Book review - The Runaways Gold

Title:  The Runaway’s Gold
Author: Emilie Christie Burack
Genre: historical fiction
Similar books:  Listen to the Moon by Michael Murpurgo
                      My Near Death Adventures by Alison DeCamp
Rating: 

Intriguing but perhaps overly convoluted

Summary (provided by publisher): In 1842, Christopher Robertson's family lives a difficult life as “crofters,” farmers and fishermen so in debt to the landowner that they have no hope of ever breaking free. To make matters worse, Christopher also lives under the thumb of his morally questionable father and devious brother. When his brother frames him for the theft of their father's secret bag of coins, Christopher must leave his home and embark on a journey across the island to return the coins and clear his name. It's a journey that takes twists and turns, including stops in prison, on a smuggler's ship, and at the house of a beautiful girl—and it ends with him escaping to a new life in America, which has dangers of its own.

My opinion: Interesting. I have some fondness for tales of poverty and hidden treasure. This one is a little Dickensian, what with the plucky and virtuous young man in desperate circumstances, trying to find a way to clear his name and help his family in spite of dishonest rich men and greedy grasping acquaintances. Of the historical fiction I’ve read lately, though, this is the one I have the hardest time imagining recommending to young readers. Perhaps too complex for many. The focus of the novel switches back and forth between Christopher’s present, in New York, and the circumstances in Shetland that led him to run away. With situations that will have young readers crying out “unfair” and dialogue that leans heavily on Scottish terms and historical situations that are unfamiliar to the modern reader, this book is not likely to keep most readers engaged all the way to the end.

Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - Terror at Bottle Creek

Title:  Terror at Bottle Creek
Author: Watt Key
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books:  Zane and the Hurricane by Rodman Philbrick
                      Never Say Die by Will Hobbs
Rating:

interesting

Summary (provided by publisher): In this gritty, realistic wilderness adventure, thirteen-year-old Cort is caught in a battle against a Gulf Coast hurricane. Cort's father is a local expert on hunting and swamp lore in lower Alabama who has been teaching his son everything he knows. But when a deadly Category 3 storm makes landfall, Cort must unexpectedly put his all skills-and bravery-to the test. One catastrophe seems to lead to another, leaving Cort and two neighbor girls to face the storm as best they can. Amid miles of storm-thrashed wetlands filled with dangerous, desperate wild animals, it's up to Cort to win-or lose-the fight for their lives. 

My opinion: I liked the information about swamp animals in this book. It gives a great deal of interesting facts without becoming overwhelming or too much like a text book. There is one passage where Cort and his father compare the nature of mammals and reptiles, how domesticated mammals can revert to a feral state without the influence of humans but no amount of human influence seems to fully domesticate a reptile. These are really cool concepts to consider. Apart from that its actually a fairly standard survival story. The parts about Cort’s issues with his parents are well integrated into the immediacy of the survival story. Over all, it is fairly well written and worth a read.

More information: Terror at Bottle Creek releases January 5.
Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Books on screen: Holiday edition

Eloise at Christmastime

Let's be frank: the book and movie here bear little plot resemblance. The book chronicles the everyday doings of an excitable, mischievous child at Christmas. She eats treats, decorates, sings, and exchanges gifts. The made for tv movie adds two dramatic plots: the romance between Bill and Rachel Peabody and Mrs. Thornton's pending eviction. The original illustrations supply the inspiration for at least the second of these plots (Eloise includes a drawing of a sour-faced woman with a poodle scowling at Eloise and Skipperdee). Most importantly, though, the movie truly captures the spirit of Eloise. Sofia Vassilieva not only resembles Eloise, she mimics her facial expressions and postures. And Julie Andrews is delightful as Nanny. This movie is a great one to add to your holiday rotation.

Non-fiction book review - Susan B. Anderson's Kids Knitting Workshop

Susan B. Anderson’s Kids Knitting Workshop

For the most part, the instructions in this book are very clear. Anderson provides plenty of simple, clear steps. A kid could almost teach himself/herself to knit with this book alone. The single exception is the cast-on instructions which I, a somewhat experienced knitter, found needlessly complicated and terribly confusing . I struggled to make those instructions work. Once I moved beyond that point, though, I found the bulk of the instructions very helpful and I liked that most of the projects were useful, practical projects. With guidance from an experienced knitter, this is a very helpful guide for the young crafter.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

 

Book review - Shadows of Sherwood

Title: Shadows of Sherwood
Author: Kekla Magoon
Genre: retelling/sci-fi
Similar books: Valiant by Sarah McGuire
                     Jack by Liesl Shurtliff
Rating: 

Fun, but not my favorite

Summary (provided by publisher): For fans of Percy Jackson comes a high-adventure retelling of the classic Robin Hood tale featuring a kick-butt heroine ... Robyn Hoodlum.
The night her parents disappear, twelve-year-old Robyn Loxley must learn to fend for herself. Her home, Nott City, has been taken over by a harsh governor, Ignomus Crown. After fleeing for her life, Robyn has no choice but to join a band of strangers-misfit kids, each with their own special talent for mischief. Setting out to right the wrongs of Crown's merciless government, they take their outlaw status in stride. But Robyn can't rest until she finds her parents. As she pieces together clues from the night they disappeared, Robyn learns that her destiny is tied to the future of Nott City in ways she never expected.

Kicking off a new series with an unforgettable heroine, readers will be treated to feats of courage and daring deeds as Robyn and her band find their way in this cruel, new world.

My opinion: On one hand, I liked the idea of this: a quasi modern gender bent Robin Hood. And I do mean quasi modern. They might have mopeds, holograms, and fully wireless tech, but the feel was more medieval. I kept expecting horses, armor, and cook fires. And while the base concept was sound, the execution has so much prophecy, near magic, and moon religion that it didn’t feel as much like Robin Hood. Clearly the first in series and not one I’d bother to continue reading.

Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book Review - Not If I See You First

Title: Not If I See You First
Author: Eric Lindstrom
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books:  Painless by S.A. Harazin
                      Song of Summer by Laura Lee Anderson
Rating:

compelling

Summary (provided by publisher): Everyone has secrets. Everyone is a secret.
Parker Grant is a junior in high school who loves to run, has great friends, and isn't afraid to speak her mind--especially when it comes to how stupid some people can be around a blind person like her. The only topic to avoid is how Parker feels about the boy who broke her heart in eighth grade... who has just transferred to her school. And as long as she can keep giving herself gold stars for every day she hasn't cried since her dad's death three months ago, she'll be just fine. Right?
Combining a fiercely engaging voice with true heart, debut author Eric Lindstrom's Not If I See You First sheds light on the metaphorical blind spots that are a part of life, whether you're visually impaired or not. 

My opinion: Some Excellent stuff here. Seriously, excellent. So first of all we have Parker, a head-strong protagonist caught up in her grief and her own view of the world. We have the boy who wronged her and years of hurt between them. You have friends who keep secrets and are more than we or Parker suspect. The ending won’t suit everyone but it’s realistic and right up my alley. This is different than some of the teen fiction you’ll read this year but its certainly worth a look.

Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley