Search results matching tag 'book review'

Elizabeth II, in Film and Fiction

myzticrhythmz@evpl — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:45:00 GMT

Britain’s Royal Family is always a source of curiosity, and their Monarch is no exception. Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, has been featured in a number of films, documentaries, and books over the past several years. Here are a few to enjoy.

The Queen, a 2006 feature film starring Oscar-winner Helen Mirren, portrays the turmoil in the Royal Family in the days following Diana, Princess of Wales’ death. This film portrays the public’s strong sentiment in favor of the Princess, as the Queen struggles with a proper response to her former daughter-in-law’s death. Mirren’s portrayal is sensitive, with a bit of humor thrown in, and well worth the viewing.

As Queen, Elizabeth has sometimes seemed detached from her subjects, and fiction authors have responded by imagining her in creative ways. Alan Bennett’s The Uncommon Reader poses a unique notion: What if Queen Elizabeth became such an avid reader that she loses interest in her “duty,” and becomes more introspective and sympathetic to others? This novella is a quick, pithy read, and sure to bring a smile.

Author William Kuhn creates a different scenario for the Queen. In Mrs. Queen Takes the Train, the longtime Sovereign of the United Kingdom ponders what she might be find missing in her life. The answer, strangely enough, is Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, the former Royal Yacht of the British monarch. Alone on an inclement winter’s day, Elizabeth grows restless. First, she decides to visit one of her horses, also named Elizabeth. Then she’s off to the cheese store to buy Elizabeth (the horse) some of her favorite cheese. And finally, Elizabeth boards a public train bound for Scotland to visit her beloved yacht. The chaos that ensues among the Queen’s staff and acquaintances by her unexpected journey helps cement relationships, and demonstrates loyalty beyond “duty” to their Sovereign. This book, like The Queen and The Uncommon Reader, adds a bit of warmth and compassion to a celebrated historical figure.

For more in the Library’s catalog about Queen Elizabeth, click here.

Grab a warm cup of tea and your favorite QEII tale, and enjoy!

Deeply disturbing

bookchick@evpl — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 22:43:00 GMT

I just finished reading a most intriguing book called Your House is on Fire, Your Children All Gone by Stefan Kiesbye. This story of four young growing up in Hemmersmoor, a small town seemingly removed from the world, is a haunting tale of childhood gone wrong. Deep, dark secrets best left behind closed doors are exposed in a town where all the inhabitants seem to have given free reign to their impulses. I wouldn't call this a book of horror but it is horrific. Elegantly written, I couldn't put it down until the final dark secret was revealed.

Ways to Live Forever

bookchick@evpl — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:05:00 GMT

What if you knew you were going to die?

In Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls we meet an eleven-year-old boy named Sam who is dying from leukemia. Amazingly brave, Sam writes a list of things he would like to do before he dies. This leads him to write a book with his thoughts on dying, questions no one ever answers and the ways in which he and his family come to terms with his impending death.

While sentimental and poignant, this touching story never crosses the line by overly dramatizing the events in Sam's last months.

I also recommend Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata, another beautifully written story dealing with the difficult questions of dying and loss in sensitive and gentle ways.

It's a Duck! No, it's a Rabbit! It's Duck! Rabbit!

UndergroundLibrarian@evpl — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:43:00 GMT

OK, now it's your turn to take a good look at the picture on the front of this book, and it's nice and big so you can really study it. The two unseen characters inside are in disagreement. One thinks it's a duck quacking, and the other thinks it's a rabbit sniffing.

"It's a duck. And he's about to eat a pice of bread." "It's a rabbit. And he's about to eat a carrot." They even try investigating through some binoculars, but that doesn't help, either.

So what do you think? Is it a duck? Is it a rabbit?

Amy Crouse Rosenthal (author of Little Pea, Little Hoot, and Little Oink) and Tom Lichtenheld have corroborated on this picture book that show us there's more than one way to look at something.

Get a copy of Duck! Rabbit! and see what you think!

The Hunger Games

bookmarkbeck@evpl — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:28:00 GMT

The words I would use to describe The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins are all good. It is fast paced, easy to read, intriguing, action packed, imaginative, suspenseful, and futuristic. The story reminds the reader of "Survivor" on TV with alliances, challenges, and eliminations. However, the goal is not monetary, but real survival. It's a page turner with only one slow part, and seems to have room for a sequel. True, the idea of young adults being chosen as a human sacrifice seems barbaric and might turn readers away. However, the intrigue and mystery grab you early. Plot, setting, character development, conflict and resolution are all here making it well written and a good read for young adults to adult.

Sitting Down To Eat

UndergroundLibrarian@evpl — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:23:00 GMT

Author Bill Harley calls this a "zipper" song. He defines a zipper song as one where each verse is the same except for one word being changed. He gives as an example Pete Seeger's If I Had a Hammer. In Sitting Down to Eat, the singer relates the story of being all set to eat when an animal appears and askes to join him. "If you've got enough for one, then you've got enough for two," the animal reasons, and that always makes sense to the singer. This continues until there are nine animals (well, 8 animals and the singer) sitting down to eat, including a crocodile and even a whale. But when the tiny caterpillar asks to join them, it's just too much.

This would be a good story to tell with the audience joining in -- they'll be able to remember the refrain easily.

A Fabulous Folktale!

UndergroundLibrarian@evpl — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:06:00 GMT

Folktales are a tried and true genre of children's books. They are invariably successful with children. Recently I shared The Enormous Carrot by Vladimor Vagin with several groups of school age children. There are numerous versions of this tale, most involving a turnip rather than a carrot. (When I mentioned that to my audience, I discovered that they did not know what a turnip was --maybe that's why Vladimor Vagin changed his vegetable to a carrot.)

Repetition is always good, and this tale has that, with just enough variation to keep readers/listeners interested. It's on the order of The Mitten by Jan Brett, but it shows the importance of teamwork to achieve a goal. And I like that Vagin shows us so many ways to say yes: naturally, glad to, absolutely, to name a few.

This title was a Young Hoosier Book in 2000-2001. I think you'll like it!

Looking For a Good Book For Boys Age 8 - 12? Or Anyone Else?

UndergroundLibrarian@evpl — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:48:00 GMT

Smoke by Mavis Jukes might be just what you need. Colton, age 12, has a huge Maine Coon cat named Smoke. Colton's mother has decided they need to leave Idaho to live on a ranch in California. Colton is not real excited about the move, but he doesn't complain, and of course Smoke goes along. Colton starts school there and makes new friends, but then Smoke disappears. If you read the back of the book, you will discover that Colton sees a mountain lion. At the time Colton is all alone and he has told no one else where he is.

This may be the most exciting part of the book, or maybe how Colton protects himself is. But what else I like about Smoke is the characterization of all the people. Even though some people may not have a huge part in the plot, they are all well developed, each with his/her own personality. From Colton's teacher through his mother, rodeo-riding father, friends, on down to his father's new fiancee and the kid in Colton's class who seems to rub most everybody the wrong way, each person seems like someone I know now.

Horn Book says Smoke is "Well worth reading for the unusual setting and point of view as well as Juke's deft, uniquely direct characterizations, whererin everyone comes off as believable."

New Jim Arnosky Book

bookmarkbeck@evpl — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:21:00 GMT

Jim Arnosky, naturalist and artist, shows how familiar he is with the oceans, and particularly the Florida Keys, in this quick, suspenseful read for the 4th-6th grade crowd. The title is The Pirates of Crocodile Swamp. Jack and Sandy escape from a bad home enviroment and end up bayside off Key Largo, Florida in a crocodile swamp. They fight off snakes, rats, a eleven foot crocodile, and a hammerhead shark. They are befriended by an old Cuban refugee and a young Key Largo conch named Mia. Through all the uncertainty and danger, they stand by their pledge to live a pirate's life, always be together, and never return home the way it was. The turning point of the story is a little shocking, but the resolution is happy. The story is believable, thanks to Arnosky's knowledge of the area and writing skill, but the characters seem too young to do all the brave things they plan and carry out. Imagination is what makes it fun. The Arnoskys have based several recent books, DVDs, CDs around trips on their boat Crayfish in the Keys and other coastal locations. All are informative and beautifully illustrated. Good reads!

Can one man really change the world?

bookchick@evpl — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:46:00 GMT

"Dr. Greg heard our voices.

He felt the wind blow cold against his face, and he understood."

In my mind, I picture Greg Mortenson, author of Listen to the Wind, standing outside the village of Korphe, Pakistan, surrounded by the majestic Karakorum mountains, with his eyes closed.

Silent.

Still.

Waiting.

Then he hears voices, soft at first and then louder as they are carried closer on the wind. Children's voices! And Dr. Greg knows what to do. He will bring a school to the children of Korphe.

Beautifully illustrated by Susan Roth in collage reflective of the villagers own use of collage in their everyday lives, Listen to the Wind is sure to inspire. It has a way you, your children, your classroom, your church group, your whoever, can help educate children in some of the most remote villages in the Pakistan and Afghanistan. In this part of the world a penny buys a pencil, and one dollar will send a child to school for an entire month! Check out penniesforpeace.org for more information and start saving your pennies.

Greg Mortenson's first book, Three Cups of Tea, was the inspiration for this children's book. I recommend reading it and then sharing Listen to the Wind with your child. You will gain deeper insight into Dr. Greg's world view and be able to talk more richly about the children of Pakistan and Dr. Greg's mission with your child. There are cultural lessons throughout that might challenge you; some political views that might disturb you, but you will see and maybe feel Greg Mortenson's passion for the people he has come to love and respect.