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Reviewed by Mary Anne Cree
Metis author and teacher, David Bouchard, brings us two more collaborative works of art, poetry and music from different First Nations cultures. Red Deer Press has also published Bouchard’s An Aboriginal Carol, The Drum Call...moreReviewed by Mary Anne Cree
Metis author and teacher, David Bouchard, brings us two more collaborative works of art, poetry and music from different First Nations cultures. Red Deer Press has also published Bouchard’s An Aboriginal Carol, The Drum Calls Softly and Nokum is My Teacher. In the latest two, Long Powwow Nights and The Secret of Your Name, Bouchard continues to explore his Native heritage and to convey the beauty and complexity of it to a Native and non-Native audience of both children and adults.
In four-line stanzas, the author remembers his mother and how she danced the traditional dances at the powwow. He speaks of her desire to express herself and give voice to her culture through her dancing: “I remember you mother — still vibrant and young / Dancing beneath the warm prairie sun. / I now know those days were an endless desire / That burned deep within you like the flames of our fire.” She dances for 20 years, passing on to her son her wisdom and the traditions that will be his. When she dies, he remembers her as his teacher and guide through life. Every other page repeats an eight-line refrain. The text is bilingual — in English (or a French edition is also available) and Mi’kmaq.
The art is the real star here — magnificent paintings done by Native artist Leonard Paul in the style of high realism. They are portraits of the dancers in full regalia, occasionally in motion. There is fine detail in the costumes and a pensive look in the faces. The final painting echoes the text, “Meegwetch mystic dancers — dark Ravens you were,” with a dark painting of a giant raven head and dancers by the fire under moonlight.
The book includes a CD with a reading of the story in English by Bouchard and in Mi’kmaq by Patsy Paul-Martin, and includes the song, Darling Don’t Cry, by acclaimed singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie.
Canadian Children's Book News (Fall 2010, Vol. 33, No. 4)(less)
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Reviewed by Wendy Mason Geoghegan
Among the plethora of reading guides, Good Books Matter skims to the top, surpassing many available resources. The book’s brilliance results from extensive research in genre applications, information and relevant cu...moreReviewed by Wendy Mason Geoghegan
Among the plethora of reading guides, Good Books Matter skims to the top, surpassing many available resources. The book’s brilliance results from extensive research in genre applications, information and relevant curriculum tie-ins. There are suggestions for in-class discussions, one-on-one discussions and chart examples that reflect and relate to the understanding and discovery of meaning through story contexts.
The seven chapters delineate awareness of progression in how we read, how we teach, how we share and how we learn from books in a multitude of ways. An informative and engaging introduction leads to units on teaching and discussing
children’s fiction, poetry, non-fiction, graphic novels, fairy tales and picture books. A variety of tales – realistic, cumulative, pourquoi, beast and modern – are explored, along with legends and epics. The celebration of multicultural diversity and the complexity of injustices, coupled with information about censorship, add to the depth of the book. Margin notes are carefully constructed to add further insightful and delightful information.
Canadian Children's Book News (Winter 2010, Vol. 33, No. 1)(less)
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Reviewed by Sara A. Spencer
Have you ever wondered why writers write? Which writers, as children, “liked to sneak out the window at night to play?”
Charis Cotter’s Born to Write: The Remarkable Lives of Six Famous Authors is muchan enticing mix of...moreReviewed by Sara A. Spencer
Have you ever wondered why writers write? Which writers, as children, “liked to sneak out the window at night to play?”
Charis Cotter’s Born to Write: The Remarkable Lives of Six Famous Authors is muchan enticing mix of book excerpts, family and life history and literary background of six influential authors: Lucy Maud Montgomery, Clive Staples Lewis, Elwyn Brooks White, Madeleine L’Engle, Phillip Pullman and Christopher Paul Curtis.
The layout of Born to Write is appealing and accessible to students in Grades 5 and older, as each of the six chapters are minibiographies. Each section includes background facts, book excerpts, archival and present day photos with fact boxes. Cotter researched further to expose the similarities between a wide variety of authors. The resulting ‘Echoes’ sidebars highlight comparable details of the authors’ life and their books in a fun way – for example, “Madeleine L’Engle and Christopher Paul Curtis both enjoyed the smell of books.” Cotter details how vivid childhood experiences, both joyous and tragic, truly affect the authors’ decisions later in their adult life, whether it is in their writing, or a life-altering decision.
This book is ideal for expanding a young reader’s knowledge of an author’s life history and their writing influences or introducing an unfamiliar author and encouraging a student to read any of the six authors’ books. A selected bibliography guides young readers to other resources detailing the writers’ lives. To learn more about Charis Cotter, visit her website at www.chariscotter.com.
Canadian Children's Book News (Winter 2010, Vol. 33, No. 1)(less)
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Reviewed by Trevor J. Froates
Gillian Richardson’s text Kaboom! is as explosive and enjoyable as its aptly chosen title suggests. Richardson grabs the reader’s attention from the very first page describing the nature of explosions. The text is fille...moreReviewed by Trevor J. Froates
Gillian Richardson’s text Kaboom! is as explosive and enjoyable as its aptly chosen title suggests. Richardson grabs the reader’s attention from the very first page describing the nature of explosions. The text is filled with interesting facts, dynamic photographs, beautiful artwork and plenty of historical highlights of memorable explosions in the past. Richardson keeps the readers interest and attention with her humorous yet educational writing style.
The text is divided into two “volatile “ sections: explosions in nature and explosions we create. In the explosions in nature section, the reader learns about explosions on earth – such as volcanoes, geysers – and explosions in outer space – such as supernovas and solar flares. In the explosions we create section, the reader learns about destructive explosions – which include gunpowder, dynamite, bombs – and constructive explosions – which include building demolition and internal combustion engines – and finally explosions that are just for fun, including fireworks.
Whether the explosion is natural or man-made, Richardson artfully illuminates the reason and scientific thought behind it. Young readers will be captivated with this engaging title as they learn about the many different kinds and causes of explosions.
Canadian Children's Book News (Winter 2010, Vol. 33, No. 1)(less)
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Reviewed by Lisa Doucet
Sixteen-year-old Del is far from excited about the prospect of spending her entire
summer in Germany with her older sister and her sister’s husband. Del views this trip as a punishment that has been inflicted upon her by her ...moreReviewed by Lisa Doucet
Sixteen-year-old Del is far from excited about the prospect of spending her entire
summer in Germany with her older sister and her sister’s husband. Del views this trip as a punishment that has been inflicted upon her by her parents who just don’t understand her and are clearly at their wit’s end. How much fun can she hope to have with Cassandra, the perfect older sister whose carefully organized lifestyle doesn’t allow for spontaneity – or mistakes? Fortunately Luise, the older lady who lives downstairs, offers Del a project when she asks her to read a set of old family diaries. Del becomes deeply engrossed in the story of a teen girl’s sad and difficult life in Hamburg during World War II. She also becomes very interested in Luise’s grandson Felix, who just might make this summer memorable after all – but only if Del can control her impulse to run away whenever things get tough.
As in her first novel, Run Like Jager, Karen Bass weaves two separate stories into this single narrative, allowing contemporary teens to relate to both Del and her modern day frustrations, as well as 16-year-old Garda, a pregnant teen struggling to get by in 1942. The challenges and hardships that Garda faced when shunned and sent away by her family are made very stark and real to readers of the present day. They will sympathize with both young women while being afforded an opportunity to read about the Second World War from the point of view of a frightened young German woman who struggled to understand what was going on around her even as her own small world seemed to be falling apart. While the drama in Del’s life seems somewhat overblown when viewed alongside Garda’s circumstances, this is a compelling read that offers teens two very different young women and their stories to ponder.
Canadian Children's Book News (Winter 2010, Vol. 33, No. 1)(less)
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Reviewed by Lisa Doucet
When it comes right down to it, Sioux Smith just knows that she is a bird in the midst of the “barrel of monkeys” that is high school. She takes pride in her individuality and her fairly cynical world view, and considers it h...moreReviewed by Lisa Doucet
When it comes right down to it, Sioux Smith just knows that she is a bird in the midst of the “barrel of monkeys” that is high school. She takes pride in her individuality and her fairly cynical world view, and considers it her mission to serve as her philosophy teacher’s nemesis. Between trying to avoid her lovesick admirer Tod and infuriating one of the jocks in her class on a semi-regular basis, Sioux seems to have her hands full.
However, she still manages to form an unlikely friendship with elderly Mabel Wilson after a bizarre encounter while doing research for a school assignment on suicide. Mabel mistakes Sioux for her own daughter Marie and, despite Sioux’s attempts to just forget about her, she can’t help but worry about the lonely old
woman. As the two start spending time together, Sioux gains some valuable insights into life from her new friend. However, there comes a point where she finds herself powerless to give Mabel the help that she wants and needs.
The relationship that develops between Sioux and Mabel is heartwarming and lovely. Sioux is a witty and entertaining narrator whose growing concern for Mabel is deeply touching. Readers will enjoy discovering, along with Sioux, that people are full of surprises, just like life itself. And while Sioux is left with more questions than answers about Mabel and what will become of her, her outlook on life is profoundly affected by their friendship.
Canadian Children's Book News (Winter 2010, Vol. 33, No. 1)(less)
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Reviewed by Rachel Seigel
Robin Schwartz should be happy. With famous talk-show host Mimi Schwartz for a mom, she’s got everything she needs to make her dreams come true. So why then, is she sitting alone in the dark watching endless reruns of her ...moreReviewed by Rachel Seigel
Robin Schwartz should be happy. With famous talk-show host Mimi Schwartz for a mom, she’s got everything she needs to make her dreams come true. So why then, is she sitting alone in the dark watching endless reruns of her mom’s show? When the bizarre discovery of an old high school ring sets her off on a quest to solve the mystery behind its origin, Robin finds herself in a tiny Nova Scotian fishing village where she discovers love, the truth of her background, and the startling secret that helped to make her mother a star.
Vicki Grant’s latest novel for teens is part mystery, part romance, and a humorous and thought-provoking read. Readers will be immediately intrigued by Robin. She has money and means, and the opportunity to be happy, but she appears to be deliberately miserable. She is friendless, uninterested and sarcastic, and she can barely bring herself to get up off the couch. As the novel progresses, readers discover that Robin is much deeper than she appears. She struggles with body issues and, despite having “everything,” she feels lonely, and abandoned by her mom. As Robin gets further along in her quest to solve the mystery of the ring, she discovers a great deal about herself, and is finally able to forge a tentative connection with her mother.
What really makes this novel work is the humour that Grant infuses into the story. With so many heavy, issue-based books on the market for teens, it’s refreshing to read a book that makes you laugh out loud, without becoming silly or losing sight of the message. Excerpts from Mimi’s talk show lead into each chapter, and they are both revealing and entertaining. Teens who are looking for a lighthearted and entertaining read will enjoy this novel, and thanks to Grant’s mastery, will come away having learned some valuable lessons as well.
Canadian Children's Book News (Winter 2010, Vol. 33, No. 1)(less)
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Ghost Ride
by
Marina Cohen (Goodreads Author)
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Reviewed by Rachel Seigel
Fourteen-year-old Sam McLean is none too happy about moving to an old mansion on the fringe of his dad’s old hometown. Desperate to be accepted by the cool kids, he latches on to Cody Barns, who’s known for performing wild ...moreReviewed by Rachel Seigel
Fourteen-year-old Sam McLean is none too happy about moving to an old mansion on the fringe of his dad’s old hometown. Desperate to be accepted by the cool kids, he latches on to Cody Barns, who’s known for performing wild stunts and then posting them on his blog. When Sam reluctantly participates in one of Cody’s ghost riding stunts, something goes terribly wrong. Soon after the accident, mysterious messages start appearing on Cody’s blog, and Sam is faced with a terrifying question: Who knows the truth about what happened that night?
This spooky new story by Marina Cohen – loosely tied in with The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – will grab readers from the beginning, and keep them hooked until the surprise twist ending. The town of Ringwood is a perfect setting for a ghost story, and it is more than fitting that the neighbourhood is referred to as Sleepy Hollow. There always seems to be something not quite right that Sam can’t put his finger on, and a creepy cast of supporting characters such as the odd neighbour boy and the old lady across the street contribute to the atmosphere in the town. Sam is a likeable and authentic character, and readers will completely identify with his desire to fit in, and his frustrations with his parents. Sam is also a thoroughly modern teenager, and his dependence on his cell phone and the internet will ring true with readers.
Reluctant boy readers especially will find this an enjoyable read.
Canadian Children's Book News (Winter 2010, Vol. 33, No. 1)(less)
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Reviewed by Trevor J. Froates
Theo Caldwell’s first novel, based on the legends of one of Ireland’s most famous heroes, is entertaining and inspiring. In a finely crafted tale, Caldwell keeps the reader on the edge of his or her seat as he explores ...moreReviewed by Trevor J. Froates
Theo Caldwell’s first novel, based on the legends of one of Ireland’s most famous heroes, is entertaining and inspiring. In a finely crafted tale, Caldwell keeps the reader on the edge of his or her seat as he explores the ancient world of Albion.
Finn the Half-Great grows up believing that he is the tallest and greatest person in the Emerald Isle. That is until Finn meets a real giant and struggles to understand his place in the grand scheme of things. When Finn learns of his father’s brutal murder at the hands of the Frost Giants, he vows revenge and sets out on an adventure of a life time.
Caldwell’s narrative genuinely captures the feelings of adventure, excitement and suspense. The story, though fast paced and plot driven, is full of detail that enriches the experience of the reader. The beautiful cover illustration by Victor Molev reflects the imaginative depiction of the story’s central characters, locations and mysteries.
Finn the Half-Great is a thoughtful story filled with humour and mirth that will enchant the reader from the very first page. I look forward to reading the next installment in this series that promises to keep readers spellbound for years to come.
Canadian Children's Book News (Winter 2010, Vol. 33, No. 1)(less)
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