Books on screen

The Smurfs and the Magic Flute

The original Smurfs books, and especially this first story, are surprisingly different from the cartoon of the 80's. In fact, the Smurfs are secondary characters in this story which focuses on Johan and Peewit (renamed John and William in the British dub of the film). For the most part, the film follows the plot of the book fairly closely. A few scenes are combined or altered to improve the flow of the movie and a couple of songs are added (probably to pad the movie length a little). These songs serve little purpose in terms of the plot and one of them (about the Smurfs' personalities) was so irritating I could barely stand to listen to it. The humor and story-telling style are more reflective of the comics than of the cartoon. Strictly speaking, this movie is strong representation of the original book. As a movie, it's not exactly the most entertaining though. If you're a real Smurf fan, give this one a watch. Everyone else could probably skip it.

Book review - Tru and Nelle

Title: Tru & Nelle
Author: G. Neri
Genre: historical fiction
Similar books: Young Houdini by Simon Nicholson
                     My Near Death Adventures(99% True) by Alison DeCamp
Rating:

charming, but audience specific

Summary (provided by publisher): Long before they became famous writers, Truman Capote (In Cold Blood) and Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird) were childhood friends in Monroeville, Alabama. This fictionalized account of their time together opens at the beginning of the Great Depression, when Tru is seven and Nelle is six. They love playing pirates, but they like playing Sherlock and Watson-style detectives the most. It's their pursuit of a case of drugstore theft that lands the daring duo in real trouble. Humor and heartache intermingle in this lively look at two budding writers in the 1930s South. 

My opinion: For a reader familiar with Capote and Lee, the events of this book are expected but too charming to become tiresome. I was entertained at every turn. The problem is, this book skews young. Content-wise, it's middle grade. The major characters, though, are early elementary. And 5-7th graders aren't likely to be familiar with either author. That's going to make this book a really tough sell, especially as there isn't enough depth to the secondary characters to up the appeal. Frankly, I expect the largest audience for this book to be adults looking for a quick read.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Wooden Spoon Puppets

I am a big fan of wooden spoon puppets. With a very simple shape you have a great deal of room to play with details. These are the designs I came up with for the craft fair. Given a short time frame, I wasn't able to put in as many details as I had hoped. I may be able to upgrade them in future.

Book review - Gorilla Tactics

Title: Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions: Gorilla Tactics
Author: Sheila Grau
Genre: fantasy
Similar books: Fairy Tale Reform School series by Jen Calonita
                     Goblins by Philip Reeve
Rating:

Excellent Read

Summary (provided by publisher): The second book in this hilarious, illustrated series cracks the imaginative world of minions wide open, and we meet the other schools and Evil Overlords that surround Dr. Critchlore's. Runt Higgins needs answers, fast. Someone cursed him to die on his sixteenth birthday, but no one seems to know who cursed him or why. Runt decides he must find the Great Library, where all true knowledge is hidden. Unfortunately, the only people who know the location of the Great Library are a covert network of librarian-spies who'd rather die than give up the Library's secrets. And when one of Runt's professors is attacked, it soon becomes clear that others are also out to find the Library at any cost. Meanwhile, Runt's not the only one whose days are numbered. To save the floundering school from an inevitable sale, Dr. Critchlore takes some desperate measures. His master plan to save the school: a fashion show.

My opinion: Sometimes the second book in a series flounders. That is certainly not the case here. This is a solid, entertaining read. There's a decent recap of the events in the last book, enough to serve as a reminder if it's been a while since you read it but not so much as to become an annoyance if it hasn't. This book focuses on it's own plot while also building on the larger series plot, that of Runt trying to identify his origins. Characters are solidly portrayed with a little development. The book is infused with enough humor to keep it from becoming overly bleak or melodramatic. While foreshadowing in this volume seems to be hinting at some developments that don't thrill me, as it stands now this is a series I'll continue to eagerly recommend.
Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Graphic Novel Spotlight: Astronaut Academy

Astronaut Academy by Dave Roman

Initially, Astronaut Academy was the webcomic Astronaut Elementary. This is reflected in episodic style of the book. Connections between each episode are barely present at times, making this book easy to read in fits and starts. In fact, that's how I recommend reading it, each episode read and absorbed on it's own. Mull each over for a bit before moving on. Some are not very deep, more humorous than thought-provoking. We have scenes of dinosaur racing, school rivalries, the love of toys or snack foods. Then there are the hearts. Roman's portrayal of love, crushes, and heartbreak really sets this book apart. In the world of Astronaut Academy, when you love someone you literally give them one of your hearts. If they love you in return, they also give you heart, leaving each person with a complete collection of hearts. If many people love you, you may have an abundance of hearts and love. If your love is not returned, you are stretched thin, left slightly empty. And worst, if your heart is broken, it never fits right again. I've read those scenes repeatedly and it never fails to have impact. While certainly quirky, Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity and it's sequel Re-Entry remain some of my favorites are definitely worth a read.

Non-fiction book review - Helen Thayer's Arctic Adventure

Helen Thayer's Arctic Adventure by Sally Isaacs

This is a pretty cool story for kids. A great sense of adventure and danger but enough distance to keep it from being overly frightening.\. The level of detail is just about perfect for elementary age readers. The images weren't as polished as I might have liked but the subject appeal makes up for that somewhat. This wouldn't be the first non-fiction book I'd recommend, but given the right circumstances I could imagine directing a kid to it.

Book review - The Maypop Kidnapping

Title: The Maypop Kidnapping
Author: C. M. Surrisi
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
                     Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Rating:

solid

Summary(provided by publisher):A mystery has washed ashore at the coastal town of Maiden Rock. Quinnie Boyd's teacher, Ms. Stillford, hasn't shown up on the first day of school—or the day after that. Quinnie thinks it's a kidnapping case. Her mom, the town sheriff, doesn't believe her, but Quinnie's going to follow her instincts—even if she has to tiptoe around her mom to do it.
Quinnie's investigation will take her through a damp marsh, a lobster pound, and more of Maine's messiest places. On the way, she'll have help from her glamorous new neighbor, Mariella from New York, whether Quinnie wants it or not. As the girls hunt for clues around Maiden Rock, they'll encounter a swarm of cats, two nuns with a speeding habit, and a group of tattooed rocker-types who've been pigging out on lobster fries at the town café. And if Quinnie's hunch is right, the search may lead them right into danger .

My Opinion: The first thing to note is that the intended audience for this novel is middle grade. I'd go so far as to say young middle grade. Therefore, some simplicity in the plot and predictability are not unexpected. As a mystery, it follows investigative procedure fairly well. Quinnie looks at suspects, explores motives, and hunts for evidence. There is equal focus given to the mystery and exploring relationships, both with her mother and the new girl next door. This personalizes the story and gives the reader more to reflect upon. I could see this working well as a book club selection as there is plenty to discuss.
Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley