Archive for the ‘Fiction’ Category
Sunday, August 26th, 2007
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| Author: | Diana Wynne Jones |
| Reading Level (Conceptual): | Children 8 and up |
| Reading Level (Vocabulary): | Children 8 and up |
| Genre: | fiction |
| Year of publication: | 2003 |
Once, one of my daughters was interviewed for an article about gifted children. "Sheesh," she sighed when she got off the phone. "People don't realize that just because a person is smart, that doesn't mean that she knows everything. We still need to learn things and learn how to do things."
Diana Wynne Jones is one author who understands that many children have the potential to be great wizards, but they need guidance or they can go wrong. And although they are able to teach themselves many things, in order to reach their full potential, they often crave time with mentors.
In The Merlin Conspiracy, we meet three potentially great wizards. Roddy and Grundo are children of the royal court of Blest. Roddy is the daughter and granddaughter of wizards; her grandfather in particular is dauntingly illustrious. Grundo is the scion of a single (evil) mother. Roddy babies Grundo because of his learning disabilities; could it be that she coddles him too much? In another universe, Nick Mallory longs to learn from Romanov, a wizard who was hired to kill him, but who decided to let him go. But everything Nick does seems to harm Romanov rather than ingratiate him. The Merlin Conspiracy is the story of how all three get to know each other and find ways of getting educated about their worlds in an organized way. |
My 12 year old and I are huge fans of Diana Wynne Jones. Although we did not love this story as much as some of her others, we still recommend it highly.
Other books we've enjoyed by Diana Wynne Jones
-- Emily |
| Similar books |
If you found this review helpful and/or interesting, consider supporting our book habit: Buy this book!: Merlin Conspiracy, The |
Posted in Conceptual: 8 and up, Dragons and/or mythological beasts, Fairy tales, Female protagonist, Fiction, Gifted, Reading level: age 8 and up, Science Fiction | Comments Closed
Saturday, August 25th, 2007
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| Author: | Terry Pratchett |
| Reading Level (Conceptual): | Children 12 and up |
| Reading Level (Vocabulary): | Children 8 and up |
| Genre: | fiction |
| Year of publication: | 1990 |
"What a GREAT ending!", sighed my 12 yr. old daughter, when she finished reading this book. "And it's by Terry Pratchett, so the sequel will be great too."
In this a tale of city cousins (members of a race of small and short-lived creatures called Nomes who consider the Arnold Bros. Department Store, est. 1905 to be their universe) visited by their country cousins (also Nomes, but ones who lived Outside before visiting the store), gentle fun is poked at organized religion, sexism, and rigid inability to think in general.
When the city Nomes finally realize that Final Clearance. All Sales Final! means that their universe, or at least, Arnold Bros. (est. 1905), is ending, they must work with their visitors to save themselves.
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Truckers is a celebration of technology, engineering, observation of the world, and adaptability to changing circumstances.
Highly recommended. Note that although much of the vocabulary in the story is not difficult, young readers may need help in understanding the numerous cultural references and descriptions of what went on in department stores in their heyday.
-- Emily |
If you found this review helpful and/or interesting, consider supporting our book habit: Buy this book!: Truckers (Bromeliad Trilogy: Book 1) |
Posted in Conceptual: age 12 and up, Culture, Dickensian, Fairy tales, Fiction, Gifted, History, Reading level: age 8 and up, Science Fiction | Comments Closed
Sunday, August 5th, 2007
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| Author: | Jules Verne |
| Reading Level (Conceptual): | Children 8 and up |
| Reading Level (Vocabulary): | Children 12 and up |
| Genre: | fiction |
| Year of publication: | 1864 |
A perfect novel for science geeks of all ages.
Brilliant geologist and his apprentice/nephew discover, de-crypt, and then, with their imperturbable guide Hans, follow the directions in a Renaissance manuscript
that describes how they can travel to the center of the Earth.
My 12 year old warns that the "old-fashioned" language might be off-putting to some, but that the story is so involving that it pulls you along. For young readers, you might want to start by reading the story aloud, or listening to the audio book. |
Although the scientific theory (that the Earth's core is not hot) "proven" by the scientists/adventurers
in the story has turned out to not be true, science lovers will appreciate the
intellectual discussions, the process by which the predictions of the professor and his less
sophisticated apprentice are laid out and then "tested" experientially,
and the warning against blowing up the Earthly space in which one stands.
(See also the Pottery Barn Rule, which could be
re-stated as, "Plan carefully before you blow something up.")
-- Emily
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If you found this review helpful and/or interesting, consider supporting our book habit: Buy this book!: Journey To the Centre of the Earth |
Posted in Conceptual: 8 and up, Fiction, Gifted, History, Reading level: age 12 and up, Science, Science Fiction | Comments Closed
Friday, August 3rd, 2007
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| Author: | Nick Ruth |
| Illustrator: | Sue Concannon |
| Reading Level (Conceptual): | Children 5 and up |
| Reading Level (Vocabulary): | Children 8 and up |
| Genre: | fiction |
| Year of publication: | 2007 |
This is a COOL book. It is a story about a boy named David who meets a wizard cursed into the life cycle of a monarch butterfly. David has to help reverse the curse to save the little wizard's world, the dreamland of Remin.
There are many neat, zany characters who jump in to help throughout their long journey, which leads deep into the depths and mysterious places of this new world.
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However, the story isn't just of adventure and evil, it's also a story of friendship and trust. In addition, it shows how powerful your imagination can be.
If you like stories like the Wizard of Oz, I think you should like this.
-- Fizzy, age 12
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If you found this review helpful and/or interesting, consider supporting our book habit: Buy this book!: Dark Dreamweaver, The (Chronicles of Remin) |
Posted in Animals, Conceptual: age 5 and up, Fairy tales, Fiction, Reading level: age 8 and up, Science Fiction | Comments Closed
Saturday, July 14th, 2007
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| Author: | Diana Wynne Jones |
| Reading Level (Conceptual): | Children 8 and up |
| Reading Level (Vocabulary): | Children 8 and up |
| Genre: | fiction |
| Year of publication: | 2005 |
Either Diana Wynne Jones must have had a truly rocky relationship with her uncle, and found that her mother did not protect her from him, or else she's just got a thing against uncles. In any case, evil uncles are major drivers of plots in Jones' intriguing set of worlds, as Conrad Tesdinic, the 12 yr. old narrator of this book, learns. Conrad's uncle is every bit as evil in his own ways as Christopher Chant's (who becomes the Chrestomanci in Diana Wynne Jones' universe) was to him.
A 16 yr. old Christopher Chant and his future wife, Millie, play supporting roles in this, the eventful, but not frenetic story of how Conrad avoids the terrible fate his uncle attempts to foist upon him and instead finds himself a mentor. |
My now-11 year old and I really enjoy our glimpses into Diana Wynne Jones' multiple alternative universes, in which the outcomes of historical events led to the preeminence of technology in some universes and the preeminence of magic in others.
Although Conrad's Fate stands well on its own, we recommend that readers enter this interesting and complicated universe by reading at least A Charmed Life and then The Lives of Christopher Chant before reading this one. |
| Similar books |
If you found this review helpful and/or interesting, consider supporting our book habit: Buy this book!: Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 6: Conrad's Fate |
Posted in Child-raising, Conceptual: 8 and up, Dealing with bullies, Dragons and/or mythological beasts, Fairy tales, Fiction, Gifted, Parenting gifted children, Reading level: age 8 and up, Science Fiction | Comments Closed
Wednesday, July 4th, 2007
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Posted in Animals, Child-raising, Conceptual: age 12 and up, Dealing with bullies, Dragons and/or mythological beasts, Fairy tales, Female protagonist, Fiction, Reading level: age 8 and up | Comments Closed
Saturday, June 23rd, 2007
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| Author: | Susan Patron |
| Illustrator: | Matt Phelan |
| Reading Level (Conceptual): | Children 12 and up |
| Reading Level (Vocabulary): | Children 8 and up |
| Genre: | Fiction |
| Year of publication: | 2006 |
As a lover of fairy tales, it was probably impossible for me not to love reading this sophisticated story, simply told, which pretty much turns every fairy tale convention on end:
- When my younger daughter was around 3, she was obsessed with learning how Cinderella's mother had died. In this story, we learn within the first few pages that our heroine's mother died when she was struck by lightening.
- In many fairy tales, the heroine's name has to do with her physical appearance. In this story, the heroine's name has to do with her fate.
- Most fairy tales abound in generalities and their language is very simple, even bland. Some groups are pushing to ban this Newbery Award winner because the word "scrotum" appears on its first page.
- In many fairy tales, the stepmother serves as villain. In this story, the heroine's father's first wife comes to Lucky's rescue -- she raises her after her "real" mother has died.
- In many fairy tales, the protagonist leaves home to seek his (it IS usually his) fortune. In this story, Lucky runs away from home, only to realize that she belongs with her stepmother.
And yet, The Higher Power of Lucky is a fairy tale, albeit a new-fangled one. A good one as well. |
Highly recommended for fairy tale lovers who are somewhat more worldly (older) than is typical. |
If you found this review helpful and/or interesting, consider supporting our book habit: Buy this book!: Higher Power of Lucky,The |
Posted in Animals, Child-raising, Conceptual: age 12 and up, Death is a central theme, Fairy tales, Female protagonist, Fiction, Gifted, Reading level: age 8 and up | Comments Closed
Friday, June 22nd, 2007
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| Author: | Eleanor Estes |
| Reading Level (Conceptual): | Learning to read |
| Reading Level (Vocabulary): | Children 8 and up |
| Genre: | fiction |
| Year of publication: | 1952 |
A brother and sister pick a dog, earn the money to buy him, raise him, and search for him for months when he is stolen.
Newbery Winner, 1952
My then-11 year-old guessed who the "Man In the Yellow Hat" was long, long before the siblings discovered the culprit. And, in fact, she became quite frustrated with the young protagonists as they searched for their dog in such a disorganized fashion. |
Nonetheless, we both found the descriptions of the children's life in a small town at the turn of the century charming.
Probably best for readers significantly younger than 11 and/or older than 20.
A great choice for a very precocious young reader.
-- Emily Berk |
If you found this review helpful and/or interesting, consider supporting our book habit: Buy this book!: Ginger Pye |
Posted in Animals, Child-raising, Conceptual: age 5 and up, Dealing with bullies, Fiction, History, Reading level: age 8 and up | Comments Closed
Friday, June 15th, 2007
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| Author: | George MacDonald |
| Reading Level (Conceptual): | Children 5 and up |
| Reading Level (Vocabulary): | Children 5 and up |
| Genre: | fiction, fairy tale |
| Year of publication: | 1873 |
A parable that preaches unquestioning loyalty to an inherited monarchy and being hospitable to strangers. |
Like At the Back of the North Wind by the same author, this one is a book that fails to transcend its times.
I found it nearly impossible to stomach from early on. My 12 year old became outraged by the ending.
-- Emily Berk |
If you found this review helpful and/or interesting, consider supporting our book habit: Buy this book!: Princess and Curdie, The |
Posted in Conceptual: age 5 and up, Culture, Dragons and/or mythological beasts, Fairy tales, Fiction, History, Reading level: age 5 and up, Science Fiction | Comments Closed
Wednesday, June 13th, 2007
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| Author: | Diana Wynne Jones |
| Reading Level (Conceptual): | Children 8 and up |
| Reading Level (Vocabulary): | Children 8 and up |
| Genre: | fiction |
| Year of publication: | 1991 |
A magical chemistry set unites the five children in a newly-blended family, and, eventually, helps three of them learn to respect and trust their new father, who is big and loud enough to be an ogre. |
As usual, Diana Wynne Jones successfully combines magical and mundane realities in highly creative and unpredictable ways.
-- Emily |
| Similar books |
If you found this review helpful and/or interesting, consider supporting our book habit: Buy this book!: Ogre Downstairs, The |
Posted in Child-raising, Conceptual: 8 and up, Fairy tales, Fiction, Gifted, Parenting gifted children, Reading level: age 8 and up, Science Fiction | Comments Closed
