Super

Super by Matthew Cody (audio book)

I loved Powerless. I was not surprised when it won the Rebecca Caudill award for 2012. It was a modern take on an old theme. It covered two genres, mystery and fantasy. Kids are still enthralled with superheroes and here are tweenage protectors. The main character is ordinary and powerless, the underdog as well as new kid on the block. Yet he, Daniel, saves the day with the help of his “super” friends. Ordinary as he may be, Daniel can do what they cannot despite their super talents.

It has been 19 months since I read Powerless. “Back in the day,” I would have reread Powerless before picking up Super. I still remember rereading every Harry Potter again when a new one was published. Since the series grew to seven total, I was thrilled when I was able to watch the movies instead. That was a quicker way to refresh my memory. There are simply too many books to read to read any one, (but the very best,) twice. I’m afraid the sequel suffered because I didn’t reinvest in the original.

It took me sooooooo much longer to get into Super. Finally, I took advantage of my Thanksgiving holiday and plopped myself down and finished it while everyone else was sleeping. To start, it had a confusing Prologue. The Prologue makes sense now that I have finished it, but it was confusing to begin with. Probably because I didn’t remember the character from the first book and why that character was important to begin with.

I will credit the author for resolving the conflict in the manner that I hoped he would, the manner that seemed logical to me, the happy ending. It just didn’t seem natural arriving there the way the author did. The best way I can explain it… It followed the same patterns, blueprint, as the original novel. It worked brilliantly once. He needed to try something else the second time around. I foresaw the outcome, but he got there in a roundabout fashion.

In retrospect, in comic book fashion, the super villain does return. The author stays true to the genre. I wasn’t impressed until I realized that it made sense. Also, the main character, Daniel does grow and change based on his experiences. But the book pales in comparison to its predecessor. I am hoping this is the end. Worried that it is not.

In Super, Daniel becomes strong when his friend temporarily loses his super powers. Daniel becomes intangible right after the girl with this ability kisses him. Daniel can fly for a moment when his friend collapses from exhaustion. Has Daniel become a Super? Does he have the ability to borrow, or steal!?, his friends’ super powers. Is he the bad guy? No, his only fault is withholding information to protect his friends and himself. But he learns the hard way that it is never a good policy to lie. If you loved Powerless, you should certainly try its sequel. And if you love it, I’d love to hear why. I am a cynical grown up.

The Hunters

The Hunters by John Flanagan

That ingenious author, John Flanagan, has done it again! He has captivated boys and men as well as the many female librarians who have begun to believe they were twelve-year-old boys in past lives. And despite the fact that it doesn’t FEEL written for the big screen in the least, (aka Heroes of Olympus by Riordan,) it is one series that could translate brilliantly into a movie. I want it to succeed, but without sensationalistic changes and “global domination.”

The best thing about this particular novel in the series, is that it completes the first small story arc. The first mission, from the first book, The Outcasts, is finally accomplished. Thankfully, I don’t think the series is complete. I am banking upon The Brotherband series following in the footsteps of its companion series, Ranger’s Apprentice. Ranger Will went on many adventures over the course of nine books and a collection of short stories. When one villain was defeated, another one would present itself. All the while, the characters were growing and developing into fine young men and women. I believe we will experience the same thing in with the boys and girl that form the Heron Brotherband.

At the end of The Invaders, Hal, the ship’s young skirl, has sacrificed his chance to capture the pirate Zavac and recover the Skandian jewel known as the Andomal. His sacrifice enabled him to save the Skandian ship, Wolfwind, and its crew. The sacrifice was also necessary because his famously strong though nearsighted crewman, Ingvar, had been seriously injured in the battle when Zavac escaped. Without Ingvar, Hal’s invention and secret weapon called the Mangler is rendered useless. It needs a strongman to load and set it. Without the Mangler, it will be beyond difficult to incapacitate Zavac’s ship, The Raven.

Hal and his band had captured a pirate, Rikard, and they are holding him captive on board the Heron until they can catch up with Zavac once again. Rikard has informed the Herons that Zavac will return to the pirate haven of Raguza. Once there, it will be nearly impossible to capture Zavac and gain justice. Hal realizes that it is necessary to find and confront Zavac before they reach Raguza. How will they reach them in time with Ingvar injured and fever ridden?

Hal opts to head for land to give Ingvar the chance to recover. Unfortunately this also gives Rikard the chance to escape. Here is an opportunity for Lydia to prove she is a “keeper” once again. Actually, the book gives Lydia multiple opportunities to show her worth to the Brotherband and earn her place as a qualified member on board. Despite the fact, that I always recommend this book to the boys, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever for the girls to steer clear. Flanagan always provides strong, intelligent and capable girls to steal the boys’ hearts. The Love triangle alone guarantees future sequels!

Son

Son by Lois Lowry (audio book)

There is no work of fiction that has affected my way of thinking more than Lois Lowry’s 1994 Newbery Award winning The Giver. I have read it many times in my adult life and every time I discover something new or gain a new level of understanding. It is the standard by which I measure new works of literature and most especially dystopian works of fiction. If your tastes lean in a similar direction as mine, science fiction and fantasy, The Giver is required reading. If you only read one work of dystopian literature, The Giver is mandatory reading. If you want brownie points with me, The Giver is essential reading.

I will admit that The Giver is not for everyone, but it is most fortunate for those of us who appreciate The Giver that there are companion novels to supplement our enthusiasm. My favorite has always been Gathering Blue because the main character is a girl and her gift is art, specifically, weaving. Among the many things, both good and bad, that take place, she rediscovers the plant that enables her to make the lost color called “blue.”

The third companion to the set is The Messenger. It finally ties the other two books together in a third village. Although it was similar to the first two because it presented a new community with specified rules and authorities that are both familiar and alien to our 21^st century lives, it went a step further and added a supernatural element to the story – an antagonist known as the Trademaster who seemed exceptionally powerful because he had the ability to grant wishes to the inhabitants in exchange for a piece of their character.

I thought the set complete. I was knocked out of my socks to discover that a fourth book had just been published! I was thrilled to get a copy almost immediately. I was ashamed that I had been utterly unaware. Regardless of the cheers and jeers this novel has received, I chose to embrace it. I let it sweep me up and carry me away. I relished it, savored it and let the tears spill. I call it beautiful. And I will happily load you down with all four! Brilliant!

This new companion is divided into three parts: Before, Between, Beyond. Before is my favorite because it returns to the community first introduced in The Giver except that we get to view some important events through the new protagonist’s eyes. The new character is Claire. She is sixteen and she is a Birthmother. Unfortunately, something went horribly wrong in the delivery of her first product and she is reassigned. Claire is different from the citizens around her because she seems to have developed an attachment to her product… son… and seeks to reconnect with him.

Between is my favorite because we meet an entirely new village and I love these characters. They are colorful, tangible, real and I cared for their well-being. I longed to return. I wasn’t ready to let go. But that wouldn’t have been a story with obstacles, pain or growth. Claire had to fall from her nest. Fly from her nest. Climb from her nest of comfort and safety to gain her goal.

Beyond was a shock. The point of view changes to that of Claire’s son, but it is necessary for it is up to him to make things right. Beyond brings all of the main characters back together including the evil Trademaster. It also mimics the layout of the previous three novels. Like the third novel, the third section acquires the element of the supernatural. I believe most of the complaints about this book stem from this seeming divergence.

(I would argue that Lowry has captured life. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 NIV.)

Bravo!

The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee

The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee by Tom Angleberger

It is an understatement for me to say that this series in not high on my list of favorites, but I have found a good use for them. They are an excellent distraction during takeoff. I am a nervous flyer. I don’t do it often. Books are my sedative. Fortune Wookiee saw me safely into the air where I could switch over to more serious reading.

By this third book, the premise is starting to wear on me. Redemption came in the form of a twist. The girls get into the action. In the previous books, a social misfit by the name of Dwight designed his own origami finger puppet that resembled the Star Wars’ Jedi Master, Yoda. Origami Yoda dispensed sage advice to the students of McQuarrie Middle School and the students argued whether or not Origami Yoda’s wisdom was real or just a scam.

Another student by the name of Harvey likes to antagonize Dwight and his friends. In the second book, he made Darth Paper who issued evil omens and assisted in getting Dwight suspended and eventually transferred. This book had less Dwight than the first. Dwight is practically non-existent in the third for two reasons. Number one – he is no longer at McQuarrie’s. Number two – he is attempting to assimilate or be “normal”.

In Dwight’s absence, Sarah, his next door neighbor, steps in. She comes to school with a fortune teller that looks like Chewbacca. It is called a “cootie catcher” in the book, and I find the name to be offensive and vulgar. But I googled the term, and indeed the little folded paper fortune tellers have many names, one of which actually is “cootie catcher.” I’m still making faces.

Sarah claims that the Fortune Wookiee was given to her by Dwight to use as a substitute for Yoda. Sarah refuses to answer any questions but important ones. The asker names their favorite Star Wars episode, their favorite character and then they get their answer – in Shyriiwook, the language of Wookiees. Fortunately, Sarah also has a Han Foldo to translate! My favorite new device.

Despite the book’s small size and comic bookesque appearance, the kids are seventh graders and the situations require middle school common sense making it ideal for reluctant readers. There is more going on in this book than meets the eye. The girls are problem-solving creatively in an attempt to transfer one boy’s affections from a girl he’ll never attain to a girl he stands a chance with. Dwight is losing his personality in an attempt to fit in at his new private school and the McQuarrie kids are trying to save him by proving to him that it is Dwight’s quirkiness that makes him special. And there is a story arc developing in the background – the school is shutting down its extracurricular classes in exchange for standardized test-taking programs.

I cannot tell you the number of cool points I have earned with the kids by being seen with this book!

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

Darth Paper Strikes Back

The Mark of Athena

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (audio book)

The Heroes of Olympus series is now composed of three novels. The Lost Hero which I apparently LOVED! The Son of Neptune which I apparently loved eventually. And The Mark of Athena which I really wish I could like more. In the first book, I was wildly excited about all of the new characters. In the second book, I was mostly disappointed that the series had left Jason Grace, Roman demigod and son of Jupiter, and returned to Percy Jackson, Greek demigod and son of Poseidon/Neptune. But I was eager to hear that Jason was on his way!

Book three? Jason never arrived. That is not to say that he didn’t arrive at Camp Jupiter on a Grecian war trireme with three other powerful demigods. This he did! and raised the alarms at his one-time home. Unfortunately, Jason never seems to be anything more than a passenger on this new adventure ride across a nation, across an ocean, and to the old world. His powers come in handy, but his mind is never utilized.

The Mark of Athena is a story told in too many voices and NOT the one I was hoping for. Annabeth, daughter of Athena; Piper, daughter of Aphrodite; Leo, son of Hephaestus; and Percy each have the opportunity to tell their part in the story. This leaves three demigods of the Prophecy of Seven without a voice – Jason; Hazel, daughter of Pluto; and Frank, son of Mars. I am not upset about Hazel and Frank being left out in the dark. They left their mark in the last book. I happen to be interested in Jason from book one and there is nothing new to add here.

Of the four characters who carry the book and move the action forward, I prefer Leo and Annabeth. The title was an obvious giveaway of who would be the driving force here. Only a child of Athena is given the chance to follow the goddess’ Mark and then – only alone. Annabeth knew that her mother was acting oddly. She discovers that the Roman deity Athena was forced to become, Minerva, might hold the clue to joining the two warring Camps together. Athena’s role of warrior-goddess was taken from her. And Minerva would have no children. Athena has called upon her children to avenge her ever since.

But Leo is my favorite. I figure it is because he is the underdog and the seventh wheel. While he becomes almost immediately attracted to Hazel, he recognizes that she is attached to Frank and remains mostly respectful. Leo doesn’t engage in any of the sappy worrying that the other three voices carry on and on about. Will Percy/Jason be different? Will they still love me? Do they like someone else? Can I live without them? What if I cannot save them? What if they have to be sacrificed? What if I have to make a choice? Oh, teenagers, please!

No, Leo gets a lot of work done and mostly on his own while everyone else is more concerned with their love life. He discovers the lost spheres of Aristotle. He manages to unlock one of them on his own. He makes an enormous sacrifice to unlock a second one – sacrifice for another demigod without hope for reciprocity. And of course, there would be no Grecian trireme without his having built it and navigated it with a little inexperienced help now and again.
 
Speaking of help, my favorite part of the first book in the series was the gods. Unfortunately, the gods give little hints and even less help along the way. This is troubling because the demigods cannot hope to defeat Earth Mother Gaea without parental aid.  But there is still time. Before they can close Death’s Door, the seven must rescue Nico di Angelo son of Hades. He holds the answer to closing the Door, but he is due to die in seven days. So much talk of death! The titans and little gods are still the main obstacles at every turn and their main objective is to KILL!

The Flight of the Phoenix

Beastologist: The Flight of the Phoenix by R. L. LaFevers

Now that I am all caught up on the Monarch Nominees, I am finally ready to tackle those pesky Bluestem Nominees.  I was not impressed when the Bluestem Award was unveiled. It felt redundant – too much overlap with the Monarchs and Caudills. And there were books that appeared on multiple lists over the course of these few years. AND there were books included from the 1990s. So I ignored them for the first two years and I am paying the price.

Simultaneously, I was in need of a new read aloud chapter book for my girls and me. I’m thinking – kill two birds with one stone. I pulled out that aggravating Bluestem list and started scanning for something that would fit the bill and the Nathaniel Fludd: Beastologist series caught my eye immediately. I admit that I had wanted to pick it up and now I had the perfect excuse NOT to wait.

But I also picked up a second choice – I small tome about a dog. Little did I know that I was going to have a standoff. I should have known that each girl would pick a different book. Most likely to get me to choose sides, but I was prepared. They didn’t see me coming. I opted to read a chapter from each. For the first week, I would read a chapter from Beastologist and a few (very short) chapters from the dog book.

Then it happened. The dog book fell by the wayside. Both girls wanted a chapter or sometimes two from Beastologist. I will agree. I was bored with the dog book. We never finished it. Both girls were able to discern which book was better written and never looked back. Beastologist has the better plot, more intriguing characters, a superior story arch and sequels!! And, of course, the chance to practice my British accent as well as… Bedouin.

Under 140 pages and including pictures, this chapter book was over too fast. I will liken it to Indiana Jones meets Harry Potter for the kids not old enough or ready for the giant Harry Potter novels. The setting is 1920s England and its territories. Our protagonist is quiet reader, sketcher Nathaniel Fludd. He is ten and the son of adventurous parents. They have been absent most of his childhood. Their promise was to send for him when he was old enough to join them in their adventures. Their letter never arrived. Nate was ashamed that he never caught the “adventure” bug.

Nate’s parents were traveling by airship when they crashed near the North Pole. Half of the crew, including the Fludds, is still missing. Nate has only one surviving relative left to care for him and that is Phil A. Fludd. Aunt Phil to Nate. Being a Fludd, she is also an adventurer. She is about to embark on a trip to Arabia to help a phoenix lay an egg. She assumes that Nate knows all about his heritage through letters sent to him by his parents.

Unfortunately, Nate has never received a letter from his parents and he is hopelessly naïve as to the role the Fludds have played in mapping out the world as well as its creatures – mythological creatures to us, but real to the Fludds. Nate’s first mythological run in is with a speaking, SPEAKING, Dodo named Cornelius. His second is with an honest-to- goodness, live Gremlin named Greasle. Remember the gremlin from Bugs Bunny? The one that wreaks havoc on airplanes? Exactly!

In the first book, Nate receives his first mission – to protect the Phoenix until an egg is laid. He receives his mission when events are thrown out of whack because of the laws of the Bedouin. Aunt Phil is uniquely prepared for the troubles, but Nate must be left behind in order to protect everyone involved. And if the Phoenix doesn’t present trouble enough, a curious young Bedouin girl assists as well as an unidentified burglar in the night. If we had any complaint, it was that we wanted MORE! We immediately began Book Two!