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Children's Book ReviewsPage One of ThreeThe Blue Ribbon Day by Katie Couric, Illustrated by Marjorie PricemanDoubleday Books, October, 2004Picture Book, 32 pages ISBN: 1582348766 Ages Ages 9-12 Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Ellie McSnelly and Carrier O'Toole are best
friends who decide to try out for the girl's
soccer team. Unfortunately, only Ellie makes the
cut, leaving Carrie feeling rejected and worthless.
Fortunately, she quickly finds another talent as she
and a friend enter the science competition and win
a blue ribbon.
Ellie and Carrie were first seen in Couric's The Brand New Kid, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller. The multi-talented Katie Couric, who is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist for NBC's Today show and Dateline NBC, is also raising two girls -- which no doubt gives her plenty of source material. This heartwarming story about girls remaining friends and realizing they can't be good at all things in life is told through catchy rhymes like, "Over here! Over here! Ellie heard Carrie shout. Carrie ran up to kick but instead she wiped out." Marjorie Priceman, a former Caldecott Medal winner, provides lively and colorful illustrations that help add emotion and fun to the storyline. This story will especially resonate with kids who are just getting started in sports, theater or an after-school activity. Clovermead by David RandallMcElderry Books, September, 2004Hardcover, 288 pages ISBN: 0689866399 Ages Young Adult Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
12 year old Clovermead Wickward is a precocious child,
with a kind heart. The daughter of Waxmelt, a seemingly simple innkeeper,
Clovermead dreams of adventures far beyond the confines of the inn.
But adventure is about to find Clovermead. Sorrell, a young man
who is a visitor to the inn
agrees to teach Clovermead swordfighting, which Clovermead
takes to immediately. But Sorrell seems to have some secrets; Clovermead
spies him being chased by a very large bear. Then a nun of the Lady Moon
passes through the area and has a vision, which Clovermead finds
very mysterious. When Clovermead finds a beautiful brooch,
her father admits that the brooch belongs to her. When a vicious
stranger recognizes Waxmelt as the man who stole a valuable gem
from the Queen, Waxmelt, Sorrell and Clovermead must leave the
inn and their comfortable life behind. Clovermead acquires a bear tooth,
which she wears around her neck and soon she feels a change coming over
her. Her powers are growing day by day as the lure of the tooth grows
stronger. Soon Clovermead is caught up in an epic battle between
the evil bear-priests of Lord Ursus and the champions of the Lady Moon.
David Randall's first novel is an unusual and riveting story with an engaging prose style and heroine who is within a hair's breadth of turning to evil. Randall's writing has a sly humor which helps balance the horror element of the bear tooth, which drinks blood and continually whispers to Clovermead that it wants more. Clovermead herself is an impulsive, clever, kindly, and sympathetic character with a bit of an edge to her, and her voice rings true. The themes of choice, responsibility and facing hard truths as we grow up are neatly hidden behind a gripping tale of adventure and magic. --Claire E. White Children's Book Reviews Page One | Page Two | Page Three Return to Book Reviews Index ** To visit the archives of children's books reviewed in The IWJ, please click here. |
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