ADULT EXPLORATION KITS: THEY’RE LIKE A COURSE IN A BAG
Three new “courses” are available for home study (and play).
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
AGATHA CHRISTIE
WITCH HUNTS
Find them on a library shelf near you!
“Gilded Cage” by Vic James
“Gilded Cage” by Vic James
In this alternate reality world, Luke and his family are part of the commoners, or those who do not have special mind control powers. Those who have the powers are called Equals, and they rule the land as members of a powerful aristocracy. All commoners are required to spend 10 years of their life in slavery to the Equals. Some do their years as soon as they are able, while others wait until the end of their lives to serve their time. No matter when it happens, those 10 years are not pleasant, and many die while most come back broken and unstable.
Luke’s sister finds a way for all of them to serve their years together in what will hopefully be a fairly peaceful estate. But all her planning is for naught, and Luke is separated from his family and sent to another slave holding. What he learns there will take him on the path to rebellion and a sacrifice for his family.
This was a very unique turn to an otherwise common story. The introduction of mandatory slavery for commoners set up the communities for an aggressive slave rebellion, but those in power have ultimate control, making it almost impossible for those without to have any affect on society. A great new read for those who like dystopian novels, but a little graphic for younger readers.
Professional reviews:
“Brisk plotting, sympathetic characters, and plenty of intrigue will keep readers on the edges of their seats, eager for the next book in a very promising series.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“An alternate modern-day England where enticing drama and social unrest mix with aristocratic scandal and glamorous magic . . . conjuring up the specters of Les Misérables and Downton Abbey . . . an absorbing first installment that presages an intriguing new fantasy series.”—Kirkus Reviews
“The Forgetting” by Sharon Cameron
“The Forgetting” by Sharon Cameron
Nadia lives in a world where every twelve years everyone she knows forgets everything about their lives. Everything about their family. Everything about their neighbors and friends. Everything that isn’t written down in a person’s book is forgotten as if it never happened. Except for Nadia. She has never forgotten. Not the way the village officials dictate their every move. Not about the father who abandoned her family at the last Forgetting. Not about the woman who used to be a loving caring mother but is now just a shell of herself. Now the time has come for another Forgetting, and Nadia is determined to find out more about how the Forgetting works and why her society is so dependent upon the Archives and their leaders.
What looks like a dystopian novel soon turns into a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller as Nadia finds out more about where she and her people came from and why they are forced to live within the walls of the village. Nadia’s growing relationship with Gray and the frictious relationship she has with her sister and mother give a lot of insight into her character. A great new tale from Sharon Cameron, this is great for fans of dystopian tales such as Caragh O’brien’s Birthmarked series.
Awards: Autumn 2016 Kids’ Indie Next List selection
Professional reviews:
* “Effective worldbuilding and strong characterization . . . A well-crafted fable for our time.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* “This fantasy is a marvelous achievement.” — School Library Journal, starred review
“Savvy” by Ingrid Law
“Savvy” by Ingrid Law
Everyone in Mibs’ family has a special talent, known as their savvy, that they receive on their thirteenth birthday. Her mother does everything perfectly, even when it’s a mistake. Her grandmother could catch music in a jar. Her grandfather causes the ground to move.
Now it’s finally her turn! Mibs is celebrating her thirteenth birthday, and she will finally find out what her savvy is. Will it be talking to animals? Seeing sounds? Only time will tell. Then tragedy strikes – her father is a car accident and is now in a coma. Will Mibs get a savvy that could save him?
Full of quirky characters and wild adventures, Savvy is the story of Mibs and her quest to save her father’s life. She is joined by her brother and a few new friends along the way, and somewhere between pink buses, flying pies, and police cars they must make their way to the hospital to find Mibs’ father and try to keep him alive.
Law, I. (2008). Savvy. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.
Awards: Newbery Honor 2009
This is a fun book about abilities and talents and family relationships. The growing friendship between Mibs and Will and Mibs and Bobbi are great examples of how people aren’t always who they seem to be, and sometimes a person just wants someone to see them and like them for who they really are. I’m really interested to see what Sampson’s savvy is, although it seems as though he already has inklings of it showing through in his behavior, even at his younger age.
A great group read and one that readers of all ages who enjoy a little light fantasy in their books will really enjoy.
Professional Reviews:
Grades 5-7. Upon turning 13, each member of the Beaumont family develops a supernatural ability, or savvy, which must then be tamed. Well aware of the problems savvys can bring (the family had to relocate when one child had difficulty controlling his storm-producing savvy), 12-year-old Mississippi (Mibs) awaits her birthday eagerly but with a bit of trepidation. Then Poppa is seriously injured in an accident far away, and Momma goes to his side, leaving Mibs and the rest of the family to cope with Mibs’ 13th birthday on their own. Initially believing that her savvy is the ability to restore life, Mibs sets her course for Poppa. Joined by her brothers and the local preacher’s kids, she sweet talks her way onto a traveling Bible salesman’s bus. On the journey, however, Mibs realizes her savvy isn’t what she thought, which opens the way for a number of lively adventures both geographic and emotional. Law’s storytelling is rollicking, her language imaginative, and her entire cast of whacky, yet believable characters delightful. Readers will want more from Law; her first book is both wholly engaging and lots of fun.
“The Last Days of Night” by Graham Moore is an Electrifying Read
“The Last Days of Night” by Graham Moore is an Electrifying Read
Everyone should read this book! What are you looking for in a novel?
Legal thriller? – check.
Espionage? – check
Romance? – check
Techno suspense? – check
Dastardly villains? – check
Truly innocent souls? – check
Laugh out loud humor? – check
Gasps of horror? – check
Social commentary? – check
History? – check
Science? – check
A book that makes you smarter? – check
And doesn’t hurt while doing it? – check
An incredibly well written bit of historical faction surrounding legendary figures that most of us know little about. Only a story based in reality could be this weird. Edison vs. Westinghouse joining with Tesla – and sure, why not, let’s get Bell involved as well! I really appreciated Mr.
Graham’s brief end notes explaining what was and was not real. (Almost all of it was. The biggest change was condensing the timeline of the events.) This book is a mind-blowing page turner that I would recommend to, literally, everyone! An electrifying read! (Sorry, couldn’t help myself – but it really is.)
“Norse Mythology” by Neil Gaiman – Coming in February!
“Norse Mythology” by Neil Gaiman – Coming in February!
Thanks to W. W. Norton & Company for supplying an advance reading copy of this title in exchange for a fair and honest review.
First, let me say that all the Marvel inspired Loki lovers will have a complete turn of affections after completing Gaiman’s retelling.
Secondly, I have read Norse mythology in the past and found little that was memorable, too many gods, all nebulous and unsympathetic. I realize now that Norse mythology is completely griping. It was just never told by the right storyteller.
I can easily envision Mr. Gaiman bundled near a crackling fire on a frigid night surrounded by a group wrapped in his words and trying to make sense of the harsh world around them. Perhaps it’s thousands of years ago, or in his retelling perhaps it is now. Perhaps that final chapter of the world’s destruction is in our near future. Everything feels very real and very now.
A work worthy of any bookshelf!