Teen Tuesday: Always by Morris Gleitzman

Image: Penguin Australia

Always by Morris Gleitzman. 302 p. Felix and Zelda #7. Viking/ Penguin Australia, November, 2021. 9780143793243. (Review of purchased, finished paperback copy.)

Teen Tuesday features Always by Morris Gleitzman. Felix Salinger's story comes to an end in this seventh book of a very powerful series. Readers may be a bit confused at first, because this is a dual-narrative. All the others have been narrated by Felix. Wassim begins the book with his search for Felix Salinger. He lives in an unnamed eastern European country with his Uncle Otto since the deaths of his parents, but their existence is threatened by a neo-Nazi gang called the Weasels. Wassim, who is mixed race is often their target. Wassim's grandfather knew Felix from their work in the Resistance

Felix has retired from his surgical practice and after bidding his granddaughter, Zelda good bye at the airport, wonders how he will fill his days and avoid loneliness. When Wassim shows up on his doorstep with a note written by Wassim's grandfather over seventy years earlier, Felix knows he needs to offer Wassim "good protection." But how can an elderly man protect a young child in the face of unbridled hate?

Always is best read by those who have read the entire series. As in the earlier books, each chapter starts with the title word, in this case, "always." Knowing that this was my last visit with Felix, I had decided to read the book slowly. I soon realized that I had to frequently put it down due to the peril Felix and Wassim were in. The world doesn't seem to have changed much since the 1930s and 40s. It takes a lot of courage to stand up to hate- courage and hope for a better world.

This was a beautiful and perfect ending.

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. 

Middle Grade Monday and Arc Review: War Stories by Gordon Korman

Image: Scholastic

War Stories by Gordon Korman. 234 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., July 21, 2020. 9781338290219. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Middle Grade Monday features War Stories by Gordon Korman. Twelve-year-old Trevor is a bit of a history buff - well, World War II history. This might be because he's an avid video gamer and he's an ace at his WWII game. More likely, it's because his beloved great-grandfather, Jacob, is a WWII war hero. Trevor is his best fan and never tires of G.G.'s war stories. Trevor's dad, on the other hand, worries about Trevor's obsession with war and war games. Daniel was raised by his grandfather and, while he loves and respects his grandfather, he is anti-war. 

G.G. receives a invitation from the town that he helped liberate. They want to honor him, the only surviving soldier, with a parade for the 75th anniversary. Trevor's dad doesn't think travel is a great idea for a man his age. G.G. not only wants to go, but he wants to retrace his steps from 1943 by first traveling to Georgia, where he did his basic training before heading to Omaha Beach, where he landed and then take a road trip through the French countryside, where he fought. And, he wants to bring Trevor with him!

The chapters shift in time between Trevor's trip with his dad and G.G. in the spring of 2020 and 1943, when Jacob dropped out of high school, lied about his age and enlisted. 

War Stories is a bit more serious than Korman's usual fare. He has a lesson to teach, but he does so with a deft hand. The scenes from WWII are gripping and vivid. The tension of G.G.'s secret gradually builds as he revisits each site. Trevor's love and admiration for G.G. is palpable. I felt that the revenge subplot was a tad weak and distracting until the end, where it made for quite the climactic scene. Young readers won't notice. 

One other quibble for me was the math. My husband's uncle served in WWII. He's four years older than G.G. He never married but his great-nieces and nephews range in age from 50 to 28. For me, it's more likely that Trevor would be a great-great-grandson. Again, the kids won't notice.

If you have readers who chew through your collection of war stories and ask for more, War Stories is just the ticket. 

Middle Grade Monday: Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia.166 p. Amistad/ HarperCollins Publisher, May, 2017. 9780062215918. 

Happy Presidents' Day TMS Readers! I hope you are enjoying your break. Middle Grade Monday features Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Garcia-Williams. Clayton and his grandfather, Cool Papa are tight much to his mother's dismay. Cool Papa is a bluesman and Clayton's mentor about all things blues. He can't wait to be good enough to be called in to join the band when they play in Washington Square Park. Clayton's world is turned upside down when Cool Papa dies. When his mother sells or gives away most of Cool Papa's possessions, including items Cool Papa wanted Clayton to have, Clayton runs away to join the band, only he has to take the subway, go underground in order to do so. This slim novel depicts a complex, imperfect family and a boy's grief so profoundly that Clayton will remain in your heart after you close the book.

November is Picture Book Month! Picture Book Review: Ocean Meets Sky by the Fan Brothers

Image: Simon & Schuster

Ocean Meets Sky by the Fan Brothers. 48 p. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, May, 2018. 9781481470377. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

I am so sorry to have taken so long to get to this utterly gorgeous meditation on the power of storytelling, a grandfather's love and grief. 

A young boy misses his beloved grandfather. On what would've been his 90th birthday, he builds a boat with the intention of finding where the ocean meets the sky. The boat he builds is absolutely adorable and totally un-seaworthy! It is somewhat reminiscent of the clubhouse my brother put together from wood scavenged at garbage days. But he has built it and he is proud.

But shipbuilding is hard work! The boy falls asleep but awakens to discover a huge white-bearded, golden fish who is willing to travel with him to where the ocean meets the sky. Is this his grandfather? Or is his grandfather in the moon?

The illustrations are perfectly captivating. Each spread invites pause. Do not rush through this book. The writing is spare and lovely, inviting contemplation and discussion. Was it all a dream or did he really travel there? 

Ocean Meets Sky is a perfect lap book. 

It's Picture Book Month and I've stumbled right out of the gate! Yesterday was a gorgeous day. I went to my yin yoga class, did the food shopping and headed out with my audiobook plugged in to take care of some leaves. Once dinner was cooked, eaten and cleaned, I realized that I hadn't blogged but time and energy had run out. No picture book entry for November 2.

It nearly happened again today. Leaves part-two and this time, with an aching back! 

Middle Grade Monday and Arc Review: The World Ends in April by Stacy McAnulty

Image: Random House

The World Ends in April by Stacy McAnulty. 360 p. Random House Books for Young Readers, September 3, 2019. 9781524767617. (Review from arc courtesy of publisher.)

Middle Grade Monday features The World Ends in April by Stacy McAnulty. Eleanor Dross lives with her widowed dad and kid brothers. Her grandfather lives nearby and is a prepper, meaning he's a survivalist prepared for the end of the world. He has stockpiled supplies and trained his grandchildren to be prepared. Elle used to get a kick out of these drills, but lately, not-so-much. Until. Until she comes across a website posted by a former Harvard astronomer that posits that planet Earth is in the path of a huge asteroid. 

The only person outside of her family that Elle is interested in saving is Mack, her bff since kindergarten. Mack is blind. He's the yin to her yang. He's chill and positive, she is so-not and prone to cynicism. Still, their friendship works. Mack insists that Eleanor involve other students in their preparation for TEOTWASKI — the end of the world as we know it. They form a "nature club" and Elle shares survival tips with the members, which include her nemesis, Londyn. As the countdown to April and collision date nears, Elle must come to terms with the fact that Mack may be abandoning her to attend a boarding school for the blind. THAT would be TEOTWASKI for Elle. If the asteroid hits, Elle won't need to worry about that. If it doesn't, not only will Elle will have a bit of a credibility problem, she will not have her single friend to help her through it.

Middle school dialogue and situations ring true in this fast-paced, compelling novel. Readers will feel for Elle, but will understand how her prickly cynicism keeps classmates at arm's length. They might even discuss what makes for credible sources on the internet! An extensive collection of back matter discusses this topic as well as other large impacts in recorded history; definitions; details about survival preparation and legitimate resources for further reading. 

The World Will End in April is perfect for thoughtful readers who enjoyed the author's earlier, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl (which I LOVED) or stories about misfits, middle school and friendship. 

Middle Grade Monday: The Eleventh Trade by Alyssa Hollingworth

The Eleventh Trade by Alyssa Hollingsworth. 304 p. Roaring Brook Press, September, 2018. 9781250155764. (Review of purchased finished copy.)

Middle Grade Monday features The Eleventh Trade by Alyssa Hollingsworth. This impressive debut is the first-person narration by Sami, newly arrived in Boston with his grandfather, Babi and Babi's beloved musical instrument, his rebab and very little else. The two fled tragedy in Syria and Babi busks in the streets of Boston for their livelihood. When the rebab is stolen, Sami feels guilt over the theft and, with the help of some new-found friend finds it in a pawn shop, where he must buy it back for $700. He convinces the owner  to hold it for him and embarks on a series of trades to earn the rebab back. 

The present tense narration builds suspense and Sami's story of immigration is heartbreaking. Sami's attempt to learn English and deal not only with his apparent PTSD but also life in yet another new country are vividly depicted and highlights his resilience. Readers will empathize and ache for Sami as his subterfuges begin to damage his relationship with his beloved Babi. Readers who loved Refugee or Nowhere Boy will enjoy The Eleventh Trade but really, this is a book everyone should read. 

Teen Tuesday: Like Vanessa by Tami Charles

Like Vanessa by Tami Charles. 284 p. Charlesbridge Publishing, March, 2018. 9781580897778. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Teen Tuesday features Like Vanessa by Tami Charles. On the heels of Vanessa Williams' historic winning of the 1983 Miss America Pageant, thirteen-year-old Nessy confides her own dreams of entering a pageant in Darlene, her diary. But Nessy is realistic, she's big-boned and dark. Besides, her stern and aloof father would never let her. But when her school decides to host a pageant and the new music teacher encourages her to audition, her beloved grandfather, Pop-Pop signs her permission slip and her creative cousin TJ promises to design her wardrobe. Readers will fall in love with Nessy on page one and root for her through the ups and downs of life in Newark, New Jersey as she discovers her strength and learns a family secret or two. This semi-autobiographical novel is the author's debut.

That's what went on the morning announcements and is, by necessity, brief. I just loved this book and can't wait for my students to meet Nessy. She's so interesting and complicated. She's a good student who sees education as her way out of Newark and her neighborhood, which has drugs and gangs; but she's not sure how. Nessy strives to be invisible both at school and at home with her father, who seems angry all the time. She adores, Pop-Pop but worries about his drinking even though he sobers up each weekend to attend church. And she wishes her cousin TJ could be safe enough to be himself. This first-person narrative is achingly beautiful and filled with yearning.

The eighties, pageant preparation and Newark come to vivid life in this remarkable debut. I am looking forward to reading more from Ms. Charles. 

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm

The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm. Unabridged downloadable audiobook. ~3 hours. Read by Georgette Perna. Listening Library, September, 2018. 9780525636168. (Review of audiobook borrowed from public library. Own hc.)

This sequel/ companion to The Fourteenth Goldfish was a pleasant read. It was great to revisit Ellie and her irascible grandfather, Melvin. I just love a smart mc, especially a girl who unabashedly loves science. I also love how fascinating science history is woven into the narrative and spelled out at the end of the story! 

Melvin moves back in just in time to team up with Ellie for the science fair. While he's still a bit outrageous and still stinks, Melvin might be mellowing. Ellie also may developing feelings for her best friend, Raj and the feelings may be mutual? She and Brianna might work things out as well. 

Ellie's engaging voice sounds conversational in this gentle story of friendship, family and science. The dialogue was often humorous in that unique middle school way. Chapters are short and the book flies by. That the audiobook narrator sounded appropriately young added to the pleasure of listening.

Fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish will love this sequel.  

Picture Book Review: Storm by Sam Usher

Storm by Sam Usher. unpgd. Templar Books/ Candlewick Press, August, 2018.9781536202823. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Our favorite little redheaded boy and his doting granddad are back in another lovely flight of fancy. This time, the boy awakens to wind rattling the windows and he just cannot wait to get outside. When he suggests all the things the two could do in the wind, granddad suggests that "It's the perfect day to fly a kite! But we'll have to find it first." While the wind blows mightily, the two search high and low for the kite and stop to reminisce about everything they do find, like a cricket bat. When the kite is finally found, they bundle up and head out to the park where the wind gathers all the kite fliers and whisks them into the sky for a swirling, twirling adventure.

The ink and watercolor art is glorious from cover to cover. Funny little details are embedded on most pages and invite lingering. Every child needs imaginary play and a granddad like this. Share this one and all the "Granddad" books, Snow, Sun, and Rain widely.

Fact Friday and Review: Grandad Mandela by Zazi Ziwelline and Zindzi Mandela

Grandad Mandela by Zazi Ziweline and Zindzi Mandela. unpgd. Frances Lincoln Children's Books/ Quarto, June 28, 2018. 9781786031365. (Review from finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Happy belated book birthday to Grandad Mandela. I've been excited about this book since seeing some initial artwork for it at a Quarto preview last summer. And here it is; and signed by Sean Qualls too!

Doesn't he have the neatest signature? So cool!

Back to the book. 2018 is Mandela's centenary. His youngest daughter, Ambassador (to Denmark) Zindzi Mandela wrote this biography of her father with her granddaughters, Zazi and Ziwelene Mandela in a question and answer format. Children love family stories. They love and need to hear them over and over. When Zazi and Ziwelene were visiting Grandma Zindzi, they find a photograph of their great-grandfather, Nelson and ask her to tell his story. 

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned when Zindzi was only eighteen months old. He was imprisoned for speaking out against Apartheid, which was the law in South Africa that separated blacks and whites. Mandela spent twenty-seven years in prison. Grandma Zindzi answers her grand-daughter's many questions in short, honest, easily understood answers. American readers may not be familiar with some of the terms and place names; but Sean Qualls' evocative and beautiful acrylic, collage and color pencil art provides some context. At its heart is story, family story and unconditional love as well as the mission of instilling social conscience in the next generation. The work is unfortunately, never done.

The art is utterly gorgeous. The design features sturdy paper that will hold up to multiple readings. Font size separates questions from the answers. The writing is accessible and appropriate for the age group. Grandad Mandela will be added to my picture book biography unit though I am a tad disappointed to find little backmatter for students to work off of in the unit. I don't know whose decision it is to include valuable resource material such as source notes, timelines and websites and books for further research. I appreciate them when they are there and teach my students to look for backmatter when doing their own research.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm

The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm. 240 p. Random House Children's Books, September 4, 2018. 9781524719814.

Publisher synopsis: Ellie's grandpa Melvin is a world-renowned scientist . . . in the body of a fourteen-year-old boy. His feet stink, and he eats everything in the refrigerator—and Ellie is so happy to have him around. Grandpa may not exactly fit in at middle school, but he certainly keeps things interesting. When he and Ellie team up for the county science fair, no one realizes just how groundbreaking their experiment will be. The formula for eternal youth may be within their reach! And when Ellie's cat, Jonas Salk, gets sick, the stakes become even higher. But is the key to eternal life really the key to happiness? Sometimes even the most careful experiments yield unexpected—and wonderful—results.

Found this out a few weeks ago when I read Holm's essay for The Nerdy Book Club blog. I just adore her - both Holm siblings actually, and their books are pretty popular at school.

Picture Book Review: Rain by Sam Usher

Rain by Sam Usher. Unpgd. Templar Books/ Candlewick Press, March, 2017. 9780763692964. (Finished copy courtesy of publisher for review.)

When I received an email asking me if I'd be interested in reviewing this title, I took one look at that gorgeous cover and immediately clicked the reply button. It's gorgeous! It's even more gorgeous in person, what with the embossed title and all. The rain drops are even embossed. I got a kind of Peter Spier-ish* vibe from the cover art.

A small boy wakes up one morning to discover a rainy day outside and tells the reader that he can't wait to get outside. Only, granddad says it's a good day to stay indoors. The boy wants to do all the things one cannot do on a sunny day like, catching raindrops in one's mouth, splashing in puddles and looking at the world upside down reflected in a puddle. But granddad insists they wait till the rain stops so the boy totes an armful of books to a window seat and waits. He waits and reads while granddad sorts the mail and reads a letter. The rain doesn't stop. Intermittent double-page spreads show the street outside the boy's home as the water slowly rises and granddad writes a letter. The moment granddad finishes, he announces that they need to mail a letter and at the same time, the rain has ceased. The world outside their door is a watery wonder. It's a good thing they brought umbrellas because it started to rain again; but no worries! They catch raindrops and things the boy saw in his books join in the fun. He even gets to mail granddad's letter in one of the coolest post boxes I've ever seen. Back in a warm and cozy kitchen, sipping hot chocolate with granddad, the boy agrees that "The very best things are always worth waiting for."

Love at first sight only grew through the pages to the satisfying ending and has held up through multiple re-readings. This one's a keeper. The watercolor and ink illustrations feature a lively yet thoughtful red-headed boy who is not only totally at home with his granddad but totally fine with amusing himself. The palette is bright and cheerful. The illustrations range in size from spot art through single and double-page spreads and depict a comfortable home filled with all sorts of interesting details, such as a faithful stuffed monkey who waits on the window seat or the forgotten striped yo-yo under an end-table, and understated humor, such as granddad considering a letter that contains hearts on the envelop followed by a distinct blush rising as he reads the very long letter. 

Each scene invites the reader to linger. Observant young readers or listeners will note how the boy's imagination comes alive. I work with a small group of students daily. I read aloud a chapter from a chapter book as well as a picture book or two each day. They loved this one and immediately asked what else the author wrote. That's when we learned that this is a companion to an earlier book called Snow. Guess what I had to order through interlibrary loan? 

Rain is highly recommended for all sorts of library collections - for its lovely art; for its sweet depiction of love and trust between a grandparent and grandchild; for its celebration of the power of imagination and play.

*Peter Spier was a favorite of my own sons when they were young. We own a number of his books so I found them to revisit. I had totally forgotten that Spier has a title called Rain as well. I jotted a note on the inside of the book in 1989 (the original copyright is 1982 and my copy was in the eleventh printing) saying that #2 son had borrowed it from his nursery school library and was so taken by the art, I had to buy a copy for our home library. This title is a wordless book featuring a brother and sister who spend a rainy day exploring their backyard and neighborhood. The palette veers more toward pastel hues, but there's a similar attention to detail and the sheer joy of childlike curiosity and discovery. 

Audiobook Review: Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley

Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley. Unabridged audiobook on 6 compact discs. Read by Bronson Pinchot. Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, June, 2015. 9781101892312. (Purchased.)

Micah Tuttle has lived with his beloved grandfather, Ephraim ever since his parents died. The two are as thick as thieves. Ephraim taught Micah how to tie knots and Micah grew up listening to his grandpa's stories about Circus Mirandus. Now, his grandpa is ill and his odious great-aunt Gertrudis is taking over. She restricts Micah's access to his grandfather and has absolutely no tolerance for any talk of magic in general and Circus Mirandus in particular. What's more, Micah's going to disappoint Jenny Mendoza, the smartest girl in the fifth grade, because he hadn't been able to work on his part of their project on ancient Incans. 

When Micah finally slips in to visit, he learns that his grandfather has sent a message to the Lightbender. You promised me a miracle. Micah knew these words to be part of the story, and while he hoped, he never truly believed that Circus Mirandus was real. Grandfather Ephraim had saved his miracle all these years and now the Lightbender would come and save him. Micah was sure of it.

What a world debut author, Cassie Beasley has created! Step right up, folks! There's something here for everyone - young readers or old, voracious readers and, quite possibly reluctant readers. The beautifully designed cover will lure readers with the promise of magic. Who doesn't love a circus? Micah is instantly likable. His relationship with his grandfather is achingly palpable. His budding friendship with Jenny Mendoza is authentic. The flashbacks to grandpa Ephraim's childhood are seamlessly woven and perfectly paced - inducing and enticing the reader to turn the page, if reading with eyes or continue, if reading with ears.

The world Beasley builds is intricate, fascinating and wholly believable and the language is absolutely lovely. There's suspense and adventure but there's a subtle underpinning of sadness, of yearning, of disappointment and dashed dreams. The narration by Bronson Pinchot is beautifully understated. His voice choices for a myriad of characters are fitting and consistent. He imbues Micah with such a sense of longing and hope even as he is grieving. The narration is perfectly paced. As much as I couldn't stand to stop for want of knowing what would happen next, I was sad to leave the world of Micah and miracles. While the ending was satisfying, there are some loose ends that might warrant a sequel, which would be welcome.

It is because of the audiobook that I would recommend Circus Mirandus to struggling or reluctant readers. Stories told through flashbacks can be a challenge for even the best of young readers. Reluctant readers may not have the patience or stamina and struggling readers may not have the ability. Pinchot's performance makes the story accessible to everyone.

I received an arc of Circus Mirandus back at ALA Midwinter. The rep said, "This lives up to the hype," as she handed me my copy. I am happy to report that it does. Do not miss this one. Read it and share it with your patrons/ students. 

Honey by Sarah Weeks

Honey by Sarah Weeks. 152 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., January 27, 2015. 9780545465571. (Review from arc provided by publisher)

For all of Melody's ten years, it has been just her and her dad. She doesn't ask much about her mother because it seems to cause her father too much pain. She tells herself that she's fine with that. What she's not fine with is the fact that she overhears her father call someone, "Honey" on the phone. What does this mean? Who can it be? Why hasn't her father said anything to her? With the help of her best friend, Nick and her annoying, little neighbor, Teeny, Melody investigates. The investigation centers around The Bee Hive, a new salon that recently opened and all clues seem to point to her teacher - the teacher she hates and seems to hate her in return.

Meanwhile, in a parallel story, a dog named Mo misses his original owner even while his present owner takes fine care of him. He just knows that something is missing in his life. 

I finished it with tears brimming. What a treasure! What a perfect middle grade book! Perfect length, gorgeous cover, not one wasted word, a beautiful father/daughter relationship, a hysterical grandfather, a great boy/girl best friendship, an adorably annoying, pesky younger neighbor, a hoot of a misunderstanding and the longing of a dog.

This is one I've been picking up and opening to random sections to reread. It's one I will reread many times. I see an audiobook is releasing at the same time, so I'll be reading it with my ears as well.

ETA: In case my short review didn't make this clear: Honey is a must purchase addition for middle grade collections. Sarah Weeks has quite few fans among my fifth and sixth graders. Before I began booktalking the heck out of Pie, I was booktalking the heck out of So B. It and students who love gentle reads on the sad side just adore them all.

Additionally, I mentioned that the cover is perfect but I want to elaborate a bit. I love how it is similar to the cover of Pie in its colorful simplicity. While the stories are not related they both share main characters with yearning hearts.

Blog Tour: Texting the Underworld by Ellen Booraem

319 p. Dial Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Group (USA) Inc., August 15, 2013. 9780803737044. (Review from arc obtained courtesy of the author/ publisher)

Conor, aka Pixie, O'Neill is a worrier. Okay, he's a scaredy cat. He's scared about everything but especially scared of spiders. He's also a rule follower. He chews his food fifteen times before swallowing not to decrease male flatulance, which is why his mother made the rule, but because he's terrified of choking to death. He lives in a duplex in "Southie," the Irish neighborhood in south Boston with his parents and ten-year-old sister Glennie, who is fearless. Grump, his grandfather lives next door. 

Grump appreciates Conor, says he has the "O'Neill spark. He also loves Conor's hand-drawn maps, especially the Land of Shanaya.  Conor loves his grandfather and enjoys his knowledge of Irish folklore. Mostly. Even though after hearing Grump's story of the kelpie, a man-eating water horse, he stayed out of the water for an entire month.

Conor's dad has no patience with Conor's worries nor with his father's stories, especially regarding banshees. So when a car alarm goes off during dinner one night and Grump announces that it's a banshee, Conor's dad is dismissive. Conor? Not so much. Later that night, while stalking a particularly gruesome spider the size of a pencil eraser, Conor  hears a sudden wail, the likes of which he never heard before right outside his bedroom window. 

     "It was as if all the sorrows of the universe had erupted
     at once. It was a car alarm from just north of hell, a jet 
     screaming into Boston Harbor, all sould lost. Subway 
     wheels shrieking on a track known only to rats and 
     zombies." (p. 18)

Conor finds himself flat on his back from the shock of it all. He looks up to see the spider scurry across the ceiling unharmed. He looks toward his bedroom window and watches a red-blond head poke through his window. She apologizes as she floats through the window, makes herself at home in Conor's Celtics bean bag, solidifies, except for her right foot and introduces herself to Conor. 

Her name is Ashling and she's a brand new banshee. She has been dead for hundreds of years thanks to a well-placed ax to the head and the Lady has given her a chance to move on. She's not about to mess this death up. Someone in the O'Neill house is going to die. It's only a matter of time. But first Ashling is intensely curious about this modern world of electric appliances, video games, Trivial Pursuit cards and middle school.

Conor needs to protect his family. Conor needs to find a loophole. Even if it kills him.

Oh, I have never laughed so hard! This is one of the funniest books I have read in a while. But while I laughed so hard that I cried, I warn you, there will be real tears shed. Someone is going to die, but what an inventive, surprising and satisfying journey this was!

As usual, Ellen Booraem (The Unnameables and Small Persons with Wings) has constructed a unique, complex story featuring fully realized and flawed characters. I loved each and every one. Grump, Glennie, Javier, even the bickering denizens of the Underworld. Even now, weeks after first reading the story, I can open the book randomly, start reading and feel like I never left. 

Ms. Booraem also weaves the death mythology of a variety of cultures, as well as Irish myth/ folklore in such a way that I would not be surprised if I met up with a banshee. I would love to meet Ashling. Lord was she a hoot! 

This is middle grade fiction at its very best. I can't wait to get it into my student's hands come September. It's definitely one for the reread pile and I'm hoping there are plans for an audiobook, maybe read by Nathaniel Parker?

Other stops on the tour:
Ellen's web site

Ellen's web page for full listing of blog stops

Charlotte's Library

Giveaway at YA Book Central
Interview at Literary Rambles

Now by Morris Gleitzman

Unabridged audiobook on one MP3-CD. 3 hours, 26 minutes. Read by Mary-Anne Fahey. Bolinda Publishing Pty, Limited, May, 2012. 9781743111017. (Purchased.)

Australian eleven-year-old Zelda’s physician parents have sent her to live with her grandfather, Felix, while they are working in Africa. While Zelda adores Felix, it means switching schools. In her effort to impress, she came off as bragging and found herself on the wrong side of a group of Year Nine bullies. Verbal harassment quickly escalates to physical and before Zelda knows it, her attacker has found the locket around her neck. The one Felix does not know she has. The bully dispatches the locket in a stunning display of cruelty, leaving Zelda to deal with it as best she can, with the assistance of a boy from her class, in a scene that is not for the queasy.

Zelda knows about her grandfather’s experience during the Holocaust and about her namesake, Zelda, ten-year-old Felix’s brave six-year-old friend. Zelda tries to be brave like her but feels she constantly falls short. She seems to have inherited young Felix’s naïveté as she struggles to read social cues and behave appropriately. She thought that he would enjoy his birthday present, a book that she found from his childhood. She hadn’t anticipated the pain it would cause. She thought he would enjoy a birthday picnic in the woods and hanged the many thank you letters from patients on tree branches as decoration never anticipating that they would go up in flames when a birthday candle caught the nearby dry grasses afire. Even though she put the flames out, she still feels responsible for the bush fire that is threatening their town.

Felix is celebrating his 80^th birthday and, while he has lived a full and successful life, he has not yet buried Zelda. He feels incredible survivor’s guilt and is not necessarily honored by his son’s decision to name his daughter Zelda. In fact, Zelda notes that he does not call her by her name but mostly with the endearment, “Babushka.” She believes it is because she is not good enough to live up to the memory of her namesake.

There are many issues explored in this slim volume yet it does not feel laden. There is nary a wasted word and each scene packs a punch. Following the motif of the two previous Felix and Zelda books, each chapter begins with the title word, “Now.” The author writes a note at the end, that readers need not read the books in order. While I agree that he provided enough background for a new reader to appreciate Now, I recommend reading Once and Then for a more powerful experience.

I read this one (kind of) simultaneously with my eyes and ears. I started with my eyes. The narration was well-paced  and Ms. Fahey conveyed Zelda's naiveté subtly. Reading with my ears constantly reminded me of the Australian setting. I don't happen to read accents when I read with my eyes. I very much enjoyed the audiobook. 

Even though this book feels like the end, as we meet Felix near the end of his long and successful life, the author revisited Felix as a thirteen-year-old in a fourth volume called, After. I do hope that the publisher is negotiating with the author to bring this next volume to the U.S. soon.

You can read the first chapter of After on his website.

A note about the cover(s):

I've had the hardcover edition in my library for a year now. One of my eighth grade reluctant readers read all three books this year and just loved them. He told me that Now is his favorite. While the audiobook cover (above) features an important scene from the book, the hardcover art is more in keeping with the other two volumes in the series.