Blog Archives

Bold and Dangerous

12/28/2017

Taking it to the 8th Power

Let's hear it for the gutsy girls who dare to go where others fear to tread, dare to try what other say can't be done.

Hurrah! Ocean's Eight is coming to theaters this spring.
Until then, want something to satisfy your craving for stories which feature YA heroines who are super smart with a side order of sass?
Here are nine of my all-time favorite teens who are not afraid of a challenge. If a situation requires staying one step ahead of the good guys and two steps ahead of the bad guys, these are the females who are ready, willing, and able to handle it.

Emika Chen

Emika Chen has been barely surviving since the death of her father, living on ramen and supporting herself as a bounty hunter. One day her bold online game move attracts the attention of Hideo Tanaka, creator of the virtual reality game Warcross. He invites her to join a championship competition team and enlists her help to uncover a saboteur hidden deep within the world of Warcross. Eventually Emika learns that this is ever-so-much more than a virtual world and players are not who they appear to be. She will need to make a choice. Who can she trust in this dangerous game?

Frankie Landau-Banks

Frankie, a sophomore at the prestigious Alabaster Academy is dating Matthew Livingston, a member of the school’s all-male secret society Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. She surreptitiously infiltrates the society with a fake email account and manipulates the society into engaging in a series of devious pranks. Then one prank takes it too far and Frankie's identity as the mastermind behind the society is revealed. She will pay a price for her brilliant subversive plan? But, does she care?

Addison Merritt

Meet Addison Merritt, resident of the Spill. Three years ago her town became a no man's land for reasons that are not clear: Maybe a nano outbreak at the local nuclear power plant? Possibly some leakage from another world? Addison makes her living by slipping past guards to take striking photos of the Spill. Later she discovers that someone is willing to pay her an obscene amount of money to return to the hospital, located in the Spill sector where her parents died. She need only return to the Spill one last time. However, her "one time only" unleashes the wrath of a mutant monster of terrifying proportions.

Sara Zapata

Devastated by the disappearance of her friend, investigative reporter Sara Zapata discovers the astonishing number of young girls who have gone missing. Her published news articles begin to draw attention. As she searches for answers, things take a frightening turn when she discovers that key pieces of information are missing. Her family is threatened and her home is no longer a safe place. Sara learns that her brother may have jeopardized the family's future by a decision which will brings him into the influence of the drug cartel. Will she find her friend? Can she protect her family? Sara will risk all to discover the truth and remain true to herself.

May

Best friends Libby and May invented Princess X, a comic featuring a sword-wielding warrior princess wearing a gold crown and red sneakers. One fateful night Libby's mother fell asleep while driving across a bridge. The car tumbled into the icy water with Libby and her mother trapped inside. Libby is dead. Princess X is no more.
Three years later May discovers Princess X stickers directing her to a website. She wonders: Why this sudden reappearance of Princess X? May sets off on a dangerous mission to uncover what happened that fateful night. Her quest pits her wits and her nerve against a cunning man with a deranged plan.

Nimona

Lord Ballister Blackheart has assumed the role of a supervillain in order to expose the nefarious schemes of the kingdom’s Institute of Law Enforcement. He encounters Nimona, a brash young admirer who cleverly negotiates herself into his cause. She has two of things going for her: she is a shapeshifter and she is intensely loyal. However, this heroine has serious anger management issues and is a ferocious ally who is not to be trifled with. Nimona can shift with Hulk-like ferocity from frightful creatures such as a fire-breathing dragon to a docile cat. This girl has got your back

Kat Bishop

Katarina Bishop comes from a family of distinguished thieves, specializing in the heist of international treasures. She decides to leave that life behind and enter a boarding school. She will live a "normal" live. Events conspire against her when her father is framed for the theft of a mobster's valuable art collection. She is sucked back into the world of international intrigue. Can locate the missing art, clear her father's name and simultaneously avoid the arousing the suspicion of Interpol and the mob?
This job will require one very skillful thief.

Cassie Hobbes

Cassie is a “Natural” who has the unique ability to piece together clues about an individual’s motives, backgrounds, and patterns of behavior. This skill catches the attention of the FBI. She is recruited to become an agent for a special government program for teens with special abilities. The agency wants to use her talent to help solve cold cases. Cassie immediately realizes that being a Natural may be more than she bargained for. An unknown serial killer begins to pursue her. His evil mind is revealed in a series of interspersed narratives, which ratchets up the tension. Watch out Cassie.

Sophronia

Sophronia is sent to Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. In the academy--a collection of interconnected dirigibles--girls learn social graces and intelligence gathering, domestic skills and defense against vampires. As Sophronia learns the fundamentals of espionage, she also uncovers the academy's own secrets. This savvy young student assembles her own team of specialists. Together they set out to “finish” criminals in this Victorian Era steampunk escapade.

Okay. I cheated. There are nine in this list.
But these stories are so tantalizing that it is impossible to stay within a limit of eight.

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Pure Gold

12/18/2017

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Love by Matt de la Peña ill by Loren Long

"In the beginning there is light and two wide-eyed figures standing near the foot of your bed,
and the sound of their voices is love."

It begins with the cover. A young child, sporting a pair of spiffy yellow rain boots and a bright yellow umbrella is perched on the shoulders of a man, both gazing ahead to the golden glow of a sunrise.

Follow the yellow clues carefully placed on succeeding pages. The opening illustrations present several images of love: faces of caring adults standing in a sunlit nursery, the warmth that suffuses a day in the park, dancing on rooftops and in city streets. Each page is bathed in joyful tints and shades of yellow. Love, as represented by this golden color is strikingly evident.

But the scene changes and darkness dominates several images as pain and confusion enter into the picture. Searching for yellow becomes a bit of a challenge. However the careful observer will find hints that gold still remains: a faithful dog, a cuddly teddy bear, a painting of a religious figure. While difficult to find, there are glimpses of yellow, glimmers of love in a world that is sometimes difficult and incomprehensible. Love remains in caring family relationships, the glory of nature, and the joy of discovery.

Eventually the focus abruptly shifts with one magnificent two-page spread. We no longer view the world through the eyes of a child. The scene zooms in for a tight shot of the child's eyes. Love becomes personal and oh so real in this intense close-up.
The lyrical melding of text and image concludes with a crowded street on a rainy day. Although the skies are dark and the rain is descending, a yellow umbrella remains a shield from the storms of life. "Because you'll have love. You'll have love, love, love."

There are picture books which seem to be the result of a thoughtful collaboration and shared vision between the author and the illustrator. Love written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Loren Long is one such book. The mastery of imagery created by text and art is seamless. They blend together to create a whole cloth that elicits deep emotions. The power of the book is the way that these two masters of their craft unite. It is pure gold.

Bonus

Do you reside in California, Colorado, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Washington DC ?
Lucky you!
Matt de la Peña and Loren Long will be touring in January and February. Check out the complete tour schedule here.

Learn more about the fascinating process Loren Long used to create the illustrations for this book.

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Royal Treatment

12/14/2017

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Victoria: Portrait of a Queen by Catherine Reef

She reigned by sheer force of character...
Lord Salisbury

British Royalty in 2017

Fascination with the British royalty continues to dominate the news. The royal fervor is fueled by recent events: seventieth wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, announced engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and the anticipated birth of a third child for Prince William and Kate Middleton. Photos and information about the British monarchy is omnipresent via news outlets, tabloids and social media.

Queen Elizabeth II and Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh married 1947

Prince George, Prince William Duke of Cambridge, Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte

Prince Harry of Wales and Meghan Markle

Before all the public scrutiny of this royal family, there have been numerous historical accounts of House of Windsor dynasty. Queen Elizabeth II is the daughter of King George VI and granddaughter of King George V. Her paternal great grandfather is King Edward II and her great-great grandmother is Queen Victoria. Until recently, Victoria was the longest-reigning queen in England. However, Elizabeth II has recently surpassed this record, becoming the longest-reigning British monarch on 9 September 2015. On 6 February 2017 she became the first British monarch to celebrate a Sapphire Jubilee, commemorating 65 years on the throne.

The Victorian Era 1819 - 1901

Never in her life could she be confused with anyone else, nor will she be in history.
Henry Ponsonby, Queen Victoria's private secretary

Victoria: Portrait of a Queen by Catherine Reef gives young readers insight into the life and times of Queen Victoria, who served as Britain's reigning monarch for over sixty-three years. This chronological account delves into the personal life of Victoria beginning with her overprotected childhood, her marriage to Prince Albert, and the birth of her nine children. Reef does not shy away from detailing Victoria's willful and stubborn temperament, her deep anguish on the death of her husband, and her unusual relationship with servants John Brown and Abdul Karim.
The biography is also excellent source material regarding these significant historical events: decline of the Ottoman Empire and the conflicts between Muslims and Christians, Crimean War, Zulu War, governance of India, and the question of independence for Ireland.

The detailed descriptions of Queen Victoria's ongoing relationships with two prime ministers is fascinating. Reef offers riveting details about both men, their philosophy and style of governance. The Queen enjoyed a lasting friendship with Benjamin Disraeli. He slyly commented on his technique for working with Her Majesty. "Everyone likes flattery, and, when you come to royalty, you should lay it on with a trowel." In contrast, working with William Gladstone was constantly contentious for both the Queen and the prime minister. Of him she said, "He was a clever man, full of talent, but he never tried to keep up the honour and prestige of Great Britain."

Rich and extensive back matter is a treasure trove of additional information. Included are: an explanation of Great Britain's limited monarchy, chronological listing of British monarchs beginning with Egbert's reign from 802 - 839 to the present Queen Elizabeth II reign commencing in 1952, Queen Victoria's family tree, chapter notes, bibliography, photo credits, additional captions, and an index.
Short chapters with clear concise narrative and a fascinating subject make this an excellent historical volume for students. Stellar resource for student research projects.

Illustration Fit for a Queen

The text is lavishly illustrated with copies of primary sources, including gorgeous art. Most of the work is in full color and often spans full page spreads. Here is a sample of illustrations which accompany this handsome volume.

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Let's Get Crafty

12/7/2017

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Crafty Cat and the Crafty Camp Crisis by Charise Mericle Harper

First Second has done it again. This publisher has its finger on the pulse of young readers' interests, moving beyond the genre traditionally found in comics and exploring fresh concepts to offer in graphic format. Recent examples: The Science Comics series features a wide array of fascinating nonfiction in panel form. Also consider the brilliant journal/comic book hybrid CiCi's Journal: The Adventures of A Writer-in-Training.
Now this leaders in children's comics turns its attention to the Maker Movement with a series of graphic novels for young readers featuring Crafty Cat, the fearless alter ego for somewhat timid Birdie. Crafty Cat and the Crafty Camp Crisis finds Crafty Cat preparing for Monster Craft Camp. She has the right tools, plenty of skills and the "crafty feelings" needed to create a winning project. Best friend Evan, requisite "mean girl" Anya, and a school janitor who serves as craft instructor attend this camp. Each chapter is devoted the escapades surrounding the creation of a monster-related craft. Bonus: Birdie's imaginary friend Cloudy. Love this!

Take note. There will be a CRAFT-MERGENCY; plenty of drama from Anya; a healthy snack "another way of saying it's good for you and tastes bad" which, by the way, is enjoyed by everyone; and an important lesson learned about friendship.
Back pages include directions for making each of the six monster crafts described in the text. With great characters, clever dialog, and simple craft projects, Charise Mericle Harper has a created a graphic novel series for young craft and comic enthusiasts.

I followed the directions for making mini monsters. This is a fun and easy-to-do project. These would be great as place cards. They would also make terrific cards to top a gift. Think fun reminders for table tops too!