facts, and relevant web addresses decorate the title.

Genre: History

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Mummies, Tombs, and Treasure: Secrets of Ancient Egypt, Secrets of the Mummies: Picture Book, The Best Book of Mummies

Personal Thoughts: While the title contained reliable information and beautiful images, the facts about mummies lacked presence. Only the first two chapters and last two pages addressed mummies. Most of the title described on ancient Egyptian life. While the choice to focus on lifestyles is certainly not a bad thing, it makes the title seem deceptive.

Side Note: This review is dedicated to Jimmy the Paper Napkin, who gallantly sacrificed his life for the title image. 

Monsters and Mythical Creatures: Zombies

Woog, Adam. Monsters and Mythical Creatures: Zombies. San Diego, CA : ReferencePoint Press, 2011.

Plot: The title provides an illustrated guide to zombies. Supposed encounters, influential movies, and cultural effects find recording.

Genre: Horror

Reading Level: Grades 4-9; However, it is about zombies, so caution sensitive readers

Similar Titles: Monsters and Mythical Creatures: Aliens

Personal Thoughts: This title was not fun for me to read. I expected it to outline lore and traditions about the undead. Instead, the first several chapters consist of extremely poor summaries from The Zombie Survival Guide. The direction of the book also shows faults. The title bounces between dismissing stories of the undead as myth and confirming them as true. As a result, the reader does not know if they are reading fact or parody. To be fair, zombies are a fairly new monster. While stories of the undead reach back to prehistory, what most people accept as a "zombie" only appeared in the early 1900s. However, the lack of history does not excuse poor storytelling or mixed purposes. Better titles, such as Goosebumps, Tales from the Crypt, or The Zombie Chasers series, would provide a more satisfactory read.

Charlotte's Web

White, E. B. Charlotte's Web. New York : Harper, 1952.

Plot: The title reveals a classic story of growing up, friendship, and heroism through the tale of a spider and a pig. After leading a happy life with a farm girl named Fern, Wilbur the pig finds himself sold to a nearby farmer. Eventually,  a spider named Charlotte living in the barn discovers Wilbur, and comforts him when he misses his old life. The two become inseparable. However, Wilbur, as a barnyard pig, will eventually be slaughtered. Charlotte promises to save him, and accomplishes her mission through ingenuity and good writing. She engraves praises of Wilbur in her web, convincing the world he is a great as she thinks he is.

Genre: Animals, Growing Up, Fantasy

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Whittington, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Stewart Little

Personal Thoughts: Many consider the story a classic for good reasons. The characters act in a natural, believable manner while the timing and diction allude to a long-gone era. However, the title contains a surprising amount of depth. Scientific and agricultural facts slip seamlessly into the story. The concepts of belief, miracles, wonder, friendship, and heroism find ample description within the title without becoming preachy or trite. The choice of main characters, a pig and a spider, also add to the tale's impact. Neither are considered very important, beautiful, or valuable in their own right, but their compassion for each other draws the reader in and makes them appreciate normally loathed creatures. Overall, the title provides a pleasant, if bittersweet, read.

Book of Elements: Magic and Tech

Book of Elements: Magic and Tech. New York : Grosset & Dunlap, 2012.

Plot: A world-building title for the popular Skylanders video game series, the text offers background information on the Tech and Magic based skylanders. Each character gets its own profile, as well as a two-page story of its adventures. Additionally, the book offers information on a particular element's effects on Skylands and its inhabitants.

Genre: Video Games, Fantasy

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: The Machine of Doom, Pokemon Adventures, LEGO Ninjago

Personal Thoughts: Unlike The Machine of Doom, the Book of Elements series does not offer a full novel. Instead, it offers an-image heavy, world-building title for readers. The book reflects a growing trend in video games. Many series, including those aimed at older users, such as World of Warcraft and Halo, use traditional media to convey information about nontraditional entertainment. It seems like an ideal compromise, since users with a desire for more information can learn more about the series while play-focused participants do not need to spend excessive time clicking through explainations.

Personally, I enjoy the text's imagery and humor. Many of the illustrations occur in-game, encouraging readers by offering familiar sights. The jokes in the book follow the style of those in the game. For example, one epic battle reportedly lasted one hundred nights, but only thirty-nine days. Such quips display the text's willingness not to take itself too seriously.

A Few Side Notes: The title is the first in the series; the next will come out in January. No, I will not review anymore Skylander titles. Yes, I have played the games. No, I will not exchange game codes with you. Drobot is my favorite, but Whirlwind is my strongest. I only bought one figure through special-order. For the rest, I learned to look and wait for in various stores, which taught me patience and self-control. The end.

Pearls Freaks the #*%# Out: A (Freaky) Pearls Before Swine Treasury

Pastis, Stephan. Pearls Freaks the #*%# Out: A (Freaky) Pearls Before Swine Treasury. Kansas City, MO : Andrews McMeel, 2012.

Plot: A two-year collection of Pearls Before Swine comics. The text includes storylines such as the great gopher spill, Larry in Wonderland, and Guard Duck vs. the drama cow. Pastis includes a commentary on some of the comics and the creation process.

Genre: Comics

Reading Level: Due to their appearance in newspapers, the comics are suitable for all readers. Pastis' commentary, however, is not, so warn sensitive readers.

Similar Titles: Get Fuzzy, Sherman's Lagoon, Lio

Personal Thoughts: The commentary adds depth to the comics, offering a view into the creative process, reader reactions, and events leading to a particular strip.

Eyewitness Books: Arms and Armor

Eyewitness Books: Arms and Armor. New York : DK Publishing, 2011.

Plot: A review of weapons and armor presented in traditional Eyewitness fashion. Stark white backgrounds allow colorful, detailed images of arms and armor to capture the reader's attention. The text describes the development of defensive and offensive tools chronologically and geographically. Projectile weapons also find special mention. Additionally, the book includes an interactive CD and information-laden poster.

Genre: History, Social Studies

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Eyewitness Books: Knight, Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor

Personal Thoughts: As I have mentioned previously, I am a great fan of the Eyewitness Books series due to its solid information and creative presentation. Also, I recently discovered the publishers update their texts fairly frequently, keeping the books relevant. However, some readers raise some justifiable complaints about this particular title. It does not include arms from the past two centuries or so. Weapons find more mention than armor. While the images are beautiful, they tend to focus on custom-built items, rather than weapons common to the "everymen" of the times. The title still offers useful information, though, so I still recommend it for fanciers of historical warfare.

Blizzard!

Murphy, Jim. Blizzard!. New York : Scholastic Press, 2000.

Plot: Murphy offers an in-depth look at the 1888 blizzard's effect on New York City and the surrounding area through photographs, biographies, and illustrations. After a mellow winter, New York suddenly found itself in the middle of two large, frigid storms. The snow blocked transportation, supplies, and communication. It also lasted longer than expected, catching the off-guard population without basic supplies such as food or fuel. Hundreds died due to exposure during the storms and their aftermath. As a result of the unexpected weather, the United States changed. Cities became responsible for their people's safety in natural disasters, and mandated new communication, transportation, cleaning, and services ordinances that remain in use even in modern times.

Genre: History

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: The Great Fire, Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting

Personal Thoughts: The text reviews the most influential weather event no one knows about. Perhaps my assessment is harsh (I live in a chronically snowless part of the world), but not too many people mention the blizzard of 1888, which is unfortunate. The storms did cause lasting effects across the nation. Through the panic following the blizzard, weather forecasting took a national importance. Additionally, hazards caused by the weather sparked new rules for communication lines, city development, civic workers, and transportation methods. They even initiated some of the first litter laws. While not everyone in the United States suffered from the snow, the entire country still responds to its effects.

Every Thing on It: Poems and Drawings by Shel Silverstein

 
Silverstein, Shel. Every Thing on It: Poems and Drawings by Shel Silverstein. New York : Harper, 2011.

Plot: Published after the passing of the popular children's poet, the text consists of over one hundred previously unprinted work by Silverstein. Like his previous titles,  poems play with the quirks, fears, games, thoughts, and lessons encountered during childhood. They also showcase Silverstein's classic humor through ink illustrations. A very funny title.

Genre: Humor, Poetry

Reading Level:  Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Where the Sidewalk Ends, My Dog May Be a Genius, Food Hates You Too

Personal Thoughts: Any fan of Where the Sidwalk Ends or A Light in the Attic should read the title. It maintains Silverstein's classic brand of humor and timelessness, offering a good introduction to poetry to young readers, as well.

The Machine of Doom

Scott, Cavan. The Machine of Doom. New York : Grosset & Dunlap, 2012.

Plot: Spyro the dragon regularly faces zombies, monsters, and supervillains to protect Skylands. Now, his adventures take him and his friends to face...flying sheep. Based on the popular video game series, the text expands on the magical world of Skylands, a land protected by a group of warriors known as the Skylanders. The seemingly unimportant inspection of a marketplace shattered by soaring ewes launches the heroes to a new challenge. They must stop the evil sorcerer Kaos from stealing the legendary Chattering Key and unleashing an ancient war machine upon Skylands. Yet, the diminutive villain's actions hint at a much bigger plan.

Genre: Fantasy, Video Games

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Book of Elements: Magic and Tech, Battle for Skylands

Personal Thoughts: Video game novels typically receive criticism for their lack of originality, trite characters, and mediocre writing. However, I was pleasantly surprised by The Machine of Doom. True, it has some corny moments, such as the reference to one hero's poor singing skills, but it redeems itself with funny metaphors, consistent characterizations, and unexpected plot twists. The book uses popular characters to tell a good story, so it is highly recommended to fans of fantasy and video games.


Side Note: Dragon vs. dragon.

 

Changes

I...really dropped the ball this week. Lately, getting motivated to do the blog has been difficult. So, next week, we will return to the previous method of blogging. I will read/watch three or four random titles a week and review them. Hopefully, enjoying some good titles without having to worry about making a theme around them will prove encouraging.

Until next time...see ya!

Jerome and a blacksmith

How to Be a Werewolf: The Claws-On Guide for the Modern Lycanthrope

Valentino, Serena. How to Be a Werewolf: The Claws-On Guide for the Modern Lycanthrope. Somerville, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2011.

Plot: The text offers guidance for those fortunate to find themselves living with lycanthropy. While folklore-based shapeshifters, such as the kitsune and Beast of Gévaudan, find mention, the book also addresses movie and television show creations, such as the Wolf Man and Jacob Black. Additionally, the text offers basic information such as pack organization, hunter avoidance methods, and transformation processes. Several chapters also recommend specific lifestyles, music, and hobbies for enthusiastic lycanthropes.

Genre: Fantasy, Humor, Horror

Reading Level: Grades 6 and up; be warned, some of the recommended movies and songs may be ill-suited for younger readers

Similar Titles: How to Be a Vampire: The Fangs-On Guide for the Newly Undead, How to Be a Zombie: The Essential Guide for Anyone Who Craves Brains

Personal Thoughts: The title has potential. Stories about werewolves enjoy a high popularity in traditions worldwide. The text also includes brightly colored illustrations and visually pleasing print. However, much of the actual text focuses on a mash of fashion and music guides, which seems out of place. Additionally, the music, television shows, and movie recommendations consist of titles unintended for children in the sixth grade. As a result, the glossy text fails to reach its full capacity.

Side Note: I brought the book to work. Many of my co-workers now wonder about me.

Zen Ghosts

Muth, John J. Zen Ghosts. New York : Scholastic Press, 2010.

Plot: The text offers the retelling of a traditional, but eerie, Buddhist tale. Stillwater, a panda neighbor to three children, offers to tell the kids a ghost story after they go trick-or-treating. The tale, told by a Stillwater look-alike, begins with two children falling in love. When the girl's parents choose a different man to marry her, the childhood friends elope. Guilt over leaving their families eventually drives the two to return to her parents, where they discover, much like the three children, things are not as they seem...

Genre: Folktales

Reading Level: Grades 1 and up

Similar Titles: Zen Shorts, Old Turtle and the Broken Truth

Personal Thoughts: Like Muth's previous works, the text combines beautiful watercolor illustrations with ancient tales to bring readers to a deeper understanding of the world. This particular tale focuses on duality. The daughter splits between her lover and her parents, revealing a different character within one person. Despite the strangeness of the tale, it does encourage readers to consider the truth of perception versus reality. The text offers a view differing wildly from many ghost stories, but still manages to maintain a sufficiently eerie tone.

Tales from the Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird

Vande Velde, Vivian. Tales from the Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird. San Diego : Harcourt Brace, 1995.

Plot: The text offers a series of re-imagined fairy tales in the tradition of Shrek and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. In some, such as "Rumplestiltskin," the villain actually acts as a hero, and saves a queen from a loveless marriage. "Hansel and Gretel" and "The Frog Prince" take the traditional stories in a different direction. Instead of serving as the protagonists, the heroes become spoiled brats...or worse. Many other stories, such as "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Beauty and the Beast" view the stories through a cynical, modern view, displaying an unexpected results and responses to the story archetypes.

Genre: Fairy Tales, Horror

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, The Frog Princess, Wolf! Wolf!

Plot: I found some of the stories disturbing, but younger readers will likely find them funny. Much like stories about grief, humor often reaches children differently from adults, so try to avoid over-analyzing the tales. Many are, actually, quite funny, and feature whinny "heroes" and sensible villains. A good example of the fractured fairy tale genre.

Ghosts, Vampires, and Werewolves: Eerie Tales from Translvania

Spariosu, Mihai. Ghosts, Vampires, and Werewolves: Eerie Tales from Transylvania. New York : Orchard Books, 1994.

Plot: A collection of strange and scary tales from one of the haunting (and misunderstood) places on earth. Many of the stories represent a blend of new beliefs and old superstitions. Like many tales, the text focuses on the interactions between the supernatural and mortal realms. In the stories, honest men sometimes prosper. More often, though, greed for gold and contempt for tradition condemn all parties involved. Each story enjoys notes at the back of the text offering further details such as the story's location, terms, and traditions.

Genre: Horror, Folktales

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: The Man Who Tricked a Ghost, The Headless Haunt and other African-American Ghost Stories

Personal Thoughts: The text offers solid retellings of stories from a little-known portion of the world. According to the author's notes, stories from Transylvania typically end unhappily, which may trouble sensitive readers. Also, some users may feel disappointed in the book's inclusion of only one werewolf and one vampire story. Fans of ghost stories will love the text, though. While the stories do not focus on gore, they do mention supernatural vengeance, deals, and promises persisting through the afterlife. A highly recommended collection for readers of creepy stories.

Side Note: Are you okay, Jerome?

Next Week

Next week, I will be on vacation. Starting in October, I will review what everyone else will be looking at: monsters and scary stories.

On the road again...

Netstate.com

Netstate.com at http://www.netstate.com/

Plot: A listing of all fifty states. Each state's page offers an overview, history of nicknames, additional resources, and state symbols (birds, flowers, fossils, gems, etc.). The pages also include links to school listings, news, and the economy.

Genre: Geography, History, Websites

Reading Level: Tween-friendly, but some aspects may be suitable for older students.

Similar Titles: 50States.com, Fact Monster: The Fifty States

Personal Thoughts: Easily one of the most inclusive and accessible state resources. Many popular topics, such as state birds, include additional pages explaining the reason for the state's choice as well as basic information about the object. A very useful resource for history and geography reports. 

Kids' Corner: Animals

Kids' Corner: Animals at http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/classification/kc_classification_main.htm

Plot: The site presents easily understood information about animal biology. The site leads to image-heavy pages describing mammals, amphibians, birds, fish, and reptiles, as well as information on special topics, such as warm versus cold blooded. An easy introduction to animal classification.

Genre: Animals, Websites

Reading Level: Grades 3-6

Similar Titles: Kidzone: Animal Classes, Science Learning: Living Things - Families

Personal Thoughts: The website is a friendly way of assisting students with initial lessons on animal classification.

American President: A Reference Resource

American President: A Reference Resource at http://millercenter.org/president

Plot: A website presented by the Miller Center through the University of Virgina. The site lists all 42 presidents of the United States. Selecting a president leads to basic information and a portrait, but also links to biographies, images, and fellow leaders during the presidency.

Genre: History, websites

Reading Level: Aimed at adults; however most of the information is comprehensible to tweens.

Similar Titles: The Presidents: The White House

Personal Thoughts: A good resource for tweens with U.S. History reports. 

Some Helpful Websites

School is truly in session, so next week, we'll look at some helpful websites.

No, it's not summer yet.

Antarctic Journal: Four Months at the Bottom of the World

Dewey, Jennifer. Antarctic Journal: Four Months at the Bottom of the World. New York : HarperCollins Publisers, 2001.

Plot:  Ms. Dewey gets invited to spend four months in an Antarctic research center. She records major events through a series of sketches and journal entries. Travel issues and clothing layers find description, but so do penguins, seals, fish, and krill. Interactions with scientists and sunburns also find mention. The text offers a personal look at life on the ice continent.

Genre: Geography, Science

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: My Season with Penguins: An Antarctic Journal; Mud Matters: Stories from a Mud Lover

Personal Thoughts: A pretty, enjoyable view of personal experiences in the Antarctic. The author's notes reflect the seriousness of the work, as well as the humanity within the workers. I recommend the title for those seeking a human and scientific title.

Side Note: I have no idea how I am going to get that blanket away from Jerome.

How to Survive in Antarctica

Bledsoe, Lucy Jane. How to Survive in Antarctica. New York : Holiday House, 2006.

Plot: Journalist Lucy Jane Bledsoe managed to reach Antarctica through a grant for writers and artists. She fell in love with the wilderness, and visited several other times. The book offers a record of her trips, as well as stories and advice for survival. For example, she outlines how to create a polar-worthy emergency shelter, adjust cold-weather clothing, and avoid crevasses. She also offers more personal stories, such as a trip to an abandoned airplane and a visit to an active volcano. The text offers a realistic and exciting view of Antarctic culture, wildlife, history, and travel.

Genre: Adventure, Geography, Survival

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Life Under Ice, Polar Explorers for Kids

Personal Thoughts: The title offers a brief overview to modern polar travel. Photographs complement the text-heavy title, adding context and illustrations. Impressively, Bledsoe manages to address the adventurous aspects of travel without glossing over the need for respect, rules, and order at the Pole. The book is a useful read for tweens with a desire to understand current activity in the far south.

Side Note: Bledsoe did not mention the need for a soft, fluffy blanket, but Jerome likes it anyway. 

Horses and Polar Exploration

Piggy-backing on The Winter Pony, next week will focus on polar exploration.

Jerome is the prettiest penguin

The Winter Pony

 
Lawrence, Iain. The Winter Pony. New York : Delacorte Press, 2011.

Plot: The first eight years of James Pigg, a Russian pony, were rough. Unfortunately, his future proves to be even more difficult. The pale stallion, with nineteen other ponies, embark on Robert Falcon Scott's ill-fated voyage to the South Pole. Fighting old fears and new circumstances, the pony attempts to carry the equipment needed for the expedition to reach true south. However, ponies, dogs, and men fall to questionable decisions, limited rations, unexpected dangers, and terrible weather. James Pigg wishes to please the first people to show him kindness, but none of his efforts can conquer the fury of Antarctica.

Genre: Animals, Historical Fiction, Adventure

Reading Levels: Grades 4-8; keep in mind, this is a sad book. Please do not send me nasty letters if a reader cries while reviewing it.

Similar Titles: The Pole, Emma's River

Personal Thoughts: I really wanted to like the text. To Lawrence's credit, he avoids painting Scott as an idiot or Admundsen as a cad. He also avoids describing Scott as an insufferable hero. The author's views follow an extremely neutral view, which many texts aimed at adults fail to accomplish. However, the text also carries some unfortunate implications. The pony's early life is marked by fictionalized brutality. True, James Pigg was a worn horse at the time of the purchase, but painting every Russian and Mongolian as brutal while every Englishman displays knowledge and compassion carries some racist tones. Describing the dogs as wolf-like savages and the horses as saintly victims also seems necessary, particularly given the stubborn nature and complicated background of the equines. The tragic end of the pony abruptly shocks readers as well. Lawson writes the book expertly with a solid acknowledgment of the facts, but the fictional aspects of the novel paint an unrealistic view of the world facing Scott's ponies.

Side Note: I told you to stop, Jerome.

War Horse

Morpugo, Michael. War Horse. New York : Scholastic Press, 2007.

Plot: Bought on a whim by a drunk farmer, Joey, a little colt, suddenly finds himself thrust in a strange barn. The farmer's son, a quiet, thoughtful, gentle boy, keeps his father from harming the skittish bay and teaches the colt to work in the field. The calm situation shatters at the start of the first World War. Joey finds himself torn away from the boy he loves and lead to the front lines as a cavalry horse. Despite the sacrifices of the men around him, Joey gets captured by the Germans, transitioning from an ambulance steed to a gun horse. Yet, the promise of a boy in England continually inspires the war horse. The farmer's son will find him.

Genre: Animals, Historical Fiction

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: Cracker, Black Beauty, Gib Rides Home

Personal Thoughts: The book reads much like Black Beauty, highlighting some of the issues facing horses as beasts of burden. Unlike the generic long-ago setting of Sewell's, novel, Morpugo's text focuses on the good and ugly aspects associated with horses during one of the worst wars the world has ever known. Problems such as improper treatment, poor medical care, and post-wartime brutality find mention. To the text's credit, though, it avoids casting any one side of the war as exclusively bad or entirely good. Benign Germans interact with callous Englishmen and vice-versa. While the cruelty of war finds discussion, so does courage, loyalty, and humanity. The book takes an unusual but interesting look at the last war that used horses as a major resource.

The story provided the inspiration for plays, museum displays, and a movie.

Side note: Jerome, Toothless is going to get mad.

The Kingfisher Illustrated Horse and Pony Encyclopedia

Randsford, Sandy. The Kingfisher Illustrated Horse and Pony Encyclopedia. Boston : Kingfisher, 2004.

Plot: The text offers information about horses and ponies with ample photographs. Many of the illustrations feature trainers and veterinarians working with the equines, highlighting professional handling and responsible care for the animals. Additionally, the text lists different horse-related products, such as feed and bedding, and addresses the benefits and problems of each. The book provides solid facts about training, maintaining, and selecting horses and ponies for riding, driving, and showing.

Genre: Animals, Animal Care

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: Smithsonian Handbook: Horses, Encyclopedia of the Horse

Personal Thoughts: The book surprised me. Unlike a lot of animal encyclopedias, the test did not focus extensively on individual breeds. Instead, only breeds suitable for tweens enjoyed a paragraph or two of information. Most of the encyclopedia focused on details involving actual equine care, such as husbandry, equipment, and training. Also, many of the photographs featured younger, tween-age keepers, showing readers they can provide the work needed to care for ponies and horses. I highly recommend the title for equine enthusiasts as a realistic look into the reality of keeping the animals.

Side note: Jerome, Toothless is not a horse. Stop it.

Dragons and Horses

Next week, we will review some items about horses.

Horses, not unicorns. Sorry.

Dragon Rider

Funke, Cornelia Caroline. Dragon Rider. New York : Scholastic, 2004.

Plot: After centuries of security, the valley no longer provides a haven from human development. Firedrake, a young male dragon, sets off with Sorrel, a young brownie, to find the legendary Rim of Heaven, a sanctuary for dragons. They soon meet a young human, named Ben, who manages to assist them in their search. His presence, however, may not be as circumstantial as originally believed. Legends speak of a dragon rider whose coming signals the end of the evil Nettlebrand, a dragon hunter. The inevitable conflict between dragons and hunters draws near, but it may take more than dragon fire and human reason to conquer the killer.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Inkheart, Dealing with Dragons, Falcon's Egg, Children of the Lamp series

Personal Thoughts: The text expertly describes legendary creatures attempting to cope in a modern world. While the beginning annoyingly paints all humans as bringers of disaster, the book later focuses on the benign aspects of humanity. The plot also focuses on lesser-known creatures, such as brownies, djinn, and rocs, adding a dash of the exotic. Far-away locations, like the Sahara and Himalayas also enhance the adventurous aspects of the title. Humor balances the plot nicely, making the strange characters more relatable. Overall, the title is a lengthy but enjoyable read.

Drake's Comprehensive Compendium of Dragonology

Drake, Ernest. Drake's Comprehensive Compendium of Dragonology. Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2009.

Plot: The text guides readers through the art of studying dragons. The book mentions various species of dragon, including the specialized frost dragon, infamous basilisk, and evasive lindworm, as well as some of the more popular psuedo-dragons, such as the phoenix and sea serpent. Facts such as habitat, behavior, and notable characteristics are carefully described and illustrated. Additionally, Drake offers tips for meeting, raising, and tending to the legendary creatures. However, he also warns of dangerous dragons and gives suggestions for surviving an attack. The book is a must-have for any budding dragonologist.

Genre: Picture Books, Fantasy, Realistic

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Dragonology, The Discovery of Dragons, The Sons of the Dragon King: A Chinese Legend

Personal Thoughts: The text offers a surprising amount of writing for a picture book. Still, the written aspect of the book offers a nice balance between the "science," dangers, and characteristics of the creatures. True, the text does not review legends in detail, but since it acts as a beginner's study guide, specific stories would break purpose of the book. The illustrations, usually in black ink, utilize a steampunk style to reflect a Victorian era that never was. As a result, the creatures look realistic and elaborate in a manner that enhances the overall "feel" of the book.



Side Note: It appears Raichu will witness a confrontation between a ryu and undetermined European dragon.

Disappointed...

Well, no one left any recommendations for next week. I will sate my disappointment by reading about dragons.

Don't fear the dragon

Next Week

This week I discovered two things. The first is that faux fur is an *insert your favorite expletive* to work with. The second is that no one sent in any recommendations for topics in my comment box.

I will try again this week. If I do not receive any comments, in two weeks we will probably review some books about talking animals. Or dragons. I like dragons.

Stupid fake fur mane...

Next Week and a Request

 Image taken from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caution_sign_used_on_roads_pn.svg

It has been a few months since I did some work on the blog, so next week will consist of editing. However, I would like to make a request for feedback. Do you enjoy the direction of the blog? Are there any topics I should review? Should I make more special postings such as the Titles for Tweens series? Should I focus more on non-print media? Please place your recommendations in the comments section.

Catwings

Le Guin, Ursula K. Catwings. New York : Orchard Books, 1988.

Plot: Mrs. Tabby shows little curiosity when her four kittens are born with wings. Yet, as they grow, the city becomes steadily more dangerous to any young cat. She eventually sends them off to find a better home away from the dogs, cars, and hostility. They find a green land with interesting smells and ample fish. Yet, their unusual gift causes fear among the local birds. Eventually, the owl attempts to take matters into her own talons, and the little cats must avoid her nighttime hunts. Still, their mother believed they could leave the city for a better life, and two farm children may lead the winged kittens to it.

Genre: Fantasy, Animals

Similar Titles: Jane on Her Own, The Warm Place, The Wizard of Oz

Reading Level: Grades 4-7


Personal Thoughts: Le Guin, also known for her Tales of Earthsea series, offers a delightfully fantastic story of strange animals in a familiar world. While cats' atypical trait finds mention, it does not form their primary motivation. They simply seek a better home, although they have a better means than usual to find it. The potential problems, such as finding food and avoiding predators finds realistic description without slipping into a depressing narrative. Lightheartedness and seriousness balance each other nicely in the title.

A total of four books make the Catwings series.

The Outlaw Varjak Paw

Said, S. F. The Outlaw Varjak Paw. Oxford ; New York : David Fickling Books, 2006.

Plot: While Varjak Paw's battle to free the city from the infamous vanishing proves successful, not all ends happily. Sally Bones, a thin, white cat, continues to stretch her power, preventing all other cats from hunting or gathering food for anyone but her and her followers. Varjak's attempts to fight her ends in disaster, since she knows the legendary "Way" of martial arts even better than he does. Yet, when the white cat declares war on cats with no hope of opposing her, Varjak must find the strength to face her, even without the power of the Way. If he cannot conquer her, every cat in the city will perish.

Genre: Fantasy, Animals

Reading Level: Grades 4-7; however, many of the fights contain bloody and violent descriptions, so caution sensitive readers.

Similar Titles: Varjak Paw, The Underneath, Time Cat: The Remarkable Journeys of Jason and Gareth

Personal Thoughts: I found the book extremely interesting and well written, which may appear surprising considering my scathing review of the Warriors series. In the spirit of fairness, I will go over the contrast between the two series:

1. Limited number of characters: While Said's book does include several cats, it does not contain the sheer number of felines in the Warriors series. Each cat's character becomes well described through their interactions with each other, rather than a passing reference in a psuedo-glossery at the book's beginning.

2. Drama based on action: When something dramatic happens, such as the kidnapping of a kitten or the failed battle, it affects the story. The kidnapping leads to the doomed fight, which leads to the loss of the protagonist's mysterious power. Additionally, both situations enhance the characterization of the protagonist as a disadvantaged hero and the antagonist as a genuine threat.

3. No attempt to misinform: The book is, essentially, a martial arts story with cats. It makes no reference to real fighting styles or cat behavior. Said uses the work a a purely fictional story without false facts to lend illegitimate validity.

4. Direction: As mentioned in both the drama and misinformation comments, actions feed into characterization in a world with limited reference to the real one. The novel offers a pure, over-the-top story and does not attempt to do otherwise.

5. Enough information: While the novel does not explain everything, such as how Sally Bones discovered the "Way" or what the "Way" exactly is, it does provide enough information. The way is meant to be mysterious, just like Sally Bones. Eliminating descriptions adds to the strange nature of Varjak's world. However, enough information finds mention, allowing readers to be mystified without being frustrated.

6. Show, don't tell: The book is an adventure novel and key points, such as battles, dreams, and kidnapping find ample, if violent, description.

Overall, the novel succeeds because it relies on action more than description, creating a fast-paced, fascinating world.

The novel is a sequel to Varjak Paw, which inspired a play, opera, and upcoming movie.

Eyewitness: Cats

Clutton-Brock, Juliet. Eyewitness: Cat. New York : Knopf, 1991.

Plot: The text offers the famous Eyewitness-styled descriptions of all thing feline. The various habitats, adaptations, and histories of cats find mention. Additionally, the text lists the different families of cats and their characteristics. Outlines for basic cat care find description, as well. To complement the captions, the book offers a variety of photographs and cartoons to spark further interest. Eyewitness : Cats provides a solid blend of information and illustrations.

Genre: Animals

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Eyewitness series

Personal Thoughts: As longtime readers of the blog know, I enjoy the Eyewitness series, and Cat offers a solid addition. Unfortunately, some of the information in the version I read was outdated (it was about twenty years old, after all) and some was inaccurate. For example, the text mentions cats enjoy a traditionally more benign view in Asian cultures than European ones. This is not true. For example, Asian folktales often describe cats as vampiric and vengeful. Traditional Buddhist mythology claims cats refused to mourn the passing of the Buddha, causing them to loose access to heaven. Some Japanese stories claim cats will become monsters if their tails become too long, so wise owners must crop the animals' tails. Perhaps in an attempt to amend such inacuracies, a more recent version was published in 2004.

Bats and Cats

This week, we reviewed items about bats. Next week, we will review books about cats.

Russet, the bat that looks like a potato, waves goodbye

Austrailian Bats

The Australian Museum's Australian Bats website http://australianmuseum.net.au/Australian-bats/

Plot: The museum offers an overview of Australia's bats through this informative website. The site separates the bats according to fossil records and present locations. Each species' listing includes an image, as well as information about habitats, feeding, natural history, and conservation. The bats' classification is also listed and explained. A solid source for trivia about specific species of bats.

Genre: Website, Animals

Reading Level: Varied, however this aspect of the site is friendly to tweens.

Similar Title: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, American Natural History Museum

Personal Thoughts: The site manages to balance information, illustration, and appearance nicely.