Category: Series & Collections

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

Fantasy, Fiction, Series & Collections, Young Adult

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs

Kristie

miss p book cover with borderSomewhere between the X-Men comics and the movie Groundhog Day lies the story of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, a debut novel for its author.

Aimed at teens, this book begins by introducing us to Jacob Portman, an introverted young man with no direction who works at a drug store.  The caveat is that his family owns the drug store and hundreds just like it.  Like many teens who come from considerable wealth, Jacob values little and has no direction, secure in the knowledge that his family’s money will always support him.  His circle consists of his heiress mother, frustrated father, condescending psychologist, and a grandfather he adores.

His grandfather, Abe, who was a survivor of the Nazi regime, grew up in a children’s home.  Never knowing which stories to believe, Jacob was entertained by Abe’s collection of freaky vintage photographs.  The photos, taken long before Photoshop existed, contain images that have clearly been manipulated in some way.  Or have they?  A girl who floats in air, another who holds a ball of fire in her hand, these cannot be real, right?

Jacob’s life is suddenly sent into a tailspin when he witnesses his grandfather’s death, which is both horrific and mysterious. Using his grandfather’s last words as his guide, Jacob begins a quest to find out the truth about the man he loved most in the world and where he came from.

It is on this quest that the story and setting changes dramatically, from a posh Florida suburb to a tiny island near Wales.  Everything Jacob knows about home, family and himself is about to change.

I was riveted for the first half of the book. Any story that takes its protagonist on the journey this one does is going to hold your attention. The plot is definitely unique and has the makings for a film, which I read is already being made.  My issue is character development.  Jacob and Emma–a “peculiar” child who takes center stage–are developed well, but don’t make us care about them much. (In reading other reviews I know I’m in the minority when I say that.) The other peculiar children are difficult to keep track of, as in which one has which peculiar ability. (Some “peculiarities” are a bit disturbing.) And one of the most important characters, Miss Peregrine herself, feels like a mystery even at the book’s end.  The person I found myself caring about the most, Jacob’s father, had no ending to his plot line.

Two things are clear by the end. This story is an outline for a film and it is going to have a sequel (available 1/14/14.)  But it could have been so much more.  And, in a shameless comparison with the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling showed us that you can have magnificent writing in modern times without profanity.  Riggs seems to want to make friends with his readers by peppering the book with words you hear kids say today.  If the writing is of high enough quality, you can connect with today’s teens without doing that.

Overall, Miss Peregrine is an interesting story that did not meet its full potential. However, I am curious to see where the sequel takes us.

8 out of 10 stars

Fiction, Series & Collections

Back Home Again, by Melody Carlson

Kristie

back-home-again-melody-carlson-paperback-cover-artIn keeping with my light, summer reading (which is coming to an end, sob!) I recently finished Book 1 in the Grace Chapel Inn series, Back Home Again, by Melody Carlson.  Obviously, I have really been enjoying this author, who writes interesting stories with good character development, and is able to do so without being controversial or offensive.

The Grace Chapel Inn series is one that uses many different authors as contributors.  I’m not a big fan of that because each one will have their own style.  As the first book in the series with an author I already like a lot, I knew I was safe with Back Home Again.

The story is simple enough.  Three sisters in their sixties decide to turn the family home into a bed and breakfast after the passing of their father, Acorn Hill’s beloved minister. Each sister brings her own ideas and talents to the endeavor, but, like any small town, everyone knows everyone else’s business.  The trio of women quickly discover who supports them and who does not in a town where maintaining the status quo is almost overly important.

A quick, light read, but it keeps your interest and is well written.  Sometimes that is enough.

8.5 out of 10 stars

Fiction, Series & Collections

All for One & Here’s to Friends–Books 3 & 4 of the Four Lindas Series, by Melody Carlson

Kristie

allforone heres_to_friendsI cannot remember the last time I’ve read an entire series of books.  It may have been the Harry Potter series.  After reading As Young As We Feel, the first book of the Four Lindas series, for our local book club, I felt compelled to carry on with the characters.

Just as a quick recap, they are 4 ladies named Linda who have known each other from childhood but now go by their middle names.  They are brought back together at a class reunion and the 3 who are not currently living in their small Oregon hometown eventually return.  All of the ladies are at a crossroads in their lives.

Book 1, As Young As We Feel, describes them getting reunited and reacquainted, as well as the moves to fictional Clifdon, Oregon. They also make decisions of how they are going to go forward with their lives.

Book 2, Hometown Ties, is a creamy book.  With the exception of one of the ladies who is caring for an elderly parent, the rest seem to have settled in to a happy new normal with budding relationships for a couple of them.

Book 3, All for One, shows that no matter how we think our lives are going, there are always challenges around the corner that we were completely unprepared for.  There is a lot of upheaval in this book, but the ladies’ friendship and commitment to each other buffers what could have been a lot worse.

Book 4, Here’s to Friends, sees the ladies still dealing with some of the challenges of Book 3.  Most of them are relationship based, deciding whether to take the leap with possible new loves or to stay single and independent.  I will note that the one thing about Book 4 that I found annoying is that a couple of the ladies suspected good, trustworthy men of not being faithful, even though they had clearly done nothing.  The doubts were born completely out of the women’s own insecurities and got a little tiresome after a while.

The good thing is that the ending is satisfying, even though everything is not sewn up in a tight little bow.  It is a conclusion of hope, not perfection, which is more realistic.  And when all is said and done, the reader wishes they had friends like these.

Whole series:  8/10 Stars

Fiction, Series & Collections

As Young as We Feel & Hometown Ties–Books 1 & 2 of the Four Lindas Series, by Melody Carlson

Kristie

AYAWF9781434764959_p0_v1_s260x420There is something about summertime that makes you want to read books that go down easily.  After reading Book 1 of the Four Lindas series, As Young as We Feel, for our book club, I felt compelled to read the rest of the series.  Two down and two to go.

Once upon a time there were 4 young girls named Linda who lived in the small seaside town of Clifden, Oregon.  Linda Abigail, Linda Marlene, Linda Jane, and Linda Caroline.  They formed a club and a tight-knit friendship.

Book 1 catches up with the four Lindas, who now go by their middle names (Abby, Marley, Janie, and Caroline) at their 40 year high school reunion.  Life, as it often does, has taken them to different states and in different directions, so much so that all of them question what brought them together so many years ago other than their names.

After the unexpected death of a popular classmate at the reunion, the ladies start reevaluating their lives.  Abby, the only one who still lives in Clifden, is domestic and lives in a beautiful home, married to her high school sweetheart, Paul, yet feels unfulfilled.  Marley, the free spirit, has been living in Seattle and working in an art gallery since her divorce, but longs to be an artist herself.  Janie is a high-powered attorney living in New York and a recent widow who is ready for change.  Caroline is the guy magnet who looks years younger than her age, is a full-time waitress and part-time actress, and lives in the fast-paced world of Los Angeles.  Caroline’s mother also has Alzheimer’s Disease, and upon returning to Clifden and seeing her mother’s condition and the squalor in which she lives, has some tough decisions to make.

Melody Carlson is a master at character development.  Each chapter is named for one of the women, and she rotates through them, developing their individual and intertwined stories until the book is completed.  It is a basic, yet ingenious, system of making sure that each character gets her fair share of the reader’s attention.

In the end you are left with 4 women who are on new life paths and whose renewed friendship fortifies them to make courageous decisions.  Both books I’ve read so far are delightful and not saccharine at all.  On the contrary, the women deal with issues that are very real–aging parents, divorce, loneliness, distanced relationships with children, and the possibility of new loves. Their support of each other makes them each very pro-active as they meet their challenges head-on, with the expected bumps and self-doubt along the way.

Admittedly, these books are very much aimed at women readers, but there is nothing wrong with that.  I would recommend them to anyone, but I think women over 40 would really relate with the characters.  After 2 books I feel I know them well, want them to succeed and be happy, and can’t wait to see what happens next.  Each book is a 2-3 day read. Easy, fun and relaxing. I cannot remember when I’ve enjoyed reading so much.

Book 3 is called All for One, and Book 4 is Here’s to Friends.  There is also a section of the author’s website devoted to the series, found HERE.

9.5/10 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