Lucy has found the ultimate walk-in closet

I’ll bet you have got a closet.  What if you could actually step inside, and walk through it only to come out into a completely different fantasy world where animals could talk and time ran differently?  That is what happens for young Lucy during a stay at a professor’s house outside London during World War II.  A strange closet, or wardrobe rather, within that house is a portal to a lamp post in the land of Narnia, a country that has been terrorized by an evil White Witch.  The White Witch has cast a frigid spell upon Narnia, forcing all inhabitants to endure an eternal winter.  The Witch has both allies and enemies, and succeeds in winning the trust of one of the children, Edmund.  It is up to the other siblings, Peter, Susan, and Lucy, as well as some well-meaning animal friends, to rescue Edmund.  But soon their quest turns out to be great deal more complicated, resulting the greatest member of Narnia making ultimate sacrifice to help the children get their brother back.    

               

                For any reader looking for a deeply gratifying fantasy adventure does not need to look any further than C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  Lewis dedicates this book to his goddaughter Lucy, and writes as though he is actually sitting with her- or you, telling you the story, and leaving no question unanswered, making this a wonderful choice for a read aloud, book group, or an exploration in writing style.  Audiences will be able to easily grasp concepts within the story such as sibling rivalry, bad versus good, and sticking together; all the while wishing they could find their own little portal to fight alongside Aslan the golden lion or seek advice from the wise professor.  The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is actually the second book in C.S. Lewis’ famous seven-book collection, The Chronicles of Narnia, but it is such an enduring story that its excellence stands alone, allowing readers to fully enjoy the book without having to read the prior volume, The Magician’s Nephew, though they most likely will want to.  Readers who love series ought to add these classic tales to their personal libraries.  Ages 9-12

Lewis, Clive Staples.  (1950).  The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  New York, NY:  Harper Collins

ISBN:  0-06-440942-2

cover art link from ebay

Would you like to see a trailor from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe movie that was released in 2005?  Here you go! Enjoy!

The Troubled 12 year-old and Greek Mythology (yawn--well not really!)

A troubled 12 year-old learning Greek mythology sounds pretty boring right?  Well it's not.  Dyslexic Percy Jackson, also diagnosed with ADD, finds that Greek mythology isn't just made up stories.  They're actually true and he has to remember them well if he wants to survive.  Especially since Zeus thinks Percy is the one who stole  Zeus's lighting bolt!  On his quest to find the lighting bolt and to rescue a loved one, Percy meets monsters like Minotaurs, furies, and Medusa who are all out to get him.  If Percy fails his quest, then all hell will break loose and the world will come to an end.  Yikes, talk about pressure.  Hope you guys know Greek mythology well, if not, you can always learn it with Percy--that is, if he survives for long.

Review:

I loved the book because the author made Greek mythology contemporary.  It's more relatable to tweens and what's important is that the lessons are still there.  This book touches on issues like friendship, broken families, identity, and striving for goals despite the odds.  The Lightning Thief also has great riddles/mysteries to keep a tween's mind engaged.

Riordan, R. (2006). The Lightning thief.  New York: Hyperion Paperbacks for Children.

Ages: 9+

ISBN-13: 978-078683865-3

ISBN-10 078683865-5

Cover art link from http://www.rickriordan.com

Movie trailer:

Katsa's killing Grace

Summary

Katsa lives in a world where a person can have an extreme skill called a Grace. People with Grace are often exploited, which is the case for Katsa. Her skill is the Grace of killing. When she was eight she killed her cousin with one punch.  Her uncle, King Randa knows of her power and decides to train her in combat in order to create an exceptionally skilled assassin. Tired of her uncle’s abuse of her Grace Katsa creates a secret group that seeks justice over the exploitation and cruelty of power. In the midst of a secret mission she meets Prince Po. He can read minds and Katsa dislikes him instantly. Eventually Katsa agrees to help him free his cousin Princess Bitterblue from her demented father. Princess Bitterblue’s father has a Grace that proves dangerous to all but Prince Po. On her journey to save Princess Bitterblue Katsa discovers something new about her own Grace as well as her feelings for Prince Po. Katsa also discovers a secret that could potentially end all seven kingdoms. Grappling with all these new discoveries Katsa must resourcefully forge onward.

Review

Graceling brims over with adolescent anger and confusion as Katsa struggles to find her own way. The novel is about fighting for what you believe in and standing your ground even if that means going against an adult. In this way Katsa grows and becomes more aware of her true self. There is also a tumultuous awakening in Katsa after meeting Prince Po one that leaves her bewildered and exhilarated all at once. Graceling is a great story that introduces a girl who breaks away from tyrannical constraint to bring on her own righteous uprising. She is tough, quick-witted, and compassionate—in other words a girl to look up to.

Grades 8-12

Cashore, K. (2008). Graceling. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, INC.    

ISBN: 978-0152063962

 

 Cover art link: fay school

Travel to the North Pole with Lyra, her dæmon Pantalaimon, a talking polar bear, witches, and a wild hot air balloon ride!

Summary

The story begins in Oxford where 11 year-old Lyra and her dæmon Pantalaimon (a shape-shifting animal extension of Lyra’s soul) sneak into the Retiring Room at Jordan College to hide and snoop. Her mischievous behavior helps her save her intimidating uncle Lord Asriel’s life after she watches the Master pour poison into the ceremonial wine. Once she stops Lord Asriel from drinking it he quickly hides her in the wardrobe where she overhears him discuss the mysterious Dust with the scholars. Fascinated with Dust Lyra makes it her mission to find out what this mysterious substance is. However, some kids in her neighborhood are being kidnapped and when her best friend Roger is taken by the infamous Gobblers she intends to find them and rescue all the kids! Her attentions are temporarily diverted when she meets and later works for the stunning Mrs. Coulter.

Before she leaves with Mrs. Coulter the Master gives Lyra a mystical device called an alethiometer. Unsure on how to use it the Master simply tells her to learn it and keep it away from Mrs. Coulter. But Lyra’s journey doesn’t end there! After Mrs. Coulter shows her true colors Lyra does some investigating and runs away to the North Pole with the Gyptians who also want to rescue the missing children. En route Lyra meets Iorek a talking armored bear with great wisdom, who is hired by the Gyptians to aid them in their voyage. Close to their destination and traveling by hot air balloon Lyra and the rest meet with danger, excitement, and witches! Will Lyra succeed in saving the children, out run the deviously cunning Mrs. Coulter, find Lord Asriel, and discover what the mysterious Dust is? Pick up this book today to find out!

Review

The Golden Compass is the first book in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. Readers will attach themselves to the plucky heroine Lyra and her beloved Pantalaimon as they did with Harry Potter and his beloved Hedwig. Lyra is older beyond her mere 11 years and experiences extreme cases of danger and adventure. Lyra is an orphan who uses her wit and bravery to get to the bottom of the mysteries surrounding her. Though “tough as nails,” Lyra is also very compassionate and loving to all the good people and animals that aid her in her journey. Readers can easily sink into Lyra’s world of magic and mystery without feeling so far from home. And yet, there’s just enough distance to want to escape there on more than one occasion.

Grades: 6-12

Pullman, Philip. (1995). The Golden Compass. New York, NY: Knopf.

ISBN: 978-0-375-84722-6

Cover art link: Amazon.com

If you love the book here's a trailer to the film version, but be warned some say the book's much better . . .