Ruby Lee and the Very Big Deal by Nancy Buffington, Stephanie Mullani (Illustrator) ★★★☆☆

The value of public speaking

Fiction – children/Juvenile - contemporary

50 pages

Publication Date:  2013

Ruby Lee’s essay won first prize place and now she has to read it in front of the town.  Can Great Aunt Alice help Ruby overcome her stage fright before the big event?

This nice and age appropriate story focuses on Ruby’s fear of public speaking; a very identifiable problem, and something we all have to face at some point.  Ruby’s Great Aunt Alice clearly explains how important this skill is and gives great - useful in the real world - advice.  I loved that Ms. Buffington uses the dementia ridden Great Aunt to help out Ruby.  I think as a society we are prone to overlook the wisdom and guidance our elderly can give us and we don’t put enough emphasis on the respect they deserve.  The illustrations were good.  I loved the secret section at the end to reinforce the lessons and some back story on the cast of characters.

On the downside the writing was awkward at times and the characters tended not have much depth.  Also Ruby going from a novice to a pro seemed a bit unbelievable to me, but I understand that I’m not the intended audience and this may not be a problem for children. 

The Icebound Land by John Flanagan ★★★★☆

Well Done

Fiction – YA/Juvenile – Medieval

266 pages

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Publication Date: June 26, 2007

Ranger's Apprentice #3

Halt and Horace follow after Will and Evanlyn to Skandia to set them free from their kidnappers.

This book was a major improvement and I only have good things to say.  The pacing was superb.  The excitement suspense and drama began right from the start.  The story was a bit unexpected and pleasantly surprising.  The writing never broke with the book reality.  I loved the dynamics of differing points of view of the same events and was impressed at how well done the two story lines were done.  All of the characters were fully realized and distinctive from other as well as the different cultures.

I just really enjoyed it and by the end I was clamoring for the next one and so grateful to have a local library with a decent children’s section.

Velveteen vs. The Junior Super Patriots by Seanan McGuire ★★★★☆

A charming new addition to super power lore

Fiction – Adult – Urban Fantasy

204 pages

Publication Date:  2012 

Velveteen vs. #1

I wanted to like this book from the first moment I found it on Goodreads and after a few minutes of reading I was ready to be delighted and jump in with both feet.  The beginning was a bit jumpy, but amazingly funny.  I also fell deeply in love with the narrating voice.  It described fantastic word pictures coupled with just the right amount of snark.  I also found her power to control toys charming.

I debated about giving this book 4 or 5 stars, but I have to say the lack of a crescendo at the end of the book knocked it down to 4.  Mrs. McGuire obviously had the talent to turn the last scenes into a real climax, but for some reason chose not to and the book ends without the real bang it deserved.

Something else that really bothered, though no fault of the book or author, was the limited run.  I got it on kindle, but would love to get to have a hard copy and the same goes for book two.

I have to say this has got me totally rethinking my own super power plans.  First I wanted the power to freeze and speed up molecules, you know like Piper from Charmed.  Then I became a mom and being a speedster sounded pretty, at least until my letter from Hogwarts for adult correspondence classes arrived, but now I see that I shouldn’t close myself off to the possibilities.  Human mutation and transformation through lab accidents shouldn’t be limited by my tiny imagination.

Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal by Emily Rodda ★★★★☆

Another Winner

Fiction – Juvenile – High Fantasy

208 pages

Grade Level: 3 and up  Age Range: 8 and up

Publication Date:  1996

Rowan of Rin #3

Rowan and his mother are called to choose the new Keeper of the Crystal by the Maris folk, but when Rowan’s mother is poisoned only he can find the culprit and pick the new Keeper before the Zebak invasion.

Again I was blown away by how well done these books are.  Ms. Rodda is a rare talent, she describes these places like someone who has actually lived there and not just a place made up in her mind.  In this book the story telling style changes a bit from the first two, but I don’t feel that it detracts in any way.  Also the story type is a bit different too.  We again get to see Rowan grow, but also rely on the lessons he learned from his earlier challenges.  This story is about cunning and there is no guide or protector this time.  Rowan must become a leader and not just a follower and his new challenge is to discern the minds of others. Also another cool thing is that we get to visit the Coast and the Maris people with Rowan for the first time.