10.20.08
The Crimson Thread-Suzanne Weyn
by Suzanne Weyn
Bridget is heading the America, the land of opportunity, with her fathers, brothers, and little sister. Her father eventually finds a job as a coachman for the wealthy J.P. Wellington. And with him, Bridget gets a job as a seamstress-but with an American name. Her name is Bertie now.
Then her father then boasts that she can “spin straw into gold”, and Bertie doesn’t know what to do. But then, amazingly, assisted with a mysterious friend by the name Ray Stalls, she is actually able to transform the blue material into stunning gowns made to look as if they are spun with gold. The only problem is, Bertie doesn’t know how to repay Ray, because the one thing he asks for she is unable to give him.
This was a wonderfully imagined book that actually followed the original fairy-tale pretty well. My only problems was that Ray Stalls’s feelings seemed a little unrealistic, and the first and last chapter seemed a little irrelevant, unimportant. But other than that, this was a sweet, romantic story.
I’ve always been interested in sewing and spinning and things like that, and I loved the way the dresses and designs were such a big part of the novel. (And I admit I love the color.) The Crimson Thread is a wonderfully quick read, and Bertie is a nice, realistic girl who I really enjoyed spending my time with.
08.12.08
Forever Rose-Hilary McKay
by Hilary McKay
Rose is the youngest of a crazy family. But lately, it seems that everyone is gone, and she’s alone in the dark, dark house: nobody knows where Caddy is; Saffy and Sarah and Indigo are always busy; Mummy’s in the shed, finishing her paintings; and Daddy’s in London.
And at school, there’s mean Mr. Spencer, who tortures everyone and says Rose can’t read—which gets Sarah started on a project to get Rose addicted to books. And on top of all that, there’s Rose’s friend Molly, who has come up with an idea and has gotten Rose to agree to do it—without knowing exactly what the idea is.
This book was so fun. Told in first-person narrative by Rose, it was funny and intelligent and brimming with honesty. Rose is a compelling character, sarcastic and unaware and sensitive. More than once I found myself laughing because of an unexpected remark. It takes some time to get used to Rose’s creative and dramatic way of writing (and exaggerating) but not a lot and it’s worth it when you do.
This is a completely funny story of family life, and I couldn’t help but enjoy it. Rose was marvelous.
06.21.08
If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period
by Gennifer Choldenko, read by Ariadne Meyers & Francois Battiste (4 Discs)
“Kirsten’s world is crumbling. Her parents are always fighting; her best friend prefers the popular Brianna to her; and to top it off, she’s definitely fat. She’s gained forty pounds in three months.
“Walker Jones’ main goal is to survive his new (basically all white) private school. His mother has sent him there because she thinks he’s going to screw up like his cousin. But he’s a good kid, as is his new friend Matteo, though for some reason, Matteo will do anything the blonde Brianna asks.”
This is a good, nicely written book. It’s sweet and realistic and painful too, in parts. I was really fond of Kirsten and her fresh, honest voice. There were some things that bothered me, like how she almost seemed to have no peer pressure, but it was smoothed over most of the time.
Walk I had a harder time getting used to, but I think he’s a well rounded character; funny, nice, and sometimes bad, sometimes stupid.
I also liked Kirsten’s mom. Sure, I about hated her, but I think she was crafted nicely. A mom who tends to think her daughter is a recluse and that her daughter is picky and that her daughter needs to get out more, a mother who sides with the popular moms’ kids. Yes, not a very good mom, but yes, a nicely formed character. Especially because she didn’t mean bad; she thought she was helping.
One thing that struck me as strange (not necessarily bad but strange) is that on the blurb it says:
“Then Kirsten discovers something that shakes her and Walk to their cores…”
I spent a long time waiting for this secret. If I remember correctly, it didn’t come until Disc 3. It didn’t make the book any more boring, because I suppose the author needed ample time to supply us on the characters, and normal life, but I thought she spent most of the time filling us in and not as much time solving the problem outlined on the back. Not that I was ever bored, or compelled to turn it off, because a lot of other problems were also brought up, but I thought it might have been better if the secret was brought up a little sooner. I pretty much predicted it by Disc 2. I wasn’t perfectly sure, but I was pretty sure.
But on the whole, it’s a nice book, nice and full of the unpredictable behavior and feeling that is a very normal occurrence, at least for me. I liked it how Kirsten and Walk were uncertain about things and flipping back and forth on others. Very, very nice.
06.09.08
The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Perilous Journey
by Trenton Lee Stewart
Publication date: May 2008
“Reynie is excited because he’s supposed see Kate and Sticky and Constance again, soon. He’s supposed to meet Sticky and Kate at Kate’s farm; then they’re supposed to go and meet Constance and Mr. Benedict at their house. But right after the set off to see Constance, Mr. Benedict, Rhonda and Number Two, a telegram arrives: CHILDREN YOU MUST NOT COME, it reads, TOO DANGEROUS. When they get to Mr. Benedict’s house, Rhonda tells them the bad news: Mr. Benedict and Number Two have been kidnapped. And they have no idea to where.
“So Reynie and his friends set off find Mr. Benedict. But there’s already a time limit, and they must save Mr. Benedict while evading capture themselves.”
I have to say I was slightly disappointed in this sequel to The Mysterious Benedict Society. It seemed to me that the basic brainwork in the plot was in the riddles. I liked the riddles; they were hard (and I solved a grand total of one by myself), but it seemed like they were over too quickly. And afterward, it was mostly action.
I liked the plot, but it seemed a lot easier for the kids this time. There wasn’t the constant danger of their being caught. Sure, there was some—but it seemed to be written off in a way that you might forget about it if it weren’t for the reminders in the children’s conversations. To keep up the suspense it briefly showed others’ points of view in between, and I suppose that did work pretty well, while the author kept that up.
The plot did go somewhat along with many of the changes in the people. While the changes weren’t so obvious, the characters were a year older, and definitely different, and I think it nicely dealt with those changes to accommodate the book. And I did love the ending, and there were plenty of other parts I really liked too.
As for the writing itself, it was clear and detailed. I think it didn’t switch from each of their thoughts so easily as the first book, but the language was accurate and simple; and lots of paragraphs were easily smile inducing. And I usually note clearly to see if a person who hadn’t read the first book would be lost in the second, but on tMBSatPJ I don’t think that wouldn’t happen.
So if asked to give a recommendation on this book, I would say it would be best not compared to its successor, but be thought of as its own book, because it is, and there are many differences. Despite that, I think it would go well with people who loved the first book, because many things—the writing, the action, the riddles—are of the same sort.
And if there was a third book, or if there will be one, I would pick it up enthusiastically—perhaps not with as much enthusiasm that I picked up this book, but with enthusiasm all the same—and settle down for a few hours of entertainment, for both the first book, and this one, provided just that.
