A Northern Light

Title: A Northern Light
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Age: 15+
Rating:3 or 4/5

Summary: Mattie loves to read and she really loves to write. And she's really good at it. Mattie dreams of being a writer and going to college, the only problem is... well there are a lot of problems. With Three younger sisters and a farm to help run, Mattie needs to find a way to earn the money to go to college and the courage to actually go.

Thoughts: I bought this novel two or more years ago at a library sale. I'm not sure what first attracted me to buy it. The cover was beautiful; the story seemed set in a northern locale (which I'm quite partial to); it was fifty cents. I moved to another province almost immediately after purchasing it, and it went into a box, and stayed in my mom-in-law's garage for all that time. While it lay in that box, I've been tempted to borrow from libraries or friend's bookshelves whenever I saw it -but resisted since I already owned it. At bookstores I would find myself picking it up and turning it over, reminding myself I already owned this one. Clearly I was attracted to this novel

Now I've finally read it.

Mattie loves words, they are powerful -something she repeats to herself and others throughout the novel. She chooses a new word from the dictionary every day, and applies that word to situations she finds herself in, or to feelings she has.
Mattie is discovering what it means to be a woman in the 19th century, in the woods, on a farm. Not only that, but what it means to be a smart woman. The things she realizes that she wants out life seem to be ever dimming possibilities as we progress through the novel. This would have been quite depressing, except that there was always a very persistent hope that urged me to continue reading. Mattie was a smart girl and I couldn't give up on her even though she seemed to be giving up on herself.

I think what I most liked about this book, was:
1. The way the story was slowly unfolded -through a meandering time line.
2. The hope that seemed to come through the story even at the most despairing times.
3. Mattie's self discovery and the awakening she was experiencing to the world around her.

And I can't deny it. There's a strong feminist voice throughout this novel that strongly appeals to me. I'd recommend this novel to young women who like historical fiction, realistic fiction and mystery (the novel is actually based on a true murder at a hotel in 1906 -I didnt' mention it in the summary because you'll figure that out from the back description of the book).

*Something that irks me about this book? The story often points out that Abby is more suited to homelife, and she encourages Mattie to attend college -but Mattie never seems to have considered how her leaving might make it nearly impossible for Abby to have dreams she'd like to follow someday too.

The Shadow Children

Title: Among the Hidden
Series: The Shadow Children
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Age: 9-12

Summary: Luke is a Shadow Child, an illegal third child. If he were ever discovered his family could be tortured and killed. But Luke has been lucky, his family's farm borders a forest where he can roam with little concern about being seen. Until the government bulldozes the woods and begins to build rows upon rows of houses there. Will he ever be allowed outside again? Luke begins to despair until one day he spies a shadow of a face in a window next door.



Thoughts: These were pretty quick reads for me. There's a lot happening in each book. The plot seems to stall mid-way through the series, but Haddix makes up for it by telling the story from other characters' points of view (a nice change from Luke's perspective).

The reading level is about for grade 4 but the series would appeal to readers of older grades too. There's a lot of neat ideas presented -and there's always a feeling of suspense and danger for the characters.

This series is a good introduction to Dystopic literature for tweens, and one to keep in mind for reluctant readers (Boys and Girls).

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Title: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Author: Grace Lin
Age: 8-12
Rating: 4/5

Summary: Minli is distressed by how hard her parents work, and they only ever have just enough to eat. So after hearing a story from her father about the Man in the Moon, Minli decides she will journey to find him and ask how she may change their fortune. Along the way she meets many friends who help her realize how lucky she already is.

Assessment: This is a sweet simple story about recognizing the value in one's life; Family, Friendship, Love, Faith and Trust. This would be best as a bedtime read, it is made-up of of many short tales within the novel, and each has a happy end or at least a satisfying twist to make you smile.

I really enjoyed the traditional Chinese style of the storytelling, and the accompanying colour illustrations are charming and help add to the imagination of the reader.

This would be a really nice book for an adult to share a-loud with a child.



This illustration accompanies my favorite short tale in this novel. The imagery created in this particular story about the moonrain made me want to close my eyes and dream right then. But I'm glad I didn't because I was able then to absorb this painted picture and read the end of the chapter.

Recognition: Newbery Honour Book

Mimus

Title: Mimus
Author: Lili Thal
ages: 13+
Rating: 5/5

I've got myself in a silly dilemma.
I first read this novel about a year ago, I'd picked it up at library sale a couple years ago and really enjoyed it. The story was really engaging and I cared a lot about the characters. The novel is very well written and the plot is suspenseful.

My dilemma is that despite knowing how important weeding is at the library, and how even if a book is good -if it's not circulating it's got to go. Well, I recently saw this book on the weeding cart and almost immediately put a hold on it and checked it out. I am ignoring certain principles to try to save one book. But is that even possible? My hold and signing-out of this book only boosts the circulation statistic by one. That will make no difference. I suppose my only hope is that I can hang onto it past the weeding schedule, and if this novel makes it through without getting pulled, I will make an effort to recommend it to as many people as possible.

Summary: Prince Florin and his father The King are invited to sign a peace treaty with the neigboring kingdom. But they are ambushed, the King is thrown into the dungeon and the Prince is made the apprentice to the court jester. Mimus, the Master Jester, is cruel but complex and takes his art seriously.

This is not a book for under 12. Florin's experiences and feelings are intense, he is humiliated, betrayed, starved and beaten. But it's not all gloom. There are also by turns, scenes of kindness and redemption, loyalty and hope. Mimus is actually one of the best teen books I've read in a long time, even now a year after I've read it. Check it out.

*I've labelled this under fantasy, but there is no magical aspect. It does take place in medieval times though.