Back to School

New Mystery Series from Clements Makes School Cool Again

I am a big fan of Andrew Clements. I have read several of his books with my oldest son. They are smart and entertaining stories with well-crafted characters, plots and lessons. When I saw that Clements was writing a series I was a little interested. Then I discovered it was a mystery - very interesting. I decided to read it. not a very difficult deceision really.

“Keepers of the School: We the Children”

By Andrew Clements
For Ages 8 - 12
Think “Hardy Boys” as written by the author of “Frindle” – likable characters, interesting twists, a gold coin from 1783 and a mystery. Ben is a sixth-grader in a small New England town. His parents have recently split and his school has been sold to an amusement park company, which plans to tear it down. Now he reluctantly finds himself embroiled in a mystery and ready to defend and save the school. Rated 4.5 (intrigue, slow pacing, deep subject matter)

Most children have read Frindle by the time they begin fourth grade and are very familiar with Clements’ school stories. This year, when your children head back to school there will be a series of school stories waiting for them on the bookstore shelves. “Keepers of the School” follows Ben, a sixth-grader in a small New England town. His parents have recently split and his school has been sold to an amusement park company, which plans to tear it down.

On his way to class Ben finds the janitor having a heart attack. The janitor gives Ben a gold coin from 1783. It has been handed down through the years beginning with the founder of Captain Duncan Oakes School. It reads, "First and always, my school belongs to the children. DEFEND IT." A few hours later, the janitor is dead and Ben finds himself involved in a mystery surrounding the school, its history and the impending demolition. With the help of his friend Jill, Ben sets out to defend the school.

Clements does a great job creating likable characters with depth. Full-page and spot illustration in pen and ink add to the drama and excitement. There is even a pretty exciting sailboat race where Ben walks away a hero. This is a good choice for boys and girls looking for a mystery.

To Read, or Not to Read?

I have been a Shakespeare fan for a long time - probably since high school. Any time I see a book that uses Shakespeare in some way shape or fashion I can't help but read it. This one looked entertaining so I went for it. But that was never really in question.

“The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet"
By Erin Dionne
For ages 10 - 14
This middle school story features “mean girls,” Shakespearean scholars in full Elizabethan garb, a seven-year-old genius, a girl named Hamlet who wants nothing more than a quiet, boring year of school and a budding romance. Even in this crazy scenario Hamlet finds a way to stand out and believes in herself. It’s an enjoyable read with good character development. Rated 4 (teen situations, humor, Dali, Shakespeare)
Hamlet, except for her name, is a typical eight grade girl. She would like nothing more than a quiet, boring year of school. Of course when your parents are Shakespearean scholars who live, breathe and eat Shakespeare 24 hours a day it can be difficult to blend in. Throw in a seven-year-old sister who is a genius and will attending classes with you and your life will probably be anything but quiet.

The plot is fairly typical school story stuff with a budding romance, friendships and finding pride in one’s self. Throw in a couple “mean girls” and a strained sibling relationship and things begin to get interesting. Dionne does a wonderful job mixing humor and teen drama. The discussions of Shakespeare, Pollack and Dali keep things interesting. Hamlet’s character is well-developed and very likable. When Hamlet finds she actually has talent she learns that even in a family of extraordinary people you can find ways to stand out and be proud of yourself. This is a fun read that will be enjoyed best by middle school girls.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Pigs!

A couple years ago I reviewed a book titled, "Chickens to the Rescue." It was a silly adventure with some super chickens on the farm. My children giggled every time we read it. Recently I was in the bookstore and saw the follow up book, "Pigs to the Rescue."

“Pigs to the Rescue”

By John Himmelman
For Ages 3 - 6
If you read "Chickens to the Rescue" you'll find you have already read this story. Just replace everything with pigs. It's cute, silly and good for early readers. If you have not read "Chickens to the Rescue," you'll enjoy this story of pigs who try to help but seem to comically bungle everything. Rated: 3.75 (humor, early reading, fun illustrations)

Himmelman revisits the Greenstalk’s farm in this fun follow-up to “Chickens to the Rescue.” Once again the story flows day-to-day through the course of a week. Each day there is a problem and each day the pigs rush out to save the day. Whether plowing a field, rescuing a kite, or throwing duck a birthday party the pigs do everything in their power to help. Unfortunately for farmer Greenstalk, the pigs are a little too eager and take everything to the extreme. Instead of furrows they dig trenches. And poor duck is swept into the sky by a large bunch of balloons.

What makes this story really fun are the illustrations. The ridiculous outfits and situations are depicted with great detail. Study each picture for funny details, you’ll find plenty. “Pigs to the Rescue” is fun for any kindergarten or first grade student still learning to read and looking for a laugh.

Along Came a Spider

There was a time when I can honestly say I had a "fear" of spiders. Since having children I have learned to face my fears in the hopes I won't transfer them to my kids. My children can develop their own fears, they don't need mine. I may not be afraid of spiders anymore but I do still have a healthy respect for them, and I still find them freaky. So I have to admit it took me a while to begin reading "The Deadlies."

“The Deadlies: Felix Takes the Stage”

By Kathryn Lasky
Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin
For ages 6 - 9
"The Deadlies" is an "on the road" adventure with a family of misunderstood brown recluse spiders that don't measure up to their species' reputation at all. Misfits struggling to find a place to fit. This tale has a great message and good dialogue, but the plot meanders quite a bit. Rated 2.75 (spiders, bigotry, family relationships, humor)
While theaters are bombarded with previews for the animated adaptation of Lasky’s "Guardians of Ga’Hoole" series, her new book series was quietly placed on bookstore shelves. “The Deadlies” follows a family of brown recluse spiders who seem to be misunderstood, even among spiders. Felix and his family would never think of biting a human and, except for the mother, they are not very reclusive. They even made a theatre cat their god-spider.

Felix, the only boy in the family, is an artist. He loves music and painting. He does not want to hide and highlights the struggle of understanding even within his own family. When he comes out of hiding to conduct with the maestro at the grand symphony hall Felix is discovered and subsequently loses a leg. Fear of the exterminators who have been called in forces the family to move. After a couple moves and run-ins with discriminating spiders the Deadlies head cross-country to the Boston Public Library.
The story is about acceptance and finding a place where you don’t have to hide who you are. A good message to be sure, but it get lost in the meandering “on the road” plot with which even Bob Hope and Bing Crosby would have struggled. The bright and humorous dialogue, especially noted between Felix and his sister, is the story's strongest point.

My nine-year-old has shown no interest in "The Deadlies" and would probably be bored with it quickly, but my six-year-old may enjoy the narrative. I'll be interested to see where Lasky takes the characters from here and if she'll be able to add any pizazz to the premise.

Ode to Testosterone

Sometimes you pick up a story because the cover calls to you. Other times it is the title. Often these stories don't live up to the expectations. Occasionally they surpass them. With a goofy name like "Shark Vs. Train" I had no idea what to expect, but it looked fun on the shelf. I can honestly say this was one of those occasions that surpassed any expectations.

“Shark Vs. Train”
By Chris Barton
Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
For ages 3 - 7
Imagine two adolescent boys playing with toys in another room while you overhear the conversation. Now imagine the scene from the toy's perspectives. "Shark Vs. Train" will make you grin, smile and maybe even laugh out loud as it romps through boyhood machismo. Rated 5 (best for boys, humor, nothing objectionable)

Two boys race into the playroom and each grab their favorite toy – a shark and a train. It is not the beginning of a joke, rather the beginning of an uncanny account of adolescent imagination. My shark could beat your train! My train could beat your shark! I’m sure as a parent you can visualize this scenario with very little prompting. A parent’s perspective makes this story fun for the adult reader, but the toys’ perspectives make it a blast for everyone.

After the boys grab their toys we see everything through the eyes of the shark and the train. The battle to see who is the best powers through a variety of competitions: pie-eating, carnival rides, sword fight, hot air ballooning, burping and so on. That's right, you can't have an adolescent book of contests without at least one bodily function contest. At least this time it was burping. Each contest leads to another and another, and the action get crazier and more imaginative along the way.

The illustrations add to the fun with wonderful character development and visual jokes. Shark and Train are captured with the raw energy necessary to pull off this imaginative romp through adolescent machismo. The illustrations are paired perfectly with the the story to create an endearing ode to boys.

Know any boys that are having birthdays soon. Legos might be on the wish list, but "Shark Vs. Train" is a book they will read over and over again.

Biographies Can Be Cool

I am always looking for biographies that my children will enjoy reading. Other than the "Little House on the Prairie" series and "The Diary of Anne Frank," biographies too often have no style or pizzaz and children can't sink their teeth into them. So few children ever hear the amazing stories and get inspired by real people. Recently I found a book that I am recommending to everyone. If I had a vote on the Newberry Medal this year it would be for "The Dreamer."

“The Dreamer”
By Pam Munoz Ryan
Illustrated by Peter Sis
For ages 8 - 12
This is a tale of the power of the human spirit and how it thrives in words and senses and raises one young boy out of an abusive family and into one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. It is engaging, intriguing and beautifully written. Ryan's fictionalized childhood biography of Pablo Neruda may be the best book I have read this year.
Rated: 5
The Good: Thought provoking and well-structured story married with eloquent sensory details and vivid prose.
The Bad: The first few chapters are quite depressing and slowly paced.

"The Dreamer" is the fictionalized biography of Pablo Neruda's childhood. For those unfamiliar with this name, Neruda is the Nobel Prize-winning, and one of the most widely read, of the 20th century. Born in Chile as Neftali Reyes, Ryan meshes factual information with with an engaging story.

Neftali is a shy boy, often sickly, who from a very young ages sees poetry in the world around. Words and sounds seem to dance in his thoughts and carry him to other worlds. Neftali's spirit grows and thrives despite his fathers abusive negativity and totalitarian rule on the family. His only respite comes when his father is out in the jungle on business. The injustice Neftali feels at home opens his eyes to the injustice he sees happening to the indigenous Mapuche people who are being forced form their homeland, often beaten and even murdered. As Neftali grows he savors every word he reads and finds his talent for telling a story.

Ryan is eloquent in the telling of Neruda's childhood and savors the sensations and experiences of the world around him. Whether telling the tale of a swan shot by a hunter, or standing in the crashing surf as waves batter Neftali under the watchful eyes of his father the story is always poetic and rhythmic in the telling. Ryan intersperses poetry between the chapters that mimic Neruda's style as well.

This is an intriguing and elegant tale that begs to be read. The plot lines of social injustice, the power of words and abusive family situations never take over the story, but server admirably to keep the focus on the strength of the human spirit. This is a beautiful book and a must read.

Be Awesome!

Last week I wrote about playing superhero as a child and pretending to have powers that could save the day. It wasn't always superheros that I pretended to be. Sometimes I just pretended to be me, but "awesome." Generally that just meant being extra cool, like James Bond without the spy mission. That is why I could totally relate to the main character when I read a the first book in a new series by Lara Bergen.

“Sophie the Awesome”

By Lara Bergen
For ages 7 - 10
Think "Judy Moody" or "Junie B. Jones" with proper grammar. This tale of an adolescent girl with an abundance of personality who discovers her real strength will be most enjoyed by elementary girls.
Rated: 3.25
The Good: Authentic dialogue with situations and characters that are easy to relate to.
The Bad: Somewhat cliche storyline and character development.

Sophie is a lively third-grader that feels that her life is boring. She is in the middle of the pack when it comes to everything. She is neither tall nor small, she is the middle child, and she is only average at academics and sports. Don't feel too sorry for Sophie, she knows she is special. However, Sophie wants everyone else to know she's special too.

First things first, Sophie decides a name change is in order. Maybe she could be like the heroes in her books: “Nate the Great,” “Marvin the Magnificent,” “Ramona the Brave,” or “Harriet the Spy.” Thus Sophie the Awesome is born. Now she just has to prove to everyone that she is awesome. Living up to a name like that is not easy. As Sophie tries to earn her new name she finds that “awesome” may not be the perfect name for her, but she does find a good one that fits.

Bergen taps into the elementary schoolgirl's psyche with storytelling ease. The dialogue is authentic without being grammatically incorrect, as in the "Junie B. Jones" series. Fans of “Judy Moody” will also enjoy this series. Be sure to also read the second book in the series, “Sophie the Hero.”