The Prince of Fenway Park by Julianna Baggot
I thought the packaging for this book was very misleading. I did not anticipate a fantasy. It is the story of twelve-year-old Oscar, an adopted child of mixed racial parentage, whose adopted father turns out to be an elven descendant of the enraged Red Sox fan who originally cursed the team in 1919. There turns out to be many Cursed Creatures living under Fenway Park: a Banshee, Weasel-man, three odd aunts and even a Pooka. When Oscar arrives, he becomes tied to them, and must break the curse or it will forever endure.
I would not have stuck with this book if it wasn’t on OCL Mock Newbery list. As it is, I merely glanced over the last few chapters. It wasn’t the subject matter; I could see what Baggot was going for. I’m a baseball fan. I got it.
It wasn’t for lack of a few interesting characters. The potential was great.
It wasn’t the commentary on race, though it was a lot in your face in the beginning. Or race in professional baseball. I really like what she was saying about parents failing to address race with their kids. They think it doesn’t matter and so doesn’t warrant discussion. How wrong they are.
It was the writing.
It never drew me in. It was too long.
I thought the Door to the Past played its role when Oscar first visited Babe Ruth circa 1919… but no! When Oscar repeatedly tried to get the red thread from an even younger Babe, the concept was abused. I thought the Pooka ride was the climax. But no, there was a ridiculously drawn out conclusion involving a Field of Dreams baseball game.
I almost threw the book from my bed several times in frustration. This is the first book on the list I wanted to renig on.
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
So how to explain Leviathan? It is set during 1914 in an alternate world in which Charles Darwin discovered biotechnology. So the British Empire was built on the backs of strange, fabricated beasties while the Germans and the Austro-Hungarian Empire bulked at such blasphemy and relied on machines instead, earning them the title of Clankers.
Reading it on the heels of Howl’s Moving Castle, I couldn’t help but imagine the book coming to life in the hands of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. The was an element of mecha anime – the “clanker” machines used by that walk around like AT Imperial Walkers (think of Howl’s Castle). Then imagining the blend of machine and animal employed by the British; what the creators of Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke could do with that!
It is the first in a series of three books (published October 2009, 2010, and 2011) and one full-color guidebook, The Manual of Aeronautics. It includes illustrations by Keith Thompson “because back in 1914, almost all books were illustrated, and I wanted it to look and feel like a book from that period. Plus, there are so many weird animals and machines in the world of Leviathan that I wanted to show them” (Scott Westerfeld).
According to the Akron-Summit County Public Library, “Steampunk is a genre with a huge underground following… but it has yet to become mainstream. Scott Westerfeld may help to change that. His newest title, Leviathan, takes history, fantasy, adventure, animals, Star Wars and the women’s movement, tosses them in a pot, swirls them around, and creates an absolutely delicious feast of a story.”
Read the great review at A Chair, A Teacozy and a Fireplace that made me pick this one up.
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Sophie, the eldest of three girls, believes herself destined to fail in the fairy tale world she lives in, for isn’t that always the way in fairy tale stories. When Sophie insults the Witch of the Waste, she is turned into an old woman and cursed. So she sets out from home (a Hat Shop) to make her fortune and lands in Howl’s moving castle. The Wizard Howl has the reputation as the eater of young woman’s souls, thanks to Howl’s apprentice Michael. Sophie is soon at home with Michael, Calcifer the fire demon whom powers the magical castle, and Howl whom has created many different names and reputations in order to avoid the Witch of the Waste.
So goes this intricate, humorous and puzzling tale of fantasy and adventure which should both challenge and involve readers. Jones has created an engaging set of characters and found a new use for many of the appurtenances of fairy tales: seven league boots and invisible cloaks, among others. Sara Miller, “School Library Journal”
I was afraid I wouldn’t enjoy Diana Wynne Jones but I was wrong. I adore this book. It poked fun, had an intricate plot line with a most satisfying ending, and great writing. I fell in love with Howl right along with Sophie.
I am going to pop Miyazaki’s anime adaptation into my DVD player and make sense of the film! This is a great fantasy read for 7th graders and up.
The Ranger’s Apprentice Series by John Flanagan
This is a great series for middle grade readers. Clean content. It will appeal to boys but includes female roles, one especially strong female. The dialog is humorous and the characters well-developed if not a little stereotypical. Tamora Pierce’s Protector of the Small series comes to mind as a strong pairing. Kids who have enjoyed the Pendragon series or The Books of Umber as well.
With a story line that keeps things moving, kids will be eager to read on. I have finished the first four volumes and checked out the website. Lots of fans already and maybe a movie from United Artists (funding, of course, is the road block).
The Thirteenth Child by Patricia Wrede
This story was a lot of telling without much substance, a lot of build up without a climax. The premise is alluring enough for a fantasy fan: Eff is a thirteenth child and the twin sister to a seventh born son. Potentially powerful and destined to turn evil according to Magical numerology, Eff is taunted by others, including family members, and staunchly protected by her twin, Lan.
I don’t know what Wrede was going for. The book took a long time to plod through but I felt I had gotten nowhere when I finished. There were some interesting characters (but the title character was not among their number) and it seemed like a great story was lurking below the surface, but it never emerged. As Sonderbooks states, the focus “is more on building an intriguing magical world than on the plot.” Well, I wanted both!
I really disliked Robin McKinnley’s Dragonhaven so it comes as no surprise that I’m not a Wrede fan. Both authors are long-winded and lost in the complexities of their own worlds. So, I’m currently rereading Fire by Cashore. She weaves a totally unique world around a delicious plot.
A lukewarm review at Fuse #8.
Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog
Rarely do I come across a book so poorly written and so bland that I cannot finish it. Fairy Tale is the first one this year!
The main characters are so inadequately developed that by page 80, I could care less whether they remained together.
The plot was trite and predictable. The narration was superfluous. A certifiable dud.
The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
“Magic is always impossible,” said the Magician. “It begins with the impossible and ends with the impossible and is impossible in between. That is why it is magic” (p 154).
In true and excellent DiCamillo fashion, the reader is introduced to an array of interesting characters in short vignettes that clearly and subtly endear them to the reader. Then, the characters, like pieces of a mosaic, come together, compliment each other, and form a beautiful piece of art. Like Dickens for children, with all his depth and humor and observational elegance.
Take, for example, our introduction to the countess Quintet and her husband (who plays hardly any role at all and yet his character and their relationship is at once as familiar to me as any one of Jane Austen’s). The countess speaks on page 57:
“I truly feel, I am quite certain, I am absolutely convinced, that I will lose my mind if I hear the word elephant one more time.”
“Elephant,” muttered the count.
“What did you say?” said the countess. She whirled around and stared at her husband.”
“Nothing,” said the count.
“Something must be done,” said the countess.
Or our introduction to Leo Matienne, who plays a larger role, on page 34:
Leo Matienne had the soul of a poet, and because of this, he liked very much to consider questions that had no answer.
He liked to ask “What if?” and “Why not?” and “Could it possibly be?”
Definitely one of the most distinguished books of 2009, but the most distinguished… not sure. It will certainly be discussed in OCL’s mock Newbery.
Publisher: Candlewick (September 8, 2009)
The Dragon of Trelian by Michelle Knudsen
One hundred years ago, the Kragnir Queen was found murdered during a visit to the neighboring Trelian kingdom. The countries have been at war since. In an effort to end the feud, the current kings plan to wed their children, Princess Maerlie of Trelian and Prince Rylant of Kragnir.
Calen is a mage’s apprentice. Tied to the service a Lord or King, mages use magic to serve their patron. When Calen shows no great aptitude, his master, Serek, royal mage to the King of Trelian relaxes his teaching.
Meg is Maerlie’s younger sister with a special bond between herself and a dragon she stumbled upon in her youth. Lately, the secret bond between the two grows stronger. A chance meeting between Calen and Meg lead to an unlikely but mutually welcome friendship. When the two overhear a plot to murder Maerlie on her wedding night, they must pull all their cleverness, courage and strength to save Maerlie and the kingdoms.
A well-structured, intriguing plot with realistic characters and a good balance between action, politics, character development and fantasy appropriate for middle grade readers.
Nothing in the way of extraordinary regarding the magical elements. We’ve seen links between dragons and people before (Eragon), mage’s (Tamora Pierce and The Bartimaeus Trilogy), and dark creatures that inspire fear (ringwraiths and dementors).
Calen’s unique gift to see magic was rather interesting.
‘I saw the spell as she was casting — it was deep red, like the spell for killing weeds, only much stronger. Or the spell you used on that soldier, that first one who was attached, when you were trying to burn out the poison. Only this was darker, and … worse, somehow.’ Calen shuddered, remembering.
Serek had stopped and was looking at him intently. ‘You saw the spell?’ (p 291).
But the story is engaging and the writing (although I spotted a few copyrighting errors) is solid. Young fans of Fablehaven, The Shamer’s Daughter, The Hobbit and dragon lore in general will greatly enjoy this book. I’ve seen it on several mock Newbery lists but as much as I love fantasy, it’s not the strongest contender.
Read additional reviews at: Dolce Bellezza, King County Library, School Library Journal, Becky’s Book Review
Publisher: Candlewick (April 14, 2009)
The Shamer’s Daughter by Lene Kaaberbol
Shamers do exactly as their name implies, they shame people. They do this by using their eyes, or in the case of experienced Shamers, by using the power of their voice, to force people to look inward at the evil acts they committed. Being a Shamer’s daughter is not easy, especially not when you have inherited your mother’s gift. Dina finds it very difficult. People avoid her, she has no friends. Yet, Shamer’s are respected and greatly needed in identifying the guilty.
When Dina’s mother is called away but does not return, Dina must travel with a strange man who is unafraid of meeting her eyes. Before long, she is involved in a scandel that threatens her mother’s life and her own.
An interesting first book the has interested me in the rest of the series. Dina’s compassion coupled with her unique and often scary ability make for an excellent foundation. I’d recommend this to all middle-grade fantasy readers who have enjoyed Harry Potter and will build up to the likes of Graceling.
The Little Secret by Kate Saunders
Jane immediately finds Staffa odd. She has a ‘different’ name. She has unusual taste; “What kind of eleven-year-old drinks black coffee?” (p 6). Even her speech is odd. When she learns about cafeteria lunch lines she comments, “This is a highly effective way of feeding large numbers of people… I must tell my mother. She’s always trying to cut costs in the servant’s canteen” (p 7).
But as Staffa spends time with Jane and her six brothers in the Boy Garden, the two become close friends. When Jane accepts and invitation to vacation with Staffa and her eccentric mother, Lady Matila, she is witness to even stranger behavior and conversation. Strangest of all, Lady Matilda protects a gorgeous box that must not be opened, a box whose painted walls seem to change.
Why is the box so important? Is Lady Matilda as generous as she seems? What does Staffa know that she isn’t telling Jane?
A fun read with pictures at the beginning of each chapter. I like when middle grade readers include pictures 
It is an odd book though. I think the writing is accessible and younger fantasy fans will enjoy it. Opinions on the book vary. Some love the illustrations, some hate it.
Also reviewed by: Books4Ever, books4yourkids
