Book Bracket for June
This month saw the completion of many books, some from my "anti-library," but others more spontaneous.
Blue Willow, by Doris Gates
Janey, always moving with her parents after they lost the ranch in the dust bowl, are in a place she finds she wants to stay permanently, but even in uncertainty, she finds consolation and perhaps a means of staying there in a Blue Willow china plate.
Why I picked it up: I acquired this book a long time ago, I think for free - the "Newbery Honor" designation probably appealed to me. It's been part of my "anti-library" for years, and this summer, I'm working on knocking out some titles from the anti-library.
My impressions: I didn't think this book would have much to appeal to me, but it had me invested by the end after a moving scene or two. Not a lot happens as far as action goes, but the author does a great job of creating a plot that is realistic and gets the reader to care about what happens. There were a few comments about Janey noticing her friend's darker skin - I don't think those were necessarily problematic, but I do want to mention the formal "N" word is used to describe a black man. I thought the ending was very satisfying. I probably won't hold on to this book, I think it's a pretty good one for an introduction to the Depression and migrant workers.
Echo Mountain, by Lauren Wolk, narrated by Holly Linneman**
Ellie's family had to make a life on the mountain following the stock market crash, but when she takes on the burden of the secret of what really happened on the day her father was injured and fell into a coma, she finds friends more willing to accept her than some of her own family.
Why I picked it up: I aquired this book for free from someone somewhere, but to get it out of my "anti-library", I found it through my local library's audiobook selection.
My impressions: The author presents a very reflective book that captures the desperation of economic hard times and the absence of a protective, providing father. The main character is intriguing, as is the "wild" life she leads as she harvests food from the mountain. There are some good messages in here about not judging based on appearances or incomplete information, as well as the importance of caring for the world and not just taking from it. However, regardless of the merits of this story as a work of historical fiction, I ended up disagreeing with the way some events played out - spoilers ahead. Ellie, the main character, decides to spare her siblings from the truth that they both, in different ways, contributed to a tree falling on their father, sending him into a coma. The consequences are unfair, with both her mother and her sister keeping her at arm's length from their affection. She maintains this silence to the end, and feels vindicated that her father knows the truth, even if nobody else does. I took issue with this part because I felt like the better course to take would have been to be honest about the incident. Even if she wasn't believed fully, it would have been better to have an additional narrative for the family to consider, instead of ostracizing one of their own. The second issue I had was that Ellie seemed unrealistically understanding and adult-like in her reflections and conversation - I believe 12-year-olds can have deep thoughts, but I the thoughts she has are not what I'd expect from a girl her age. Finally, I was frustrated by the continuing trope that a child ends up knowing better than an adult. While this may be true in some circumstances, Ellie's blatant refusal to obey her mother in some regards really rubbed me the wrong way. Towards the end, a few characters ask, "Tell me what is true?", throwing into question the idea of objective truth. I considered stopping reading this book, but I think I finished it because I was frustrated with the characters and wanted to see how things ended up. I also want to note there are some scenes where pretty gnarly wounds are described and that's not something that every reader would be cool with. I wouldn't recommend this book. It isn't bad, but it has some elements that I didn't like. If you want an introduction to the difficulties of the Great Depression, I think Blue Willow would be a better place to start.
Women of the Catholic Imagination: Twelve Inspired Novelists You Should Know, edited by Haley Stewart
Scholars present essays on the works and lives of twelve famous female Catholic novelists from the last century and a half.
Why I picked it up: I was intrigued by the title when I saw it on the Word on Fire website, and asked for it as a gift. I wanted to move this one off my "anti-library" list as well, and was glad to add some variety to my recent reading fare.
My impressions: As wonderful and impressive as the works and lives of these Catholic women were/are, this book has me thinking that I don't think I want to become a great novelist. Expect more on this in a different blog post. It was interesting to see how different these authors were and how their faith came out in their (sometimes very secular) works. I was familiar with only about half of the authors presented, and I hadn't even read the books of several of the ones I'd heard of before, so this was a very informative book. I like that the essays provided biographical information as well as some literary analysis, and each section concluded with a list of suggested reading and a blurb about the academic who penned the essay. This book is basically an advertisement to go hunt down some little-known novels, and I think it's great that someone wanted to discuss the literature that Catholic women have been writing the last 150 years or so. I did end up skimming a few parts (often analyses of difficult parts of the authors' works), and I would say that this book would be best for Catholic adults looking for some new-to-them authors who wrote hefty novels.
With God In Russia: The Inspiring Classic Account of a Catholic Priest's Twenty-Three Years in Soviet Prisons and Labor Camps, by Walter J. Ciszek, S.J., with Daniel L. Flaherty, S.J.
This memoir shares about the life of Father Walter Ciszek, who spent two-plus decades ministering to God's people in Communist Russia, first in disguise as a laborer, then through his trials in the prisons and labor camps of the U.S.S.R., his life as a "free" man, and his return home.
Why I picked it up: I loved Fr. Ciszek's next book, He Leadeth Me, and I wanted some more of the details about what actually happened to him in Russia - and it turns out, there was a whole book that shares that story! I found this copy at my favorite local bookstore.
My impressions: This book was heavy (understandably), but I felt like I learned so much about the U.S.S.R. by reading about Fr. Ciszek's experiences there. I will also not be picking up anything about Soviet Russia for a while. Fr. Ciszek did mention God's providence and protection from time to time, but I think his other book, He Leadeth Me, carries the spiritual message, whereas this book focused on the biographical information of his life. His youth fascinated me, including his choices to do the hard thing simply because it was hard. What an intriguing person! I could also see how his toughness earlier in life stood him in good stead during his privations in Russia. This was a pretty lengthy account, but it was good. It is a book to make one grateful for small blessings, and probably best for readers high school or older who are not sensitive readers and would like to learn about life in Communist Russia.
The Last Dragon on Mars, by Scott Reintgen, narrated by Landon Woodson**
Lunar's attempt to recover treasure from the wastes of Mars results in an adventure beyond his imagination, involving dragons and space travel.
Why I picked it up: A family member said he really enjoyed this book, so I figured I'd give it a try, too. It was available through my state's e-library.
My impressions: This was an impressive middle-grade adventure novel, right up there with Glitch from earlier this year. I don't want to say more than I already have in the sentence summary above to avoid spoilers, but it was a wild ride. You do have to go into it knowing that there's not a Christian worldview underpinning the world-building - humanity is not brought about by an act of creation by God, but through other means - but otherwise, one could say there are some themes that align with Christianity. There even seems to be a subtle distinction between just anger and sinful anger, with just anger being a force to change injustices, and sinful anger being a rage in which people can lose themselves. I do admit I felt a little uncomfortable with dragons "choosing" humans, as well as the special bond between them (instead of being chosen by God for a mission, being chosen by dragon? I may be reading into it). However, I don't think it's something that would be worth putting down the book for. If you want a fantasy adventure in a sci-fi setting, look no further than this book! This book would probably be best for middle grade readers and older.
Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief, by Wendelin Van Draanen
Sammy is about to start seventh grade when she witnesses a crime committed through her binoculars...and then waves at the criminal, starting a quest to find the thief before he finds her.
Why I picked it up: This one lived on my to-read list for a while, and then I found a physical copy at a library sale. It was an anti-library selection that I knew I needed to tackle.
My impressions: With the exception of a few scenes, this was a very enjoyable and exciting mystery. The stakes and concerns were realistic, and the main character has one of the strongest narrator voices I've heard in a while - her narration sounds like she's telling the story out loud to you. I like Sammy's gumption and how much she really seemed like a middle school student. I didn't like a scene where she talks to a robbery victim in her workplace - the victim is an astrologist, and goes into detail about a birth chart - not something I'd want my kids to be reading about, and not necessary for the story, either. Fortunately, this was a short section. There was one snotty classmate I really disliked, and I think Sammy's way of dealing with her bullying was a bit extreme - and it would definitely violate some HIPAA laws today. Sammy disobeys or doesn't tell her grandmother everything, which isn't great, but I think it's pretty clear that Sammy wasn't right to do those things, and knows it. With the exception of a page or two about some astrological stuff, it was a fun book that I was excited to finish, and would be good for upper elementary and middle school readers.
Listening for Lions, by Gloria Whelan
Rachel's parents die of influenza and she agrees to masquerade as a greedy couple's dead daughter, the couple hoping she will restore them to the good graces of the husband's distant and wealthy father.
Why I picked it up: Same situation as the previous book.
My impressions: I wasn't sure if I'd like this book since I wasn't a huge fan of one or two of the author's other works. Her tendency to tell stories about children in situations where they're taken advantage of until they overcome, while evident here, felt milder than in her other works, so it was more enjoyable. The beginning and end of the book were a little slower paced than the middle part, but it was still enjoyable, and I found it quick to read. The main character is likeable and one roots for her to succeed. There is a good exploration of the importance of telling the truth and the experience of unexpectedly good outcomes from difficult circumstances, although one or two comments indicated telling the truth was complicated, and didn't go much further than that. Also one comment about different takes two missionaries had on polygamy and church involvement. I found the author's consistent use of African animals in similes a little off - it wasn't bad, it just happened throughout the book and didn't quite work for me There's just the faintest hint of feminist ideas, but they don't distract from the story and almost everything plays out believably. This book would be fine for upper elementary and middle school readers to look into. While I don't think that it's a must-read, I do think it's good.
The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster, narrated by Rainn Wilson**
Upon discovering a car and tollbooth in his bedroom one day, the blasé Milo embarks on a stimulating journey with a ticking dog and a blustering bug through lands of words, numbers, and sounds to save the Princesses Rhyme and Reason from their prison in the land of the demons.
Why I picked it up: I remembered reading the book as a child and acquired it cheaply at some point. It was mentioned on a podcast as someone's favorite or most influential book growing up, and it made me want to revisit this book I recalled enjoying but barely recall now.
My impressions: I'm not going to lie - the beginning was so slow and dull that I had a hard time continuing to listen to the audiobook. However, once Milo got to more of the adventure of the story, and less of just meeting embodied puns or turns of phrase, I found the book much more enjoyable. The deeper meaning of the book definitely went over my head when I was younger, but I appreciate its championing of the adventure it can be to learn. I think this book would be fun to read out loud, but many elementary aged independent readers might be able to read this book - although some words might be difficult to work out ("dodecahedron", for example).
33 Years in the Holy Land: What Jesus Saw from Bethlehem to Golgotha, by Fr. A. G. Sertillanges
The priest who wrote What Jesus Saw From the Cross also wrote a shorter set of meditations on Jesus' life leading up to Holy Week.
Why I picked it up: I ordered this book to give to my Dad for Father's Day since he'd wanted to read What Jesus Saw From the Cross. I decided I needed to read it before I gave it to him.
My impressions: This book was another great set of meditations to sit with. Not meant to be read cover to cover in a single sitting, this book begins with the Nativity, goes through his infancy and hidden life, and considers different aspects of His ministry, including His relationship with His disciples, the authorities of the time, and nature. It's a short read, but full of beautiful reflections. It's a great book for any Christian or Catholic, possibly as young as middle school.
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles, by Julie Andrews Edwards
Three children befriend an award-winning geneticist and overcome resistance to explore a fantastical land and meet the remarkable creature who rules there, the last of the whangdoodle species.
Why I picked it up: This book made it onto my to-read list sometime, and I obtained it through inter-library loan.
My impressions: This book was definitely a mixed bag of impressions: the opening third was pretty slow moving (sometimes painfully slow), the middle section was a pretty cool adventure with fantastical creatures, and the last bit just got weird. It was a fun, whimsical adventure that took a decidedly weird scientific turn at the end - cloning was apparently the answer? I really didn't like the final speech one character made about playing God with genetics and at least trying to do it in a honorable, decent way. Because of that element, I wouldn't recommend this book - I definitely take issue with the idea of going ahead with scientific work even if, it is implied, it's outside what God intended. However, outside the weird genetic stuff and the beginning that felt really slow at times, there were some definite positives in the book, such as the enchanting highlights of Whangdoodleland, the importance of imagination, using good manners, and watching for temptations that feed on our virtues as well as those that appeal to our vices. I don't recommend reading this book.
The Rise of Neptune, by Scott Reintgen, narrated by Landon Woodson, Kevin R. Free, and Gail Shalan**
The second book of the Dragonships series, Lunar Jones, the dragon Dread, and the dragon crew must fight to survive against an enemy whose abilities they did not anticipate.
Why I picked it up: I LOVED the first book in this series, recommended by a relative. I was eager to try out the second in the series; the third comes out later this year.
My impressions: Wow, a great sequel to a great first book, with only one or two lines that I have to complain about. Action, stakes, world building, interesting characters, all these elements were fantastic. The issues I had were these: there were more references to dragons going to the bathroom than I would like. Second issue: there was a moment when a male character wondered if a [male] dragon had a crush on him, before realizing it was a girl who was crushing. That was just weird - no thanks, but at least it was just one sentence. Even so, it's a sentence I'd like parents to know about before letting their child read this book. There is also an element of romance - crushes, specifically - that is introduced in this book after being absent in the first one. It's not my favorite, but I think it's pretty mild and not problematic. The book is great at being a complete adventure, but it definitely would not make as much sense without the first book; it sets up well for the next book, too. With a caution regarding the elements I mentioned earlier, and a reminder that this book is is a fantasy and doesn't have the Christian understanding of human origins, this book is a lot of fun and a great adventure.
Lilibet Lynn and the Children of Sherwood: A Thimble in Time Adventure, by Elizabeth Amy Hajek*
Lilibet turns twelve, and after her Mom starts acting weird, encounters a magical thimble that allows her to time travel to Nottingham in the time of the Robin Hood legends.
Why I picked it up: I had to read a self-published book for my own reading challenge, and I'd purchased this one several years back.
My impressions: The reimagining of the Robin Hood legend was from a unique angle - looking at key characters as children - but I can't say that it was a story that I found captivating. Part of that might have come from the necessary set-up: a young girl suddenly finds herself traveling through time, and she doesn't understand the mechanics of it, so that takes time to explore. The story felt very historically accurate for the most part, which was good, but the historicity felt too in-your-face at times. The ending of her time travel was the one part that didn't feel historically accurate to me, but it brought everything together. The books sets up well for a sequel. I think this book might hit the spot for the right audience - maybe upper elementary female readers - but I don't consider it a must-read.
Bracket Play
Another month of solid book numbers, and another month of easy first round picks. I purposely paired weaker books with stronger ones in the first round. As it turns out, just a few books in my "anti-library" made it past round one - significant, considering that half the titles this month are from my collection of unread books.
In round two, the choices were still pretty straightforward - both Dragonship series books moved on, as well as Fr. Sertillanges' book of meditations on the life of Christ before his Passion. While this latter book made it to the final round, I feel guilty for once again picking a secular book as the best one I read this month. As beautiful as some of the reflections were in Fr. Sertillanges' book, I was really swept away by The Last Dragon on Mars. It's a month where I wish I could have two winners, but I have to narrow it down to just one.
Books Attempted and Put Down
Daughter of the Mountains, by Louise Rankin
Momo has longed for a special dog, like the Buddhist monks have, but when she finally obtains one, it is stolen and she must embark on a journey to recover it.
Why I picked it up: Again, the Newbery Honor sticker appealed to me, and I found it cheap at a local Bookaholic store. I attempted it since it's in my "anti-library".
Why I put it down: There was a lot of focus on Buddhism, more than I was comfortable with for a story about a girl trying to recover her dog. If it had been passing, I wouldn't have minded, I think, but there was a lot of talk about demons, too, and I just didn't need that in my life. I skimmed the book, and I don't know if I would have enjoyed this or not otherwise. In any case, I'm alright with moving another book to the "discard" pile and freeing up more time for books that I'll probably enjoy reading more.
Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star, by Brandon Mull*
Seth and Kendra rejoin their grandparents at Fablehaven, the reserve that protects mythical creatures, both light and dark, in the hopes that the enchanted grounds can save them from the evil Society of the Evening Star and traitors in their midst.
Why I picked it up: One of my book clubs was reading this.
Why I put it down: I was alternately uncomfortable with the dark creatures (some referred to as "demons") and feeling to sucked into the story. I really enjoyed some of it, but ultimatly, decided it was best for me to put the book down. I skimmed most of the second half of the book, and still understood much of what was going on with the help of Wikipedia. It's not my favorite fantasy series, so I'm okay with putting this one down and focusing on other books.
