BOTM for March is your pick!

[Jemima]

This MARCH the BOTM theme is Regional Books, and you need to choose a book you think or know works in your region, but you don't think travels well.

This is a change from our usual method of picking books, so I hope you'll join in. We've been discussing it on this thread, to get ideas of what we each might choose.

When you make your comments about it below, please stick to a pattern;
- the usual mini-review, followed by three specific questions
1. what made it special to your region?
2. why do you think other people outside your region might not take to it?
3. what do you think might make the story overcome regional barriers?

It's important that other readers can find the blurb for your choice so please remember to link it to the Goodreads page. [ book : title ] (without spaces)

If you'd like to recommend it to other Group members, you can also add it to our Bookshelf, using the link at the top right of the page.

Happy reading!

[Justine]

Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom in Katong is about a boy who likes mysteries and sees himself as the next famous detective. In the story, he helps his aunt locate her missing book of recipes, which has been passed down through the generations, containing traditional recipes of Peranakan cuisine. I didn't realise it when I decided on the book, but I knew the series has been around for a while, so I wanted to take the opportunity to read it. This book is probably more like a chapter book, ie it'll more suitable for a very young middle grader. There was a lot of Peranakan customs, food and clothes. As part-Paranakan, myself, I know the culture already. Although there is an glossary at the end explaining the terms used, I felt it affected the reading flow if you kept flipping to the back to understand what kaya is, or how is it possible that your great-grandmother is your mama's mum. To make it less regional, I would tone down the Paranakan's traditions, to a couple of key ones that is relevant to the mystery.

[Manybooks]

Justine wrote: "Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom in Katong is about a boy who likes mysteries and sees himself as the next famous detective. In the story, he helps his aunt locate her missing book of r..."

I actually would enjoy the regionalism, but I agree that a glossary at the book while interesting can affect reading flow (probably would have been better to have both a glossary and have the Peranakan traditions also explained within the text proper as footnotes).

[Rebecca]

As I threatened to do, I read Jemima's choice, Gangsta Granny, which is definitely not from my own region. It is a distinctly British book (and thank heavens, unlike most that make it this far west, has NOT had the British expressions and vocabulary all changed to US, which makes me crazy). I think both the humor and the whole story are pretty "regional," but I don't think (based on my own reaction) that there's any reason that it wouldn't be enjoyed all over. I don't think that the Queen is the limiting factor, but more that some people may not like the style of humour.

Frankly, I wouldn't change a thing. If the book does have a greater appeal for British audiences, that's okay. Trying to make it more "universal" would be sacrilege.

By the way, I got it from the library today, and read the whole thing this evening in about an hour and a half.

[Jemima]

Rebecca wrote: "As I threatened to do, I read Jemima's choice, Gangsta Granny, which is definitely not from my own region. It is a distinctly British book (and thank heavens, unlike most that make ..."

Oh, crikey - I haven't started it yet!

The next day...

I have now! It took me just over an hour to read (I put a 73 minute CD on and finished it before the music stopped), and that was even stopping to wipe the tears from my eyes as I laughed so much.

I think the story travels, and if people realise that Strictly Stars Dancing is a fictional Strictly Come Dancing, which is the UK version of Dancing with the Stars, they should get the rest. The take-offs are brilliant, and I imagine Craig Revel-Horwood (snarky judge) is delighted to be renamed Craig Maltezer-Woodward. I'm sure Anne Widdecombe (former MP and Cabinet Minister) is flattered by her portrayal as Dame Rachel Prejudice MP, although I'm amazed that her turn was pre-2011, which is when this book was published.

Even for non-Strictly fans, the laughter works on every level. Maybe the portrayal of the Queen stalking the corridors of the Tower of London at midnight gave her the courage to join in the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremonies accompanying James Bond to sky-dive into the stadium... Yes, ma'am, you were perfectly (and respectfully) portrayed.

It was completely un-put-downable, and I'm really anxious to read Awful Aunties now!

As for my questions in the introduction to the thread...
1. It was very British and made full use of British humour
2. It might be too stylised if you don't see much UK tv.
3. Anyone who knows a kid and a cranky boring grandmother will be able to relate to this. Or who is or has been a kid, and may now be a cranky grandmother who wears a lot of mauve clothes, with burgundy bedroom slippers. ;)

[Paula]

I had a really hard time choosing which book to use, but I think I found a good one: Nidstången. It's a heavily illustrated chapter book marketed for ages 9-12 and I've been a fan of the series since book one.

The story is about two boys who move to a small town to live with a foster family and end up making new friends and fighting magical creatures. They also have to work hard to adjust to small town life and bullying, their mother's alcoholism and small town small-mindedness are big parts of the story.

I actually think this could work outside Sweden (it has been translated to German and Spanish). There are a lot of similar stories about children discovering magic creatures in there own world, but the difference is that the creatures here are all based on local Swedish folk lore. Another difference is that other children's fantasy book (like Fablehaven usually takes place during vacations, but in this series the boys have to juggle school work and fighting magic. Bullies and school problems are just as important as the magic and having at least some understanding Swedish traditions and society is needed or some things won't make any sense.

Here is a link to "look inside" the book to see the illustrations: http://www.smakprov.se/smakprov.php?i...

[Rebecca]

Interesting, Paula! Those illustrations have a strong graphic novel feel, including the darkness of them.

[Rebecca]

Jemima, I can't say I was laughing out loud through much of Gangsta Granny, so maybe you have a point about needing to be up on British TV shows. I did figure out the Dance show thing, but of course the specific personalities were lost on me. I loved the queen, though :)

[Julie]

Jemima wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "As I threatened to do, I read Jemima's choice, Gangsta Granny, which is definitely not from my own region. It is a distinctly British book (and thank heavens, unlike..."

Too bad it hasn't been translated into English, as I think my students would like it!

[Rebecca]

Julie--I assume you meant to quote Paula? Or was that a joke about British vs. US English? :D

[Julie]

Oh, woops!! I'm so sorry! Yes, I did mean to quote Paula! Sorry about that!

[Rebecca]

Julie wrote: "Oh, woops!! I'm so sorry! Yes, I did mean to quote Paula! Sorry about that!"

It happens. The location of the "reply" button really does make it look like it applies to the post below. Poor design :)

[Manybooks]

Paula wrote: "I had a really hard time choosing which book to use, but I think I found a good one: Nidstången. It's a heavily illustrated chapter book marketed for ages 9-12 and I've been a fan o..."

Thank you for your review and pointing out that the novel has been translated into German.. Have just downloaded it on my kindle.