The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper - this is the 2nd volume in the "Dark is Rising" series. However, while it is nice to have read the first volume, Over Sea, Under Stone, it isn't necessary. DiR follows young Will Stanton over Midwinter Day, his 11th birthday. As the day progresses, he discovers that he has a special gift - as a seventh son and as the youngest born Old One - and it is his fate to join the eternal battle to defeat "The Dark". Will is plunged first into a quest to find the six signs, and then to battle over the twelve days of Christmas as The Dark seeks to claim the world as its own.
Will is a fabulous character. He's a believable 11 year old, but he's also a wise soul with a nearly ageless way of looking at the world. He faces the developments of the story with awe, delight, terror and determination. Like anyone, he has moments of doubt, and makes good resolutions only to nearly fail at critical moments. This story interweaves Celtic mythology, modern life, and even some Arthurian legends into a great story.
Later volumes in the series (Greenwitch, The Grey King, Silver on the Tree) tie the characters from the first book (Over Sea, Under Stone) in to this tale and raise the stakes as Will, Merriman Lyon, Simon, Jane and Barney, and Bran Davies all join forces against the Dark. This is a series I LOVED as a teen, as much for the beautiful poetry and the use of myth and folklore as for the characters. Read and enjoy!
Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - one of the finest Conan Doyle novels, and one of only 4 novels about the famed Sherlock Holmes.
I've always loved this story. It is clever, spooky, very readable, and believable. Sherlock is his usual arrogant self, but Watson gets to play a major role, and even the semi-competent Lestrade is entertaining. The villain is a true villain, and yet believable, too.
The story revolves around the death of Sir Charles Baskerville, who died under mysterious circumstances on the moor near his home. His heir, Sir Henry, soon arrives, and the local doctor, Dr. Mortimer, is convinced that Henry's life is in danger. He appeals to Sherlock Holmes for aid, citing the mysterious footprints of a large hound that he saw near the body as a point of interest. He also brings up the legend that the family is cursed by the actions of their evil ancestor, Sir Hugo Baskerville.
I won't go into the rest of the plot, but suffice to say that Sherlock and Watson have a hard time and must follow many twisting clues and red herrings before discovering who the true villain is, and why Sir Charles has been killed.
Read On!
Showing posts with label classic book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label classic book review. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Classic book review
"Scorpions" by Walter Dean Myers is a Newbery Honor book.
Jamal is 12. He lives in Harlem. He's being hassled by the principle at school. His mother is working all the time. His brother Randy just went to jail for murder. And now Jamal has been given the task of "running" the Scorpions, his brother's gang. As Jamal and his best friend Tito soon find out, all the good intentions in the world don't help when things go badly awry.
This classic novel portrays life on the street as it really is, for real boys growing into young men. It doesn't pull punches; it tells an exciting, honest story about how two boys "take what the street put down".
Jamal is 12. He lives in Harlem. He's being hassled by the principle at school. His mother is working all the time. His brother Randy just went to jail for murder. And now Jamal has been given the task of "running" the Scorpions, his brother's gang. As Jamal and his best friend Tito soon find out, all the good intentions in the world don't help when things go badly awry.
This classic novel portrays life on the street as it really is, for real boys growing into young men. It doesn't pull punches; it tells an exciting, honest story about how two boys "take what the street put down".
Friday, September 5, 2008
Classic Book Review
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
I remember reading this book as a teen and LOVING it. It follows the true story of Karana, stranded alone for 18 years after her people were removed from their remote Aleutian island. Karana must defend herself from wild dogs, who killed her younger brother, guard against the Aleutian sea-0tter hunters who would have taken her prisoner, and find ways to feed herself.
Her story is dramatic, romantic, adventurous, and almost miraculous. I must have read it twenty times, marveling over her ability to see beauty in the island's desolation, her willpower and strength of character, and her capacity to forgive. Anyone who loves adventure and survival stories will enjoy it, but so will those who admire strong young women, or want to see life from a different viewpoint.
In fact, I think it's time for me to reread Karana's tale once again...
I remember reading this book as a teen and LOVING it. It follows the true story of Karana, stranded alone for 18 years after her people were removed from their remote Aleutian island. Karana must defend herself from wild dogs, who killed her younger brother, guard against the Aleutian sea-0tter hunters who would have taken her prisoner, and find ways to feed herself.
Her story is dramatic, romantic, adventurous, and almost miraculous. I must have read it twenty times, marveling over her ability to see beauty in the island's desolation, her willpower and strength of character, and her capacity to forgive. Anyone who loves adventure and survival stories will enjoy it, but so will those who admire strong young women, or want to see life from a different viewpoint.
In fact, I think it's time for me to reread Karana's tale once again...
Monday, June 23, 2008
Book Reviews
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher - I'm halfway through this book, and I just HAVE to talk about it. This is one of the saddest books I've ever read. It's told in two voices - Clay Jensen is an ordinary teen who is given a set of tapes recorded by Hannah Baker - who committed suicide two weeks ago. He listens to the tapes as he travels around town through one agonizingly long night.
Hannah explains in sad, intimate detail exactly how the thirteen people on these tapes affected her, how their actions led her slowly but surely to make the decision to kill herself, and how each person could have changed that decision, if only they had not behaved the way they did.
Clay hasn't yet heard his own role in Hannah's decision at the point where I am, but I'm sure when he does he'll be devastated - he's a nice kid who liked Hannah, and he's already confused and afraid of what he'll find out about himself.
I love books that force both the characters, and the reader, to take a close look at themselves. This story isn't pretty - it's about insults, gossip, revenge and carelessness, as well as innuendo, lies and people's reactions to those lies. But it is a very honest book, and well worth reading. Just keep the hanky nearby...
And now for something Classic - "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford. This story has twice been made into a Disney movie, and it reads just like one. Two dogs and a cat are separated from their family and decide to make a 250 mile cross-country journey to get home. It's a heartwarming, sad-but-happy story about what happens to these loyal companions as they meet danger and trouble all the way... read it, smile, drip tears, and keep reading!
Hannah explains in sad, intimate detail exactly how the thirteen people on these tapes affected her, how their actions led her slowly but surely to make the decision to kill herself, and how each person could have changed that decision, if only they had not behaved the way they did.
Clay hasn't yet heard his own role in Hannah's decision at the point where I am, but I'm sure when he does he'll be devastated - he's a nice kid who liked Hannah, and he's already confused and afraid of what he'll find out about himself.
I love books that force both the characters, and the reader, to take a close look at themselves. This story isn't pretty - it's about insults, gossip, revenge and carelessness, as well as innuendo, lies and people's reactions to those lies. But it is a very honest book, and well worth reading. Just keep the hanky nearby...
And now for something Classic - "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford. This story has twice been made into a Disney movie, and it reads just like one. Two dogs and a cat are separated from their family and decide to make a 250 mile cross-country journey to get home. It's a heartwarming, sad-but-happy story about what happens to these loyal companions as they meet danger and trouble all the way... read it, smile, drip tears, and keep reading!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Classic book reviews
"Captains Courageous" by Rudyard Kipling is a wonderfully well written account of young Harvey Cheyne, a spoiled and underachieving young rich kid. He's on a cruise at sea when he's washed overboard. Rescued by a bunch of fishermen, he cannot make them believe he's a rich man's son. They offer him a job, and he has many adventures as he struggles to survive in the real world.
Kipling wrote in the 1890's, so the vocabulary is old-fashioned, and it isn't a perfectly "politically correct" tale, so take what it says in context. It's well worth reading, anyway!
Katherine Patterson's novel "Jacob Have I Loved" is very different. Set in the 1940's on the Chesapeake Bay, it tells of Sara Louise and her twin sister Caroline. Louise is constantly in her beautiful sister's shadow, and thus comes the titular reference - "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated". It is a powerful and moving story of the effects of jealousy, and the motivations of the family around us.
Kipling wrote in the 1890's, so the vocabulary is old-fashioned, and it isn't a perfectly "politically correct" tale, so take what it says in context. It's well worth reading, anyway!
Katherine Patterson's novel "Jacob Have I Loved" is very different. Set in the 1940's on the Chesapeake Bay, it tells of Sara Louise and her twin sister Caroline. Louise is constantly in her beautiful sister's shadow, and thus comes the titular reference - "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated". It is a powerful and moving story of the effects of jealousy, and the motivations of the family around us.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Two Classic book reviews
Cynthia Voigt is a name you might recognize - she's written many really fine YA novels. "Seventeen Against the Dealer" is the tale of Dicey Tillerman, a young woman raising her three younger siblings. She knows how hard life can be, as she struggles to take care of her family, run her boat-building business, worries about her sick gram, and tries to forget her boyfriend, now away at College. Then along comes Cisco - he seems so friendly, helps her when she can't pay him, and talks to her in ways she's never heard before. Can she trust him?
Dicey learns some hard lessons about trust, the importance of family, and loss. This is an excellent summer read - it will leave you sad and happy at the same time.
"Shade's Children" by Garth Nix is a totally different kind of story. It's dark, scary, and wild in the future. The city is abandoned, inhabited only by a few struggling children, hiding in the ruins, escaping from the Myrmidons. Four children, Gold-eye, Drum, Ninde and Ella hide and struggle to overthrow the inhuman Overlords and their servants. They are aided by Shade, the oldest living human (or close to human) they know. But can they trust him? Will they succeed in their daring plans to destroy the Great Projector?
What do you think of these novels? Do you have others you'd like to review?
Dicey learns some hard lessons about trust, the importance of family, and loss. This is an excellent summer read - it will leave you sad and happy at the same time.
"Shade's Children" by Garth Nix is a totally different kind of story. It's dark, scary, and wild in the future. The city is abandoned, inhabited only by a few struggling children, hiding in the ruins, escaping from the Myrmidons. Four children, Gold-eye, Drum, Ninde and Ella hide and struggle to overthrow the inhuman Overlords and their servants. They are aided by Shade, the oldest living human (or close to human) they know. But can they trust him? Will they succeed in their daring plans to destroy the Great Projector?
What do you think of these novels? Do you have others you'd like to review?
Friday, May 23, 2008
Book Reviews - one new, one classic
"The Time Thief" by Linda Buckley-Archer is the sequel to "Gideon the Cutpurse" (now retitled "The Time Travelers"). I have only read a bit of this book, but it is equally as exciting as the first. It opens with the Tar Man finding himself alone in London, and seeking to understand this new time and place. As wicked as he is, he has little trouble finding ways to make himself at home.
But Kate finds herself rather lost - she remembers her friend Peter, stranded back in time, and struggles to find anyone who will help her rescue him. Sadly, NASA and the governments are more interested in "protecting time" than rescuing a lost boy. So she sets out to rescue him alone...
I'm taking this one home for the Holiday Weekend - I'll comment on it next week.
The second book I'd like to talk about today is "Dangerous Wishes" by William Sleator. Mr. Sleator's books are some of the creepiest, most disturbing, weird and funny books I've ever read. "Dangerous Wishes" is the story of Dom, his sister Julie, and the Buddha figure she lost three years earlier. Dom's family has been cursed with three years of terrible bad luck, and he decides that if he can go to Thailand, find the lost statuette, and return it to its proper resting place, he can save his family from the vengeful spirits. This is the sequel to "The Spirit House"; it's just as good, but you don't have to have read the first to enjoy this one. Also try his other novels "Interstellar Pig", "Strange Attractors", "The Duplicate" and many others.
But Kate finds herself rather lost - she remembers her friend Peter, stranded back in time, and struggles to find anyone who will help her rescue him. Sadly, NASA and the governments are more interested in "protecting time" than rescuing a lost boy. So she sets out to rescue him alone...
I'm taking this one home for the Holiday Weekend - I'll comment on it next week.
The second book I'd like to talk about today is "Dangerous Wishes" by William Sleator. Mr. Sleator's books are some of the creepiest, most disturbing, weird and funny books I've ever read. "Dangerous Wishes" is the story of Dom, his sister Julie, and the Buddha figure she lost three years earlier. Dom's family has been cursed with three years of terrible bad luck, and he decides that if he can go to Thailand, find the lost statuette, and return it to its proper resting place, he can save his family from the vengeful spirits. This is the sequel to "The Spirit House"; it's just as good, but you don't have to have read the first to enjoy this one. Also try his other novels "Interstellar Pig", "Strange Attractors", "The Duplicate" and many others.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Book Reviews
Sometimes it's fun to go back and read older titles or series and rediscover authors from the past. So I thought I'd talk today about two series that I love from years ago.
First is "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander - first in the Chronicles of Prydain. Taran's a boy with a dream - he wants to be a hero, not a pig-farmer. Not even to an oracular pig. But when he gets his chance, Taran soon discovers that trying to be a hero isn't as easy, nor as fun, as it seemed at first. If you like Celtic or Welsh legends, or have always wondered what they're about, this lively tale of a boy's first adventure is an excellent one. And the series follows as he grows, meets wonderful new creatures and people, makes good friends, falls in love, battles evil and eventually becomes... (I'm not gonna tell you, of course!) Read and discover. You won't be disappointed. The first books in the series are suitable for readers ages 10-14, but as the series goes on, Taran matures and so do the tales. By the last book - "The High King", Taran is 17 and the book is aimed at readers 14-16 (of course, I reread them every couple of years).
The second series is "Anne of Green Gables". This is a sweetly romantic story of a girl growing up on a small farm in an isolated community in Canada. She's an orphan, adopted into a household of an aging brother and sister. They don't quite know what to make of imaginative, emotional Anne, but she manages to make herself necessary to them very quickly. In future tales, Anne has humorous adventures, learns about love, and goes to college, marries and has children of her own. Well worth reading.
First is "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander - first in the Chronicles of Prydain. Taran's a boy with a dream - he wants to be a hero, not a pig-farmer. Not even to an oracular pig. But when he gets his chance, Taran soon discovers that trying to be a hero isn't as easy, nor as fun, as it seemed at first. If you like Celtic or Welsh legends, or have always wondered what they're about, this lively tale of a boy's first adventure is an excellent one. And the series follows as he grows, meets wonderful new creatures and people, makes good friends, falls in love, battles evil and eventually becomes... (I'm not gonna tell you, of course!) Read and discover. You won't be disappointed. The first books in the series are suitable for readers ages 10-14, but as the series goes on, Taran matures and so do the tales. By the last book - "The High King", Taran is 17 and the book is aimed at readers 14-16 (of course, I reread them every couple of years).
The second series is "Anne of Green Gables". This is a sweetly romantic story of a girl growing up on a small farm in an isolated community in Canada. She's an orphan, adopted into a household of an aging brother and sister. They don't quite know what to make of imaginative, emotional Anne, but she manages to make herself necessary to them very quickly. In future tales, Anne has humorous adventures, learns about love, and goes to college, marries and has children of her own. Well worth reading.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The Library is Going to the Dogs!
All summer long the Library will be hosting a photo exhibit entitled "The Library is Going to the Dogs!" in honor of the Summer "One Book One Waco" book selection "Marley and Me."
Bring in your dog (or other pet)'s photo and a short story about him or her. We will post the picture, and also scan it for a web-art page. If you have a digital picture, e-mail it to us at referencewaco@ci.waco.tx.us. We'll print it up and post it for you.
(Please remember to keep photos and stories family-appropriate!). We cannot promise to return your photo at the end of summer, so don't bring your last picture of beloved Rover!
Bring in your dog (or other pet)'s photo and a short story about him or her. We will post the picture, and also scan it for a web-art page. If you have a digital picture, e-mail it to us at referencewaco@ci.waco.tx.us. We'll print it up and post it for you.
(Please remember to keep photos and stories family-appropriate!). We cannot promise to return your photo at the end of summer, so don't bring your last picture of beloved Rover!
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