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

Vampires? Who cares!? Bring out the wolves!

Summary

When Grace was three years old she was pulled from her backyard by a pack of wolves. Before being devoured she stares intently at a wolf with piercing yellow eyes. The yellow-eyed wolf then guards Grace from the rest of the pack and when they back off he takes her home. She shares an unexplainable bond with this wolf and always looks for him. He too watches her. At fifteen a wolf attacks a boy in her high school and townsmen gather to hunt it down. Scared they may hurt her wolf she tries to find him. Unsuccessful she trudges home only to find a wounded naked boy at her back porch.  His name is Sam and his eyes are the same piercing yellow as her wolf’s eyes. In that instant she knows that this boy is her wolf. Grace soon finds herself romantically involved with Sam, but struggling to keep Sam human and the secrets of the pack could change her involvement with Sam forever.

Review

This novel is reminiscent to Romeo and Juliet as well as contemporary favorite Twilight. Stiefvator's well-written story involves an unconventional love affair that will entice tweens and teens. There is also a wonderful weaving of mythology surrounding the wolves. The novel is suspenseful, thrilling, and heartbreaking with intelligent and resourceful characters. 

Grades: 5-12

Stiefvator, M. (2009). Shiver. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

ISBN: 978-0545123266 


Cover art link: urbansophistication

Who is the Folk Keeper really . . .

Summary

Only a boy can be a Folk Keeper. Through cunning and devious behavior Corinna Stonewall changes her name to Corin in order to train and gain the position of Folk Keeper of Rhysbridge Home.  Keeping the Folk at bay requires various charms and in depth knowledge of the Folk and their malicious ways. Corinna prides herself at what she does, but worries about growing up and losing the ruse.  Mysteriously her hair grows two inches every night. She also has the ability to tell time. A dying man visits her and hires her to be the Folk Keeper at his estate called Marblehaugh Park. Excited by this new endeavor Corinna finds more than she bargained for at the now deceased man’s estate. Surrounded by the sea Corinna develops an interesting craving for fish, befriends the deceased man’s son, and learns of the hidden secrets of Marblehaugh Park. In grappling with the mysterious of Marblehaugh Park Corinna begins to open up to her true identity and link to the sea. Understanding what she is she must now make the decision to stay the Folk Keeper or relinquish her role in order to embrace the sea.

Review

This coming-of-age tale looks into one girls struggle for self-identity. Borrowing from the selkie myth this novel highlights Corinna’s self-denial and self-discovery by figuratively and literally shedding her skin. The Folk Keeper is a dark tale that includes murder, secrets, magic, and love. Corinna’s acknowledgement of her true self is a gripping climax that keeps readers going to the revealing end.

Grades: 4-8

Billingsley, F. (1999). The Folk Keeper. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

ISBN: 0-689-82876-4

Cover art link: Capitol Choices

A strange world, a strange school, and a strange kid. Now, that's my kinda book!

Summary

In a quiet English town Harry Potter lives under the stairs at his uncle and aunt’s house. His cousin Dudley is a spoiled menace. Ignored is how Harry is treated, but deep down he knows he is special. Harry receives a letter, which has never happened to him before. However, his uncle snatches it from him before he gets a chance to look inside. His uncle’s maneuverings cannot stop the owls from delivering Harry’s important letter. On the night before Harry’s birthday his uncle uproots the family to an isolated seaside cabin in an attempt to avoid the delivery owls. Later that night Hagrid, a half-giant half-human, breaks down the door and rightly gives Harry his letter of acceptance to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hagrid also informs Harry that he is a wizard and that his uncle and aunt have been lying to him the whole time. Harry travels to Hogwarts where he finds himself a celebrity due to the evil wizard Voldemort who brutally killed his parents, but could not kill Harry. He quickly friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Once at Hogwarts Harry is sorted into Gryffindor by the Sorting Hat. He also sees all the professors of the school as well as the headmaster Professor Dumbledore. Strange occurrences begin to happen around Harry as he comes into his power. With the help of Ron and Hermione Harry unlocks some of the mysteries surrounding him and finds himself closer to Voldemort than he ever realized.

Review

The great thing about this book is its protagonist. Harry is not extraordinary at school or even in his wand abilities. In fact he is rather average, but what sets him a part is his drive and motivation to learn. He has gumption and a set of great friends. Harry may be average, but really aren’t we all pretty average? He is accessible in that regard because he has to work hard to achieve the answers and skills he wants. Harry is a character worthy of any young person’s admiration. 

Grades: 3-6

Rowling, J. K. (1997). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.
ISBN: 0-590-35340-3

Cover art link: I Write A lot Blog

Here's a peek at the film version of the book, but it's up to you to read the book first and then watch the film or vice versa! Enjoy . . .

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 . . .