Review: DEFY by Sara B. Larson

3.61 STARS from 758 GoodReaders

DEFY is the first book in a new series from Sara Larson and Scholastic. It combines some heart-throb elements (think love triangle) in a good old fashioned girl-disguised-as-boy story.

BACKSTORY

In this world twins Alexa and Marcel live with their parents in a small inconsequential village, until the night it's attacked and their parents are murdered. The destruction of every they they know leaves them with a horrible decision. Do they run away, or do they become twin boys who lie about their ages and enter the military.

With the whack of a knife Alexa becomes Alex, and with the passing of a few years they soon become part of an elite group that is assigned to protect the prince.   

~

The setting is one of the things that author Sara Larson does very well.  There's suitably complicated politics in a conflict between kingdoms where magic is not always universally appreciated.  The wordsmithing is also good.  The author describes things well and does a good job of setting the mood.  The story also progresses logically. 

However, the story is slow in parts, and the obvious love triangle that is developing harms the story immensely since it's become such a hackneyed theme among YA authors. 

WARNING!!
One of the reasons that Alexa becomes Alex is because young girls --as young as 5 years of age-- are captured by the King's soldiers and brought to breeding houses where there they are raped until they become pregnant. Their children are subsequently taken away from them to become soldiers, or the next generation of breeders.  And this is not a fact that is glossed over.

Pam~


DEFY
(Defy #1)
Scholastic Press 
by Sara B. Larson

Reading Information:
Word Count: 86,511
Page Count: 336
Accelerated Reader: 5.6 / points: 13.0
AR quiz: 164206
Lexile: 790L
--sample pages and reviews available


You might also be interested in:

The Francis Tucket Series by Gary Paulsen

This is a great historical series that has been
kid-parent-and-teacher tested and approved.

I've reviewed the first book in the Francis Tucket series yesterday (click here) and I will to talk about the rest of the series below. But right now I'm want to cut to the chase and tell you to buy this one volume --Tucket's Travels -- which includes all of the stories.

At $8 bucks, it is deal when you consider that just one of the other books is $5.50.

At this price it definitely ought to be considered for the home shelves.

Tucket's Travels - Books 1-5 (the entire series)

Accelerated Reading level : 5

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Yearling
  
• ISBN-10: 0440411335
• Take-a-Peek

(*don't read this if you haven't read Book #1... Possible SPOILER ALERT*)

In the first book, "Mr. Tucket", Francis was separated from his family while they were on their way to Oregon. Pawnee Indians took him captive right after his 14th birthday, and he kept as their slave until a one-armed trapper named Jason Grimes appeared in the camp and helped him escape. While Francis liked aspects of Mr. Grimes, and certainly learned a lot from the man, Francis eventually forced himself to walk away from that relationship. And this brings us up to this volume, where Francis has joined a wagon train heading west with the hopes that he might eventually catch up with what is left of his family.


In this book, Tucket comes into his own. He still makes some tremendously huge mistakes, which almost get him murdered, but he responds with suitable brutality and savvy, which makes for one heck of an adventure.

I won't say more except that this is certainly a story that doesn't demonstrate the best of mankind. Even some of the not-so-bad people don't come over as that-good.

Talking Points:::
Call Me Francis Tucket is written at on the 5th Grade level and is suitable for Tweeners, Middle-schoolers (MG) on up.

Personally, I liked it even better than the first book. Thumbs Up.

Call Me Francis Tucket

Accelerated Reading level : 5.0

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Yearling
  
• ISBN-10: 0440411335
• Take-a-Peek

(*don't read this if you haven't read the previous books... SPOILER ALERT*)

Book #3 starts with Francis and the children riding south as winter deepens in the northern plains. As in the other volumes in this series for juveniles, Paulsen wastes no time but throws the reader back into the gritty western setting that he has created -- one where the bad side of human nature isn't glossed over.

I won't give away more of the plot, but will say that Tucket's Ride is adventure from start to finish, and that while it ends pleasingly, I couldn't wait to get onto the next volume, Tucket's Gold.

Tucket's Ride

Accelerated Reading level : 5.0

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Yearling
  
• ISBN-10: 0440411475
• Take-a-Peek

(*don't read this if you haven't read the previous books... SPOILER ALERT*)

Book #4, Tucket's Gold, starts with Francis, Lottie and Billie in the desert plains, on foot and without food and water. They are moving as fast as they can, hoping to evade the Comancheros who still hope to take them captive so they can sell them to the Comanches.

This book, for a change, is a little slower paced than it's siblings. Not that there isn't excitement, but it's time for Lottie and Billie to 'come into their own', and for the reader to learn a little more about the Pueblo Indians.

For myself, I really enjoyed this book; and I thought the ending was fantastic.


Tucket's Gold

Accelerated Reading level : 5.0

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (February 13, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0440413761
• Take-a-Peek

Tucket's Home is the last book in the Francis Tucket series.

Although there is some action, it is mostly about tying up loose ends and getting to the final destination.

As in the other books, Gary Paulsen has done an excellent job of making it crystal clear that the western journey wasn't easy. If it wasn't disease and starvation trying to get the better of you, there were the elements, and worse, the kinds of wild men that gravitate to areas were the law isn't present.

This is a short quick read and good ending to the series. I highly recommend these kid-parent-and-teacher approved books.


Tucket's Home

Accelerated Reading level : 5.0

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Yearling
  
• ISBN-10: 0440415586
• Take-a-Peek

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs

Related Posts:::

• Our Master Gary Paulsen list
• Mr. Tucket by Gary Paulsen (Book 1 - Tucket Series)
• Review of Woods Runner audiobook
• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
• See our post on the 2 new Gary Paulsen books that are coming out in 2011

Mr. Tucket - (first book in the series; reviewed here)

Accelerated Reading level : 5.0

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Yearling
  
• ISBN-10: 0440411335
• Take-a-Peek

Mr. Tucket by Gary Paulsen

This is the first book in a great historical series.

The year is 1848, and the place is west of Missouri. Francis Alphonse Tucket and his family are a part of a wagon train heading west to Oregon. It's Francis' 14th birthday and to his surprise and delight he receives not only a cake --it's near impossible to bake on the trail -- but also a 'sweet' rifle, just right for a boy.

Unfortunately, that's the last good thing that happens to Francis for some time, because while he is out practice shooting, he is taken captive by Pawnees.

What follows is the adventure of a lifetime as Francis escapes slavery, hitching up with Mr. Grimes, a one-armed trapper. The old man teaches him much, but in the end Tucket finds he has to take his own path to becoming a man.

Talking Points:::

This is a fantastic series for youngsters -- and really anyone who likes KidLit. Like Paulsen's other books, it includes a fascinating mix of history and survival tips. But unlike his series for Young Adults -- The Hatchet/Brian books-- this one's a 'lighter read' with less self-reflection and internal drama.

The entire 4th Grade of our school read these books, but my librarian friends tell me that they are just as popular with Middle-Schoolers-- particularly boys.

Those who are concerned with how Native Americans are handled should know that Paulsen is very even handed. Individuals might be bad, but not everyone in a particular culture.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Mr. Tucket". There was lots of action and, of course, Paulsen has done his research and has included some information about trappers and how captives were treated by western Indians. It's enough for younger readers to get the flavor of the times without going into some of the more horrendous experiences.

Finally, this is a series worthy of investing in for the home shelves. Sooo, I highly suggest you get Tucket's Travels which contains the entire 5-books.

Pam T
Somewhere in the X-burbs


MR. TUCKET
Word Count: 29,783
Page Count: 192
Accelerated Reading Level: 5.0 / points: 4.0
AR quiz: 11481
Lexile: 830L
--sample pages available

Related Posts:::

• Our Master Gary Paulsen list
• Call Me Francis Tucket by Gary Paulsen (Book 2 - Tucket Series)
• Tucket's Ride by Gary Paulsen (Book 3 - Tucket Series)
• Tucket's Gold by Gary Paulsen (Book 4 - Tucket Series)
• Tucket's Home by Gary Paulsen (Book 5 - Tucket Series)
• Tucket's Travels by Gary Paulsen (Books 1 thru 5 in a collection - Tucket Series)

• Review of Woods Runner audiobook
• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
• See our post on the 2 new Gary Paulsen books that are coming out in 2011

George Washington's Socks by Elvira Woodruff

George Washington's Socks is a Time Warp Trio/Magic Tree House sort of adventure. In the book there are four boys -- Matthew, Quentin, Hooter and Tony-- as well as Matt's little sister, Katie, whose role is to lead them into trouble.

The kids don't have a tree house or book to whisk them off, but a rowboat which has a history of mysteriously appearing and disappearing with members of the kids' community.


The principle value of GWS is not so much that it gives tons of information about our first president --it doesn't-- or that it has praise worthy prose --it's competent but pedestrian--, but rather that the story really brings home the fact that the American Revolutionary War was real, and that people suffered for what they believed in.

Talking Points:::
This is one of the books our school has chosen for all 4th Graders to read. And now having read it myself, I can understand why. Elvira Woodruff makes the cold and danger of Washington's crossing palpable. And while she doesn't give much information about George Washington, she does bring the era to life in a way I think kids can understand.

George Washington is portrayed as a kind, fatherly figure, but despite the title of the book, he is not the principle focus. Instead the attention is on the common people. Woodruff gives examples of how dangerous it was for common people during the revolution. Not just for combatants, but for farmers who could be hung as traitors on a moment's notice.

I'm rather sorry that there weren't further adventures for 'the adventure club' as I think Woodruff does a very good job of bringing to light the cultural differences between today and the past. And her take on history is more realistic and accurate than the other time-traveling series.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs

George Washington's Socks

• Accelerated Reading level : 5.0
  Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
  
• ISBN-10: 0590440365
• Sample pages available
  

Alanna: the first adventure by Tamora Pierce

I'm not sure but I think this is the first Tamora Pierce book that I have ever read. This, I suppose, can only be explained by the fact that I came to fantasy late, preferring hard scifi and non-fiction in my youth.

In any case, I've corrected my foolish ways, and now I can assure you that this won't be the last Pierce book I read.


Alanna: the 1st adventure is basically a fun story that features a pair of red-headed twins who switch roles after they leave home. Alanna wants to be a knight, and thus becomes 'Alan'; while her brother, Thom, disdains the fighting skills, and heads off to school to learn magic.

Although I suspect we'll see Thom in future books, this book follows Alanna as she works her way up from page to squire. In doing so she meets a number of challenges, not least of which is a fierce bully, her shorter stature, and her own physical development.


Now you might be shaking your head and thinking 'ahh, the red-headed twin plot', in which you would not be entirely wrong. There is much that is familiar. But don't let that turn you away from giving this book a try. One of the things that I think sets Pierce's writing apart from others in the "red-headed twin, cut off your hair and pretend to be a guy genre" is that she doesn't pussy-foot around the real problems that would obviously crop up. She has Alanna being surprised her period, (apparently no one had had the talk with her, poor thing) and having to come to grips with breasts and male nakedness, and having to deal with the guilt of lying to her friends about her gender. Good stuff.


Talking Points:::
The beginning book in an adventure arc that spans 4 books.

Alanna is written at the 4th Grade level and The First Adventure is suitable for Middle Schoolers, on up. It would also be alright for your more savvy Tweeners who understand menstruation.

I enjoyed this book and thought it would appeal to those looking for light adventure. The characters are well drawn, albeit familiar. The writing is solid.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs

Alanna: the first adventure

Accelerated Reading level : 4.5

• Mass Market Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (January 6, 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0689878559
• Take-a-Peek
  

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

After nearly 25 years, the paperback version of Gary Paulsen's classic tale of a boy surviving alone in the wilderness, is still selling in Amazon's Top 3000. (#2063 as this posts)

Its rather an amazing feat, which I think says something about the power this book holds on the imaginations of children. And it's because of this kid-tested longevity that I'm going to not only recommend Hatchet to you as a read for your children, but as a purchase for your home shelves.


The story is about Brian, a boy who suddenly finds himself alone in a Cessna after the pilot dies of cardiac arrest. After drifting off-course for hours, Brian decides to attempt a landing on a lake before the plane runs out of gas. The good thing about this decision is that he does survive the crash; the bad part is that all of the emergency survival gear, plus the plane itself sinks deep into the icy waters. Without food, and even without matches, he has to make his way, armed only with a hatchet and the tattered clothes on his back.


Talking Points:::
This book came to my attention when the entire 4th grade class at my daughter's school read it. When she kept talking about it at the dinner table, I became intrigued and tracked it down. What I found, as an adult, was a darn good tale about a boy struggling to survive in the woods. I think it also resonates with kids because it's a coming of age story. Brian, you see, not only has to overcome his own self-doubts, loneliness, and lack of knowledge, but also has to come to grips with his parents recent divorce and his mother's infidelity.

Hatchett has been kid-tested and approved over the decades. I think the illustrations in this book, while not numerous, help younger readers to visualize what is happening. For example, there's a picture of what an old Cessna 206 looks like.

Similarly, I thought the author's notes about how elements of the story came from his own life were interesting... and funny. In one case, he talks about how he forgot toilet paper while camping and ended up with poison ivy blisters in a most unfortunate place. In several places he also talks about the dog-sledding his did in the far north.

I recommend few books for the home shelves, but this is one of them. Check it out at the library if you are unsure... but do try this illustrated version if they have it. I think the drawings by Drew Willis, and Gary's own author notes, which are dispersed as asides throughout the book, make this anniversary version worth the extra money.

I think Hatchet is likely to be a book that your children will keep and hand down to their own children, another 20 years from now.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs

Hatchet

Accelerated Reading level : 5.7

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 20 Anv edition (September 25, 2007)
• ISBN-10: 1416925082
• Take-a-Peek

related posts:

• Our Master Gary Paulsen list
  
• Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen (2010)
  
• Review of Woods Runner audiobook
• Mr. Tucket by Gary Paulsen (Book 1 - Tucket Series)
• Call Me Francis Tucket by Gary Paulsen (Book 2 - Tucket Series)
• Tucket's Ride by Gary Paulsen (Book 3 - Tucket Series)
• Tucket's Gold by Gary Paulsen (Book 4 - Tucket Series)
• Tucket's Home by Gary Paulsen (Book 5 - Tucket Series)
• Tucket's Travels by Gary Paulsen (Books 1 thru 5 in a collection - Tucket Series)
• See our post on the 2 new Gary Paulsen books that are coming out in 2011

STAR WARS: Luke Skywalker's Amazing Story by Simon Beecroft

Looking for a practice reader for the Star Wars fan in your life? Then look no further than this DK selection.

Written at the 2nd Grade level -- AR 2.3 -- Luke Skywalker's Amazing Story covers Luke's life from Tatooine, to the point where his father abandons the Dark Side to become just a dad again.

Since the book is only 32 pages long, the emphasis in on images from the movies that remind children, who have seen the series, what occurred. In addition, there is the simple text that summarizes Luke's adventure.

Here, for example, is what the book says on the two pages about Yoda.

Yoda.

Yoda is a Jedi. He lives in a swamp.

Yoda trains Luke to be a Jedi.
Luke realizes it is time to meet...

Now on the next page this implicit question is answered. And the break in the text "..." is one of the literary devices that Simon Beecroft uses to involve children in what they are reading. (The answer is his father, Darth Vader.)

Talking Points:::
I liked this DK practice reader and think it's going to be almost universally popular with it's target market. Certainly my two kids (boy and girl, currently 7 and 9) starting fighting over the book as soon as they spotted it --and they both read well above the 2nd grade level.

The photos are large; usually covering most of the page.

Included are pictures of Luke, Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen (no they aren't shown as deceased), C-3PO AND R2D2, Obi-Wan, young Anakin, old Anakin (Darth Vader), Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Yoda and the Death Star.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs

Luke Skywalker's Amazing Story

Accelerated Reading level : 2.3

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: DK Publishing (December 1, 2008)
• ISBN-10: 0756645182
• Take-a-Peek

For lists of other Star Wars books by Reading Level click here:

Snow-Walker by Catherine Fisher

It's not exactly clear from the cover -- nor by any wording in the book-- but Snow-Walker is a tight-knit collection of three novella length tales.

The paperback I read is 623 pages long, but for those who are sticklers for more accuracy, here's the page counts from the separately published books:

The Snow-walker's Son -- 179 pages
The Empty Hand -- 192 pages
The Soul Thieves -- 246 pages

But enough of the book's trivia.


This collection holds a very nice story arc set in a medieval, Nordic-styled world with jarls and kinship groups and references to Fenrir and Thor. There's active magic in this world and a variety of people who are sensitive to it, but none so powerful as the Snow-walkers, an ice-pale race that usually stay cloistered to the far north in a land where the sun never shines. These pale peoples are as powerful as demi-gods and therein begins the trouble. For the Jarl at the center of this story has taken a Snow-walker for his wife, and she has turned his mind against his followers, so that he has seized their lands and murdered any who might contest his rule.

Our vantage point on this growing disaster is from the viewpoint of two youngsters: Jessa Horolfsdaughter and her cousin, Thorkil Harraldsson. They are what remains of their once powerful families. Called before the Jarl and his wife, it is assumed they will be killed as well, but instead, because they are so young, they are doomed to exile. You would think that would be welcome news to the young teenagers, but it's not. For they are being sent to a mysterious Hall in the north where in all honestly it's expected that they will die either from the frigid cold, or from the monster that lives there.

Talking Points:::

• Like in her more recent Oracle series, Catherine Fisher proves herself to be an able writer and world-builder who can meld magic seamlessly into her conjured environments. In this case, the world is reminiscent of the Viking realms complete with mentions of the Nordic gods and mythology.

• The series begins with a heightened sense of danger and a huge amount of mystery swirling about the monster. Most of that mystery gets resolved in the first story, but in it's place comes more danger in the form of magic and politics. I won't say more about Jessa's and Thorkil's adventures except that Fisher pushes her story ahead relentlessly. And that I enjoyed the characters.
  

• If you are in the mood for a fast paced fantasy adventure this might be a good choice.

Pam T
Somewhere in the X-burbs

Snow-Walker

Accelerated Reading level : 4.3

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (September 20, 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0060724765
• Look Inside available
  -- amazon
  

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 125,211
Reading Level: 4.3
Interest Level: Middle-grades and YA
AR quiz: 111476
Lexile: 600L


Related Posts:

Snow-Walker reviewed by Shan

Snow-Walker by Catherine Fisher

2 Thumbs Up!
~from Pam and Shan

Steph's Review:
I picked this up because I needed something to read over my lunchbreak. I wasn't expecting much--lately all the epic fantasy stuff I've found tends to be either pedestrian and cliched or monstrously complex and spread over many volumes. Let's just say the book followed me back from lunch onto the subway, and was read intently for several hours before I turned the last page. The snow cast setting was immediately accessible and stunningly described. The main characters came to life as natural elements in the setting. The story wove skillfully from first page to last. This volume is actually made up of three stories, each about 150 pages long. The three tales tell the ongoing story of our band of heroes, but each is complete unto itself. I believe they were orginally published in Britain as three separate volumes: The Snow-walker's Son, The Empty Hand, and The Soul Thieves.

Gudrun, a strange and sorcerous woman of great power and cruelty, has one weakness. That weakness is her son, Kari. Almost no one has seen Kari since he was born, and rumors abound that he is some sort of monster. Exiled to a far northern fortress of Thrasirshall, he has been alone but for his guardian for years while Gudrun and her chieftan husband have tyrannized the people. Now two young people are sent to join Kari in his exile--Jessa and Thorkil. Will they meet a monster? An enemy? Or perhaps . . . a new ally against Gudrun? In this first book we meet a delightful cast of characters, some more developed than others. Most notable among them is Jessa, our young protagonist equipped with enough courage and wisdom to survive her adventures and see the truth and Kari, the Snow-walker's son, the strange being with a powerful and fearful inheritance he doesn't want and can't avoid. Note to readers, I'll outline briefly the plots two and three below, so be aware there will be mild spoilers.

Book two continues our story of Jarlshold. While Gudrun has been defeated, she is not gone, nor has she forgotten Jarlshold. A mysterious creature has arrived in the land, a creature of sorcery and hunger that kills without mercy. Rumors of distrust and betrayal run rampant as people begin to look at Kari with fear and suspicion--is he the one who has created this creature? It's going to take Kari's friends banding together with the help of a young man called Hakon the Empty Handed, to set things right in the hold. In Book three, Gudrun makes good on her threat to steal from the Jarl the thing he loves most, now Kari and his friends must journey beyond the edge of the world to Gudrun's hall in order to end Gudrun's sorcery once and for all.

It is through Jessa's eyes that we see a good portion of this story. She's a delightful character, confident, plenty of courage, and not at all conflicted about her role or who she is. While fantasy stories where the girls are working hard to be considered as good or better than boys are enjoyable in their own right, it's nice to read one where the girl in question has no doubt where she stands and neither do the men who befriend her. But, this isn't really Jessa's story. It's Kari's. Kari is the strange and sorcerous figure cursed with power and constantly having to face the price of that power. That said, these tales are not in-depth character studies, but adventure tales, full of action and event. Ms. Fisher's confident and elegant writing style never falters, providing an icily beautiful backdrop for her story. This is a tale that pulls strongly on the Norse legends and sagas without allowing them to overtake the plot. There are shades of Beowulf here as well--it was no surprise to find that the chapter opening quotes for book 2 are taken from Beowulf. The chapter openings for books 1 and 3 come from a collection of Norse Poems. Ms. Fisher has true grasp of her mythos and setting for this set of tales--the society is that of the holds and halls of Beowulf. It breaks the story out of the rather tired medieval mode with its more familiar kings and dragons and knights in armor. Given all this, it's a light read--with the books themselves only about 150 pages, no story can cover too much ground. The telling is tight and swift and definitely page-turning. The author never forgets to call in the setting at hand, and while the characters don't have the depth a longer story might call for, they aren't one-dimensional chess pieces either. The amount of graphic violence is pretty light considering the story--it's more concerned with the sorcerous struggle than any sort of warfare. I'd say this book would be appropriate for young teens and older readers, particularly those who enjoy fantasy adventure and may be looking for something new to whet their appetites.

This may not be for readers who prefer a more Harry Potter style school story fantasy, but for epic fantasy readers it should be a good fit. Those who enjoy this will probably also like the Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins and may also want to check out Goose Girl by Sharon Hale.

Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad

Snow-Walker

Accelerated Reading level : 4.3

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (September 20, 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0060724765
• Look Inside
• amazon
  

Technical Stuff
Word Count: 125,211
Reading Level: 4.3
Interest Level: Middle-grades and YA
AR quiz: 111476
Lexile: 600L


Related Posts:

Snow-Walker reviewed by Pam

Johnny Appleseed: My Storyby David L. Harrison

If you are looking for a basic book for young children about John Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed) look no further. My children and I have read plenty of different versions and I have to say that despite being a Practice Reader, David Harrison's "Johnny Appleseed: My Story" does as fine a job as any book we've read thus far in teaching about the man's life.

The book begins with Johnny's (grantedly fictional) arrival on a farm. Everyone is excited to see John again and they invite him to dinner. The two children, Will and Beth, want John to tell them one of his stories, and he says 'sure', but not before he helps dad with the wood splitting.

When they do all settle down after dinner, Johnny tells of his own boisterous childhood. How he found relief from the noise of ten siblings! in the woods, and how the woods became a second home to him.

John then goes on to describe how he set off from Massachusetts to go west, and how he fell into apple planting by accident when a cider mill gave him free apple seeds.

The book covers the harsh winters in Pennsylvania and how John planted seeds there and in Indiana and Ohio too. (It does not talk about his death.)

Talking Points:::
Five Stars. Very Good read-aloud.

"Johnny Appleseed: My Story" provides a basic history and explanation of how-and-why Johnny ended up traveling the wilderness. In addition to covering the facts in a kid-friendly manner, the book points out -- in a fun non-condemning way-- that many of the stories told about John are more myth than truth.

Here's some sample text. If you want to see more, including drawings, click on the See-a-Sample link below.

"I sold sprouts to folks
heading west in their wagons.
I sold sprouts to settlers living in log cabins.
One sprout cost
six and a half cents.

"Sometimes I traded sprouts
for clothes or food.
Some folks were too poor
to trade.
I game them sprouts for free.
I knew how it felt
To be poor.


Pam T
Somewhere in the X-burbs


Johnny Appleseed: My Story

• Accelerated Reading level : 2.4
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (2001)
• ISBN-10: 0375812474
• See-a-Sample
  

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

It must be nice to be Scott Westerfeld of "Uglies" and "Pretties" fame. Publishers give you the budget for a lush book. Honestly, for steampunk this book is posh. The cover is embossed with metallic highlights, and the map inside is brilliant -- so delicious, dark and menacing.

But enough about the prettiness, Leviathan is about two youngsters in a world where Westerfeld has run amok with the past. The setting is the eve of World War I. All very familiar up to a point. But in Westerfeld's alternative, science has sprung ahead of where we are even now. There are huge 'beasties' on both sides of the political and cultural abyss. The Austrian-Hungary-German alliance has gone all techno and mechanical. They have huge dirigibles and monstrous walking machines, armed to the teeth of course. Britain and her allies stand opposed to them. Not only in not loving the machines, but by taking Darwinian genetics to new heights. Their war machines are biological creatures. Huge war-ecosystems.

The characters also stand in opposition. One is the young male heir to the throne of ... ?what? (Okay, it gets complicated here. Aleksandar just might, or might-not, be the heir to the huge Hapsburg Empire). But, in any case, after his parents are assassinated he escapes (or does he?) from the forces that would murder him as well in order to "simplify" politics. And his character is juxtaposed by Westerfeld with Deryn, a midshipman on the huge British battle beast, the Leviathan. Besides coming from a more humble background, Deryn is a girl. Granted a girl with a pervasive knowledge of aeronautics, but a girl none-the-less. Their differences couldn't be more striking.

And yet there are similarites. For one, both have lost a parent. For another they find themselves trying to hide who they are. For you see, while Alek is trying not to publicize that he is a prince, Deryn is trying to hide the fact that she's a girl. The early 19th Century is, afterall, a male dominated society, and it's a no females allowed corp.



I liked this book quite a bit. It's rather a romp as the chapters trade off between characters and from disaster to disaster. From an adult point-of-view, there's scant description of the machines and 'beasties', but this is actually an asset when you consider the audience that Leviathan is written for: MG or the younger side of YA. And any doubt about what things look like is eliminated by Keith Thompson's wonderful drawings. (It's been a long time since I've seen so many in a book. It's great and ought to really make Leviathan popular with adventure loving readers, especially those who love gadgets.)

Besides the art, one of the things that I really loved about this book was the language. Westerfeld talks about 'beasties' and uses words that aren't familiar to most Americans. Words like 'boffin' which is British slang for 'a scientist, especially one carrying out military research'. And 'clart' which he uses to describe Leviathan 'poo'. These terms just really serve to sell the feeling of another place and time.

Recommend this one to younger readers who like adventure (They may actually learn some history).

Talking Points:::
Adventure, adventure. Leviathan is steampunk for younger readers. There's lots of drawings and novel creatures and machines.

Having characters that are both male and female who can deal with tough situations is to Westerfeld's credit. I always loved capable kids like Alek and Deryn when I was younger.

I suspect Adults won't find the characters as satisfying as they've been truncated for a younger audience. Still it's worth a read if you like novel ideas and want a quick, fun romp.

Written at AR (Accelerated Reading) level 5.3.

Btw, I listened to half this book on CD. Alan Cumming does a brilliant job. If you like audiobooks definitely consider this his reading of "Leviathan".

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs

Leviathan

• Accelerated Reading level : 5.3
  
• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (October 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416971734
• See-a-Sample
  

City of Fire by Laurence Yep

If you have a middle-schooler --or even an older elementary school child -- who is looking for an adventure series with great world-building and interesting characters, let me suggest Laurence Yep's new City Trilogy.

Yep, who is a Newbery Honor Award author, sets his story in an alternate universe where an alternate earth enjoys magic and magical creatures; and where certain historic events, such as World War II, never happened. [Hawaii remains an independent country!]


The principal characters are 12 year-old Scirye, her lap-Griffin Kles, Leech and Koko, two street urchins: as well as Bayang, a dragon sent to assassinate Leech.

The book doesn't begin with them knowing each another, but soon their paths cross as they find they seek revenge against a common foe, the ancient dragon Badik and the human Roland. Revenge takes on more importance when they find out that the two bad guys are determined to steal the Five Lost Treasures of Emperor Yu, weapons that will let them alter the world forever.

Talking Points :::
This is the beginning book of what promises to be a good series. The characters are interesting and fun, the world building is excellent.

This book will be particularly good for readers who like complex worlds where magic doesn't just 'sit there' on the surface. There are some philosophical issues here that are interesting.

I really liked that the story is told from two perspectives. One point of view was Scirye's and the other was the mysterious and enigmatic Bayang, the assassin dragon. Her other-world perspective was actually my favorite as it gave insight into the strange goings on in this alternate earth.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs

City of Fire

• Accelerated Reading level : 5th Grade (generic; no month given)
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Starscape (September 1, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0765319241

Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken by Kate Dicamillo

In this book, Kate DiCamillo joins forces with Harry Bliss to produce a lighthearted book about a hen that longs for adventure... and gets it!


Now those familiar with Kate DiCamillo know that while her books appear to be fables for young children that they often have a dark edge that makes them better targeted to older children. With "Louise" however, there was only one grim moment, where a pirate was sucked down into the ocean. This was handled well enough that I had no problem reading this book to my 6 year old son (he's the sensitive sort).

A great book. My children LOVED it. They thought the story was great, and they howled with laughter at some of Louise' antics. There are assuredly some references, like the one to Bogart and the African Queen, that only adults will get.

Talking Points :::
Wonderful book that's light-hearted and perfect for younger children. The artwork is bright and funny.

There are two underlying themes . The first is that while adventure is exciting ,that it is equally wonderful to be safe at home with family and friends. The second message is that reading and hearing about an adventure can be as good as 'living it'.

Kate DiCamillo is a Newbery Winner and National Book Award finalist. Her books can be seen in the following "carousel".

Harry Bliss is the award winning illustrator of "Diary of a Worm" and the New Yorker magazine.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs

Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken

• Accelerated Reading level : 3.8
• Hardcover: 56 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 23, 2008)
• ISBN-10: 0060755547

related posts: The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo