Books on screen

The Tale of Despereaux

I know that The Tale of Despereaux was an award winner and is beloved by thousands. It wasn't my favorite though. So I didn't have very high hopes going into the movie. Again, not a bad movie though it's not my cup of tea. More importantly, it's not the best representation of the book. Firstly, Despereaux is a very different character type on screen: brave and adventurous rather than the fearful shy mouse in the book. Another important characterization change is that of the antagonist, Roscuro. In the book, he is twisted by circumstance, conspiring to destroy the lives of royalty to suit his dark ideas. In the movie, he is more of an anti-hero, a wandering rat who causes accidental harm and seeks revenge on those who judge him unfairly. When you look at these changes along with a number of other, smaller changes, you can see that this all comes down to a difference of intent for the two mediums. The book is focused on characters overcoming their nature for the good of others, finding bravery when one is fearful, looking past the prejudice we are taught, and so on. The movie, on the other hand, looks at how others judge us and we must use our actions to help them see through their prejudices. In all, the book is stronger as it gives motivations and history to secondary and tertiary characters.

Book review - The Extincts

Title: The Extincts
Author: Veronica Cossanteli
Genre: Humor
Similar books: The Big Hairy Secret by Thomas Kingsley Troupe
                     Goblins by Phillip Reeve
Rating:

Summary (provided by publisher): George is looking for a job in order to raise money for a new bike, so when he sees a help wanted ad for Wormestall Farm, he goes for it. Before long, he's embroiled in a madcap adventure involving creatures both (supposedly) extinct and (previously thought to be) mythological, a new friend (a girl!), and a maniacal taxidermist who wants the animals of Wormestall Farm in her own private collection . . . stuffed, of course.

My opinion: This book was a great deal of fun. Clever and just the right level of silly to be entertaining. Yet the comedic elements never become the main focus of the novel, that honor going instead to foiling an evil plot. The story is ridiculous, of course, but in an amusing way. It's very tongue-in-cheek. This is a great choice for fans of Roald Dahl and the NERDS series.
 
More information: The Extincts releases February 9.
Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

A simple, yet entertaining, craft

In my new job, I work in a cubicle which has a corkboard on one wall. I bought some thumbtacks for my board, but plain old white tacks are really dull. I have plans to decorate them in a variety of ways, but to start out I glued a piece of craft foam to one of them. Given the general design of tacks, this arrangement seemed fairly obvious to me.
 

When I made my Pac-Man tack, my brother immediately asked me when I planned to make some cherries to go along with it. I figured I'd get to it eventually. The day after I put up my tacks, though, I arrived at work to discover this on my board:
 

I am impressed by my mystery co-worker.

Book review - These Vicious Masks

Title: These Vicious Maks
Author: Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas
Genre: historical fiction/sci-fi
Similar books: The Diviners by Libba Bray
                     The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni
Rating:

not great, but not bad

Summary (provided by publisher): Evelyn has no interest in marriage and even the dashing Mr. Kent can’t make her want to live up to society’s expectations. She’d much rather assist her beloved sister Rose in achieving her radical dream of becoming a doctor. But everything changes the night she meets Sebastian Braddock – not only is the reclusive gentleman both vexing and annoyingly attractive, he’s also quite possibly mad, and his interest in Rose is galling. So when Evelyn wakes up to discover that Rose has disappeared, she immediately suspects Sebastian.

But then she discovers that Sebastian’s strange tales of special powers are actually true, and that Rose’s kidnappers have worse in mind for her than simply ruining her reputation. Surrounded by secrets, lies, and unprecedented danger, Evelyn has no choice but to trust Sebastian, yet she can’t help but worry that Sebastian’s secrets are the most dangerous of all… 

My opinion: I've read other historical fiction with fantastical elements like mental powers. For such novels to be truly successful, there needs to be a careful blend of historical elements and the fantastic, using the history to give the fantastic context and heavier impact. Unfortunately, in this novel, the balance is off. There's too much focus on Victorian propriety and match-making, not enough on the powers and conspiracy around them. While the historical elements are important, giving the plot and the characters context, they don't need to be the major focus of the novel. Evelyn is a great character, full of attitude and thoroughly fed-up with the society in which she lives. The other characters are less well-fleshed and the plot is a little murky. There's certainly room for growth, though, and future volumes could make the series as a whole quite strong.

More information: These Vicious Masks releases February 9.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Graphic Novel Spotlight - Herobear and the Kid

Herobear and the Kid: The Inheritance by Mike Kunkel

Here's a graphic novel that is sure to appeal to kids and adults alike. Indeed, Kunkel actually addresses the adults in the audience. The opening narration for each issue appears to be an adult Tyler recalling childhood and its sense of wonder, belief, and magic in a way that is certainly more typical of an adult than any ten year old. ThHe magic and that recapturing of wonder along with the great details and sense of artistry will appeal to adults. The cartoon style and the fulfillment of every kid's desire to be a hero will draw in the young, not to mention the universal dilemmas of new schools, the bus, and bullies. The combination of a thrilling plot and fantastic detail make Herobear an all around excellent choice.

Non-fiction book review - Science Stunts

Science Stunts by Jordan D. Brown

This is a great collection of cool science tricks. If you've spent much time looking at books of science tricks (or on Pinterest) many of these tricks will be familiar. Clear step-by-step instructions and excellent illustrations keep the experiments from seeming stale. From an educational standpoint, each experiment has an easily understood explanation of the science that makes it work. It's a great choice for individuals and libraries.

Book review - The Bolds

Title: The Bolds
Author: Julian Clary
Genre: humor
Similar books: Claude in the City by Alex T. Smith
                     The Ghastly McNastys by Lyn Garner
Rating:

very silly fun

Summary (provided by publisher): The Bolds live in an ordinary suburban house on an ordinary suburban street in London—but they are far from being an ordinary family...
Mrs. Bold makes unusual hats from egg boxes and chicken bones.
Mr. Bold is rather fond of scavenging in the neighbors' garbage cans.
Bobby is a cheeky little one, always running about and chewing on table legs.
And Betty likes to chase her brother and has a strange, cackling laugh.
Yes, they are far from being an ordinary family. But have you guessed their secret yet? 

My opinion: This is a truly bizarre book, but bizarre in a way that makes it a great deal of fun. It is the ultimate in silly with a perfect blend of the ludicrous and toilet humor. The illustrations really support the plot. Parents might not love this book but it should be a hit with the children. I personally enjoyed it more than I expected. Clary has an acute sense of comedic timing. A great choice for fans of offbeat humor.

More information: The Bolds releases March 1. 
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.