Book Review: The Christmas Coat: Memories of my Sioux Childhood

 The Christmas Coat: Memories of my Sioux Childhood by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, illustrated by Ellen Beier, Holiday House, New York, 2011.

This book is a children's book but it is very good with an engaging Christmas story and nice wintry illustrations.  The book is about Virginia, who needs a new coat, but because she is the minister's daughter she gets the last pick of the Theast boxes, boxes sent by church members in the East for the Native American children.  So when a nice coat shows up in the boxes, it doesn't get to Virginia.  

A nice look at the Sioux culture and the Christmas pageant with the wise men wearing war bonnets.  

Christmas Movie Review: ****The Polar Express (2004)

 This movie features Tom Hanks taking on multiple roles, including Santa Clause, the conductor, the hobo, Scrooge, and the hero boy.  This movie is about a group of children who are on a train headed for the North Pole.  There, one of the children will be selected to receive the first present from Santa.  Three of the children, hero boy, hero girl (Nona Gaye) and lonely boy or Billy (Peter Scolari) seem to always be getting in trouble, or being away from the other children having their own adventure.  And so Billy gets his Christmas wish of friends, Hero girl comes out being a leader, and hero boy believes.  He believes long after his friends stop believing.

This movie is a fun animated show.  It is getting my Christmas season off on the right foot.  It is available on HBO.  It is based on the book by Chris Ban Allsburg

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. 

Movie Review: Heidi (2016)

Heidi  (2015)

I have always loved this story.  In Argentina many of the children liked the story as it was a cartoon serial on TV.  One child drew me a picture of Heidi.  This version, which was originally produced in German and is dubbed, has great emotion as Heidi and Peter and Klara and Grandfather figure out their relationships.  The most fascinating thing about this movie is Heidi’s smile.  That is closely followed by Grandfather’s heart which melts in the presence of that smile.

Anuk Steffen Heidi

Bruno Ganz: Grandfather

Quirin Agrippi; Peter

Isabelle Ottmann: Klara

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: Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy

Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy: Children of the Red King book 3, by Jenny Nimmo, Orchard Books, New York, 2004.


This adventure follows the course of the first three books.  In this book there is a boy to be saved, who has been abandoned in the castle for a year, since he was turned invisible by the blue boa.  Some versions of this book are titled "The Blue Boa".  Again it is only working as  team, that Charlie and his friends, using their special talents are able to save the boy.  Billy can talk to animals, and he convinces the snake to restore the boy.  They escape with the snake as well, who is going to become  a resident at the Pet's Café.  What really makes these stories is the myriad of interesting characters.  there is Charlie and his friend, Emilio, Benjamin, both boys without powers, and Emma who flies, Gabriel who can feel the history of garments, Lysander who summons spirits with spears, Tancred who manipulates weather and then Charlie's uncle, Paton who boost energy.

Book Review: The Great Brain

The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald, illustrated by Mercer Mayer, A Yearling Book, Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, New York, 1967.

This is a classic book about Utah rural live.  These stories take place in a fictional town called Adenville.  It is a typical rural community.  It is told from the perspective of the younger brother of The Great Brain.  I didn't care for the Great Brain much as he extorted a belt from his younger brother by threatening him with "the silent treatment" and he seemed to misuse others, collecting money to look at their new water closet.  His mother was his conscience.  However he did rescue two boys from certain death when they were lost in a cave, by figuring out how to get a dog to find them.  He also helped a local boy with an accent become a respected member of the community.
The Great Brain redeems himself at the end, repenting of his manipulations and trying to make things right.  I guess we all can repent when we make bad choices.

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: 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: Dragonwatch

Dragonwatch: A Fablehaven Adventure, Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Shadow Mountain, Salt Lake City, UT, 2017.  This is a continuation of the Fablehaven story.  I must admit, Mull keeps the adventures coming and I seem to enjoy them all.  We continue the follow the adventures of Seth and Kendra, brother and sister.  However this time they are facing the dragons, rather than the demons.  The dragons have sensed their increased power after the fall of the demons in Fablehaven.  Now they want their freedom.  However the dragon watchers fear this will lead to similar scenes of days of old when the dragons ruled, and humans huddled in fear.  Kendra and Seth become the caretakers of Wyrmroost, a dragon sanctuary, from which the dragons are not allowed to leave. because together they destroyed a dragon in Fablehaven.  All their skills are tested, and they even have to grow.  In this case Kendra is fairy kind, and Seth dark.  Together they make a formidable team.  They work much better together in this book than the first series.  The change is good to see.

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. 

Movie Review: ***^Ferdinand (2017)

How do you take a classic children's book and make it new.  You add a little girl who loves Ferdinand.  This story is about not always being what others expect, or you can't read a book by the cover.  John Cena voices Ferdinand, the barnyard rebel who realizes that things do not turn out well for the bull.  Ferdinand is part of the family, after he escapes the bull ranch when he is young.
However when the bull fighters come looking for the perfect bull, Ferdinand is bound to be overlooked, except for a bee.  An ill-timed bee sting has Ferdinand selected for a big day at the bullfight.  Despite a wild escape attempt, Ferdinand ends up in the bull ring; where he doesn't fight, finally winning over the full fighter.  Ferdinand is much more interested in flowers than fighting.

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Illustrated version)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay, Arthur A. Levine Books, New York 2016.  (Originally published 1996.)
Combining the artwork with this fantastic book really brings the story to life.  Again we are given four or five portraits of important characters (Hagrid, Mrs. Weasley etc,)    also with important scenes such os Hogwarts in winter and Diagon Alley.  The pictures of Aragog and his spider  offspring is just creepy.  In this book the Chamber of Secrets at Hogwarts has been opened, which releases a basilisk, a snake like creature.  The basilisk has been wreaking havoc on the school, but caused no deaths.  I you look at it directly you die, but so far everyone has seen it through reflection rather than directly.  When the basilisk takes Jeannie Weasley captive, Ron and Harry follow, with Professor Lockhart, not so brave as he would have us believe, but he does know a good memory spell.
This story ends with the Phoenix bird coming to help Harry.  He brings the sword of Gryffindor.  On of the more fascinating illustrations is of the Phoenix.