Teen Tuesday: Among the Beasts and Briars by Ashley Poston

Image: HarperCollins 

Among the Beasts and Briars by Ashley Poston. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~8 hours. Balzer + Bray/ HarperAudio, October, 2020. 9780063025899. (Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Happy Tuesday! I hope you dress for the weather today because it's finally winter cold! It was a brisk 19 degrees at a little after 5 this morning when I took the hounds out for a walk. It was in the 50s over the weekend! Crazy.

Teen Tuesday features Among the Beasts and Briars by Ashley Poston. Cerys lives in the kingdom of Aloriya under the protection of a king who wears a golden crown that was gifted to his forefather hundreds of years earlier by the Lady of the Wilds. Her father is the royal gardener, a job she is content to inherit. Her talent for it is helped along by a bit of secret magic she possesses in her blood. If she adds her blood to plants, they grow and thrive instantly. Her best friend, Princess Anwen, is about to be coronated, but just as the magical crown is placed on her head, she is transformed into a vile creature as the woodcursed leave the dark forest to attack the kingdom. Cerys grabs the crown and dashes into the dark forest accompanied by a strange young man who may or may not have been the fox that she rescued from a trap. The two set out through the dark woods in search of the mythical city of Voryn hoping that they will help to break the curse.

This fantasy has the dark, grim feel of an old fairy tale. The forest is positively creepy and filled with danger. Cerys feels ill-equiped to be the hero and Fox is disgruntled in his clumsy, vulnerable human form and just wants to turn back into a fox. Luckily for them, the two team up with Bear, who has the strength and smarts to guide them.

The POV (point-of-view) shifts between Cerys and Fox. There's a good deal of humor to lighten the suspense and there's plenty of gore and evil creatures to create the gore. The story stands alone, but there's enough left unresolved for a sequel or companion novel.

Teens who love fantasy or fairy tales will eat this up and ask for more. 

Middle Grade Monday: Kodi by Jared Cullum

Image: Top Shelf Productions.

Kodi by Jared Cullum. 176 p. Top Shelf Productions/ IDW Publishing, August, 2020. 9781603094672. (Review of finished paperback borrowed from public library.)

It is quite rare for a book to appeal to both avid and reluctant readers, but this gorgeous graphic novel does just that and I can't wait for my students to meet Katya and Kodi. 

Katya is a comics-loving loner who is bullied mercilessly at school. She's staying with her motorcycle-riding Meema in the Alaskan wilderness. Her Meema wants her to get out and meet new friends. Katya just wants to stay in the cabin and read. She's forced to trek into town though, where she purchases a slushy drink and snacks. A sudden storm causes her to rush back home and along the way, she encounters a huge bear who is interested in her slushy. They're both startled by a huge clap of thunder and the bear becomes pinned by a fallen tree. Katya comforts the bear and races home for help when she finds she can't lift the tree. A reluctant Meema pulls the tree off the bear with rope and her trusty motorcycle, then tends to its wounds. Katya names him Kodi and feeds him salmon while he heals. Once he's back on his feet, the two enjoy spending time together in the woods. 

When Katya needs to leave suddenly to return to Seattle, she leaves Kodi with a photo and a painting of the Needle. Kodi is bereft and treks each day to the docks in search of Katya. One day, a ship docks for the day from Seattle and Kodi stows away. Nothing will keep him from finding Katya, who, in the meanwhile is perfectly miserable at school.

Though the premise is a bit unbelievable, every second is utterly believable thanks to the author/ artist's nuanced, immersive and gorgeous water color panels. The book also gets better with each rereading as the reader notes new details. There were a couple of unanswered questions though-like where are the parents? And, why is Katya so terrified of water? GoodReads labelled this book #1. Here's hoping those questions are answered in book #2.

I just adore this book and look forward to getting it into my students' hands. 

Picture Book Review: Free by Sam Usher

Image: Candlewick Press

Free by Sam Usher. 40 p. templar books/ Candlewick Press, April, 2021. 9781536217049. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

I have always loved books that focus on grandparent/ grandchild relationships-even more so now that I've become a grandparent. Sam Usher's Seasons with Grandad series (Snow, Rain, Sun, Storm) has company with this new series starter. 

In Free, our favorite ginger-haired boy (Has he grown a bit?) awakens to find a sick bird on his windowsill. He has been studying birds, as evidenced by the bird books and binoculars on his bed and the bird feeder outside his window. He runs to his granddad demanding to help the bird.* They make a cozy bed, consult some books and give him some water. When the bird perks up, Granddad suggests they put the bird back outside. The boy doesn't want to but Granddad gently insists. The two think "that's that," but the bird has other ideas. It shows up for breakfast, lunch and tea. That's when Granddad decides that the two need to lead the bird back home. And so they do. It is here where the fantastical Mr. Usher imbues in all these books begins. Oh, what an adventure! 

The pen, ink and watercolor spreads charm with warmth and intimate details. Please don't skip the end pages and title page! The story is sure to prompt wonderful discussions with young readers. I can't wait to see what other adventures await the pair in this endearing new series. Don't miss it!

*Just this morning, a movement on the roof of my husband's Jeep caught my eye as I took Boo out for a walk before heading to work. It was a female cardinal and I thought it a curious place for a bird to alight. Then a movement on the ground caught my eye and it was a baby! I looked up to look for a nest in the tree overhanging my driveway, but saw nothing. I puzzled over the problem on our walk, but both birds were nowhere to be seen upon our return. I suppose mama coaxed her baby into a safer spot. Thank goodness. 

Picture Book Review: Honey, the dog who saved Abe Lincoln by Shari Swanson

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Honey, the dog who saved Abe Lincoln by Shari Swanson. Illustrated by Chuck Groenink. unpgd. HarperCollins Publishers, January, 2020. (Review of finished copy courtesy of Blue Slip Media.)

What better day is there than President Lincoln's actual birthday to review a sweet picture book about him as a young boy? Stories of young Abe Lincoln abound. Lincoln was a storyteller who charmed everywhere he went. Honey, the dog who saved Abe Lincoln is a story not told by himself, but based on the recollection of his childhood best friend, Austin Gollaher according to the Author's Note.

Young Abraham Lincoln loved his Kentucky home. He especially loved exploring the woods. One day, while on the way home from the mill with a sack of ground corn, Abe heard a noise in the brush. It was a dog whose front leg was broken. He quickly improvised a splint and made his way home with the dog doing its best to follow him. He was late and his mother was worried. He asked to keep the dog, promising that the dog, whom he named Honey would "do lots of good things for me." Indeed, they became inseparable. When Abe and Honey were exploring a cave, Abraham got stuck. When he couldn't extricate himself, Honey left him to run to get help. He was able to lead Abe's parents and the worried townsfolk to the cave where Abe was rescued. The rescued became the rescuer.

The digital illustrations are softly rendered and quite child-centric. Spot art illustrations lovingly portray the strong bond that developed between a boy and his dog. While cartoonish, faces are expressive. The cave seems ominous. The narrative flows nicely making it a good choice to read aloud. Young readers will be riveted then relieved.

Back matter includes a detailed timeline of the future president's life along with the Author's Note. But wait, there's more! There is an Activity Guide as well as a Curriculum Guide for teachers and librarians interested in sharing Honey, the dog who saved Abraham Lincoln with their charges. 

Shari Swanson is a lawyer, middle school language arts teacher turned author. She earned an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Honey the dog who saved Abe Lincoln is her debut picture book. Visit her at www.shariswanson.com.

Chuck Groenink is from the Netherlands but now lives in New York. Visit him at www.chuckgroenink.com.

Picture Book Review: The Moose of Ewenki by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane

Image: Greystone Books

The Moose of Ewenki by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane. Illustrated by Jiu Er. 68 p. Greystone Kids/ Greystone Books, September, 2019. 9781771645386. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publicist.)

I dare you to resist the lure of this fantastic cover! Take a real close look. Note the detail - the brushstrokes, the long lashes and the insouciant stare.  Prepare to fall in love. If you're reading it aloud, prepare for that blessed hush that happens when the audience is rapt.

The opening double-page spread introduces the reader to the Reindeer Ewenki, who live in the Greater Hinggan Mountains in Northern China. An elder, named Gree Shek has been waiting to ambush a moose all night and is successful. This spread shows the hunter and his hound headed toward their prey. The detail in each of these two spreads (indeed in every illustration) invites lingering. There is such careful attention to detail. 

Sadly, Gree Shek has killed a mother moose and her calf is trembling in nearby shrubs. The old man calms his dog and offers his hand to the poor, motherless calf, who follows him home. And proceeds to wreak havoc in the campsite. Even so, he becomes part of the camp and makes himself quite at home among the Ewenki and the reindeer. Gree Shek names him Xiao Han, little moose. But Gree Shek is elderly and he understands his time is limited. When he injures himself and needs to seek care in the village down the mountain, Xiao Han follows. But he is not suited to life among humans there. 

Perhaps, neither is Gree Shek. He returns to the mountains and brings Xiao Han deep into the forest, where he chases him away. Gree Shek does not return to the Ewenki though. He dies in the forest, with his trusty dog at his side. His dog remains even after Gree Shek is buried. The Ewenki never return to that part of the forest again. The giant moose remains though, guarding the forest and his dead hunter.

This story is so powerful, I am sure that whomever you read it to will ask, "Is this true?" You can say with certainty, "Yes." Share this widely. You will not be disappointed. Beautiful storytelling by a Chinese bestselling author accompanied by stunning illustrations, this story of kindness and nature should have universal appeal. Highly recommended.