Category: Children

Children, Fantasy, Fiction, Series & Collections, Young Adult

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 3, (The Unseen Guest,) by Maryrose Wood

Kristie

unseen2In this installation of the Incorrigible Children series, we meet Lord Fredrick’s mother, the Widow Ashton.  She arrives with little notice–sending Lady Constance into a state of frenzy–accompanied by Admiral Faucet (pronounced Faw-say,) her gentleman friend who hopes to marry her.

The 3 Incorrigible Children still maintain some of their wolf-ish qualities, obtained from having been raised by them, but are making great strides in English speech and manners.  Admiral Faucet, however, dwells only on their ability to track things in the forest and, when his imported African ostrich, Bertha, goes missing, he invites the siblings and their governess on a mini safari to find her in the surrounding forest.  When Penelope and the children become separated from the admiral (whose intentions for the ostrich and the Incorrigibles are quite sinister,) they encounter a cave that only deepens the mystery of the children’s upbringing.

As with the first 2 books, this is a unique story with many twists and turns.  Although told in the 3rd person, it is mostly from Penelope’s viewpoint.  The language is charming and conversational with the reader, reminding me more and more of Roald Dahl’s style (my favorite author.)

By the 3rd book, however, I was ready for some of the questions about the children’s and Penelope’s backgrounds to be answered.  Instead of answers, there were only more questions.  Clearly, Penelope and the children are connected in a way more than a governess is to her charges.  And, clearly, Lord Fredrick has a secret that is becoming increasingly difficult to keep.

The story-lines with the supporting characters did wrap up satisfactorily, setting the stage for a new adventure in Book 4, which debuts on December 17th.  Like other readers, I will just have to be patient.

8.5 out of 10 stars

Children, Fantasy, Fiction, Series & Collections, Young Adult

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 2 (The Hidden Gallery,) by Maryrose Wood

Kristie

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“Navigation, you see, is not just a problem for sailors.  Everyone must go adventuring sooner or later, yet finding one’s way home is not easy. Just like the North Star and all it’s whirling, starry brethren, a person’s idea of where “home” is remains in perpetual motion, one’s whole life long.”

–Page 311, The Hidden Gallery

Shall I mention again how much I am enjoying the series The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place?

Book 2, The Hidden Gallery, takes young governess Penelope Lumley and her 3 charges to London. She has received a letter from her former headmistress and an invitation to meet in the city. When Lady Ashton of Ashton Place becomes aware of this, she decides to pack up the entire household and rent a home in London so they can all go. While Lady Ashton cares only about nurturing her social connections, Penelope becomes involved in a series of odd coincidences that raise more and more questions about her background and the origin of The Incorrigibles (Lord Ashton’s name for the wolf-raised brood.)

Once again, author Maryrose Wood writes her gothic tale in a way that is both effortless and charming. Even as an adult, I felt like I was sitting at the knee of a great storyteller, completely engrossed in the characters and the action.

Three themes emerge continuously throughout the book: navigation, the moon, and home. Some of the mysteries in Book 1 become a little clearer if you can read between the lines and unravel the clues, but there are plenty of new questions which are not resolved by the end. It doesn’t matter, the ending is satisfying enough to make you let out a temporary sigh before wanting to delve into Book 3. I’m hooked.

9.5 out of 10 stars

Children, Fantasy, Fiction, Series & Collections, Young Adult

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1 (The Mysterious Howling,) by Maryrose Wood

Kristie

9780061791055When 15 year old Penelope Lumley stepped off the carriage at Ashton Place to interview for a governess post, she had no idea what awaited her.  After quickly being hired by flighty Lady Ashton, Penelope suddenly found herself in charge of 3 feral children that Lord Ashton had discovered on his property the only week before.  All of Penelope’s hopes of imparting her knowledge of languages, math, and geography were dashed so she could teach the children the most basic skills.  They had no language, no manners, and couldn’t even dress themselves properly.  Meanwhile, Lady Ashton is thinking only of planning her first big party as mistress of the house and Lord Ashton spends all his days at the gentleman’s club.

Written in a charming style that makes Miss Lumley appear both loving and determined, author Maryrose Wood has managed to make this first book in the series akin to children’s books of old, like Mary Poppins or Alice in Wonderland.  The story is nothing if not unique, as well as engaging and well-paced.  I was enraptured and read it in less than a day.

This is a little gem of a book, and I have already begun Book 2 (The Hidden Gallery.)  How wonderful to read a novel that doesn’t talk down to its reader, doesn’t resort to the current trends of zombies and vampires, and even makes an effort to introduce its readers to new words (“irony” and “hyperbole” are cleverly explained in context.)  Penelope Lumley is smart, plucky and likeable, yet rarely discouraged despite her circumstances.  Since leaving the classroom 4 years ago, this is the first series I have encountered that made me wish I had students again with which to share it.

10 out of 10 stars

Children, Fiction, Young Adult

The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare

Kristie

WitchBlackbird7Despite being an avid reader all of my life, there are books from my youth that have eluded me.  Some I remember passing again and again in the libraries I frequented.  They called to me, yet I never picked them up.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is one of those books.  Long before the days of Harry Potter there were innocent and fun stories about witches that satisfied young readers.  I remember one I read several times about a bumbling witch hiding on the ceiling of a young girl’s closet.  And of course, there is Roald Dahl’s Witches, a personal favorite.

But the irony of The Witch of Blackbird Pond is that there is no witch. This story is set in puritanical times, when accusations of witchcraft had more to do with hatred and ignorance than truth and evidence. But in their defense, it was a very hard life they led.

The protagonist is a teenage girl named Kit Tyler who is newly arrived in colonial Connecticut after being raised by her late grandfather in Barbados.  Used to sunshine, the laid-back island atmosphere, and a life of privilege, Kit must now adjust to a sterile life full of physical labor with her aunt’s family.

It is your classic “fish out of water” story, with the differences in Kit’s former life and her new, austere one being so vast, that everything she says and does seems wrong.  In an effort to befriend the loneliest members in town, she brings more suspicion upon herself. Her intentions are always good, but her methods attract attention.

This is a story with great character development and several minor story lines that intertwine with each other.  I began reading it last night and finished it this morning.  Much of it is gripping and fluid.  Perfect for young adults, the most dramatic parts are just enough, not overdone.

It also gives the reader much to think about in regards to prejudice, ignorance, and what it means to be a truly God-fearing person.

9.5 out of 10 stars

As an extra tidbit, I learned that when this book was being considered for the prestigious Newbery Award, it is the first time a book was chosen by unanimous vote on the very first vote.  The authoress is also one of only 5 people to win the Newbery award twice.  (Another is Lois Lowry, author of Number the Stars, also found on this site.)

Children, Fiction, Young Adult

Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls

Kristie

Where-the-Red-Fern-GrowsAs I sit here with my dog, Bailey, nearby, I ponder the love a dog has for its owner.  Since the beginning of time dogs have proven to be the most loyal of furry companions, a reminder of the kind of love God wants all of us to have for each other–unconditional and constant.

Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls, lovingly tells the story of a young boy and his 2 coon hounds, Old Dan and Little Ann.  When I say “lovingly,” I mean that the love this boy feels for his dogs is so strong that it motivates everything he does, even before he meets them.  How is this possible?  Because we love what we value, and after saving up for more than 2 years just to afford their hefty prices, Billy Coleman valued his dogs immensely. Tears came to his eyes the moment he first saw them and they were inseparable to the end.

As any pet owner knows, we usually outlive our furry family members, and it is a sad event that we must all prepare for, even when we adopt them as pups.  But we also know that the time we have together is very special.  Billy made the most of every moment with his two dogs, training and working with them until their skills were renowned in the rural Ozark mountains and beyond.

Wilson Rawls illustrates the growth of the dogs and their young master with a craft I have rarely seen in literature.  His writing is artistic.  Everything about these characters is sincere, good and believable.  In a world where that hardly seems probable, he makes it possible.

The best writers say to beginners to write what you know.  Growing up in the Ozarks himself, this is what Wilson Rawls knew.  Being highly influenced by Jack London’s Call of the Wild surely assisted in creating his subject.

This story is a winner of the highly prestigious Newbery Medal, awarded to quality books for children and young adults.  It is extremely worthy of this honor.  Anyone of any age will be moved and touched by the adventures of our morally sound, young protagonist and his 2 loyal companions.

10/10 Stars

Children, Fiction, History, Young Adult

Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry

Kristie

9128dHoa9dL._SL1500_After finishing the Four Lindas series, last night it was time to dive into a new book. Somehow I found myself looking at some young adult fiction online.  After coming across Number the Stars and seeing the overwhelmingly positive reviews for it, I decided to read it.  Only $1.99 for the Kindle version and a mere 160 pages, I was done two hours later, satisfied and awash in the author’s marvelous prose.

The story is a fictionalized account of a true story told to the author by a Jewish friend who was hidden during WWII.  It centers around a ten year old girl named Annemarie Johannesen who lives in Denmark at the time of the German occupation.  She is the middle child of 3 girls, with a mysteriously deceased older sister.  Annemarie’s best friend is Ellen Rosen, a Jewish girl who lives with her mother and father in the same apartment building.

Lois Lowry has a gift for character development, suspense, and driving the story forward.  She writes efficiently, which I wish more writers did.  There is nothing superfluous about the dialogue or events.

Within a few pages, as Jews in the neighborhood are disappearing, Annemarie is thrust into an adult situation.  Her parents make the decision to take in her friend, Ellen, and hide her.  I learned they were like many Danish families who successfully hid and helped their Jewish friends, many of whom made their way to safety in Sweden.

And here is where the adventure begins.  I will say no more about the plot except that it is excellently crafted.  Seeing everything through the eyes of Annemarie, who soon starts to make sense of the cat-and-mouse game her family is involved in, makes the story develop at just the right pace. She matures quickly, keenly observing the adults, and discovers her own role during this dangerous time.

I highly recommend this book.  This is a Newbery Award-winner (the highest honor for children’s literature.)  There is nothing scary or inappropriate.  Everything is explained at a child’s emotional level of about 10 years and up. At no time does it seem like the author is talking down to her readers.  This book is a treasure, and I wish I had known of it when I was in the classroom.

An enthusiastic 10/10 Stars.

Children, History, Nonfiction, Series & Collections, Young Adult

Value Tales Series, by Spencer and Ann Donegan Johnson

Kristie

One of the many problems with today’s society is that children do not have adequate heroes and role models.  When little girls want to grow up and be Britney Spears and boys want to be Eminem, there is a real problem.  And, part of the reason the kids look to those people is because they are who they see all the time in the media.  So, one way to combat this is by introducing positive role models to them.  And it should be done early, while they are still impressionable and learning about the world.

When I was a kid in the 1970’s, the media’s influences were slightly more controlled because there was no internet, no cable, to texting, heck, no computers.  A friend of my mom’s gave my brother and me a book called The Value of Patience, the Story of The Wright Brothers.  The story was full of facts about these 2 brothers who invented the first working aircraft, and the pictures were bright and colorful and the writing engaging.  We loved that book.

Soon, we started to collect the Value Tales, by Spencer and Ann Donegan Johnson.  The Wright Brothers’ biography was soon followed by The Value of Determination, The Story of Helen Keller and then it was Beethoven, Jackie Robinson, Columbus, Will Rogers, Johnny Appleseed, the list goes on and on.  By the time I was in high school, I had learned about all sorts of historical figures that never seem to make their way into the history books anymore.  Significant people who have made incredible contributions to the world…Ralph Bunche, Nelly Bly, Elizabeth Fry, Cochise, the Mayo Brothers…how many kids today have heard of these people?  Probably very few.  But all of them have books devoted to them in the Value Tales series.  And they are interesting, fun, colorful and educational.  After all, isn’t the best kind of learning when you don’t even realize it?

When I became a teacher, the Value Tales worked their way into my classroom.  My students loved them.  It didn’t matter that each book is about 60 pages.  I had 2nd graders that would sit through an entire volume, hanging on every word, and part of the reason is because the writing by the Johnsons humanizes the subjects.  We learn where they came from, their families, and their struggles and perseverance to obtain success.  And to make things extra fun, a lot of the subjects have little imaginary friends that pop out somewhere in the beginning and become their inner voice.

There are many biographical series available, but you would be hard-pressed to find one that is better than the Value Tales series.  There are around 40 books.  (I have 29.) They are not in print anymore but you can easily find them on Amazon or other used books sites.  Some are very valuable, like the Lucille Ball Value Tale…probably the most in-demand of the series (I still don’t have that one,) which can run $100 just for 1 volume, but most are much, much less.  If you can find a set for sale somewhere that has 10-15 books for around $100, it is a good buy and well worth the investment for your children.

Isn’t it time you gave your kids some good role models?  You’ll find them in The Value Tales.  My childhood set is in my bookcase about 3 feet from me right now. *wink*

10/10 Stars

Children, Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult

Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale

Kristie

One of the great things about being in a book club is that you get exposed to books and authors that you’ve never heard of before.  After reading several books with heavy themes, it was suggested that we treat ourselves to something a little lighter, even a kids’ book.  We chose The Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale.

Ironically, I already owned the book.  I had been shopping at Target a few months before, and was somehow drawn to this book.  Maybe it was the earnest look on the girl’s face, maybe it was the words “bestseller” and “Newbery Honor book.”  Either way, it sounded interesting.

Technically, you could call the book a fantasy.  But it is one of those fantasies that feels like it could really happen.  The protagonist, Miri, is part of a group of “highlanders” in a fictional land.  The village’s people all work in a quarry, digging a valuable stone out of the earth that is not available anywhere else.  That life is all they know.  They have families, they work in the quarry, and, periodically, the crafty “lowlander” merchants come and buy the stone from them to sell at a profit.  The lowlanders view the highlanders as backward and ignorant.  But many of the highlanders who work in the quarry have a special “gift” that no one else has.

Miri, who lives with her sister and father, soon experiences an interruption in her peaceful life.  The nation’s young prince needs to find a wife, and it has been revealed that the future princess must come from the highlander people.  The only way to prepare for such a thing is to have a “princess academy,” which will train the youngest daughters of each family in ways of grace and gentility.  Only after they have received their sufficient training will the prince choose his future bride.

The idea of the story sounds a little far-fetched, but it works.  Miri is a strong-willed, but charming character who you want to succeed.  She endures prejudice, greed, competition, and even some physical abuse while at the academy.  The dynamics between the girls and their motivations for winning the prince’s affections are fun and interesting to read about.  There are jealousies and alliances, leaders and followers, but all of them benefit from the education.  Miri even learns some things that benefit her entire town.  Ruling over the girls is a strict teacher named Olana, and even she experiences some growth in the course of the story.

There is a crisis towards the end that, I feel, seems a bit contrived, but the story needed something to show how the girls could work together when necessary.

As a whole, this is a very unique tale with a surprise ending.  I think it is this uniqueness, plus the engaging characters and writing that rarely lags, that make this an appealing book.  It is appropriate for all ages.

8.5/10 Stars

Children, Fiction

Danny, the Champion of the World, by Roald Dahl

Kristie

One of the reasons why Roald Dahl’s books have remained so popular over the years, is because he treats the children in his stories the way kids want to be treated.  And he does the same thing to his readers.  I first discovered Danny, The Champion of the World as a 9 year old 4th grader, and it was the first book I ever read where I felt a complete connection with the author and the characters.  Roald Dahl’s messages to kids are simple, yet profound:  You matter.  You’re important.  Your ideas are worth sharing.  There is validity in what you contribute to the world, and it doesn’t matter that you’re a kid.

Most of Roald Dahl’s books center around a child in a peculiar circumstance that has an adult ally and plenty of obstacles to overcome.  In Danny, our young protagonist lives with his father in a gypsy caravan in a small English village where they maintain the local filling station and garage.  Danny goes to school and endures the daily tyranny of his teacher, Captain Lancaster.  When at home, he and his father work on cars together and lead a simple, but fulfilling life.  The bond between these two is extremely close. Danny absolutely worships his dad, who tells him fantastic tales every night before bed.

But one evening, Danny’s father nearly falls from his pedestal when he reveals a secret to his son about a late-night hobby– poaching (stealing) pheasants off the land of a wealthy landowner.  Danny must come to terms with this news and decide how to deal with it.

What follows is a father/son adventure of the wildest sort, which involves local villagers, the constable, and even the preacher’s wife!

There are fun, fantastic stories, and there is excellent storytelling.  Danny has both.  One minute you are whisked away in a high-flying balloon and the next you are crawling along in the dark with Danny and his dad on a midnight mission.  Few authors, of children’s or adult books, can bring language to life the Roald Dahl can, and this book is one of his treasures.  It isn’t his most well-known, (most know Dahl as the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach,) but I think it is his best.  I have read it to many of my elementary school classes over the years and it never ceases to mesmerize.

10/10 Stars