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November
2002 Vol.3 Issue 11
This
month's book reviews
Shakespeare's
sixteen century London
through the eyes of a modern kid
The "time
warp gimmick" has been a perfectly acceptable device
for authors to use for generations. Mark Twain certainly used
it effectively in "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's
Court" over a hundred years ago. And Susan Cooper uses
it very effectively in her 1999 kids' novel, "King of
Shadows".
There are a number
of novels about Shakespeare's London that have been written
for kids.
They are valuable
not only because they help prepare kids for a more serious
study of Shakespeare's writings that they are likely to have
to do in high school and college, but the background provided
in English history is also an essential. Authors such as Susan
Cooper are to be commended for making literature and history
exciting areas of study for young kids. As parents, we want
to make sure our kids have easy access to such writing. Inexpensive
paperbacks make it even easier for us to keep such attractive
books in the home today then in times past. Besides they are
a fun "quick" read for an adult reader.
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North
Dakota farm life in the 1920's
as seen through a kid's eyes
Peggy Brooke,
the author of "Jake's Orphan", still lives on the
site of the North Dakota farm that her grandfather homesteaded
in 1903. She brings her firsthand knowledge of family farm
life to her writing. Her award-winning kids' novel was praised
by one reviewer for being "a poignant, action-filled
story about farm life and the meaning of family..."
"Jake's Orphan"
is not light reading for a young reader since it deals with
parental loss and a young boy's trying to cope with a harsh
world seemingly dominated by the impersonal agenda of adults.
But as in the best novels of this genre, there are sensitive
grown-ups who finally do come through for the young hero or
heroine. The young reader will experience the despair of the
book's major character, but will be rewarded with an ending
that is both a realistic and a happy one.
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An
easy to read mystery for kids
Lots of adults
read mystery novels just for diversion. They don't expect
to pick up historical facts or be troubled with plots that
contain great social messages. There are numerous mystery
books written for kids that seem to meet the same standards.
"Too Many Secrets" by Betty Ren Wright is a diverting
little paperback mystery novel for kids. Ms. Wright has authored
numerous ghost and mystery stories for young audiences.
The publisher
reports a third grade level of readability for the book. Its
interest level would probably extend through sixth grade,
so it would be good reading for those children who may be
lagging somewhat behind their grade level in reading or who
would not likely commit to reading a longer or more challenging
book.
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How
about a twelve-year-old hero
who is a smart aleck Harry Potter?
According to the
book's cover, "Artemis Fowl" by Scottish author
Eoin Colfer has been on the New York Times best seller list
for some time. For those of you old enough to remember the
designation "camp" applied to a book or an act,
"Artemis Fowl" is a camp Harry Potter. Its absurdity
appeals to adults. Its hero, plot, and fantasy adventure makes
it absorbing reading for kids. After all, its main character
is a kid who's smarter than any of the adults around him,
be they human or under-the-earth characters.
Besides tongue-in-cheek
humor, there is plenty of mayhem in this nearly 300-page paperback.
But it is fairy tale type violence, so it's safe reading for
a pre-teen or early teen-ager. Like much of today's fantasy
books, it may not have much in the way of socially redeeming
value, but it's certainly great fun for the reader.
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A
good time to reread the second
Harry Potter book
With the movie
coming out in the month of November, this is the perfect time
for kids to reread or read for the first time "Harry
Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." That title has been
out in paperback for about two years now. As a parent, the
good news for you is that it is the shortest of the four Harry
Potter books published thus far. You can read it and get in
on the fun without spending too much time or effort.
As you are aware,
there has never before been a publishing phenomenon like J.
K. Rowling's series of books. This reviewer has made the case
in earlier reviews that the fear and negativism directed toward
the series is unwarranted. The books are great fun for kids
to read and share with an adult. Every kid I have talked to
about Harry Potter is very much aware that the world of wizards
is totally make-believe and picks up on the humor beneath
the tongue-in-cheek writing that Rowling does so well. We
miss out on a good opportunity to promote our children's recreational
reading if we close our minds to these modern-day fairy tales.
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