picksandreadsforkids - Ages 11+ - Picks and Reads for Kids-A collection of hand-picked titles for children.

Now I Rise

6/8/2017

Now I Rise ( 14 + )
By ; Kiersten White
Publisher ; Penguin Random House ( June 2017 )

The much awaited sequal to the epic triology with an ultimate dark princess. It is as addictive as the first with an array of fascinating characters that enriches the plot; a continuation, meticulously detailed and absolutly riverting!

The story recreates an era in the Ottoman empire with a vivid and colorful imagination while retaining some precise periodical details. It further explores complexities in relationships. Lada, Radu and Mehmed, now in their prime, are all driven by their individual desires and duties. As they choose to go on seperate paths, they long for each others support, though they never receive it.
Lada, who lacks feminine wiles of any sort tries to seal her place in man`s territory by being a better villain than all of them, her need to be powerful, secure and respected is stronger than her love for Mehmed; the ruler of Turkish empire; though Lada`s vulnerability that lies beneath her fierce confidence is apparent to the reader.
She steps out of the Ottomans' land with few loyal men to lead towards Wallachia, her land, to secure the throne but faces many unexpected obstacles on her way. Wars erupt, betrayals happen, but Lada proceeds with knives on her wrists and the sword on her belt, with no allies to back her. Her burning passion for Mehmed and her deep sisterly love for Radu together creates the ultimate woman in Lada that the readers without doubt will admire and applaud for!

Meanwhile Radu, gentle and beautiful is torn between his love for Mehmed and loyalty to Lada though he proceeds to support Mehmed, in his desperation to be with him. Then Radu, being the expert in court politics is sent to Constantinople as a spy, where his humanity interrogates his allegiance to Mehmed and disturbs him deeply. His compassionate nature provides an imperative balance to this brutal and action-packed tale.

The dramatic presentation of the siege and court politics would leave readers on the edge. The parallel journeys of the siblings with their choices,failures and successes eventually weaves a rich work of fiction.
( With many thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGally for the ARC )

And I Darken ( Installment 1 )
By Kiersten White
Penguin Random House ( July 2016 )

Click for the Review

The Distance Between Us.

1/25/2017

The Distance Between Us ( Ages 10+ )
By : Reyna Grande
Publisher : Aladdin ( September 2016 )

Reyna Grande, the award winning novelist of "Across a Hundred Mountains" shares a glimpse into her agonizing childhood in Mexico and then as an undocumented child immigrant in America through this powerful memoir of hers; this is the young reader's edition of her original book ( A finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award). The story not only resonates with the issue of illegal immigration at points, It also reveals to the readers the evils of poverty first hand, and the amazing strengths of love and devotion to each other, as the three siblings journey together through an unbearably painful early childhood without the love and shelter of their parents.

As Reyna`s parents leave poverty-stricken Mexico to fulfill their American dream, the kids are left behind with their paternal grand parents. Not only do they miss their parents but they have to bear the cruelty of their grand mother, The children are mistreated and used as domestic aides. More than anything else,they yearn for the return of their parents. When their mother returns after several years the children are hopeful for a better life. But their mother fails to provide them with the care they need. Instead she leaves them for another man. They continue to live their forlorn lives in deep poverty, living in a cardboard shack with no flooring and with little water and food.
Several years later, upon the return of their father, the fate of the three siblings change. He reluctantly agrees to take three of them to the USA, where he is an illegal immigrant. Together they take up the utterly dangerous journey of crossing the border, with a "Coyote" to navigate them. The kids are made to run across the border in the dead of the night, scampering through the bushes and stumbling over rocks. Reyna`s story made me wonder about many other kids who are left behind by their parents - not really orphans but orphaned in many ways.

The second half of the story is about their life in the USA. Reyna, now ten years old, happens to enjoy the minimum comforts of life that they have; living in a one-bedroom apartment with carpeted floors and real solid walls to protect them. She struggles with her English at the beginning, pretends to be someone else to get the health care, and has to endure her father's drinking problems and his beatings. The readers could clearly sense her struggle to understand her father, whom she loves so dearly. However this new world offers her the possibility to dream! And her father teaches them to dream big. Reyna, through determination and commitment eventually realizes all her dreams!

What Reyna revels through her memoir is actually universal with over ten billion children living in deep poverty, and many such families splitting up over the same reasons of having to find work in more prosperous countries. The overwhelming feeling of emptiness and the longing that she shares with the readers all through her story emphasizes the impact of this damage.
It is a story that screams of children's need for parental care and of the exploitation of their utter vulnerability & innocence. On the other hand, the author inspires the young readers with her courage and her consequent triumph.
Grande`s beautiful and simple narration, rich with many tidbits and profound passages, sprawls across the pages and captures the reader. She would make us weep and hold our breath at times but satisfies the readers in the end.

Now I cannot wait until I get the adult version and my oldest reads this edition. I would like to to ask him, "What do you think would have happened to three of them if they didn't get to cross the border?" At a time when the hope for a border-less world for the innocent is growing further away, this book becomes a must read!

The Distance Between Us : Young Readers Edition

Iron Cast.

9/24/2016

Iron Cast ( ages 13+ )
By : Destiny Soriya
Publisher : Amulet Books ( October 2016 )

An intriguing historical fiction blended with some fantasy, the story recreates a period of the 20th century Boston through powerful imagination. Among mobsters and gangsters are brilliantly talented artists - hemopaths - whose afflicted blood enables them to create illusions through art. They are wordsmiths, songsmiths and thespians. They perform in the nightclubs at night and "pull jobs" on the street during the day. It is about dark and dangerous lives in Boston during the early 20th century; but the beauty embedded into their lives through fantasy will carry the readers into a different dimension.

For the wealthy and adventurous Corianna it is mostly the excitement and challenge that led her under the shelter of the gang leader who runs "Iron Cast," a night club. For Ada, a child of poor immigrants, who comes from a deprived class it is the absolute opposite, but they have one thing in common - they are both "hemopaths" - magically talented artists but painfully affected by their reaction to iron.Their heroism and devotion for each other are inspirational.

Hemopaths are not accepted among 'decent' society, thus limiting their choices. Johnny Dervish who runs the Iron Cast makes good use of them, but looks after them in return. The two girls together turn the city upside down with their con-art work, but when laws are passed to prohibit hemopath activities, everything changes. The Ironmongers and the Hemopath Protection Agency start snatching hemopaths off the streets. And finally when Johnny goes missing, the two girls realize that their lives are at risk and that their banishment to Haversham ( an asylum) is almost inevitable. Now the girls are on the run....................

The story delicately touches some poignant issues of early immigrants through its cleverly fabricated fantasy elements, while being profuse in revealing a darker side of the society with some wittiness. It`s rightly paced and beautifully written, cleverly keep the readers enthralled with suspense and romance. Soriya`s narrations are as elegant as the stage shows at Ironcast,
"Ada always started low, laying down loss and longing like a delicate lace. She kept her melody in the minor key, and for almost three minutes hers was the only sound in the room. Charlie`s horn started soft, for a few bars matching her tone, then he started drawing out a new thread, a vague sense of hope that Ada recognized from the first time she`d ever heard him play. She forced herself to focus,following his lead into a wistful place....."
With a unique plot and theme, a powerful friendship and blossoming romances this is an utterly entertaining story !!
( With many thanks to Amulet Books and NetGally for the ARC )

Furthermore.

8/17/2016

Furthermore ( Ages 9+ )
By : Tahereh Mafi
Publisher : Penguin Random House ( August 2016 )

A lyrically written fantasy adventure full of rich prose and imagination in plenty, it`s about a very "colorful" world where they live and breath on color! The readers will be carried away into a heavenly wonderland of Alice where they have a week long showers of "rainlight" and many months of "Sundance". And what place can a very plain girl who`s very ordinary have in such a world. Alice is interesting because she`s ordinary and in a very colorful world, being plain seems special. It`s only In this magical world we learn that Alice`s father had mysteriously gone missing. And that he had nothing but a ruler in his hand when he was seen last.

In the most lyrical way the story encompasses the complicated relationship Alice seems to be having with her mother. And how much she`s missing the parental affection and guardianship. Alice's love for beauty & nature,adventure and her bigheartedness is made evident to us cleverly by Mafi. These descriptive and slow paced early chapters of the book produces a very lively image of the mesmeric Ferenwood to it`s readers. The unique style of writing -third person narration- blends in well with the plot." Alice was an odd girl / Even for Ferenwood / Where the sun occasionally rained and the colors were brighter than usual / And magic was as common as a frowning parent " An atmospherically written tale where even the grass is characterized through Alice "She bent down to greet a blade of grass and whispered, "Hello, me too,me too, we`re still alive" "
Although I caught a whiff of stagnation in these early chapters ( The review was done based on a sneek-peek ) with a mystery to solve and a vivacious friendship to accompany, the readers can hope for an extraordinary journey along with Mafi through a magical land!

-The review was done by reading a short excerpt of the book.- ( With many thanks to Penguin Young Readers and Net Galley for the short ARC )

And I Darken.

7/13/2016

And I Darken (14+ )
By ; Kiersten White
Publisher ; Penguin Random House (July 2016 )

When Ladislaw Dragwlya and her younger brother Radu were dragged out of their bed chambers in the middle of the night they didn't think they were to be taken to use as detainees to maintain their father`s throne. But when they were abandoned in the Ottoman Courts by their own father, their lives change forever.
The story rediscovers Dracula from a different perspective. And questions what if Vlad the Impaler was a female? But obviously there is more to "And I Darken " than that. Could a book be so rebellious as this? It not only recreates history through Lada but captures human needs and weaknesses and their desires so perfectly. This is a brilliant historical fiction based on the 15th century Turkey and the surrounding areas.

However it is the story of Lada (Ladislaw) The daughter of Vlad Dracula; the Voivode of Wallachia. Lada; a different child from the birth. She possesses an enormous physical and mental strength than any other male or female child around her age. She learns that being fierce and fearless may be the only ways to protect herself and her weak yet beautiful brother. Lada is not pretty and she has to use every strength of hers to survive in the Ottoman Courts. It is a different culture a different religion and she is almost a non existent by being a woman. Lada wants respect, and the dignity of her country back. How she`s going to get these things is an intriguing tale to follow. At the point she was forced to marry,which does not happen in the end, she spat out her feral words to the old groom;
"On our wedding night / I will cut your tongue and swallow it / Then both tongues that spoke our marriage vows will belong to me / and I will be wed only to myself / You will most likely choke to death on your own blood / which will be unfortunate / but I will be both husband and wife and therefore not a widow to be pitied"

In the Ottoman courts Lada and Radu meet their match; another unwanted, Mehmed; the third son of the Sultan. Together they grow up in the beautiful and serene city of Amasya. Away from the main courts. Lada still remains brutal, mean and stubborn; using these as protection shields for herself and her brother. And the author describes Lada to us as;
"At her hips was her sword / and on her wrists were her knives / Her spine was steel / Her heart was armor / Her eyes were fire "
Though at the beginning Lada desperately tries to deny her womanhood in fear of appearing as weak, she slowly learns that there are many kinds of feminine powers. Their days pass somewhat calmly without any direction and being unaware of what would become of them. Lada still holds on to her pouch containing an Evergreen spring and a pressed flower she carried from Walachia close to her heart. While Radu accepts Ottoman`s Land as his home wholeheartedly and converts to Islam. Youthful spirits of the three young people keep them occupied as they tell tales about ancient tombs and explore around. With Lada becoming friends with Janisseries and learning swordsmanship from them. However their peaceful days come to a sudden halt when they learn about the demise of Mehmed`s two older brothers.

When Mehmed suddenly becomes the heir to the throne they enter into a whirlwind of dirty political activities with treason,schemes and backstabbing. The rivals pushing all possible tactics to assassin Mehmed - And their lives being depended on each other - Every step and every move has to be carefully guarded. However Radu`s well planned intelligent measures and Lada`s watchful eyes, accompanied by her well armoured hands, creates Mehmed`s path to leadership. Their horrific experiences and the threats they encounter leave them to wonder about what matters to them most and in the end what they may have to sacrifice to fulfill their desires.

If Lada is the devilish one then Radu is quite the opposite; innocent and sweet natured. And Mehmed is Lada`s equal in many ways.Although their love for each other changes as they grow. Which also reflects the complexities in the human nature..
Well developed, powerful and daunting characters are accessible to the reader. The story is narrated with alluring descriptions and dialogue and keep the readers arrested till the end. The coming of age of the youth is represented through the three young people in the story as they try to understand themselves. There is suspense,cruelty love and lust in all shapes and colors from rainbow to deep red.

The descriptive settings and the rich contents that touche many aspects of the era - from it`s wars,court politics,harems and society - would obviously lead the readers to learn about the real history of the Ottoman empire.The story also touches Islamism with an open mind but does not discuss any religion too deeply, though it explores complexities of human relationships and it`s nature in depth. Absolutely mesmeric,fascinating and original!! The saga will continue and I cannot wait to read the next one.
( With many thanks to Penguin Random House and Net Galley for the ARC )

The Otherlife.

6/17/2016

The Otherlife ( Ages 14+ )
By : Julia Gray
Publisher : Penguin Random House ( July 2016 )

What is lying there between the "other life" and "this life"? Maybe a thin line of powerful imagination and intelligence in plenty. Ben and Hobie, fueled by their extensive supply of fresh thoughts, take us across their fascinating world of mythology.

It`s dark, gloomy and tragic. But it sounds very real! Even those gods of Asgard and monsters: Baldr; the handsome god, Fenrir and Skoll; the wolves, Loki the mischievous one; the son of a giant. Frigg mother of Baldr; who travels across the world asking every single living thing to not harm her son! They all came to life in Ben`s mind slowly but fully as he learns the "other language" -Old Norse- from his beloved tutor, Jason. However, the long forgotten 'Otherlife' comes back to him a few years later. On the wake of a heavy metal night, in the wee hours of his first day of GCSE, he receives a message from the messenger god "Hermodr" about a death . Ben is disturbed and wonders who died! With his flustering visions of gods and his throbbing headaches, he tries to continue his normal schedule but feeling too distressed and lonely he decides to contact his beloved ex- tutor Jason who had helped him immensely in the past - and that`s when he hears a shocking news. Ben is determined to find out everything that happened.

Ben is a poor, talented, intelligent and lonely teenager who`s also deeply troubled by his parents' marriage issues. Their quarrels and his mother`s obsession with Ben`s exams and her constant reminders that he has to maintain his scholarship, altogether causes an unbearable pressure on him. He finds his solace, in the night by sleep walking, by day with heavy metal music, pain killers and through the mythological world introduced to him by Jason, the kindhearted and understanding young tutor whom Ben loves so much. And now, those gods of Asgard seem to guide Ben in the absence of Jason.

Hobie, on the other hand is a mischievous, energetic and self-centered boy, sometimes a class bully, wealthiest at the wealthy children`s school, with a stable household and steady parents. But he is frustrated and unhappy about his life, again thanks to his ambitious mother who`s obsessed with his scholarship and overprotective of him. His only comforts, before becoming friends with his classmate Ben, were rugby, playing "cruel" tricks on others and extensive indulgences into lavish food available abound in his household.

The story comes to life through Ben`s memories and Hobie`s diary. The tricky story lineup keeps up the captivating effect along with riveting detail and rich atmosphere. It reveals the complexities of a heavy demanding, highly competitive and forlorn student life as it cleverly brings out the downside of an almost outdated education system. The young people who would recognize the dark humor and mockery of the author`s descriptions ( " ...Miss Flower who had been reading an Excel spreadsheet from a wedding catering company while pretending to mark some books,..." ) may find some fun amongst those gloomy pages of Ben`s life.

Hobie wants to become friends with Ben for at first he seems to be different from others. Later, because Ben has something he doesn't have: " The Otherlife" - Hobie wants that too... ; Hobie describes the rest of their "8 Upper" class as "Super-geeks, the 'Greekists', the teeth-grinding, book-toting weirdos, the Gifted and Talented lot who can't even speak properly, some of them because their brain works too fast for their mouths." As days pass, their friendship moves into a trusting platform where Hobie`s love and admiration for his friend grows deeper and he becomes more caring. But their good times end too soon. Hobie`s beautifully written diary is at times funny, annoying and traumatic, and sometimes heart-breaking. It will entertain readers and keep them engrossed. And it will assure that with all his mischievousness and bad tricks, we still adore Hobie and grieve for him.

One could feel the enormous amounts of power and spirit blocked inside these young boys; and their need to be free of it all as they pace across the wilderness around Davella Hall;Horbie`s country house, pretending it to be Asgard lands and believing in their dreams, hearts beating to heavy metal music. Their innocence and vulnerability are so obvious to any adult/talented reader who, while sympathizing with them, may wish that they had mothers who understood them better.
Years later Ben returns to Duvalle hall wanting to know the truth and to solve the mystery of Jason`s tragedy guided by the dead metal heroes and his Norse gods......... In the end readers will weep not only for Baldr but for Loki as well.

Ben and Horbie along with the others in their world will linger in the back of our memories long afterwards. A sparkling fantasy-mystery! Beautifully written and heartbreaking, full of vivid and extreme characters that address YA readers as well their parents.

( With many thanks to Penguin Random House and Net Galley for the ARC )

The Imagination Box.

5/17/2016

Beyond Infinity : The Imagination Box.
(Ages 10+ )
By : Martyn Ford.
Publisher : Faber & Faber ( April 2016)

Here is an author who possesses a very efficient 'Box of imagination', obviously overflowing with a fantastic array of ideas; revealing the amazing possible beauties and terrors of science & technology through an adventures, mysteries and action-packed fiction. A treat for young tech-freaks but definitely entertaining for others as well; the book is spiced up with all possible flavors and colors! Although this is the second installment in it`s series the story stands alone.

Eleven year old Tim is a highly intelligent but a lonely orphan living with his adopted parents in their guest house. His parents lately became too occupied and busy with their work to pay attention to him at all. The awesome and life changing "Imagination Box" invented by Prof. Eisenstone could provide him with anything he wishes for! All he needs to do is simply wear the mind reading helmet and do a bit of clear and descriptive thinking about his wish. But it is an unresolved wonder why the device only reacts to Tim`s thinking.

However, when Tim breaks Prof. Eisenstone`s rule and takes it to school, things become complicated. He notices many strangers who seem to be staring at him. And then the box gets stolen on the road. Tim decides to find it back for the Professor. As more and more people gets involved and offer him help, Tim gets caught up in a tricky whirlwind of activity. With TRAD (Technology, Research and Defense Agency) people, Businessman Fredric, TV presenter Samantha , the possible existence of a Mind Surfer, and with hi tech 'EcoRama' phones everywhere around the world, Tim finds it hard to trust anyone. His very own creation with the Imagination Box, the finger monkey "Phil" and his only friend from his class "Dee", the granddaughter of Prof. Eisenstone, teams up with him in his search. Dee is a girl addicted to her phone and tries to spend as much time as possible playing her game in it. But she stands by Tim when troubles start. Phil, Tim`s beloved finger monkey keeps company to the lonely boy and keeps him entertained.

Timothy Hart is a beautiful creation by Martyn Ford. In a world powered and driven by utter greed steering some into evil acts, Tim tries to keep his head straight; He tries not to be blinded by greed nor does he use his device to hurt anyone. And tries to be as righteous as possible. He feels nervous about having to do his school work with the help of the Imagination Box. And realizes that creating Phil maybe wrong. The maturity displayed in Tim is very useful in delivering the intended message about self discipline and proper use of technology. Some journalistic thoughts embedded into the story seems sometimes irrelevant yet has very little effect on the story flow.

A fast-paced page turner, and an exciting mind-blowing read for talented readers !

( With many thanks to Farber&Farber Publishers and Net Galley for the ARC )

Beyond Infinity : The Imagination Box

Wolf Hollow.

5/4/2016

Wolf Hollow. ( Ages 11+ )
By : Lauren Wolk.
Publisher : Dutton Books for Young Readers( May 2016)

The story commences with such a moving confession by the protagonist about loosing her childhood innocence to an "incorrigible" class bully Betty Glengarry. Written in the words of Anna, an innocent country girl, in a lyrical language beautiful and entertaining, but one may feel helplessly miserable at the same time about the tale Anna unravels.
Annabelle tells us everything we wish to hear about her rural country setting and how the second world war effected their unruffled country lives through her innocent and simple narrations. " The talk was of concentration camps / Which I thought at first meant places where people went to think hard thoughts" Wolk`s absolute attention to detail,her use of language and her line up of incidents makes "Wolf Hollow" such a tempting bait altogether.

Her story is filled with many people spanning three generations of young and old, yet assures to introduce them properly, so that we know them, maybe as much as Anna does. Anna`s introduction of her mother turns as " I wasn't afraid of my mother / though despite how hard she could sometimes be / She had forgotten what it felt like to ride a swing up into the sky / To stop hoeing at the first sign of a blister to expect anything to be easier than it was. / She had been seventeen when she `d had me / was only twenty eight the year I learnt how to lie."

The early chapters of the book hints us of the coming of age of an innocent girl through the complexities she`s compelled to encounter, but us readers can hope for an intellectually matured girl who`s brave and protective yet aware of moral values by the end. Wolf Hollow addresses bulling issues as much as it is a historical classic and thus will stay close to children of any day.
-The review was done by reading a short excerpt of the book.- ( With many thanks to Penguin Young Readers and Net Galley for the short ARC )

The Search for the Homestead Treasure.

4/23/2016

The Search for the Homestead Treasure
By : Ann Treacy
Publisher ; Univ. of Minnesota Press ( May 2016)

An alluring depiction of a young boy`s journey through a painful and arduous life! Intriguing and beautifully written, complete with an amazing friendship and a mystery to solve.

Fiction involving history requires preciseness as much as imagination. Undoubtedly, the author has done justice to the characters in her story from this lesser known era, which spans from the 1860`s to 1904, and provides a glimpse of three generations of the earliest farming communities in Minnesota.

Ann Treacy has cleverly embedded information about the two early generations into the third generation, where the child protagonist is from. Fourteen year-old Martin moves into an abandoned homestead owned by his father`s family with the burden of his brother`s tragic death in his mind along with his father, great aunt, a highly depressed mother and a saddened sister. Above all he misses his old life and friends in Stillwater.

The homestead was previously owned by his grandparents, Swedish immigrants. Except for his father, the whole family - including his aunt at a very young age - had died of diphtheria. Martin finds the diary of his long dead aunt in an old trunk. Fascinated by her writings, he continues to read it. Aunt Cora`s diary keeps him company, while offering readers more information about this era. Some clues about the treasure provided in her diary also will keep readers engrossed, but Martin is too preoccupied to pay much attention to these clues at the beginning.

The mystery of the treasure is very much a subplot in this story. The focus is more into the tragedies faced by Martin and his family. All of such incidents are interwoven by the portrayal of Martin`s hopes & hard work and by Cora`s diary.The story is spiced up by Martin`s meeting of his gypsy friend Simon through whom the colorful life in a Gypsy community is revealed. A friendship that has to be kept a secret. And the entertainment culminates with the slight though innocent romance between Martin and the beautiful gypsy girl Ruby. The story progression introduces many supporting characters to charm the reader, from the superstitious and caring aunt Ida to the greedy banker Meehan. Treacy is so descriptive about these characters that we could easily picture these people and loose ourselves in her story.

Young readers will be fascinated by the details about these early settlers and their hardships. They will be awestruck by the heroism and courage of Martin in his confrontations of those obstacles. While Martin`s mother dozed on "patent medicines" in grief, and his father bed-ridden from an unexpected work accident, Martin`s powers of early manhood are tested again and again through many challenging incidents, at a time when running a homestead in itself was far more challenging than today. One cannot stop but admire the boy as he learns and takes up his duties and then sympathize with his yearning for the guidance of a grown-up. The help offered by Samson that has to be kept a secret and how their friendship strengthens with the passing of each day is obviously a pleasing sight for the readers.
How Martin`s character develops into a well matured and an independent young lad is very much appealing. And Simon's development into a literate and insightful boy obviously satisfies the reader. Martin and Samson are two well tuned characters which also showcases the author`s capabilities.

A dramatic and well-paced tale, rich with an array of incidents involving vivid characters. It will surely keep the readers absorbed, loving and admiring the two heroic boys and wishing that they will uncover the treasure sooner.
(With many thanks to University of Minnesota Press and Net Galley for the ARC in return for a honest review)

These Dark Wings.

3/20/2016

These Dark Wings (Ravenmaster Trilogy) ( Ages 11+ )
By : John Owen Theobald
Publisher : Head of Zeus ( Feb., 2016)

Anna Cooper is an orphaned twelve year old girl; her mother was killed in the Blitz ( it is believed that her father died in the North Sea). She is sent to live with her uncle, whom she never knew of, and he is the "Ravenmaster" in the Tower of London. Ravens are important, she was told, especially with Hitler trooping up on the other side of the channel. "If the Ravens leave, the kingdom will fall"

John Owen Theobald with his story takes us seventy five years backwards and further into the cold, dark and gloomy Bloody Tower, to a war torn era where Nazis were shedding blood all over London.
It is narrated in the words of Anna who is naive but courageous. She is deeply saddened, lonely and distressed about having to live in a mysterious Tower where many secrets are held and under the scrutinizing eyes of the Tower Warders. At the beginning the Ravens were her only companions, and she feels imprisoned rather than protected. Readers are reminded again and again about these tragic circumstances of Anna and through her, the tragedy of war. The author`s brilliant literal descriptions are clever enough to imprison the reader with Anna in the Tower of London.

Theobald is deglorifying Churchil`s war in the context of how it affected the fates of thousands of children and women, revealing every bit of it through Anna`s eyes. A war may not be explored with children beyond it`s glories, heroism and the utter suffering of those affected. What is above that is naturally a grownup`s business. The author seemingly has recognized these intellectual constrains in creating his story so cleverly, while being generously informative. Young readers will get to learn a lot about war-torn England during the second world war and about the history of Tower of London, but through an astonishingly chilling work of fiction!
His powers of imagination are quite apparent as he describes the almost seventy-five years old war. "Fire rains from the sky./ Torches rise from the city to greet it./ Everything is lit,the flames beacons for further destruction./ The fire`s own wind churns up glass and sparks./ Below us roars a huge semicircle of fires / London bubbles and smokes,like a pot of boiling stew."

The story picks up it`s pace slowly, building up curiosity at every page-turn and then turning into fast-paced fiction. Anna finds the tower life mysterious, with one Raven missing and another one killed and left in the tower premises. She overhears suspicious conversations about her parents. She wants to find the truth about everything; what happened to Mabel (a Raven) and is there a spy in the Tower? Who is the German who came to meet Warder Yeoman Oakes at Traitor`s Gate in the night? What actually did happen to her mother? With many unanswered questions in her mind, she faces her dreadful days ahead as the war heightens and more bombs fall, spending many nights in the shelter with the stench of reeking urine and feeling cold. Amongst all with rationed food she feels hungry all the time.

Anna`s classmate from the Tower school and "Partner in crime" Timothy Squire brings light to her life as they occasionally creep out of the Tower and explore the city and it`s debris together. They spend more and more time together, wandering around, telling tales, feeding Ravens and worrying about their futures and lives, as some of their classmates die and get injured in air raids. Anna gradually becomes attracted to Timothy who, in those gloomy days is her only ray of hope and happiness.

Theobald`s character development, text and his use of language is astounding. At one point when Anna meets Timothy Squire after a separation of several months, it is written "I walk the steps ,unsure. A man in a tweed blazer and hat stands at the west gate / He leans on an umbrella / For a second I`m reminded of Churchill,the first day he came to visit./ This man is tall, and much thinner than the prime minister / As I step closer I realize it is not a man at all / It is a boy/ In his time away he appears to have grown,his cheeks ruddy from the country./ My smile is huge and wide and probably terrifying."
The story comes to an end in a high note, which is also the beginning of the next installment of the series," These Dark Wings"
(With many thanks to Head of Zeus and Net Galley for the ARC in return for a honest review)

These Dark Wings

Knights of the Borrowed Dark.

3/4/2016

Knights of The Borrowed Dark
( Ages 11+)
By : Dave Rudden
Publisher : Penguin Random House - April.,2016

Irish author Dave Rudden in his "Knights of The Borrowed Dark", the first part of a fantasy adventure trilogy in the same name, proves himself to be an expert storyteller. Rudden strongly grasps his readers by his exceptional powers of imagination and marvels us with his skillful crafting ability; it is exhibited through the storyline, use of language,writing style,characters,their development and through many other aspects of his story. You`ll be caught on the first page itself and will not be released till the last!

Brave and fierce Denizen Hardwick and fearless Simon Hayes have known each other almost all of their lives. They have been raised at the Crosscaper Orphanage, since they were around 2 years of age. The lives of the two friends are completely changed with the arrival of a note from the director of the orphanage which read that Denizen's aunt- an aunt he never knew he had - has been in contact and that he will be taken away for few days, on his 13th birthday. And a deep-black mysterious car growls out through the open gates of Crosscaper with Denizen in the passenger seat.
He is pushed into another world that he never knew of, a world where a secret society of knights-the Knights of the Order of the Borrowed Dark- battle the evil forces of the Endless King who rules a kingdom in another dimension. The prospect of a terrifying war looms ahead, with the Endless King himself threatening to cross over to our world. The Knights must rally together to face this menace, while at the same time try to stop it before it starts. Denizen must play a key role in this endeavour, a role that will lead him to finally discover the truth about his parents, and start his own journey as a Knight of this secret order.

Meanwhile, Simon has to also fight for his survival, back at the orphanage; A group of Tenebrous, the evil creatures from the kingdom of the Endless King, have taken over and made everyone else at Crosscaper their prisoner. Simon has to use his knowledge of the orphanage, his own survival skills and powers that he never knew he had, to stay out the creatures' grasp.

An exciting tale of horror, heroism, loyalty, and friendship, where the author focuses on the view point of the two 13 year old boys as they try to stay alive and fight back. At the same time, they are trying to deal with the kind of conflicting emotions that readers of the same age can clearly identify with: Denizen finding himself attracted to Abigail, a young Knight-in-training, while initially being unsettled by her presence and his need for making his own decisions while also desiring the acceptance of his aunt.
The story keeps up a fast pace from the first chapter, and will be the kind of page-turner that will appeal to girls as well as boys .Followers of J.K Rowling and Rick Riordan are sure to fall for this. And the book promises to be the start of a highly successful series.
( With many thanks to Penguin random House and Net Galley for the ARC in return for a honest review)

Knights of the Borrowed Dark

Spooks and Scooters.

1/2/2016

Marsh Road Mysteries-3: - Spooks and Scooters. ( Ages11+)
By : Elen Caldecott
Publisher : Bloomsbury ( Feb.,2016)

The third book in the exciting Marsh Road Mysteries series. Where Flora, Sylvie,Minnie, Andrew and Piotr turns into better detectives than the detectives themselves.
Sylvie and Flora the twins, live with their mother and are looking forward to spend their holiday with their father when they are informed that it is cancelled. The dismayed girls later learn that the blueprints of their father`s latest invention, of a very special scooter, were stolen.
Their father is devastated. And he`s under the risk of losing his job. It`s certain that it is now in the hands of Drillax.; the kids were clever enough to figure it out. But how did it go there?
The two brave girls with their friends, Andrew, Piotr and Minnie sets off to work immediately. There are many suspects; from the business partners to the girls' father`s girl friend. And there`s Wendell the detective to hold them up. They don`t have much time left, only until the next special board meeting of the company; where the other partners might vote off Sylvie and Flora`s father if they wont solve the mystery behind the lost blueprints. By following clues, moving ahead and sometimes taking wrong turns but, being sharp ,determined and experienced, they are bound to be winners.

The book also subtly addresses complicated family relationships and accepting a new person into a tight circle between a parent & children. And the story is written in simple language with very realistically defined characters. The settings, office atmospheres and chaotic episodes are cleverly expressed through phrases simple but helpful in creating the imagery and suspense. Although this is the third book in a series, the story stands alone and one can easily pick up how the relationships work through the information provided. It`s fast paced, gripping and suspenseful to the last page.
(With many thanks to Bloomsbury Publishers and Net Galley for the ARC copy in return for a honest review).

A Nearer Moon.

12/31/2015

A Nearer Moon ( Ages 9+)
By : Melanie Crowder
Publisher : Atheneum Books ( Sept.,2015)

An enchanting lyrical tale of sisterhood! Their devotion tested by separation and illness. Luna and Willow live in a magical land in the tropics; where Seraya trees grow and rustle their leaves to the rhythm of the wind; where Pulai trees around the waters drip their humid tears. A river flows, it bells and it swells, it surges and it swirls all the way to the unwanted dam from where the water droplets creep and had created the swamp. The river dives deep underground probing through tunnels of granite for a place to rise.
Along these lively waters lay a village on stilts where Luna and Willow belong; where they live with their mother and granny Tu. It is believed that the swamp water is cursed by a creature that lives beneath the slick, lying on the water; and a mouthful of it would make anyone sick with a mysterious wasting illness, ending their life in three weeks.

Fearless and adventurous Luna is not ready to believe such stories, but to row down the river looking for adventures with her counterpart Benny or her little sister Willow. On such an adventurous tour Luna moves her boat closer to a forbidden area by their mother in the swamp, sound of their laughter echoed through the water to the deepest point, a small creature erupts and throws just a handful of water to cover little Willow`s mouth......

The times before the dam appeared, there lived Perdita and Pelagia, two young and vivid water sprite twins with many other sprites, they danced in the water currents and frolicked in the frothing tips of the waves. Many summers ago all of them but Perdita left through a magical door to a world that the humans had not discovered. The magical door lasted only for a short moment, just long enough for all the sprites to leave the world. Perdita was carefree, playful and adventurous, and just like Luna, she loved her sister, Pelagia dearly. Her playful nature and love for adventure made her miss that special moment of passing through the door, leaving her alone and miserable, parted from her beloved sister..........

The story moves in two-folds, telling us the story of Luna and Perdita, each chapter unfolding the lives of water sprite and of human, their desperate need to be together with their beloved sisters, and their struggle to learn the magical powers lying in their land-those that Luna never believed in; her willingness to explore the dangers powered by her love for her sister.

The mesmerizing beauty of this story left me awestruck! The fantasy world she has created is out of this world but one can visualize it through her amazing descriptions; it will carry us all along their waters with Luna and Perdita. An absolute feast of language! And a must read.

My Diary from the Edge of the World.

11/29/2015

My Diary from the Edge of the World.( Ages 9 +)
By : Jodi Lynn Anderson.
Publisher : Aladdin ( Nov ., 2015)

A dazzling piece of literature.full of magic and adventure.
The story is narrated by a 12 year old girl,through her diary; a typical adventurous and a curious girl-the kind of a child who`s waiting for a mystery to appear by her doorstep. A girl who would get her bones broken! Maybe a "Tasmanian devil" or a "Mrs Bungles". Probably she got it from her scientist father.
But Gracia Lockwood is a faithful, generous girl who loves her family; she`s a good girl.
The author has created the most magical yet approachable settings for the story that would make it also our story .
The Lockwood family, Father, Mother, Gracia , her sister and brother live in Cliffden, Maine.These`s a McDonalds and a Wendy`s across the road on Route 1. But her world is more exciting than ours, it`s a place where Dragons roam along with Sasquatches and other fantasy creatures -from fairies and mermaids to giants. Dark clouds roam around you; when it`s time for your death! And you`ll be carried away by those dark clouds. upon death; it`s always better to be carried out by a dark cloud than turning into a ghost and live in the Underworld.
But when a dark cloud hovers outside Gracia`s house,it`s time for them to run and escape .Her parents believe that it`s after her brother. So they flee for a better world;which is believed to lie beyond the edge of the world where you don't have to pay guardian angels to protect yourself from haunts. Adventure begins through the journey and tested are the facets of love and commitment for each other.
The rich settings ,Wholesome characters and the powerful plot compliment each other in creating this exquisite gem of a book.

The Girl Who Walked on Air.

11/5/2015

The Girl Who Walked on Air (Age 11+)
By ; Emma Carroll
Publisher ; Farber & Farber (August 2014)

Follow your dream no matter how hard it is and you could become a showstopper!!
Lively and vivid a beautiful historical adventure.Heart thumping and showstopping language at it`s best!
The author has selected a gripping theme in a suitable setting about a girl who was abandoned at a circus (as a baby) being adopted by the circus master and how she`s working towards realising her dream.