Japanese Graphic Novel: Goodbye, Ari

 Goodbye Ari by Tatsuki Fujimoto, translation Amanda Haley, VIZ Media, San Francisco, 2022.

This book confused me at first until I was told back to front and right to left.  This is a subject of death and dying and grieving.  The main character's mother asks him to record her death as she is dying of cancer.  He makes a movie, but blows everything up at the end.  He couldn't face the death so made it a joke.  It was not well received.  He then tries again when his friend asks him to record her death.  He carries through this time.  He goes through life feeling something was wrong however; always tweaking his film.  He marries, has kids, but they all die in a car accident.  He then returns to where he and his friend hung out, and she is there.  She explains she is a vampire and just needs to regenerate from time to time.

The theme of dealing with loss is good, however the author was fixated on body functions which made this book flippant.  

Book Review: The Wild Places

 The Wild Places: A Photographic Celebration of Un spoiled America, edited by Milton Rugoff and Ann Guilfoyle, Harper and Rowe Publishers, New York 1974, paper edition First Chanticleer Press, 1984.

When I think of unspoiled places in America I think of the Rocky Mountains.  I think differently than the editors of this book.  This book has Alaska, briefly touches the desert area of California; but it misses the Rocky Mountain west almost entitrely.  It does have lots of sea shore pictures, some underwater, tide pools, and pebbles from Maine.  The texas coast, and a few wildlife pictures.  It just misses most of the territory I love, not that I dislike the seashore and the beach.  The book could have had more balance however.  

Book Review: Worldquake, Dragon's Green; The Chosen One

Worldquake Book One:

Drgon’s Green by Scarlett Thomas, Simon and Schuster for Young Readers, New York, 2017.

 

Worldquake Book Two:

The Chosen Ones by Scarlett Thomas, Simon and Schuster for Young Readers, New York, 2018.

These books present a world where there are magical amulets in books for the last one to read the book--however the reading is more experiencing the book, and figuring out how to survive and escape the book.  Also this requires the receiver of the amulet to destroy the book, making him a book burner.  In the first Dragon's Green is the book, and Effie Truelove ventures inside the book.  The book gives her a calling card with which she is able to visit her relatives in the "Other World."  In the second book there are more evil intentions as all "The Chosen One" books are gathered up and destroyed.  However the plan does not work out.  Effie Truelove has a good group of friends, with different backgrounds.  Effie is a superhero, Wolf a hero, Maximillian sort of a nerd with his own skills for discovery, but also adventure to the under world, raven is a witch and Lexy a healer.  It makes for some very good teamwork.

Book Review: Charlie Bone and the Red Knight

Charlie Bone and the Red Knight: Children of the Red King Book 8 by Jenny Nimmo, Orchard Books, New York, 2009.


This is the concluding book to this series, and positively the most exciting.  Everything that happens during the first seven book culminates in this book.  First there is the business of rescuing Billy who is in the Kingdom of "The Shadow."  Charlie actually accomplishes this, but at the same time brings back the shadow, who disguises himself as a fly, and returns with Charlie and Billy. 
The dark forces have been mustering.  This includes Charlie's aunts and grandmother.  However it also includes a boy who can animate statues, a girl who can put magic into clothing--and does this to capture the loyalty of Olivia, a man who controls the seas, and Charlie's parents are supposedly on a sea voyage, and many others.  There are also many unsavory characters gathering, some with powers and some without, as a result of their ancestor having joined them.


However, some of the children who have fought for evil change their loyalty.  This includes the son of the sea controller, who in a previous book almost killed Tancred.  However, the individual who is a mystery until the end is a Red Knight, who darts in to defend the people fighting with Charlie Bone.  He wears the Red King's robe with its magical powers, and wields a magical sword.  Count Harken fancies himself a swordsmen, and the two meet on the battlefield.  Charlie Bone distracts the count just enough so the Red Knight is able to gain the victory.  The Red Knight turns out to be his father.  Someone else has been on the boat garnering the attention of those who would kill them.  The son bests the father, and all looks to be right.  The last confrontation is over a will, the Boors hoped would not come to light.  This shows the academy to actually belong to the Bones and not the Bloors.  The still resist, but the dog has had enough and pushes the master off the balcony, who lands on his grandson expiring them both. 

Book Review: Charlie Bone and the Shadow

Charlie Bone and the Shadow: Children of the Red King Book 7 by Jenny Nimmo, Orchard Books, New York, 2008.


The adventure continues, but now with a sinister note.  Charlie's aunts put a picture in the house to entice Charlie, and he is sucked to the Kingdom of the Shadow (Count Harken) with his neighbor's dog.  There he discovers his ancestor who has been imprisoned.  He is able to rescue the ancestor, and eventually the dog.  However, the real target for the picture is Billy.  Charlie is unable to rescue him, and he becomes a play mate to the children of the Shadow.

Book review: Charlie Bone and the Beast

Charlie Bone and the Beast: Children of the Red King Book 6 by Jenny Nimmo, Orchard Books, New York, 2007.
Charlie Bones adventures continue in this fascinating book.  His father was discovered in the previous book, but already his mother and father are off on a second honeymoon.  This leaves Charlie with his Uncle.  At the same time his evil aunt marries, and takes control of a stepson that knows how to animate objects, and there happens to be many stone objects around town.  But the most interesting thing they learn is that people are looking for a secret will, which would leave the old castle to Charlie and his family.  Asa, the boy who was with the evil side, and turned at the end of the last book, has been confined in the dark, making him a perpetual beat.  Charlie and Billy determine to rescue him.  This story continues to be very exciting. 

Book Review: Charlie Bone and the Hidden King

Charlie Bone and the Hidden King: Children of the Red King #5, by Jenny Nimmo, Orchard Books, New York, 2006.
The stakes become higher and higher.  In this novel, one of the teacher, who everyone thought was a friend, turns out to be an evil witch.  She brings back the shadow, who had been an evil person in the history of the Red King.  Now he is terrorizing the community and threatening a return of evil to the area.  Charlie cannot handle this problem on his own.  All the young descendants of the Red King are needed to elicit the help of the Red King, who is still alive, but in the form of a tree.  However the magical spell to restore the king requires ten children, and the only have nine.  It is the wolf man who becomes the tenth.  
Excellent book.  This series keeps me entertained.

Book Review: A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle  Square Fish, Farrar Strauss Giroux, New York, 1962.
This book was made into a Disney movie.  I have not seen the movie.  However the book was not my favorite.  It had this nebulous black cloud which represented evil, and had captured Meg's father.  He has been gone for some time, and everyone tells her he is not coming back.  However three women--fairies or something, come to the family, and take the children away to rescue their father.  Meg's younger brother has some type of insight, but in the end this just gets him captured as well.  Now Meg has more to save.

Book Review: Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors

Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors by Jenny Nimmo, Scholastic, New York, 2005.
Charlie has become obsessed with finding his father who disappeared ten years ago.  As such he convinces himself to make a trip to the Castle of Mirrors, following the wife of the Red King, who was brought back to life in the shape of a horse in a mistaken attempt by the evil master at Bloor's Academy, Ezekiel.  Charlie goes thinking he is helping Billy find his ow famiy, but in reality is going for selfish reasons, which get him out of balance for a time.  In this book, Billy is adopted, with certain conditions.  These conditions prove unbearable, as Charlie's new parents aren't interested in him, but are only a part of a scheme to control Billy and Charlie.  In addition to the problems with Billy, there is a new boy at school, with magnetism.  He uses this skill to turn Charlie and his friends against each other.  The balance tips towards the dark side.  However, one of Charlie's friends, Olivia, who was not thought to be endowed, discovers her own talent for creating illusions.  In the end they are able to use this talent, to create some relief for Billy when the queen horse with a rider threatens the head master at the school. 
I have really enjoyed this series of adventures.  Each adventure has plenty of action, and intriguing characters. 

Book Review: The Big Wave

The Big wave by Pearl S. Buck, Harper Trophy, New York, 1947.
Pearl S. Buck is a classic realism writer.  She is very much of the same flavor as John Steinbeck.  In this book is told the story of two families, on that lives on the beach and they make their life fishing, while the other lives in the mountain and they farm.  When the first family is all killed due to a tsunami, except for the son, their son is invited to stay with the family in the mountains.  They raise him, and he falls in love with their daughter, Setsu.  But when they move to the beach so the young man, Jiya, could become a fisherman.  He says he always new he had to go back to the sea.
This is very descriptive and a very good character book.

Book Review: Charlie Bone and the Time Twister

Charlie Bone and the Time Twister: Children of the Red Kin Book 2 by Jenny Nimmo, Orchard Books, New York, 2003.
This is the second book of the Charlie Bone universe.  Charlie, and his uncle, Paton are both endowed with special powers.  They must use these powers to save a boy who has traveled back through time.  Henry Yewbeam was tricked by his cousin Ezekiel.  He was sent forward in time, 80 years, and lands at the feet of Charlie.  Ezekiel is the owner and evil power behind Bloors Academy where Charlie attends school.  Charlie recruits his friends and his uncle to save the boy--but it is impossible to send him back in time, because the world has already moved on with the assumption that he disappeared many years before.  The solution is quite remarkable.

Book Review: Midnight for Charlie Bone

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo, Orchard Books, New York, 2002.
I have come upon a new universe of "endowed" children who are attending the Bloor's Academy.  When Charlie's Great Aunt discover that Charlie is endowed, they send him off to the academy.  Charlie can hear pictures, the voices of the people talking when the picture was taken.  He discovers his talent when he is given a picture by mistake, of someone talking about a baby girl.  This leads him on a quest, to find the niece of a book store owner who was sold away for something several years ago.  The man has since died, but left a case which holds the key; however there is no key to open the case. 
Bloor's Academy is not the fun place it should be.  It is a school for gifted children, either art, drama or music.  And then those who have special endowments.  The endowed are descendants of the Red King.  Some have evil intentions and others good.  It is among the students of the academy where the niece is found, in a half hypnotized state.  How can they open the box and restore her. 
This new universe is going to be fun.  I understand there are seven books in the series.  If they all are as entertaining as this first, this is going to be fun. 

Book Review: The River Between Us by Richard Peck

The River Between Us, Richard Peck, Puffin Books, New York, 2003.

This book is a historical fiction from the early parts of the Civil War.  The environment for the book is Grand Tower, Illinois, which is on the Mississippi River.  This is a small town, with their own values.  Into town comes two women, one elegantly dressed, and the other  of African descent/  It is assumed they are master and slave; but the have disembarked on free territory.  The are taken in as boarders of Tilly's mother takes them in.  This results in improved life style, as the purchase candles and many other needed things.  Mama's son, Noah is eager to join the war, fighting for the north.  He ends up with Ulysses Grant at Cairo, Illinois (pronounces Kayro.)  the first major battle in the West,  is portrayed in the pages.  This took place at Belmont Missouri with Grant sending men south from Cairo by boat.  They then engaged the enemy in a battle which ended in a draw, the the Confederates maintained the ground.  This has a tremendous effect on our characters.  Tilly marries the doctor who treated her Brother.  Her brother marries (sort of) the young woman who came to town, and came to Cairo to treat him.  The Black woman is her sister.  They are New Orleans Free Blacks, and the rule is you don't marry whites. although you become the mistress and they support you.  The father was a well-to-do man from New Orleans.  There was also tremendous social pressure against them.  With the coming of the war, life in New Orleans was bound to change, and for this reason they traveled North.
So this book not only entertains, it also teaches some of race relations of which I wasn't aware.  Of course this some problem invades "Showboat" the musical.
I highly recommend this book.  I found it very entertaining.  It mentions Carbondale, which is where I lived a couple years growing up.

Book Review: Five Kingdoms 5, Time Jumpers

Five Kingdoms 5: Time Jumpers, by Brandon Mull, Alladin, New York, 2018.  Last of 5 kingdoms.  Book to book this series gets more and more exciting.  This last is no exception, as Cole Randolph struggles with his new found powers, and explores their limits.  His powers are unique, and he has the biggest part to play in the upcoming showdown with Ramarro.  Fortunate for him, people from other times have put in place measures so he can win the impossible battle.  I had to wait for this book to be published and it was well worth the wait.  Lots of fun.  This one had me reading on and on to find out what was next.

Encyclopedia Brown Finds the Clues

Encyclopedia Brown Finds the Clues by Donald J. Sobol, illustrated by Leonard Shortall, Elsevier/Nelson Books, New York 1966.
It is always fun to match your wits against a master (though young) like Encyclopedia Brown.  This is ten stories, with the key to solving each mystery presented laters.  Encyclopedia Brown of course is a kid detective, and he helps his father, the police chief solve cases.  Some of these stories I figured out before reading the clues, most I didn't, and some I still don't get even with the clues. I like the case of robbery, with the suspect seeking through the hood, the bully who wants to sell divining rods, the bitter drink story, and many other fine stories.

Book Review: The Seven Chinese Brothers

The Seven Chinese Brothers by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by Jean and Mou-sien Tseng, Scholastic, New York, 1990.  This is a fascinating Chinese story about what happens to a bad emperor.  Not to be confused with "The Five Chinese Brothers" which is very similar in its theme.  In this case each of the brothers has a special gift: hearing, seeing, strength, iron neck, legs that grow, resistance to fire, and crying tears like a river.  The first six brothers always wanted to keep the seventh brother from crying.  Te strong brother helps to alleviate suffering by repairing a hole in the great wall.  However the emperor is jealous, and has him captured as he is too strong.  He is sentenced to die next die by chopping off his neck, but the next brother trades places, and so it goes, until the emperor orders death by arrows.  At this all the brothers agree to face the emperor and die together, which causes the seventh brother to cry a river, and washes the emperor away.  This is a cute story with a good moral. 

Book Review: The High King by Lloyd Alexander

The High King by Lloyd Alexander (Black Cauldron Series), a Dell Yearling Book, New York, 1968.
For this book, Alexander won the Newbery Award. This is the fifth and final book in the series, and it is the most exciting.  All of the main characters come together for a desperate attack on the fortress of Arawn.  This is after he  comes farther than he has before into the realm of men, and steals the sword Drynwyn from Prince Gwydion.  The have left him badly wounded, but he is saved by the bard Fflewddur Fflam.  These leads to the desperate attempt to attack Arawn's home territory of Annuvin.  To Taran, and those with him, falls the task of visiting the countries Taran visited in his last book, and recruit and army to attack.  Taran is well liked, and he soon has a substantial army.  At the same time they are trying to keep and army of Cauldron-born from attacking those following Gwydion.  This book features the return of the love interest of Taran and Eilonwy.  Of course there is a third member of this triangle, Prince Rhun, now King Rhun.  But the King is killed in an heroic escape attempt. 
This book is very exciting, and with good reason the Newbery Award was given.  It is about finding your strength, and in the end, being willing to give up comfort for the right thing to do.

Book Review: Taran Wanderer

As Taran ages, he wants to discover his heritage, with the hopes of proving he is of royal lineage, and consequently worthy of the hand of Eilonwy.  Gurgi, his trusted companion travels with him.  Taran never finds his heritage, although one man claims to be his father and uses Taran's work to restore his farm.  What Taran does discover is more of who he is, and many friends.  He visits King Smoit, and assists him in solving a cattle war that has been going on for years.  He does this by rewarding the cows to a farmer, and the calves to the different parties.  They encounter Fflewddurr Fflam who joins him.  They meet Doli, of the Fair Folk, who is on a grave mission to discover how a wizard Morda has gained entry to the fair realm and stolen gold and jewels.  Morda quickly turns Fflam and Gurgi into animals, but he fails to turn Taran, saying it is like fighting himself.  Then Taran realizes that a bone the collected, is that of Morda, and into which he has put his life force so he could not be killed.  However Taran is able to break the bone and the life force.  Morda is no more, and all his enchantments melt away. 
But Taran continues to travel.  He meets many more interesting country folk, Hevydd the smith, Dwyvach the weaver, and Annlaw the potter.  He learns the trade of each, but does not become a master.  He realizes he has become who he is through hard work, and returns home, more confidant in himself.
Taran's character grows in this book.  However I missed Eilonwy.  She has been such a great part in the other books.  

Book Review: The Castle of Llyr

The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander, A Dell Yearling Book, New York, 1966.
This is the third of the five books which include The Black Cauldron.  In this book, Taran has some competition in winning the love of Eilonwy.  This is in the person of Prince Rhun, whose parents are set to tutor the princess, and they hope their son and Eilonwy marry.  Eilonwy is leaving Caer Dallben to be trained in the ways of princesses.  Taran accompanies her to the island realm of Mona, which is close to the original home of Princess Eilonwy's people.
However, shortly after arriving a plot is made known to them to harm the princess. What is worse, there is a traitor in the castle.  Too late do Taran, and Prince Don (who has been there in disguise) react, and the princess is kidnapped.  The book then becomes one of rescuing the princess.  On their journey they meet a giant cat, who would have done them in but the cat likes the harp playing of the bard, Fflewunder.  They also meet the giant, who also almost does them in in trying to get out of a cave where he has trapped himself growing too large.  After their escape they travel to the island, Llyr, once inhabited by Eilowny's people, where they confront an old nemesis Achren.  She is hoping to use Eilonwy, control her and restore her powers. 
Somethings are not meant to be controlled however. 
Again I enjoyed this book.  I like the characters, and now we have a love triangle, Taran, Eilonwy and Prince Rhun.

Book Review: The Black Cauldron

The Black Caldron by Lloyd Alexander, A Yearling Book, Dell Publishing, New York, 1965.
This continues the story of the Assistant Pig Keep of Caer Dallben.  The Black Cauldron, is the means by which the Lord of Death has been increasing his forces.  He throws the body of a newly dead person into the cauldron, and they become undead.  These warriors do not die, nor do they live.  But even worse, the Dark Lord has sponsored several murders, so as to get more bodies for the cauldron.  Prince Gwydion as determined that they must attack the Dark Lord's realm, and destroy the cauldron.  Schemes are laid, and the plan carried out, except the cauldron has gone missing.  Taran, (assistant pig keeper) and his companions come upon clues which lead them to pursue the cauldron.  He travels with Guthrie, his loyal friend (a hairy being), Ellidyr, who is constantly harassing the pig keeper to prove his own worth as he is the youngest prince, and often forgotten, Adaon, son of the high bard,  and Fflewunder, a king but also a bard hopeful.  Doli, of the fairy folk is also with them.  They are separated from the others, and under attack, but seek refuge in the Fair Folk (undergrond people) way station.  There from Gwystyl and his crow, Kaw, they are given clues of where the cauldron has gone.  The decide to pursue the cauldron without waiting for others.  They must travel to the Marshes of Morva and confront three witches, who have taken the cauldron.  Ellidyr, seeking glory for himself, leaves the group.  they are attached and Adaon is killed.  He leaves to Taran a brooch which gives powers of seeing things, and sensing things.  This he later uses to purchase the cauldron from the three witches (the cauldron belongs to the witches, and the "repossessed it from Arawn the Dark Lord.)
However taking the cauldron back to Gwydion is a most difficult task.  Ellidyr comes upon them and steals the cauldron, then Morgant, a supposed ally takes the cauldron, with the hopes of rising to power.  This leads to a sharp battle.  The destruction of the cauldron comes from an unexpected source.
I am enjoying this series of the assistant pig keep who always seems to prove himself somehow.