New Book Review--Cannibalism

Why does the idea of cannibalism intrigue us? It manifests itself in cinema and television (Zombieland and The Walking Dead), literature (Robinson Crusoe, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), and even everyday language and jokes ("She's a man-eater";Two cannibals were eating a clown.  One says to the other, "Do you think this tastes funny?")

Daphnia

Bill Schutt addresses this fascination with his book Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History. His engaging writing style takes a look at the variety of cannibalistic instances in the animal world and widens to include humans, even if we often consider ourselves above common animal predilections.  Schutt starts the discussion with an overview of some of the simpler organisms in the animal kingdom and their penchant for eating one another. From Daphnia (a type of water flea), to fish and salamanders to polar bears and other mammals, he lays out observations of the phenomena and what researchers report are the probable indicators for such behavior.



After somewhat 'normalizing' the behavior in the animal kingdom, Schutt shifts focus to people. The breadth of information is amazing and his research is well-rounded and he discusses a topic that can engender harsh judgments from readers with dignity and objectivity while managing to introduce some lighthearted comments.

While I agreed the epilogue segued into the sensationalism he avoided throughout the rest of the book, which he acknowledges as he does it, it didn't detract from the extent of the research or the treatment of the subject.  This is well worth a read to become familiar with a fascinating subject that has such culturally diverse meanings.

New Picture Books!

We've gotten some fun new kids's books in.  Here are my faves!

Daddy Long Legs by Nadine Brun-Cosme and Aureli Guillerey

This adorable book is a cute interaction between a boy and his father.  When the car has trouble starting, Matthew gets worried that Daddy might not be able to come get him after school.  Daddy lets Matthew know in bigger and crazier ideas, that he will always find a way to get to his son.

Raymond by Yann & Gwendal Le Bec

Raymond is a dog who has a pretty good life.  But he wonders if it could get even better if he did things more like his human family does.  He becomes very successful but has to wonder if giving up his former life is worth it.  This is an especially cute read for those who love to imagine their pets doing great things and there are enough puns to satisfy adults as they read aloud.

MINE! by Jeff Mack

Can you write a hilarious, spot-on (for toddlers and young children) book with only one word?  Jeff Mack can! The expressions of the mice are priceless and the action-oriented illustrations keep the story rolling until the surprise ending.  This is just flat-out fun!

Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt by Ben Clanton

Follow the adventures of Narwhal (Unicorn of the Sea) and sidekick Jelly as they go on some super adventures in the second book in the series.  This fun graphic novel is excellent for younger readers who love adventure but may be intimidated by chapters.  Plus--it's about superheroes; you can't beat that!

New Book Review--Scar Island

Welcome to Scar Island.  Actually, un-welcome...

Island, lighthouse, asylum, boys' reform school, sanctuary or prison?

Yes.

I found this book to be strongly written, great character development and excellent pacing.  While I usually lament the lack of plot resolution in action books--this one didn't actually  need it.  The resolution is built into the characters and continues to tell the story after the last page.  The story is dark but not too dark, scary but not overwhelming.  While an experienced reader can't help but draw comparisons between this and Lord of the Flies the author deflates any arguments of comparison by referencing that and other classic titles--incorporated so that I now want to read or re-read the books mentioned.

The adult/parent/educator part of me really enjoyed the homage paid to classic literature as well as the emotional appeal of reading aloud that plays a part in the plot as well as an unexpected librarian who acts almost as an oracle.

I am taking this book home for my boys to read--they are going to love the dismal setting, the well-paced action and the strong characters.  Z and E will identify with some, shy away from others, and feel the sense of healing they undergo as the story reaches its peak. Fantastic adventure with just enough poignancy to satisfy but more than enough action to keep things exciting!

Thank you Dan Gemeinhart for this superb story!

New Book Review--Children's Books!

Woo hoo!  New picture books came in and I really enjoyed these:


The Secret Project by Jonah Winter and Jeanette Winter

This nonfiction picture book is an excellent introduction to an incredibly powerful part of recent science history, the invention of the atomic bomb.  Living in New Mexico, close to Trinity Site anything set here peaks my interest.  In an understandable way, the author details the secrecy and importance of what the scientists did in the secret lab in the secret town and captures a little of how their daily lives were lived in such a remote area.  The text concentrates on the secrecy and scientific importance of the project but does not overlay moral judgement of if it "should" have been done.




The Unexpected Love Story of Alfred Fiddleduckling by Timothy Basil Ering

Apropos of the title, I unexpectedly fell in love with the story of Alfred Fiddleduckling.  From his beginning as a precious cargo to his lonely adventure on the sea, Alfred Fiddleduckling is special.  I melted when I saw the illustration of him discovering the fiddle (I play violin so I already have a soft spot here) and learning the magic of the sounds he could make.  The rest of the story is haunting but beautiful and the author cleverly lets the young readers finish the story on their own.




Good Night! Good Night! by Carin Berger

If you've ever had to put a toddler (or toddlers) to bed... read this! You'll laugh at the accuracy!




Bob, Not Bob! by Liz Garton Scanlon & Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Matthew Cordell

Poor Little Louie has a cold.  And, even though he's a big boy, he wants his mom when he doesn't feel good.  Unfortunately for him, his stuffy nose confuses everybody so that his beloved dog, Bob comes trotting to the rescue every time Louie calls for "Bob (mom)!"  I love the indicative font that shows who Louie is calling when the mistake happens (hint, look for the heart).  It's just a sweet story of how important mom really is and how she can make things better even when you're sick.

More to come!

Book Review--Tales of the Peculiar

Riggs has done it again!  

Tales of the Peculiar is a singular achievement in that it supports the Miss Peregrine's series (you can read my previous reviews of  Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Hollow City, and Library of Souls) but can also stand alone as a set of fairy tales that can be enjoyed in their own right, independent of the Peregrine epoch.

Each tale introduces a character, many of them the first peculiar of their respective homes. It records their awakening to their own abilities as well as the realization that a mark of distinction such as this is not always understood, valued or even tolerated by the broader world.  While some are heartbreaking others show a glimmer of hope and even acceptance.

There are several footnotes by the 'author' Millard Nullings and a few of his notes at the ends of the fables to lend credence to the fictional author's knowledge and authority. The stories themselves have an ominous, creepy feel to them but, like the rest of the series, do not glory in the grotesque just for the sake of fright (anybody read Goosebumps?  Those are gross just to be scary with no other intention or redeeming intellectual value). Additionally, the wood engraved illustrations are wonderful and match the tone of the stories.  Andrew Davidson's precision and delicacy with the medium is awe-inspiring.

I knew it was going to be a good book when I perused the publication data page and saw that it was "Printed in a nomad's tent in the desert of Lop, known to some as the Great Lop Depression..." and "Bound at great expense in a facility deep underground, the entrance to which ... you should not attempt to locate, for your own safety."  And the final plea, "Please don't read the third story in this collection aloud backward. The publisher cannot be held responsible for what may occur."

If you enjoyed the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series, you will find this a satisfying addition.  If you haven't read it (and you should) but enjoy fables and fairy tales, you will also find this enjoyable!

p.s. since I was a loyal library patron, I borrowed all of these from my local public library but if anyone wants to know what a good Christmas gift might be for me... (hint hint hint)

Book Review--The Book of Speculation

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler is a tale about finding yourself through your history and overcoming the distant past.  It was thoughtful, well-rounded and excellently written.

The characters take on depth as the story unfolds and the reader is drawn into the history as the scenes flash back to previous generations, intertwining the past and the present.  The writing has just enough flowery detail to live in the moment but not so overdone as to be distasteful.  The historical portions are rendered with an eye to the details of the reality of living and don't romanticize the age of wagons and traveling shows. It delves into a little-understood lifestyle of traveling carnivals complete with tarot readers, mermaids and a wild boy.

I was drawn to check out this book because the main character is a librarian and so I felt some kinship and share his stated love of books and all things printed.  There are some twists and turns along the road before the characters end up at their ultimate destination. There is just enough question as to whether or not the incidences in the book are mere coincidence and superstition or actual mysticism that it kept me guessing.

The only fault I found with the writing was actually in the plot resolution/epilogue (I was listening to this on audio and Ari Fliakos once again does a nice job presenting the story but sometimes I miss if I'm in a chapter or the prologue/epilogue).  The entire present-tense aspect of the story is told from Simon's viewpoint but the last points are made through Alice which was a bit jarring but not enough to detract from the essence of the story.

Unfortunately, I didn't like it but that is a matter of personal taste and not due to the strong writing.   I know the darkness and despair of the characters is what gave it depth and moved the story along but it was just a bit too much for me to let myself be free to coast with the story; I was ever-tense for the next bout of darkness. 

As always, though, you read and you decide!

Book Review--Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms

Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms by Lissa Evans is a fun children's book I have had the pleasure of reading.  It was a surprise gift from a friend that arrived in the mail one afternoon with the inscription, "This just seems like your kind of book".  It was (grin).  The main character is about 10 years old so the ages of interest would probably range a few years above and below that (quite a few years above, in my case) and I have passed it to my 11 year old daughter to enjoy.

This was a fun adventure, racing around town with Stuart Horten (a boy of small stature with the misfortune to have his name be S. Horten) as he discovers his great-uncle's legacy of mechanical magic-show mechanisms.

I loved April, May, and June... not the time span but the triplets who both vex and befriend our intrepid hero. I especially felt sympathetic with April and her fight with her vision and glasses--that's been a pain for me since I was 7!

There is a satisfying 'bad guy' who is actually a lady. And just enough action to keep the story moving along but not so scary that you don't want to read what's coming next.  I also think this would do well as a read-aloud for a wide variety of ages.  Super fun! Now I'm ready to read the next one, Horten's Incredible Illusions.


p.s. you know you've got the right kind of friends when a surprise book shows up just after you mailed one off to them for their birthday.  I got a book for my friend's birthday and that's just awesome!