Touch Blue

Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord (audio book)

Tess’s mother is her teacher and Tess’s father is her boss and Tess would have it no other way. Tess and her family live on the Island of Bethsaida off the coast of Maine. Her father catches lobster as a profession and his eleven-year-old daughter likes to work at his side. Tess is used to cleaning out the traps and filling them with bait. She also enjoys measuring and banding the live lobsters that they will sell at market. Her father lets her set her own lobster traps to make money. She’s saving for college and an outboard motor for the skiff she is working on.

During the school year, her mother is the only teacher in a two classroom schoolhouse. Unfortunately, the state is considering closing the island school due to a decrease in the juvenile population on the island. If the school is closed, Tess’s family would have to move to the mainland. Her mother would need a new job and Tess would need a new school. Her father would still be a lobster man, but it would be harder for Tess to join him. And her heart’s desire is to follow in her father’s footsteps.

The grownups on the island come up with a plan to save the island school. Several of the families have agreed to each foster a child which would increase the juvenile population, save the school and provide a home for a child in need. It seems like a win-win situation. During summer vacation, the foster children arrive. The families hope the children will settle in and be prepared for school in the fall.

Tess has her own ideas of what it will be like to have an older foster brother. She gets her information from books. Her favorites are Anne of Green Gables and The Great Gilly Hopkins. Tess really hopes that Aaron will fit right into island life like Anne did. Tess thinks he has every reason to love Bethsaida and will want to stay forever. As much as Tess and her family have studied all of the rules, guidelines and suggestions for supporting and encouraging a foster child, a family is never fully prepared for the unique individual that they will be sharing their lives with.

Thirteen-year-old Aaron hasn’t seen or heard from his mother for a very long time. He still maintains the hope that someday they will be together again. The hardest thing for Aaron is the not knowing. Where is she? How is she? Is she working towards getting him back? Why can’t they communicate? Aaron is not prepared to commit until he has some answers. Luckily, Tess is willing to help… attempt to control the situation.

She’s just not prepared for Aaron’s red hair. Tess lives by a set of sailor superstitions including, “A redhead on a boat is unlucky.” The book is full of her good luck advice and she keeps a pocket full of good luck charms. But will they be enough to keep Aaron?

Touch Blue is a 2013 Bluestem Nominee, recommended for kids in 3^rd through 5^th grade. My guess is that girls will enjoy the book more since the main character is a girl – a lobster girl! Even though Aaron is a very important character in the book, it still might not be enough to grab a boy’s attention. He is a budding musician who makes his mark on the island with his trumpet playing. Turns out, he can also play a mean piano. My favorite lines in the book come from the last page: one fisherman says, “Ohhh. Tough words from an organist.”

The reply? “You know, the organist controls how long the service goes on Sunday…” Excellent ending! Satisfied!

The Black Fox of Lorne

The Black Fox of Lorne by Marguerite De Angeli

Young Viking boys, Jan and Brus, are identical twin brothers who often play the game of switching places. They do not switch places only to trick their family and friends although this they do and often. No, even though they look as one, their characters and talents are different. Jan willing writes runes and well. He can compose and sing a ballad at will. Brus has an affinity with animals. He knows how to take care of them and they recognize him as friend. Brus doesn’t mind skinning their dinner either. In this adventurous tale, the boys’ knack for passing themselves off as one another will save their lives as well as a kingdom and its rightful king.

Jan and Brus’ father, Harald Redbeard, is but a foster son. He lives on the lands of his deceased foster father and his living foster brothers. His brothers decide that they want their lands and animals back. A peaceable exchange takes place where the brothers allow Harald to leave with his family, servants, a portion of the animals, three ships and a jeweled talisman in the form of a brooch. Immediately, Harald’s family goes a’viking, heading out to sea to find his wife’s Danish family who has settled on the British Isle. The twins are eager to go a’viking alongside their father on the lead ship.

A storm separates the ships and the ship the twin’s mother is aboard is lost. The lead ship fares no better. It is dashed against the rocks of the Scottish shore. Everyone abandons ship. A share of the Vikings finds sleep beneath the waves. A smaller portion, including Harald, Jan and Brus, make it ashore alive, but they are not safe for long. They have crashed on the lands of the giant Scot known as Bègan Mòr. His son-in-law, Gavin Dhu captures Jan and decides to take him as prisoner to the castle keep. The Vikings are invited to join the company for an engagement feast.

Harald warns Brus that they have no way of knowing if the Scots are friends or foes until they reveal their intentions at the feast. The Scots have not seen Brus. Harald orders him to stay hidden and pretend that he and his brother are one – that it may well save the stranded Vikings. This ploy will save many, but not Harald’s life. He is murdered and his jeweled talisman is stolen. The boys vow vengeance on their father’s death. They bide their time until an opportunity presents itself.

This is an unusual book of adventure for contemporary times. It received Newbery Honors in 1956. I do not believe such a book would find itself on the list these days. The setting is Scotland in the tenth century after Jesus Christ. As the twins make their way across the wilds of Scotland, battling savage Picts and keeping their ears open for English alliances, they gradually convert to Christianity and recognize themselves as Scots allegiant to King Malcolm II. Quite an eye-opener and worth the Interlibrary Loan. Recommended to boys with an interest in European Historical Fiction.

Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It

Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It by Sundee T. Frazier (audio book)

Brendan Buckley is many things. He is more curious than a cat. He is not afraid to ask questions. He keeps a book of all the questions he wishes to answer and he is saving them for summer vacation when he plans to tackle them. Brendan knows that he is a scientist. He knows how to perform an experiment using the Scientific Method. He is a Tae Kwon Do Warrior who practices the five tenants. He is working on his purple belt, but plans to achieve his black belt in one year. Finally, Brendan Buckley has just become a rockhound, a person who collects and catalogues rocks and minerals as a hobby.

This slight, under 200 pages, 2013 Bluestem Nominee geared toward 3^rd to 5^th graders covers ALL of the above things. Brendan adds several new questions to his big book of everything. He even answers a few. He attempts to perform at least two actual experiments – one involving pee. Yes, I said it. He practices his forms for Tae Kwon Do in his basement with his best friend. You will hear more about this martial art than you thought there was room for in this novel. Brendan starts his collection of rocks AND he memorizes the Mohs Scale of mineral hardness in an attempt to impress. There is a BUNCH of information packed between the covers.

And yet, these things are not what this book is actually about. Brendan is biracial. His father is black. His mother is white. Brendan has always known his paternal grandparents. His grandfather, whom Brendan was especially close to, has recently passed away. He sees Gladys, his black grandmother on a weekly basis. Brendan has never known his maternal grandparents although he knew that his white grandmother died when he was a baby. He doesn’t even know who or where his grandfather is. When he has asked his mother in the past, she simply states that the man is gone.

The action begins when Brendan goes to the mall with Gladys. She wants a massage and she will bribe Brendan with treats and pop to go along with her. Brendan happens to know that the local rock, gem and mineral club is featuring a show at the mall. There will be displays, but also a chance to buy minerals and Brendan is itching to obtain his first rock! Brendan is just about to make his first purchase from the president of the local chapter when Gladys shows up and immediately drags him away before the transaction is completed. Gladys’ reaction to the man leads Brendan to read the flyer in his hand… the man he was just talking to is his grandfather!

So begins a story where Brendan lies and sneaks around behind his parents’ backs in order to meet and spend time with the grandfather he never knew. All the while, he is trying to find out why his mother and grandfather don’t want to see each other, but more importantly, why his grandfather didn’t want to meet his own grandson. Brendan seeks to show the two “that the one who forgives ends the argument.”

My favorite kind of book is the book that takes a main character who might be nothing like myself, but quickly and easily puts me in their shoes. By the end of the book, I have learned their point of view. I have seen it. Sometimes, I have even felt it. That is an author with a gift. I can definitely see a need for books like Brendan Buckley. In this case, the magic didn’t happen. I never identified with Brendan. I was even borderline offended. I came away from the book wondering what went wrong and how it could have been improved. I think perhaps the author was heavy-handed with the message and spent a good portion of the book telling rather than showing the story. There is no doubt in my mind that she has the experience to tell Brendan’s story and it is a story that needs to be shared. Maybe it is the voices of the other characters that need to be elaborated upon. There were no satisfactory answers to be found here.

The Aviary

The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell

The Aviary is many things and many genres rolled up into one delightful book that I would recommend to girls from 5^th to 8^th grade. I am certain that many women will enjoy it as well. It feels nostalgic. It very much reminds me of the way books used to be written. It has charm and eloquence. These days a book might be marketed as fantasy or as a ghost story. A book might be described as historic fiction or a mystery. This novel happens to be all of these things without broadcasting it to world with fanfare.

There is a decrepit old mansion sitting in the nineteenth century among its well-kept neighbors. While its neighbors have manicured lawns and flowering gardens maintained by hired help, the old mansion’s only outside decoration is an outdoor aviary filled with various birds that withstand the heat and cold, wind, rain and sun, day after day, year after year, long after their lives should have ended.

Whereas the other estates boast a huge workforce to support their families’ bustling social life, the broken-down mansion’s only owner is an elderly invalid who is waited upon by a housekeeper and a cook. The housekeeper has an eleven-year-old daughter whose whole world resides within the walls of this mansion. Her name is Clara and she does not see the mansion as it is, but as it once was. Clara has a weak heart and her mother, Harriet, protects her from the elements as well as the exertions of life outside the mansion’s crumbling walls.

Clara’s best friend and only companion is the elderly Cenelia Glendoveer who educates Clara from the confines of her bed. Mrs. Glendoveer is the widow of the late, great George Glendoveer, magician and illusionist extraordinaire! Mr. Glendoveer had amassed great wealth at one time before a certain great tragedy and now that wealth has run out. Clara’s mother has been selling off valuables to continue to support their mistress.

The birds in the aviary are Mrs. Glendoveer’s prized possessions. Clara does not understand why. She finds them to be horrible, nearly insane, birds. Whenever she attempts to approach them, they create such as huge ruckus of screeching and squawking. Clara is scared of them. And then one day, the mynah with the blood-red eyes squawks the name Elliot at her. Clara is surprised for the birds have never talked before.

Clara reports the incident to Mrs. Glendoveer who then decides to share a piece of her past with Clara. She had a baby boy named Elliot who was lost. Mrs. Glendoveer does not elaborate, but requests that Clara report back on anything else the birds might say. In fact, Mrs. Glendoveer suspects that they might talk more if Clara were to engage them more herself.

Poor Mrs. Glendoveer does not last long after she entices Clara with her vague story of sorrow. And Clara is soon courted by a girl her own age who lives two doors over and is interested in the ghost of the girl that hides in the mansion shrouded in mystery and surrounded by stories of murder and mayhem. With a new friend to support and encourage her, Clara begins to trust the strength of her own heart and starts to dig up the answers to the questions posed by the five birds in the aviary. But Clara is running out of time. Her mother intends to sell the mansion to the highest bidder. Clara must work behind her mother’s back and against her mother’s wishes to satisfy the dying desire of an old woman:

Together always to the last,
Our love shall hold each other fast.
Delivered from the frost and foam,
None shall fly ‘til all come home.

The Familiars

The Familiars by Adam J. Epstein

When a witch or wizard turns eleven, it is time for them to choose a “familiar”. In the old days, there was not much choice in magical animals and the young spell caster had to search on his own in the wilds, but now there is a great variety of familiars to be found at the local magic shop. The shopkeeper can show you pocket dragons, chameleon crabs and even riding lizards; however, the magical inclination of a wizard must help determine the appropriate animal companion.

Fortunately, Pharkum’s three T’s of animal companionship will assist a young witch in choosing a familiar. The three T’s represent temperament, toughness and talent. The familiar and its “loyal” should share at least three of them. More importantly, a deep magical bond is required for the two to work in harmony. Without it, it doesn’t matter how high a skill level a familiar displays, the loyal will be unable to harness it.

On young Jack’s eleventh birthday, his Master Wizard accompanies him to the magic shop to pick out a familiar. Jack quickly becomes attached to a cat with green eyes the same shade as his own. The shopkeeper tells Jack that the cat is a telekinetic bicolor from Maidenmere. The cat has the power to move something by thinking about it. The cat is evidently very powerful as it refuses to display its magical talents – it refuses to show off. Jack is smitten from the first. Their connection seems magical. Promising, except…

The cat, whose name is Aldwyn and not Mittens, thank you very much, is an ordinary, orphaned, young alley cat on the run from a bounty hunter. Aldwyn had escaped into the familiar shop to hide among the magical animals on display. It was a life or death decision that worked in his favor. As Jack’s familiar, Aldwyn will now have a home and a bed to sleep on. He will have three meals a day and snacks as well. And he will have a loyal who will love and protect and depend upon him. If Aldwyn can keep up the charade that he has special powers.

The Familiars is on the 2013 Bluestem Nominee list. It is the first of a trilogy. It is also scheduled to be a 3D motion picture to be released sometime after 2015. I am sure that it will be a hit with many 3^rd to 5^th graders. It has many of the characteristics of modern day magic fantasies. Aldwyn the Cat, think Harry Potter, an ordinary orphan without special ability is called upon to save the day and manages to conquer evil while discovering his hidden talents. Skylar the Bluejay is the irritating know-it-all who excels at knowledge – Hermione. And of course, we must have Ron as bumbling comic relief in the form of Gilbert the Tree Frog (chocolate frog anyone?).

The Familiars is unfortunately all too familiar. There is not too much original or unique here beyond putting the focus and heroism in the hands of the animals. I found that it took forever to sludge through the 360 pages. It seemed like an overly long Saturday morning cartoon and less like a work of literature. There were interesting ideas and stories throughout, but they were asides and not truly important to the overarching theme. I was more interested in the asides. Finally, there were many images that I deemed too graphic or morbid for the intended audience. For example, “a human hand dangling by a strand of dirty yarn from a branch. An army of ants poured out from a hole between two fingers carrying their eggs.” I will not be recommending this book… but will be thrilled for any child that discovers a love of reading through it.

Because of Mr. Terupt

 Because of Mr. Terupt by Roby Buyea

I daresay this 2013 Bluestem nominee ought to be shared and shared often as well as widely. Although the book is about a fifth grade class, its message is appropriate for younger classes, older children and the adults who teach them, parents, grandparents and instructors alike. Regardless of background, who can argue against themes of love, forgiveness, hope and patience?

This is the year in the life of seven students in one of the fifth grade classes at Snow Hill School in Connecticut. There are seven voices, three boys and four girls. Each takes a turn at telling their side of the story. They tell their perspective of the year that Mr. Terupt, rookie teacher, arrived and began to change the atmosphere in one room. This fresh air, once it caught on, could not be contained. It had to be shared by one timid child at a time.

First, meet Peter, mischief maker, prankster. We all knew him in school. He is the class clown. He acts before he thinks. He speaks before he thinks. Classmates wonder if he ever thinks. Peter knows just how far he can push a teacher’s buttons before discipline is in his future. Up until now, he has determined that his antics are mostly under the radar. Mr. Terupt is already on to him.

Jessica is the new girl. She and her mother have traveled all the way from the West Coast to the East Coast to escape Jessica’s father and his new girlfriend. Jessica thought her father had dumped her mother, but she is beginning to discover that her father has dumped her as well. It is hard enough to navigate your home life without having to learn the friendship rules at a new school. Gratefully, she has Mr. Terupt to guide her.

Every class has the brain and Mr. Terupt’s class is no different. Luke is smart and knows it. He is accustomed to understanding assignments and he is used to be ahead of the game. He is ambitious to a fault. He wants to win. Mr. Terupt surprises him with alternative projects like “Dollar Words”. Luke thrives as always, but doesn’t expect other classmates to thrive as well and sometimes better.

(Growl) Alexia is the girl we love to hate. She is a manipulative little Queen Bee. She is the instigator of Girl Wars. You want to be her friend only to protect yourself. Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer. You might be her best friend today and an outcast tomorrow, but no one is willing to stand up to her bullying. Of course, there is a bully behind every bully. Mr. Terupt encourages the other children to take a stand against her, and when they will not, he intervenes much to the disappointment and shame on both sides.

Along with Jeffrey, the quiet boy with a tragic secret at home; Danielle, the fat girl who has a strong relationship with God; and Anna, the shy daughter of the much too young, single mother; Mr. Terupt works magic in the classroom up until the tragic accident that leaves him in a coma. And every one of the seven children owns a piece of the blame. Fortunately, the absence of their beloved teacher allows the remaining magic to blossom into healing all around.

Love

Forgiveness

Hope

Patience

We are all in need. We can learn Because of Mr. Terupt.
The companion novel is already published Mr. Terupt Falls Again.

Queste

Queste by Angie Sage (audio book)

I suppose I am going to have to call it the Septimus Curse -  odd numbered volumes rock, but even numbered volumes do not. I thought Magyk was terrific. I was disappointed in Flyte. I thought Physik was brilliant. And now I am confused with Queste. Of course, it is actually more complicated than that. There are parts of Queste with which I was thrilled. There are parts that I didn’t think were integral. My hope is that these seemingly unnecessary parts will become important in future books. But shouldn’t they have been important here as well?

When Physik ended, Septimus’ brother, Nicko, was trapped in a different time in the past along with Snorri, a trader. In Queste, we begin with a prologue that shows us where they are and what they are doing. The true Queste of the book will be finding them and bringing them home. Septimus and Jenna know this to be of the utmost importance and they are indeed working on the problem to the best of their ability. This is despite the lack of cooperation or focus of anyone else involved.

And so, it seems strange to me that the series title character, Septimus, does not make an appearance in this volume until page 117! If that were not bad enough, Jenna does not arrive on the scene until page 170! That is nearly a third of the way into the book! Not that I didn’t enjoy the first third of the book. There is some truly funny stuff there. But after the fact – after the book is finished – I don’t see why the first 100 pages were necessary. I am unsure how many children will stick with it to get to the “good” part. 100 pages of inaction is a lot to require in my opinion.

That is your warning. It will be tough, but you have to muck your way through it because you will have found OZ afterwards!

Nicko and Snorri have left a map, notes and doodles behind in their current time long ago. Marcellus Pye, the great alchemyst of the last novel, is living his eternal youth in the present time and he has Nicko and Snorri’s writings in his library. He hands them over to Septimus and Jenna. The papers hold the clue to where Nicko and Snorri can be found.

Before Septimus and Jenna can begin their journey to retrieve their sibling and friend, problems arise. First, Jenna accidently drops the papers into a puddle and they are ruined. Fortunately, Septimus’ buddy Beetle knows someone with the ability to Restore the muddled mess. Enter Ephaniah Grebe, the Conservation, Preservation and Protection Scribe. Best part? He is half man and half rat. He is my favorite new character!

While Jenna is hoping for a magical restoration, Septimus is called upon to complete a Queste. Another new character, Tertius Fume, the Ghost of the Vaults, has called a Gathering of all ExtraOrdinary Wizards. He has brought forth the Questing Pot from which Septimus must draw a stone. If the stone is inscribed with a Q, he must accept the Queste and see it through to the end. Regrettably, all Apprentices who have ever drawn the Q and accepted the Queste have never returned. Yes, Septimus draws the Q, but can he ignore it at least until he can find his brother and bring him safely home?

This series is a must read for boys and girls alike, 5^th to 8^th grade, particularly if they enjoy magic.

The Wyverns' Treasure

The Wyverns' Treasure by R.L. LaFevers

My daughters and I don’t read every night together. I would say at most we read five nights a week unless we are under a deadline – a book needs to be returned. Occasionally the girls will want to finish a movie or watch an episode of a show instead. It doesn’t happen often and I allow it. It’s a break. I almost always work Tuesday evenings and they read with their father instead. I assume so anyway. And we’ve been reading, regularly, seriously for 8-10 years.

A year and a half ago, a woman named Alice Ozma wrote a book called The Reading Promise. I learned about it at work, the library, via NPR. The piece was titled Father-Daughter Reading Streak Lasts Nearly 9 Years. Intriguing. I am not promoting it or encouraging you to pick it up. What I want you to do is read to your own kids! Whether it is sporadic or more than 3,000 days straight come laryngitis or prom, put some time aside to read a book with your children. Read something none of you have read before. Read something new for all of you. I cannot express how much fun it is to read something for the first time together! Surprises await around every corner.

Currently, we are reading two chapter books simultaneously. One is specifically chosen for the younger and one is specifically chosen for the older. But all of us enjoy all of them. Maybe some more than others. Yet every night, there is the question, “Do we get books tonight?” And most of the time, there we all are. On the bed. With our books. Happy.

We just finished The Wyvern’s Treasure which is book 3 in the Beastologist series. If I have any complaint with the series, it is that it is too short. There is not enough detail. I want more. We all want more. And we are not the only ones. And the youngest keeps asking if the fourth volume is available yet. It’s about a unicorn. How could we resist?

But book 3, Nate and his Aunt Phil have finally returned to Aunt Phil’s home after having captured and restored the Basilisk. However, her home has been ransacked – torn to pieces! They are able to find Cornelius, the Dodo, and he is unhurt. But someone… the same someone who has always been a step ahead of Aunt Phil… is looking for something that only a Beastologist will have.

There is no time to set things back in order though because the wyvern’s of Scotland are restless. Dragons that is. They are threatening to break the covenant and wreak havoc upon the clueless inhabitants surrounding their caves. Why? There is an intruder within their caves. Someone after their treasure. Aunt Phil and Nate have exactly three days to find the intruder and bring him to justice or else the wyverns will attack.

I was most pleased with this volume because we finally get another, allbeit miniscule, clue concerning what has happened to Nate’s parents. For this we are grateful! For young readers and older reluctant readers, K through 5th. Fabulous read-aloud!