Children's Book Reviews

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The Blue Ribbon Day by Katie Couric, Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Doubleday Books, October, 2004
Picture Book, 32 pages
ISBN: 1582348766
Ages Ages 9-12
Ordering information:
Amazon.com

The Blue Ribbon Day
by Katie Couric, Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

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 Randall
McElderry Books, September, 2004
Hardcover, 288 pages
ISBN: 0689866399
Ages Young Adult
Ordering information:
Amazon.com

Clovermead
by David Randall

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
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Children's Book Reviews

The Blue Ribbon Day by Katie Couric, Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

Clovermead by David Randall