A Tale Dark & Grimm - Review

Review:

Once upon a time, fairy tales were awesome.

- Opening Sentence

 

 

I read this book because the author, Adam Gidwitz, is coming to visit our school in September and I wanted to be familiar with his works. I'm reading Star Wars: So You Want to be a Jedi also written by Gidwitz. 

 

I enjoyed this book. Be warned, he talks to the reader, often. So, if meta-fiction isn't your thing, then I would skip this one. He talks about how the next part is scary, and you should make young children leave the room, or about how the reader (supposedly children) might be scared and might want to stop reading. Are you sure you want to keep reading? Ok, don't say I didn't warn you...

 

It's cute actually, and I think the intended audience (children) will enjoy it. Also, it's a great opening to introducing the concept of meta-fiction and "breaking the fourth wall" to students.

 

The book doesn't shy away from the scarier parts of fairy tales. Gidwitz actually points out that he was inspired to write these books (this is the first in a trilogy) by a group of second graders. He says that the stories are awesome and "children can handle it." 

 

This book is based on Hansel and Gretel and includes different aspects of many Grimm fairy tales, including Gretel cutting off her finger (from The Seven Ravens) and Hansel going to Hell and tricking the Devil. I'm not sure which fairy tale that came from. It's a fast-paced story and a fairly quick read. I found myself worrying about Hansel and Gretel, even though I was pretty sure they would end up ok. I like Gidwitz's style and highly recommend this book, with a caveat to consider the specific reader and what they can handle.

 

I found myself wondering how this would play in a room full of second graders (or even third graders). I guess I will find out since our librarian will be promoting the books to our students.

 

Bottom Line:

If you are a fan of Grimm fairy tales or enjoy retellings, give this one a chance. :)

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1592646/a-tale-dark-grimm-review

Halloween Bingo Lists

Reblogged from: Murder by Death

For last year's (Inaugural) Halloween Bingo, many of the participants contributed to lists by square, as a resource for anyone struggling to find books that fit.

 

This year, several of the squares/categories are similar to last year's, so I thought I'd post them here again.

 

These lists can definitely be added to; just leave your suggestions in the list's comment section.

 

(Scary) Women Authors square - Same as this year's "Terrifying Women"

 

Classic Horror Square

 

Ghost Stories and Haunted Houses Square - this was a combined square last year, but hopefully the list is still useful (can a house be haunted without ghosts?).

 

Diverse Authors Square - same as "Diverse Voices"

 

Gothic Square

 

Locked Room Mystery Square

 

Magical Realism Square

 

Supernatural square

 

Witches Square

 

Mystery Square - there are books in this list that would work for "Cozy Mystery", "Amateur Sleuth", and "Murder Most Foul"

 

Vampires vs. Werewolves square - this was another combined square last year, but looking over the list briefly, most of them are marked whether they are vampires, werewolves or both.  The list also seems to be clear of shifter books.

 

If time permits, I'll try to create a few more lists for the new categories (zombies, demons, Romantic Suspense, etc.)  Please, if you have any suggestions, help a girl out and let me know.  :)

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1591039/halloween-bingo-lists

Reading progress update: I've listened 1200 out of 1690 minutes.

 

I'm at the point where I can't wait to see how it ends, but I also never want it to end...

 

Then I hear this:

 

[spoiler]

I'd have you see them very well... because now they are ka-tet for the last time. The story of their fellowship ends here on this make-believe street.

 

The rest of the tale will be short and brutal compared to all that's gone before...

 

I know what this means, and I dread it so much. I almost want to stop reading. I can't bear losing any of my gunslinger friends....

 

There will be tears, I'm certain.

[/spoiler]

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1590325/reading-progress-update-i-ve-listened-1200-out-of-1690-minutes

Artemis Fowl Graphic Novel

Review:

 

 

Honestly, I'm not a huge fan. I never read the original books, so I don't have any background knowledge. Maybe I would have liked the story better if I read it in the traditional format first.

 

As a first-time reader, I found Artemis to be cocky (although as a 12-year old genius, I guess he has the right to be) and irritating. All he cared about was money, it seemed. And his evil plan was to steal the money by kidnapping a fairy and holding him for ransom. I can see this story appealing to kids, with characters like Mulch Diggums, a dwarf criminal who digs tunnels by eating the dirt and then ejecting it from his rear end. And the technology Artemis and the fairy people use, like the time-stopper and the bio-bomb.

 

Cool elements, but I just didn't enjoy the story. And I couldn't root for Artemis - I thought he was a jerk. I don't think I'll be reading any more of this series, in graphic or traditional format...

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1590320/artemis-fowl-graphic-novel

It Ain't So Awful Falafel

Review:

 

To all the kids who don't belong, for whatever reason.

This one's for you.

- Dedication

 

My dad says that the dogs and cats in America are luckier than most people in the world.

- page 34

 

My dad always says that kindness is our religion and if we treat everybody the way we would like to be treated, the world would be a better place.

- page 40

 

... only bookworms get excited over other bookworms

- page 69

 

"Who would ever have thought that a person could be so powerful, then so completely powerless, all in the same lifetime?"

- page 219 (referring to the downfall of the shah)

 

... even though we belong to three different religions. We are alike in so many more ways than we are different.

- page 299

 

It was only when I stopped pretending to be someone else that I found my real friends.

- page 360

 

 

This was a good read. Zomorod (who changes her name to Cindy) is from Iran. Her father is an engineer who works with American companies building oil refineries in Iran, so they moved back and forth a couple of times.  Now she is starting junior high (which nowadays is called middle school) and doesn't know anyone. She wants to fit in, but she focuses on how different she is from all the other kids. The first friend she makes (in the summer before school) decides she doesn't want to be friends when school starts. Poor "Cindy" is lost and worried and tired of having to explain to everyone where Iran is and how to pronounce her last name.

 

Cindy finds friends and seems to be settling in and basically happy. Then Iran has a revolution, the shah is kicked out of the country, and Ayatollah Khomeini takes over. On November 4, 1979, Iranian students, angry that President Carter allowed the shah to come to the United States, take a group of Americans hostage. This changes Cindy's family's life and her father loses his job.

 

I was in junior high during the Iran Hostage Crisis. I remember feeling vaguely angry at the hostage takers and worried about the hostages. My mom wasn't huge on watching the news with us or anything, but I knew what was happening (at least generally).  

 

It was interesting reading this story told from the point of view of an Iranian girl in America at the time. It was so hard for Cindy's family, and many Americans were so hostile towards Iranians, even though those living in America weren't responsible for the situation and didn't necessarily approve of it. Cindy and her parents were so appalled that a religious leader could be responsible for such behavior. But that didn't save them from hate and discrimination.

 

This is a nominee for the Florida Sunshine State award grades 3-5. I really liked the book and will highly recommend it to our students when school starts. 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1588420/it-ain-t-so-awful-falafel