Day: June 3, 2008

The Red Necklace

| Tasha

 

The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner.

This book had me immediately upon reading the first page.  The writing was flowery but intense, filled with images but equally gripping and fast paced.  It was the tone of the French Revolution itself.

Set during the French Revolution, this is a tale of Gypsies and aristocracy, vengeace and wealth.  Yann Margoza works in a magic show with Topolain, the magician and Tetu, a dwarf who can move objects with his mind.  Yann himself can throw his voice and read minds.  All of their skills are used when they animate their latest act, a wooden Pierrot.  Their act is brought to a bloody end when they are asked to perform for Count Kalliovski and Topolain in killed.  In the aftermath of the murder, Yann meets Sido, neglected daughter of a rich marquis.  Sido slips closer and closer to the trap Count Kalliovski has laid for her while Yann is sent to England for safety.  But he will be unable to leave France behind that easily.

Sally Gardner, author of I, Coriander, returns with an equally stunning book.  Her language is incredible, filled with details but still nimble, evocative but not verbose.  And the story she tells is not only riveting but unique.  One never knows where the story is headed, as it twists and turns in unexpected ways.  Her characterizations are flawless, never stereotypical, but always revealing and interesting.  Even the villains have great backstory and reasons for being who they are. 

This is a glory of a book.  Highly recommended and one of the best of the year.  Appropriate for ages 13-16.  There is plenty of romance but no sexuality in the book, and there is plenty of gore and death as well.  What more would you expect from the French Revolution?

Trout Are Made of Trees

| Tasha

 

Trout Are Made of Trees by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Kate Endle.

The title will immediately have children puzzled and intrigued.  Fish made of trees?  Will they be wooden fish?  What could it possibly mean?  Is this another of those strange surreal books mommy sometimes finds?  But slowly and lyrically the story is told of tree leaves falling into the stream, settling to the bottom, bacteria feeding on them, and then small creatures eating the leaves.  The cycle of life is right before our eyes as the trout feed on the creatures and the leaves become part of them. 

The author has created a book that is pure fascination.  Even if you know the book is about the cycle of life, it’s impossible to not want to follow the story.  The illustrations are an interesting combination of cartoon friendliness and detailed naturalism.  They manage to be warm and factual at the same time.  The text walks this same line, creating a story where pure fact could have been cold and impersonal.

Highly recommended for elementary science classes looking at the life cycle.  My children immediately realized that we too are made of trees and started listing all of the other things we are made of: grass, rocks, and much more.  I love any book that immediately sparks such interested conversation and animated sharing of ideas.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.