Children's Book Reviews.

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The Kite Fighters by Linda Sue Park
Dell Yearling, February, 2002
Trade paperback, 136 pages
ISBN: 0440418135
Ages 9-12
Ordering information:
Amazon.com

The Kite Fighters
by Linda Sue Park

Linda Sue Park is an author who should be welcomed by all young readers. Ms. Park speaks of the timeless problems of growing up: relating first to the family and later to the world that lies beyond. She gives an interesting and well-researched portrait of a historical period which will be of interest not only to the reader who comes from a western culture, but also to those who must deal with being from an Asian culture and living in a western-dominated culture.

The Kite Fighters introduces us to two Korean brothers who lived in medieval Seoul, in the home of what must have been a middle-class family. The two brothers are competing just like brothers do everywhere, and their main interest is in kite flying and kite building as a sport. Kee-Sup, the older brother, had received a kite for his birthday at the New Year's celebration. Everyone was counted as being a year older at New Year's, regardless of the month in which one's birth actually took place. Now, the oldest brother must represent the family in a kite contest and the younger brother, Young-Sup must watch. A chance encounter with the boy king brings its own kind of stress. Being a boy himself, the king commands that the boys make him a kite. From this moment a relationship builds not only between the two brothers, but between Young-Sup and the lonely boy king. The story of how each boy works out his own relationship to life both inside the family and in the only world they will ever know is inspiring. The Kite Flyers is sure to be enjoyed by young readers for its honesty and the adventure of entering another time and place.

--Sarah Reaves White

The Playmaker by J.B. Cheaney
Dell, February, 2002
Trade paperback, 307 pages
ISBN: 0440417104
Ages 10 and up
Ordering information:
Amazon.com

The Playmaker
by J.B. Cheaney

The Playmaker is a tale that takes the reader into the Elizabethan Age, when danger and mystery were the facts of everyday life and no one's future was secure. With the skill that comes from the intimate knowledge of a particular period of history, J. B. Cheaney, who has always nurtured a deep love for Shakespeare, pulls the reader into the violent and perilous life that an orphaned young person of fourteen is about to face. In order to prepare the reader for a time when Church and State were joined and to be of a different religion was to be suspected of treachery, the author sets the stage with an explanation of the peculiar politics of the time in the Prologue.

Richard Malory is faced with an enormous problem. His mother has just died, and before her death she had told him that he must find his long-lost father, but that the last person he should approach would be his father's sister. He should go to her only if he were starving. With no more than a letter of recommendation from his rector and teacher, young Richard Malory now has to find a way to survive, get a job and find his father. It is when Richard goes to see a bear and his trainer near a bear garden that the image of the powerful beast that can seem friendly and then strike with power and ferocity enters as a powerful image in the story. Richard finally ends up in the theater and after doing well in a reading arranged for by the Lord Chamberlain's Men, joins the group of actors, one of whom is known affectionately as "Will". While hiding from some unknown persons who seem to be intent on harming him, Richard learns about life as he takes on the many parts that an actor in a repertory company must master. Richard also learns about the meaning of honesty and friendship and how very difficult it is to understand what is the most honorable thing to do when life becomes complex.

Ms. Cheaney skillfully leads the reader not only through Elizabethan London, but also acquaints the reader with the language of the time. Just enough of the street talk and idioms of the time are incorporated into the dialogue to give a sense of the flavor of Elizabethan language, but one never feels as if the characters speak strangely. Not only does the author acquaint the reader with the everyday colloquial language, but one is led into an understanding of the plays of Shakespeare as well. The Playmaker is an absolute delight, from the Prologue at the beginning to the Historical Note at the end. Highly recommended.

-- Sarah Reaves White

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The Kite Fighters by Linda Sue Park

The Playmaker by J.B. Cheaney