Two Books for Young Readers

Years ago, when my children were young, I read two mystery books with them that I loved as much or more than they did.  I've thought of both books fondly many time over the years.

Finally, I decided to follow through my frequent intentions to reread both books and actually get new copies that I could give to the grandchildren--after rereading them myself, of course!

One held up beautifully, making me appreciate again the skill of Zilpha Keatley Snyder and the creative imagination of children.  First published in 1967, The Egypt Game  won a Newberry Honors Award and is included in NPR's 100 Must Reads for Kids 9-14.  We read it in the mid-1980's, and on rereading it this year, the only thing that dates the book is that children today are not allowed the same freedom to roam away from parental oversight as they were in the past.

The Egypt Game  

There are books written for children that may be loved at the time, but that are soon outgrown.  Then there are the books written for children that remain as enthralling at 60 as at six, or nine, or 12.

The Egypt Game deserves its role as a classic.  Z.K.S. has created kids that jump off the page and into your imagination and heart, and you find yourself wishing you could play with them, be a part of their games and, like Peter Pan, never grow up.

It is interesting to see the ethnic diversity Snyder includes in a book that is nearly 50 years old.  She explains the various "roots" of her ideas in the introduction, and  one of the roots of her story involves  children she taught in Berkely, CA--a mix of "American kids of all races, as well as a few whose parents were graduate students from other countries."  

While her idea for the Egypt game played by the characters in the story had roots both in her own childhood and that of her daughter, the characters in the book, she admits freely (and with pleasure) are loosely based on students she taught.

Book Description:  "The first time Melanie Ross meets April Hall, she's not sure they'll have anything in common. But she soon discovers that they both love anything to do with ancient Egypt. When they stumble upon a deserted storage yard behind the A-Z Antiques and Curio Shop, Melanie and April decide it's the perfect spot for Egypt Game.

Before long there are six Egyptians instead of two. After school and on weekends they all meet to wear costumes, hold ceremonies, and work on their secret code.

Everyone thinks it's just a game, until strange things begin happening to the players. Has the Egypt Game gone too far?"

The book is beautifully illustrated by Alton Raible with just the right amount of detail.

It is a pleasure to read, whether you are a child or an adult, and I recommend it highly!

The Westing Game which we also read at some point during that period, didn't hold up as well for me.  It is also a Newbery book and one still beloved by many.  

Book Description:  A bizarre chain of events begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing’s will. And though no one knows why the eccentric, game-loving millionaire has chosen a virtual stranger—and a possible murderer—to inherit his vast fortune, on things for sure: Sam Westing may be dead…but that won’t stop him from playing one last game!

The mysterious game, the clues, the reasons these particular sixteen people were chosen as heirs--I still like the idea.

However, in rereading, I found the most of the characters to be thinly drawn  and the writing  lackluster and overly complicated--this opinion is based on my second reading because all I remember about reading it the first time with my kids --is that I loved it.  

Because the book remained such a fond memory for so many years, I recommend that you read it for yourself, especially if you have kids.  The number of people who have read and loved it (and even reread, and loved it) far outweighs my opinion on this one.  



Have any of you read either of these books?  What do you think?

Legacy of the Claw (Book 1 of the Animas series) by C.R. Grey

Animas is the first book in this series by C.R. Grey.  The Animas bond links humans to animal, a mutual sympathy and understanding.

Bailey Walker, however, is one of those rare and unfortunate humans with an Absence.  He has not found his kin yet; not having awakened to his bond at his age means he is mostly an outsider, an object of ridicule, and a human with a tremendous sense of emptiness.

When Bailey is accepted to the prestigious Fairmount Academy, he has high hopes that one of the teachers, known for his skill in awakening and strengthening bonds, will be able to help him.

At Fairmount, Bailey makes connections with some true friends, something he has lacked before, but his hope that his bond will awaken has still not been fulfilled, and he senses something dark in the forest surrounding the campus.  At the same time, revolution is brewing in the city, as the leader of the Dominae's propaganda is inflaming the populace and encouraging humans to enslave their animal kin.

Things are getting dangerous, and Bailey and his friends are uneasy about the unrest.  Is there anything they can do to prevent this horrific threat?

I did not expect to enjoy this one as much as I did.  Written for a younger, middle-school audience, it nevertheless kept me interested.  One for the grandkids?  Very likely, but I will also eagerly anticipate the next in the series.

Read in June.  Blog post scheduled for Oct. 8, 2014.

NetGalley/Disney Hyperion      

Fantasy/Juv.  Oct.  28, 2014.  Print length:  324 pages.

The Truth Against the World by Sarah Jamila Stevenson

The Truth Against the World is an interesting ghost story. Olwen Nia Evans and Gareth Lewis, two young people a world apart,  connect through the internet.

In California, Olwen (Wyn for short) posts some of her puzzling dreams on her blog.  Her great-grandmother Rhiannon is terminally ill, and Wyn's life is shadowed by this imminent loss. 

Gareth, in London, has also been having strange dreams.   After a disturbing incident in Wales involving the ghost of a young girl near a grave marked Olwen Nia Evans, Gareth has had more than dreams to contend with--photographs show images that can't be explained and his phone seems to have a ghostly connection.

Gareth's online search for an Olwen Nia Evans leads him to Wyn's blog.  The two begin a conversation and discover that both families have roots in the same small Welsh village.

Wyn tells Gareth that her family will soon be visiting Wales to honor Rhiannon's wish to die there, in the village where she was born.  Gareth arranges to visit his great-grandfather in order to unite with Wyn and hopefully solve the mystery behind their strange dreams.

This YA/Juv novel provides an interesting plot with likable characters and a supernatural element that works well.  No gratuitous angst or sexual imagery.  No condescension to a false image of adolescence.  A neat little ghost story that both Middle Graders and adults can enjoy.

I particularly enjoyed the inclusions of the Welsh language and proverbs.

Read in January; blog post scheduled for May.

YA/Middle School.  June 8, 2014.  Print version:  360 pages.

Troll Mountain by Matthew Reilly

I've not read any other books by Matthew Reilly, but I gather that this is his first novel for young people.  It is entirely suitable for his audience.  Character development is limited, but it is the familiar hero's quest and meets all of the requirements for this genre.  

Book Description:  A dauntless young hero.An army of brutal monsters.An impossible quest.Journey to the mountain …In an isolated valley, a small tribe of humans is dying from a terrible illness.
There are rumors, however, that the trolls of Troll Mountain, the valley’s fearsome overlords, have found a cure for the illness: a fabulous elixir.
When his sister is struck down by the disease and his tribal leaders refuse to help him, an intrepid youth named Raf decides to defy his tribe and do the unthinkable: he will journey alone to Troll Mountain and steal the elixir from the dreaded trolls.
But to get to Troll Mountain, Raf will have to pass through dangerous swamps and haunting forests filled with wolves, hobgoblins and, worst of all, the ever-present danger of rogue trolls …The journey to the mountain has begun.  

And there you have it.  The novel is exactly what it says it is and is certainly something young readers might enjoy.  On the other hand, there is little character development (and Raf, the young hero, and Ko, the mysterious old man, are worth more development).  The adventures move too quickly and feel abbreviated.  Maybe it would make a good manga--it would certainly lend itself to illustration.  

Interestingly, this novel was published as a novella series first, then the three novellas combined for the final version of the novel.  Even as a complete novel, it felt rushed and awfully short.

An example of "fantasy light"--that will engage young readers, but leaves a lot to be desired for most adults.   

NetGalley/Momentum Books

Fantasy/YA/Juv.  May 20, 2014.  

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet

Chasing Vermeer   

What a fun mystery for middle schoolers!

Book Description:  This bewitching first novel is a puzzle, wrapped in a mystery, disguised as an adventure, and delivered as a work of art.

When a book of unexplainable occurences brings Petra and Calder together, strange things start to happen: Seemingly unrelated events connect; an eccentric old woman seeks their company; an invaluable Vermeer painting disappears. Before they know it, the two find themselves at the center of an international art scandal, where no one is spared from suspicion. As Petra and Calder are drawn clue by clue into a mysterious labyrinth, they must draw on their powers of intuition, their problem solving skills, and their knowledge of Vermeer. Can they decipher a crime that has stumped even the FBI?

What a fun mystery for middle schoolers!  I ordered this one for Mila, but I had to read it first.  I know, I know--but the book is not hurt in any way from pre-reading.

Art history, mathematical puzzles, problem solving, intriguing characters in Petra and Calder, and suspense are all included.  

I even ordered a set of pentominoes to go with the book.  We all played with the puzzles, although Mila didn't start the book because she was to involved with one of The Land of Stories books.

Ever wonder what inspired Tetris?

Did you know that Arthur C. Clarke included pentominoes in Imperial Earth?  

From the Amazing Mathematical Object Factory:  
The pentomino puzzle is a popular choice for a classroom manipulative to facilitate learning how shapes can be transformed or arranged in a predefined shape and space by simple rotation, reflection, and translation. The pentomino puzzle is readily available and also easy to make. It is a fun way for students as young as grade 3, to learn the basic concepts in tranformation of shape and space.

Want to try some pentominoe puzzles?    online puzzle form Scholastic        

I liked the book, the art connection, the introduction to pentominoes, the mystery, the characters.  It is a great book for the 10-12 age range, but I thoroughly enjoyed it as well.

My favorite mysteries for this age group remain The Westing Game Ellen Raskin and The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, but this one was fun, too.

Read in March

Middle School.  2012.  304 pages.

The Cheshire Cheese Cat by Carmen Agra Deedy

The Cheshire Cheese Cat:  A Dickens of a Tale is a delightful book for young and old, especially if you appreciate Charles Dickens.

What I liked:  almost everything!

I liked the story of Skilley the cat and Pip the mouse and their friends.  Skilley is a street cat, and he is delighted when a mouse infestation at the Cheshire Cheese Inn results in his being taken in as resident mouser.    But Skilley has a secret that he certainly doesn't want revealed.

Pip is a highly educated mouse who can read and write.  He loves big words, much to the confusion of his friends.  Pip discovers Skilley's secret, and the two develop a friendship that benefits them both.

And then there is Maldwyn, the Tower Raven who escaped and is being kept hidden.  Tower Ravens have been important at the Tower of London for centuries.  The legend that if the ravens leave the Tower, the kingdom will fall insures that they are highly valued and cared for.  Maldwyn regrets his escape, and Queen Victoria is very eager to have him returned.  (Today there are still the six ravens present  (as ordered by Charles II), plus some spares that occupy the Tower.)

I loved Pip and Skilley, the real characters who played small roles, and the allusions.

Quotables:

Pinch is a cat that the barmaid has renamed Oliver, but note the allusion:

"Pinch--Oliver?

Well, this was an unwelcome twist."

Some of Dickens' friends, including Wilkie Collins, Thackeray, and Edward Bulwer-Lytton visit the Cheshire Cheese Inn.  Thackeray loved red peppers which gave him heartburn.  The following quote references Thackeray's misguided decision to eat his beloved peppers and Bulwer-Lytton's The Last Days of Pompeii: 

"...Henry whispered, 'Be ready for Vesuvius.'"

On Thackeray's affection for red peppers, Dickens' comments:  "They will be the death of him yet."  And they did, actually, play a role in Thackeray's death, although Dickens' remark is just an amused comment on Thackeray's self-induced indigestion.

Can a cat and a mouse live together in harmony and friendship?  "'I have great expectations, said Mr. Dickens.'"

The above are a few of the allusions I caught.  Some are so obvious that no one could miss them:  "He was the best of toms..."  There are several I didn't mention, and more than likely, quite a few that I didn't even catch!


A Glossary of Terms at the end defines some of the big words (or archaic ones) that Pip uses, although Pip often explains them himself.  A great vocabulary builder for young readers.

And (for my friend Thomas), I enjoyed the information about Typeset at the end.

This is a charming book for people of all ages!  While  younger readers will not catch all the references to  Dickens and his friends, perhaps when Dickens is introduced to them, they will have a favorable "expectation" of enjoyment.  Highly recommended.

NetGalley/Peachtree Publishers

Mystery/Juvenile/YA.  2011.  256 pages.

The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson

The Mark of the Dragonfly

From the beginning, this novel caught my interest, and I found myself engrossed with the adventures of Piper, Anna, and Gee.

The young protagonist Piper is a scrapper and a gifted machinist. The inhabitants of her town all survive by scavenging for items deposited by dangerous meteor storms and selling them to traders.  Piper manages to 
eke out a living by scrapping and by repairing machines other scrappers bring her.  It is a bare subsistence, but it keeps her fed.

In an effort to protect her friend Micah, Piper races into a meteor storm and observes the destruction of a caravan that had foolishly failed to take cover.  On discovering that Micah has received a serious head injury, Piper investigates the caravan searching for medical supplies that might save Micah's life.  What she discovers is a girl, younger than herself, who has survived.  Piper manages to get both injured children back to the village, where she turns Micah over to his brother.   In her own home, Piper does what she can for the injured girl.

Anna, the girl, is a strange one with some obsessive habits, and she puzzles Piper.  When Piper finds the mark of the Dragonfly on Anna's arm, she is even more at a loss, but since Anna has lost her memory, Piper's curiosity remains unresolved.

When another survivor from the caravan shows up searching for the girl,  his presence reduces Anna to a quivering bundle of fear.  The man attempts to take Anna by force, and Piper reacts by conking him on the head with a pot; the two girls end up on the run.

Train 401 offers a way to escape, and Piper and Anna manage to board, but they are quickly discovered.   Gee, the security guard, knows the girls will be trouble, and initially wants to toss the stowaways off the train, but he is eventually convinced by the mark of the dragonfly on Anna's arm to allow them to stay.

Why does the man arouse such fear in Anna and what does he want with Anna?  What does the mark on Anna's arm mean?  What kind of danger awaits the girls and train crew?  

What a pleasant surprise.  Accepting ARCs is always chancy.  Some are excellent, some are entertaining, and some are--well--pretty bad.   For the YA/Middle School category, I count this one as excellent.  And when I class it as excellent, I mean that I think it will appeal to individuals well outside of the designated age group.  In my case, decades outside of the age group.

Johnson skillfully creates a sort of fantasy/steampunk world and populates it with interesting characters and plenty of action.

Piper is a great little heroine, complete with flaws, but with a sense of integrity and compassion.  Piper, Anna, and Gee all have something that sets them apart from the norm and must struggle to come to terms with these differences and to do what is right.

Read in January; review scheduled for March.

NetGalley/Random House Children's

YA/Juv/Fantasy.  March 25, 2014

Colt Humboldt and the Close of Death by T.A. Anderson

Colt Humboldt and the Close of Death

The first in a projected series for middle schoolers features twelve-year-old Colt Humboldt whose father has accepted a job at the Edinburgh zoo.  Colt is not happy about leaving Dallas and his friends, but he has no idea of the friendships and adventures that await him in Scotland.

Colt seems a pretty ordinary young man.  He whines a bit about the move away from his friends, but that is completely understandable.  He considers himself "medium" -- nothing outstanding in any way.  Circumstances, however, will make significant changes in his medium life, when two children stumble from his wardrobe.  Alesone and Peter, have just escaped soldiers in 1645, and now find themselves in Colt's twenty-first century.

I liked the kids and the mythology and folklore.  I liked the information about Mary King's Close (a close is like an alley or narrow street off the Royal Mile in Edinburgh).  

Overall, the book is an exciting adventure with lots of historic details thrown in.  I do feel that the author tried to throw in too much at once and sort of skimmed the explanations-- especially with the inclusion of so many of the creatures of legend and folklore:  the Brown Man of the Muirs, Redcaps, Shellycoats, Kelpies, Selkies, Wulvers, Brownies, Cu Sith, Cait Sith, Nuckelavees, Puddlefoots, and more.  Also thrown into the mix: a little Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert Burns. 

It is a long book, which is great, but perhaps some editing would have kept the script a little tighter.

There were a few things I questioned--like the way Alesone, a bright girl, failed to really question the way the city and its people had changed over the course of 400 years, but I enjoyed the book and will watch for the next in the series.

I'd love to know what the intended audience for this book think about it.  

Read in February.

NetGalley.

Middle Grade/Fantasy/Adventure.  Feb.  2014.  Print version:  456 pages.

Jim Morgan and the Pirates of the Black Skull by James Raney

I read Jim Morgan and The King of Thieves (a NetGalley ARC) and reviewed it here in April.  When Sarah Miniaci offered me the next installment, Jim Morgan and the Pirates of the Black Skull, my e-reader was in the shop, so she sent me a copy in the mail.  Thanks, Sarah!

I admit that I'm a sucker for pirate adventures, so even had I not enjoyed the first in the series (which I certainly did), this one would have appealed to me.

Many of you have probably given frequent thought to the quality of books for young readers.  I've always considered a good book for kids to be one that can just as easily enthrall adults.  There are many good books for young people out there, and I enjoy reading them.  

On the other hand, there are many books for this age group that are condescending or simplistic or poorly written or all of the above.  Good books for young people should be just as meaty and just as thoughtful as possible, I think, in order to secure their futures as readers.

Raney obviously realizes this, and I can imagine that he has great fun writing the adventures of young Jim, the brothers Ratt, and Lacy.  While I'm not fond of books that are patently pedantic or didactic, I do want a book for young people to touch on important values, to have a keen sense of the human flaws we all share, and to include examples of character growth. 

 Jim, our protagonist, has certainly come a long way from the spoiled young fellow that began the first novel.  In the Pirates of the Black Skull, we see Jim continue to struggle with dilemmas and difficulties, some of which are just part of growing up in general, but--because of all the adventure and magic--the importance of friends, of trust and trustworthiness, of responsibility, integrity, and accountability...can be the difference between life and death.

The trick is, perhaps, to present all of this without appearing to be preaching, to make the young readers come to these conclusions for themselves.  Kudos to Raney for letting his readers ride the adventure, aware of Jim's bad decisions, but hoping that he will realize his mistakes and correct them.  As adults, we are aware of what he is doing, but young readers will be able to incorporate these values in a way that blends easily with the adventure.

And there is plenty of adventure:  there are villains, monsters, liars, and betrayals; and there are steadfast friends and there is humor and suspense.

One niggling item:  I did get a little confused about the identities of the schemer, the thief, the warrior, and the sailor in Janus Blacktail's story.  I'll be alert to the appearance of Janus Blacktail in the next episode of Jim Morgan's adventures because Jim owes the mysterious cat a secret.

This was an ARC sent by Sarah Miniaci at Smith Publicity, but the ebook is available on Net Galley, and Amazon has the Kindle version for $2.99.  

If you have a penchant for adventure and/or are looking for good books for young readers, I can wholeheartedly recommend both Jim Morgan and the King of Thieves and Jim Morgan and the Pirates of the Black Skull.

Juvenile/Adventure.  Dreamfarer Press.  2013.  320 pages.