Book Reviews

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe 

It has been a while since I have written a book review and I have just finished this book and needed to read about it. This book is written by Benjamin Alire Saenz. He writes poetry and stories for adults, young adults and children and this book, published in 2012 by Simon and Schuster has won many prizes including the Stonewall book award and the Lambda Literary award.

The book starts quite slow. You meet Aristotle, who calls himself Ari, and he tells the reader by his ordinary life. He has trouble understanding his parents (mainly his dad) and he does not like himself and his life. On top of that he is struggling with the fact that he lives in the shadow of his elder brother he is in prison. Ari would love for his brother to be spoken about but instead his brother is a ghost in the Mendoza family. But then Ari meets Dante, a boy of the same age and similar Mexican background, but those are the only similarities between them two. Dante adores his parents, cries over dead birds and loves reading poetry. He is also a lot more secure and happy in his own skin. Ari and Dante become friends and spend the summer together. At the end of the summer something happens that changes their relationship. Soon they are plunged into a series of events in which they are forced to figure out who they really are and what they want from life. Sometimes this makes it hard for them to remain friends.

This book is a beautiful telling of a coming of age story with a few added difficulties. Ari and Dante’s characters are fascinating and they felt like real people to me. The tension between them can easily be felt from the pages and I found it really hard not to flip to the end of the book to find out how their relationship evolves. This book would be a great tool for any teenagers finding his or her place in this complicated world. It is also a brilliant story to teach young adults about diversity and sexuality. I would definitely recommend this book.

Some discussions you can have about the book: 

• How do you think the relationship between Ari and his parents has changed throughout the story?
• Why do you reckon it was so hard for Ari that no one spoke about his brother?
• How does Ari differ from Dante and why do you think they still became good friends?
• Why do you think Ari made so many ‘rules’ like ‘we do not talk about the accident.’
• What do you think about the parents in the novel, what is their role in the story?
• Why do you think Dante did not run?
• Why do you think the author included the information about them being Mexican in the novel do you think?
• Why do you think the last part of the book is called ‘All the Secrets of the Universe’?
• What do you think will happen after the book ends, how do you imagine their relationship develops?
• What do you imagine the secrets of the universe are and how are we supposed to find out about them? Do you even want to find out about them?

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The Darkest Part of the Forest 

This is a YA novel written by author Holly Black who is known for her contemporary fantasy books. You might know her best from the Spiderwick Chronicles. Holly Black lives in America with her son and husband. The Darkest Part of the Forest is her most recent book, it was published in Great Britain in January 2015 by Indigo. 

This book starts very, very promising. Soon you meet Hazel and her brother Ben. They live in a small village called Fairfold; a village which is used to strange disappearances, tourist murders and meetings with the (fairy) Folk. The village is best known for a prince which has been lying in a glass casket for a terribly long time and no one knows how to wake him. Ben and Hazel have always been fascinated by him and together they fantasized about how they could wake ‘their’ handsome prince. However, maybe you should be careful what you wish for, because before they know it they are plunged into an adventure that endangers the entire village. But that is not the only thing, Ben, but mostly Hazel, find themselves entangled in a web of lies and secrets, some of which they did not even know they had. Can they save their village from the Alderking and his monster?

What makes this book a YA novel instead of a fairy tale are the characters. Hazel is the main character and you soon learn about her insecurities and addiction of kissing as many boys as she possibly can. Hazel is a vulnerable but powerful girl with a painful past which she tried and managed to forget. However, this story will make her relive some of those moments and it will show you how she got to her current situation. Helping her is Jack, who is in my opinion the most interesting and underdeveloped character in this book. Jack was once one of the Folk and he cares for Hazel more than he dares to admit at first (and she for him…). It is a story about love between a brother and sister, trouble in their family and a story of identity and love between teenagers; whether it is boy-girl or boy-boy.

I raced through the first half of this book. There are so many secrets and you do not want to stop reading before you find out what they are. The prince in the casket is also very intriguing, he does, however, lose some charm when he gets out. (spoiler!!  Sorry, but I guess you already guessed that from the synopsis…)

A book with great potential in the build up of the story but I slightly lost interest after I read 70% percent of it. I think the author could have developed some of the characters a bit more instead of going into too much fantasy (for my liking). But not a bad book at all; an easy read for a rainy day!

Some discussions you can have about the book: 

• Why do you think Ben stopped with his music and why did he take drastic measures to make sure he could not practice it anymore?
• Can you puzzle together why the relationship between Hazel and her parents is not very good?
• Why do you think the town turned against Jack all of a sudden? Can you explain the human-way of thinking?
• Why do you think it is so hard for Hazel to love anyone and why is kissing many boys her solution?
• How do you think Hazel has changed at the end of the book?
• What will happen to Jack after the story ends? Think far ahead!
• Will Ben be able to get used to his new life? Why yes or why no?

Tip: If you like YA books about fairy tales I can highly recommend The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly; but only if you are prepared to read about the dark and grim (pun intended) sides of fairy tales. 

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The Last Wild 

This is a debut novel by author Piers Torday. You could say that writing is in his blood, however, because both his grandfather and his own father are authors. His dad wrote Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, which was made into a film a couple of years ago. Before Piers Torday started writing his novel he was already writing for TV and theater.

This book is a strange one; you understand that from the very first page. Kester is a young boy who lives in a home for troubled children in a world where animals do no longer exist. A couple of years ago there was an epidemic called red eye that killed all the animals. Or so he thought, because all of a sudden he is visited by crazy pigeons and a soldier-like cockroach. Kester knows he is unlike other children because he cannot speak to people, but he soon finds out that he has a special gift, because he can communicate with the animals. The animals tell him he needs to escape because he is the only one who can prevent the Wild from becoming extinct. That is where Kester’s crazy adventure starts. On his way he meets other animals and Polly. Polly is a girl who was left behind by her parents because they went to look for food, Polly is not alone though, luckily for Kester she has a cat called Sydney whom Kester can communicate with. Soon Polly joins Kester on his quest to find his father, because he believes that he is the only one who can cure the animals that are still alive.

This novel has often been described as a dystopian novel, but that would not be my first thought. The novel is truly unique and it is amazing how Piers Torday describes the interaction between Kester and his animal friends. The book starts very convincingly and for a long time you think it will be one of those page-turners, however, in the middle I experienced a bit of a dip in which it was hard to keep all my attention to the story. Nonetheless, it is a great adventure story with many twists and turns and two other books to look out for. The second book in the trilogy has already been released and is called The Dark Wild, while the last book has yet to be published, but its title will be The Wild Beyond. I will most likely read these novels too, but they are not on my priority list. However, I think children  who like adventure and animal stories will love this series!

Discussion questions about the book? 

• Why do you think Kester can talk to animals and not to people?
• What do you think the title the Wildness means and why is it important that Kester becomes it?
• What do you think of the relationship between Polly and Kester? Why do you think they can understand each other without talking sometimes and why do you think they sometimes misunderstand each other?
• What do you think about the bad characters in this book? What do you think has made them so angry and do you think they were always this bad/angry?
• Kester has to make many decisions in this book. Do you always agree with what he decides or would you have done something differently?
• The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, what do you think happens in the next book?

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Shadow and Bone 

This is Leigh Bardugo’s debut novel. She was born in Jerusalem, but raised in Los Angeles. She has worked in journalism, advertising, make-up and special effects. She currently lives in Hollywood. The Grisha Trilogy is a best selling series and consists of Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising. There are also a lot of extra stories about the characters in the Grisha trilogy. Leigh Bardugo is currently working on a new novel. This trilogy has been referred to as Hunger Games meets Harry Potter. Find out for yourself if you agree with this opinion!

The first book of the trilogy is set in Ravka. The story opens with a chapter about two children, Alina and Malyen (Mal), who live in an orphanage together. They are drawn together because they are of the same age and they have both lost their parents. One day they are called for a Grisha examination. The Grisha are an elite force of humans who all have a different kind of ‘magical’ power. Children are tested at a young age, if they have a power they are taken away to train with the other Grisha. The story then jumps forward and you meet a teenage Alina and Mal, who both work for the Second Army, which means they were both not Grisha when they were tested. In the army Mal is a good- looking, popular and talented tracker, while Alina is a pale and insecure Map Maker with secret feelings for Mal. They are on their way to the Shadow Fold. This is an area of darkness that appeared after is was created by an evil person. It is feared by everyone because of its darkness and because there are creatures in the fold that slaughter people. On the fold Alina and Mal and the other members of the Second Army are attacked by these creatures and Alina and Mal try to save each other’s lives. While saving Mal, Alina discovers a hidden but powerful gift that she does not understand. Soon after, she is swept away and called a Sun Summoner, a Grisha who can become just as powerful as the most powerful Grisha alive; the Darkling. She is taken away from Mal and has to live in the Little Palace; a place where Grisha come to become stronger and set themselves apart from the ordinary Ravkans. Here she needs to get stronger to help the Darkling to destroy the fold. Alina is confused and misses Mal, but she also feels drawn to the mysterious and attractive Darkling. But can he be trusted?

This is an exciting Young Adult novel which sets itself apart from other books before it. Of course there are similarities; a love triangle, a girl with power and an enemy that needs to be fought, but at the same time this book feels very unique. I think this is mainly because of the, slightly Russian, fantasy setting and the way this setting is described. It did not take long for me to imagine what places like the Shadow Fold and the Little Palace look like. Another interesting aspect of the book is how Alina transforms from a weak and pale girl into one of the most powerful characters in the book. However, even the most powerful have their weakness and if you read the book you will find out how this is true for both Alina and the Darkling.

Shadow and Bone is a perfect holiday read for teenagers, young adults and adults who love reading a trilogy which entertains and keeps you reading through the night. Shadow and Bone is a page-turner, you will soon find yourself starting Storm and Siege; the second novel in this trilogy. The good news is that all three books are already out, so you can just go to the book shop to buy yourself the next one. The trilogy could also make a perfect Chritmas present!

Some discussions you can have about the book: 

• Why do you think the Grisha did not find out about Alina’s power when she was tested as a child?
• Why does Alina’s power feel strange to her? Why do you think she denies she has it?
• What could be someone’s motivation to create something as evil as the Shadow Fold?
• Do you think the Darkling truly cares for Alina? Explain your opinion.
• Talk about Genya and her relationship with the other characters. What do you know about this character? Is she a true friend?
• Do you think Mal could also be a Grisha? If so, why?
• How would you describe the relationship between the King and Queen and the Grisha? Who is in charge according to you?
• After you have read the ending. What do you think will happen in the next book? Which characters will return?

 

UPDATE:
I have now read the second book in this installment and I am currently reading the third and the last couple of nights I have stayed up late because I could not put it down. It seems like it is getting better and better. If you thought Shadow and Bone was OK but not addictive, please don’t give up but keep on reading. New characters will come and make this a very interesting story indeed!

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Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy 

This book is written by Karen Foxlee. Karen Foxlee did a degree in creative writing but was a nurse for most of her adult life. She has written two other books called The Midnight Dress and The Anatomy of Wings. Karen lives in Australia. This is a latest novel and it was first published in 2014 by Hot Key Books.

  The story is set in a city where it never stops snowing. Most of the story takes place in the city  museum. The story’s main character is Ophelia Jane Worthington- Whittard, who stays in the  city with her father and sister Alice. Ophelia’s mother has recently died and her dad does not  talk about this. Ophelia misses her mother very much and notices everything has changed since  her passing. She puts all her faith in science and does not believe in anything to do with magic.  However, that changes when she sets foot in the museum. The museum is known for the famous  Wintertide Clock, a clock that ticks really loudly but no one has ever heard its melody. In the  museum Ophelia soon finds a boy who is locked away in a room. He tells her he has been chosen  by wizards to kill the Snow Queen many, many years ago. Ophelia does not believe this at first but she soon starts to witness things that make her change her mind. Soon she is on a quest to free the boy, find a magical sword and The One Other to kill the Snow Queen, before she kills again and end the world.

This story could be described as a modern fairy tale. There is a lot to like about this story. The museum is very well described and the cover and pictures inside the books are stunning. Also, Ophelia is an interesting main character because she is troubled yet brave, kind and realistic. Some of the chapters are beautifully written and keep you captivated, others slightly lack personal touch because too much of the writing is about the surroundings. which does take away from the story sometimes. My favourite chapter is the one in which Ophelia meets the ghost girls, it is hauntingly beautiful but sad at the same time. Underneath the fairy tale lies the sad story of Ophelia’s mother and her illness. This illness finally resulted in her death and the story does clearly show how the individual members of the family are dealing with this loss. What I like very much is that the skeptical Ophelia is guided by her mother’s voice and that this helps her on her search. It also allows her to slowly open her eyes and believe in the things she sees rather than reads in science books.

This book would be great as a story to read to children, but it is also very suitable for children to read on their own. You could use it to discuss how modern stories still consist of fairy tale elements or you could use it to discuss the loss of someone you love.

Some discussions you can have about the book:

• Which parts of this story are familiar and which other stories do they remind you of?
• Why do you think Ophelia’s mother is trying to get her to help the boy?
• Why do you think Ophelia’s father does not like to talk about Ophelia’s mother?
• Why do you think Kyra the ghost girl wanted to help Ophelia?
• Why do you think science is so important for Ophelia?
• Do you think this adventure will change Ophelia? Why or why not?
• Do you think this adventure will change the relationships Ophelia has with her sister and her father? Why or Why not?

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No Stars at the Circus

This book is written by Mary Finn. Mary Finn has written other novels before this one. One of her other novels is Anila’s Journey which has won several prizes. Mary is Irish and lives in Dublin, No Stars at the Circus is her latest novel and was first published in 2014 by Walker Books.

The story is set in Paris during the Second World War. The story starts six months following the round-up of Jews in Paris on 16 July 1942. The story’s main character is Jonas Albers. Jonas is an almost ten-year-old boy who is living in the home of an elderly music professor. However, he is not allowed to leave his room in the attic because Jonas is a Jewish boy and that is the reason he needs to hide, even though Jonas does not understand this very well. The story is told from Jonas’ perspective because you are reading what he is writing in his notebooks to pass the time.  With each passing day Jonas is getting more worried about his family, who he has not seen for a while. He is mainly worried about his deaf sister Nadia and he is prepared to leave his hiding place to find her…

This is a short but poignant tale told from a naive yet intelligent perspective on what was happening in Paris in 1942.
Jonas starts his story by writing his Last Will and Testament in case he dies, demonstrating that he understands more than the adults in the story might think. Jonas knows about the war and about the Germans who sneaked into Paris and changed the rules. He also knows that some people hate Jews for no reason and that the Germans want all Jewish people to live together, which he thinks is silly. He learns all this from what his mother and father told him before they disappeared , but also from eavesdropping, which sometimes makes him more confused.

What I like about the story is that it is honest and that Jonas’ notebook entries vary from things that happened up to the moment he moved in to the professor’s house, but that there are also entries about the present and how he feels about staying in the same place all the time. I also like the fact that it is a story about a boy who knows he is in trouble but still feels he has to rescue his little sister who needs him. What I did not like that much was the ending. In my opinion it was a bit too abrupt and quick compared to the time the author takes to set the scene. Nevertheless, it is a great book to read with children to learn more about individual children’s lives in the Second World War. The story is full of subtle hints about what is actually happening, and this means there is plenty to talk about afterwards. The book is similar to The Boy in Striped Pajamas because of its perspective but if you ask me John Boyne’s novel had been read enough, this is a great book to explore in its place or as a follow up.

I think it is too difficult to attach an age group to a book because of everyone’s individual learning process but I think this book would fit into the children aged 9 to 12 category. Although, it is also very suitable for older children if you are teaching English as a second language.

Some discussions you can have about the book:

• Reread the title before and after you read the book with the children and discuss what it means and whether their ideas have changed.
• Why do you think people like Pimply Arms were so mean to Jonas and his family?
• Why do you think people like the Professor and Madame Odile are willing to help children like Jonas and Nadia?
• How would you spend your days if you were hiding in a room like Jonas?
• What would you write about if you were hiding like Jonas?
• Why do you think did children need to change their names during the war?
• Do you think Jonas should have stayed inside or was going out the right choice? Why?
• What do you think happened to Jonas after the war?
• What do you think happened to Jonas’ parents?