Youth books roundup
Jan. 14th, 2010 02:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bunnyjadwigaRashi's daughter : secret scholar Anton, Maggie. 2008.
Anton here appears to be doing a youth-targetted prequel to her Rashi's Daughters series about the daughters of this renowned 11th century Jewish scholar. The background appears to be well researched, the characters are not unbelievable, and the story-- and its background-- is fascinating, though there are some heart-wrenching moments. If you are interested in the lives of medieval women, medieval Jews, or both, this is worth taking up, though I wouldn't give it a gold star for great writing.
The entomological tales of Augustus T. Percival : Petronella saves nearly everyone Low, Dene.
Petronella is about to 'come out' in early 20th century Englad-- but her guardian has swallowed a bug and then become a fanatical bug-eater. Then two famous personages are kidnapped from her party. She, her bug-eating uncle, her best friend Jane, and Jane's hansome but oblivious brother in the Civil Service, have to solve the problem. A comedy of manners for the teen set, with suspense, high absurdity, and a dose of P.G. Wooster. Thoroughly enjoyable even if I can't remember the plot.
The puzzling world of Winston Breen : the secret in the box Berlin, Eric.
If you like puzzles, this is worth it just for the puzzles scattered throughout. The characterization makes Scooby-Doo look well-developed, and Breen is an amusing entry into crowd of Harry Reed, Encyclopedia Brown, et al.
School of Fear Daneshvari, Gitty
Another amusing addition to the absurdist adventure novel genre for pre-teens. Really quite funny, and keeps you guessing as to whether the stereotypical plot device will be used. Fun to read.
The Pepins and their problems Horvath, Polly
Oh, this is a wonderful update to the idea of the Peterkin Papers, though the Pepins have no "lady from Philadelphia"-- their neighbor is just as batty as they are. Nice, if a little light. Still, for fans of Pippi Longstocking and the like, very worth it.
The book of changes Wynne-Jones, Tim
A light fantasy touch here, but mostly grounded, these short stories are reminiscent of Joan Aiken, but with a humor more like DWJ or Jenny Nimmo. Might be 'preachy' to those who don't believe in the fantasy elements, but read as magical realism quite charming.
Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos by R.L. La Fevers.
Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris written by R.L. LaFevers.
What if one of Walter Emerson's daughters was as daring as the nephew chronicled by Elizabeth Peters? What if Egyptian magic was real? Definitely lively writing, with the independent (and excruciatingly Free Range on an E. Nesbit scale) Theodosia concocting countercharms, removing curses, and investigating frightening Egyptian mysteries, mostly in London. A certain element of absurdist and mannerist fantasy, and the major plot turns are somewhat predictable, but an all-around win of a series. I await the future adventures of the clever and resourceful Theodosia with bated breath-- she puts Hermione let alone Harry Potter in the shade.
Anton here appears to be doing a youth-targetted prequel to her Rashi's Daughters series about the daughters of this renowned 11th century Jewish scholar. The background appears to be well researched, the characters are not unbelievable, and the story-- and its background-- is fascinating, though there are some heart-wrenching moments. If you are interested in the lives of medieval women, medieval Jews, or both, this is worth taking up, though I wouldn't give it a gold star for great writing.
The entomological tales of Augustus T. Percival : Petronella saves nearly everyone Low, Dene.
Petronella is about to 'come out' in early 20th century Englad-- but her guardian has swallowed a bug and then become a fanatical bug-eater. Then two famous personages are kidnapped from her party. She, her bug-eating uncle, her best friend Jane, and Jane's hansome but oblivious brother in the Civil Service, have to solve the problem. A comedy of manners for the teen set, with suspense, high absurdity, and a dose of P.G. Wooster. Thoroughly enjoyable even if I can't remember the plot.
The puzzling world of Winston Breen : the secret in the box Berlin, Eric.
If you like puzzles, this is worth it just for the puzzles scattered throughout. The characterization makes Scooby-Doo look well-developed, and Breen is an amusing entry into crowd of Harry Reed, Encyclopedia Brown, et al.
School of Fear Daneshvari, Gitty
Another amusing addition to the absurdist adventure novel genre for pre-teens. Really quite funny, and keeps you guessing as to whether the stereotypical plot device will be used. Fun to read.
The Pepins and their problems Horvath, Polly
Oh, this is a wonderful update to the idea of the Peterkin Papers, though the Pepins have no "lady from Philadelphia"-- their neighbor is just as batty as they are. Nice, if a little light. Still, for fans of Pippi Longstocking and the like, very worth it.
The book of changes Wynne-Jones, Tim
A light fantasy touch here, but mostly grounded, these short stories are reminiscent of Joan Aiken, but with a humor more like DWJ or Jenny Nimmo. Might be 'preachy' to those who don't believe in the fantasy elements, but read as magical realism quite charming.
Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos by R.L. La Fevers.
Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris written by R.L. LaFevers.
What if one of Walter Emerson's daughters was as daring as the nephew chronicled by Elizabeth Peters? What if Egyptian magic was real? Definitely lively writing, with the independent (and excruciatingly Free Range on an E. Nesbit scale) Theodosia concocting countercharms, removing curses, and investigating frightening Egyptian mysteries, mostly in London. A certain element of absurdist and mannerist fantasy, and the major plot turns are somewhat predictable, but an all-around win of a series. I await the future adventures of the clever and resourceful Theodosia with bated breath-- she puts Hermione let alone Harry Potter in the shade.
