Day: April 7, 2009

Digging for Jewels

| Tasha

The incredible Sheila Ruth of Wands and Worlds has posted a thought-provoking piece on the influence of best sellers and marketing on what we read, what gets reviewed and what gets our attention. 

As I say in my comment on her post, the incredible CCBC Choices list is a great place to go and find some of the hidden gems in literature for children and teens.  They emphasize great writing and multiculturalism.  And to get a feel for what Wisconsin librarians get to see each year, check out their webinar presentations!  They know how to really get you fired up about books you have never heard of.

I do think that as bloggers we are in the perfect place to highlight books that are hidden gems.  I’m wondering if we could do a special event each month where we all provide a great find to gain it attention?  A Have You Heard Of… kind of deal.

Personally, I get caught up in the hype of books myself, especially the PR for teen novels.  Boy do they know how to sell a book to a librarian!  So after reading Sheila’s post, I look forward to digging through some of the lesser-known titles waiting in my stacks and seeing what I find. 

What about you?  Are you willing to take a risk and dig for jewels too?

Little Chick

| Tasha

Little Chick by Amy Hest, illustrated by Anita Jeram.

This is a picture book that creates a world with just a few words, great characters, and wonderful illustrations.  Little Chick has three stories in this book.  One involves a small carrot, the second a stubborn kite and the third the wonder of stars.  Hest works with repetition that links all three stories together as well as a gentle style that is happy and warm.  The two characters of Little Chick and Old-Auntie (a big hen) are classic and yet fresh here.  The relationship between the two is lovely to read as Old-Auntie understands Little Chick and gently guides her to try another way. 

Hest has just the right amount of text here which is presented in a nice big font.  The book reads aloud well and though it has three stories in it is the length and size of a regular picture book.  Jeram’s illustrations are light, energetic and simply delightful.  They capture the vivacious little bird, the security and stature of the hen, and the beauty of garden, hillside and night while retaining their fresh light approach.

The perfect spring book, these stories are classic, gentle and lovely.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

| Tasha

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan.

Escape from all of the teen vampire novels and into the arms of this stunning zombie novel.  Mary lives in a village surrounded by fences that are the only thing that keep the Unconsecrated out.  Every day they swarm the fences, trying to get in and feast on the living.  Anyone bitten by them turns into a zombie.  Recently, Mary’s father disappeared into the surrounding forest and never returned.  Her mother goes to the fences to see if she can see him in the throng of zombies.  One day her mother goes to the fence alone and is bitten.  Mary has to choose whether she should be killed outright or turned outside the fences to join the zombies there.  She decides to allow her mother to exit the village, a decision her brother refuses to forgive her for.  Mary has two choices as a teen girl in her village.  She can marry and continue the human race or join the Sisterhood, a church group that rules the village.  But she is satisfied with neither choice.  Could there be a third?

I found this book absolutely gripping while reading.  The tension of the village existing by itself surrounded by forest and zombies, the absolute power of the Sisterhood, the strain of families constantly losing people to the Unconsecrated, and the tension of Mary trying to fit in but not be overcome by the society she lives in.  Ryan’s writing is thrilling, bloody and unflinching.  She has created a zombie book that embraces the zombie traditions of blood-thirst and refusal to quit.  It is a joy to see a book so fresh based on such long-standing traditions.

After finishing the book, I was a little less happy.  I found a real lack of answers about this world we found ourselves in.  I didn’t mind the abrupt ending, but I did think that the world itself needed to be fleshed out more and that without some insight into the world it seemed very incomplete.  I will be eager to read subsequent books to see if answers appear, but at this point I am concerned that the thrilling action has overtaken the world building.

I also was confused by Mary’s utter desire for one boy and then her turning away from him when they were finally together only to turn back when faced with losing him.  It made me question this character’s strength and judgment.  I wouldn’t have minded if there was some reason given for the inconsistency, but there was nothing. 

Despite my quibbles, teens will adore this book.  Who could ask for more than zombies, gore and true love?  Appropriate for ages 14-17.