Children's Book Reviews
Page Two of TwoThe Fall (The Seventh Tower Book #1) by Garth Nix
Scholastic, June 2000.Paperback, 190 pages
ISBN: 0439176824.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Popular Australian fantasy author Garth Nix
(best known for his novels Sabriel and Shade's Children,
both ALA list picks)
was hand-picked by Lucasfilm and Scholastic to
launch a six-book fantasy series, of which this book
is the first. Given just a few "seed ideas," Garth created a fantastical world
which has his trademark wit, style and emotional depth. In a world
where the sun never shines, 13 year old Tal is a Chosen of the Orange Order, one
of the many Orders who live in the Seven Towers.
The Day of Ascension is approaching for Tal, when
he may enter the spirit world of Aenir and bind himself
to a Shadowspirit, a magical guardian sworn to protect
its owner. But Tal's father has disappeared with the
family's only powerful Sunstone. Without the Sunstone,
Tal cannot enter Aenir, and will lose his Chosen status. What's worse,
he won't be able to find a cure for his mother's mysterious
illness, which he is sure can be cured by means from the spirit
world. Tal tries everything to find a new Sunstone: begging,
borrowing and even stealing. But during his attempted theft,
he is hurled away from the Seven Towers into a mysterious
icy land inhabited by fierce people who travel the ice
in large ships, hunting terrifying and bizarre creatures.
Wanting only to get home to save his mother and his family,
Tal sets out on the adventure of a lifetime.
Garth Nix is one of the most talented writers working in the Young Adult fantasy genre today. The Seventh Tower is fresh, original and has a compelling hero in Tal. Nix is especially good at plotting and with complex characterizations, none the less so because he is writing for a younger audience than, say, Shade's Children. The dialogue is crisp and funny, and the world which never sees daylight except above the mysterious Veil is a fascinating one. From the Sunstones, to the mysterious Shadowspirits to Tal's eccentric Great Uncle Ebbit who helps him at his Achievement of Music competition, the elements of this book are all intriguing. The next book in the six-part series is due out in just a few months, and readers, both children and adults, are sure to be clamoring for the next installment. Highly recommended.
--Claire E. White
Salsa Stories by Lulu Delacre
Scholastic, April 2000.Hardcover, 105 pages
ISBN: 006028000X.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Salsa Stories by Lulu Delacre is an outstanding book that
explains Hispanic culture through stories, and then adds to
our experience by including recipes for dishes that are
mentioned in the stories. Many young people think of
Hispanic culture as coming from a single country. Texas
youngsters may feel that most people who speak Spanish are
from Mexico, while New York young people may think most
Spanish speaking people come from Puerto Rico. Salsa Stories
shows the panorama of this culture from many different countries,
each country with different customs, climates, and cuisines.
On New Year's Day, Carmen Teresa is working in the family kitchen helping to prepare the ingredients for her mother's famous arroz con pollo. Family members and guests are arriving, there is salsa music playing, the men are playing dominoes and children are running around noisily. Dona Josefa, a doctor from the free clinic, arrives and gives Carmen Teresa a gift. The gift is a red book filled with blank pages, and there is an inscription inside. The inscription from Dona Josefa suggests that Carmen Teresa use the book as a diary. Carmen Teresa decides to put family stories in the book, and each person at the party tells a story from childhood. At the end of the book are the recipes mentioned in the stories.
The most consistent themes through all of the stories in Salsa Stories are community, family, and a truly touching respect and affection for the elderly. Each story teaches a lesson through action without being overly didactic. Flor's story tells about a young girl who admires her grandfather who loses all his belongings in a fire, yet goes on with his life in a cheerful manner. Abuelito's (little grandfather) story called "At the Beach" tells of life in Cuba, and how a young boy learns that telling a lie is a bad thing to do. Fernando tells a lie to his mother because he took a chance and went out on a dangerous reef with his cousins. He becomes so miserable when his mother believes his lie that he has to tell her the truth. All of the stories teach about principles and how doing the right thing can be a very positive, though sometimes difficult, experience. Salsa Stories is a really good book for understanding a culture and for getting a young person into the kitchen. It is an excellent choice for a fifth or sixth grade student.
--Sarah Reaves White
Star Wars: The Power of Myth
Dorling Kindersley, March 2000.Trade paperback, 48 pages
ISBN: 0789455919.
Ages 9 - Adult
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
All cultures have myths, and the myth of the
hero's quest is found in all major cultures.
Dorling Kindersley has produced a fascinating
book which takes the Stars Wars mythology of
American pop culture and contrasts and compares it
to other famous myths. The book takes the reader through
the multiple mythic elements: the Hero, the Call to Adventure,
the Wise Guide, the Magic Talisman, the Hero Partners,
Rescuing the Princess, the Escape, Reconciliation with
the Father and many others. The comparisons are
quite enlightening. Children will be fascinated to
learn how much Luke Skywalker has in common with
other mythic heroes, such as Aeneas, Siegfried, King
Arthur and Thor, and how Obi-Wan Kenobi
fulfills the Wise Guide role that Merlin did for King Arthur.
With colorful stills from Star Wars, beautifully
illustrated pictures of historical heroes, and fascinating
textual descriptions, Star Wars: The Power of Myth is
a wonderful and unique book which Star Wars fans
of all ages will enjoy, and which will also serve as a
useful tool for encouraging your child to learn more
about classical literature.
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