Folklore-Chapter book
“Where the Mountain meets the Moon”
Author/Illustrator- Grace Lin
Publisher/Year- Little Brown Books for Young Readers- (2009)
Ages-
In this lovely blend of fantasy and folklore, author Grace Lin introduces us to a brave young girl Minli who sets out on a quest to change her family’s fortune. The story is told using folktales along with the story text and beautiful illustrations. As Minli seeks to bring life back to her home she meets a enchanted goldfish, a talking dragon and other characters that help her find the Old man of the moon. Readers will enjoy the lyrical flow of the story and the mini tales that accompany it. The illustrations add meaning and great beauty to the story in traditional Chinese fashion.
Folklore Advanced beginning to read
“Tales from the Odyssey Part 1”
Author- Mary Pope Osborne
Publisher- Hyperion Book CH; Original edition (May 4, 2010)
Ages- 8 and up
Odysseus must brave raging seas, one eyed giants, hungry cannibals and a six headed serpent if he wants to make it home to his family.
Osborne retells Homer’s Odyssey in this short rewritten version. She breaks down the epic tale into short chapters that even early to intermediate readers can enjoy. The story is also broken down into three books with short epilogues at the ends. Included at the end of the book is a dictionary of sorts about the gods and goddesses in the story with a guide on how to properly pronounce their names.
Folklore Beginning Reader
“The Jewel Fish of Karnak”
Author/Illustrator- Graema Base
Publisher- Abrams Books for Young Readers (September 1, 2011)
Ages- 5 and up
Jackal and Ibis are thieves who are brought before the Cat Pharaoh to be punished. Taking pity on them she sends them on a quest to retrieve the Jewel Fish that was stolen from her. They are warned not to take anything else from the treasure and not to get the magical fish wet. Will they succeed or will greed take over?
In this cautionary fable readers learn the meaning of honesty. This is a short charming book with lovely illustrations. Readers can try to figure out the secret hieroglyphs that accompany the text and enter the message on the website to get the full ending of the story.
Fantasy Picture Book
“Princess Hyacinth (The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated)”
Author- Florence Parry Heide
Illustrator- Lane Smith
Publisher- Schwartz & Wade (September 22, 2009)
Ages- 4 and up
Princess Hyacinth would really like to be just an ordinary princess. Instead she has a rather difficult problem... she floats! Her clothes are weighed down, she wears a heavy crown and she can never go outside. She spends her days daydreaming of playing outside with a boy she sees in the garden. One day she spies a balloon man and sets off on her own amazing adventure! Will she ever come down again?
This is a fun quirky book with fantastic illustrations. Children will love how the floating text matches the little flying heroine!
Fantasy Advanced Beginning Reader-
“Tuesdays at the castle”
Author- Jessica Day George
Publisher- Bloomsbury USA Children’s; 1 edition (October 25, 2011)
Ages- 8 and up
Castle Glower likes to change its rooms every Tuesday. It might add a new room, turret or an entire wing! No one loves Castle Glower more than Princess Celia, who has attempted to map all the new rooms and changes the castle. When the King and Queen disappear and the castle is taken over by the council and a evil foreign prince; Celia, along with her brother Rolf and sister Lilah must work together to save the kingdom.
An easy book for advanced/beginning readers, with likeable characters and nasty villains that will keep the pages turning. This book is the start of a new series by Jessica Day George.
Fantasy Chapter book
“Tale of two Castles”
Author- Gail Carson Levine
Publisher- Harper Collins; First Edition (May 10, 2011)
Ages- 8 and up
As Elodie travels to the town of Two castles to seek an apprenticeship to become a mansioner (an actress), she finds that her luck has completely run out. She is saved from starvation by a rather ugly dragon named It and finds herself on a mission inside an Ogres castle. She quickly finds herself wrapped up in a plot of murder and intrigue in this tale of good versus evil.
Elodie is a likeable character with plenty of spunk. This is not a tale of romance but one of mystery and friendship in unlikely places. While the publisher suggests that this is a book for ages 8 and up it is fairly substantial, with large words and complicated plot twists. I would recommend it for ages 10 and up as younger children may find many of the words hard to understand.
Fantasy Chapter *Bonus read*
“Brother Band Chronicles- The Outcasts”- Book 1
Author- John Flanagan
Publisher- Philomel (November 1, 2011)
Ages- 10 and up
This is the second series by Flanagan who wrote the popular Rangers Apprentice Series. Instead of Will and Halt we meet the Skandian (think Viking) outcast Hal who is of mixed parentage living in the town of Hallasholm. He and eight other boys become a team in the annual Brotherband training that all Skandian boys must go through. He finds himself the leader of the group and must prove himself worthy. Add a side story of dangerous pirates and you have another epic adventure series in the making.
This is a fast moving well written story with characters that boys and girls can relate too. I highly recommend this author and his new book for advanced chapter readers and reluctant boy readers. If you know me at all, then you know this is one of my favorite authors. Flanagan has a superb writing style that works with many age levels. I love his books!
