Summer Reading

I was so incredibly busy this summer, which transitioned into unbearable laziness as I decompressed, that I have completely neglected my blogs. I have, however, keep right on reading though. For this post, I’m going to give a brief run-down of my “summer reading.” Since some of this was read within the last month or two, I guess it’s summer/fall reading. Who’s splitting hairs here? Here they are, in the order in which I read them….

32 Third Graders and One Bunny Class

Definitely something to read for anyone who is a teacher, knows a teacher, or was taught by a teacher! 🙂 This was one of those books that helped me to laugh at myself, inspire me, and be inspired by myself. Nowadays, a sometimes thankless albeit important job, teaching is a crazy, lovely profession. I loved this book! A must-read, particularly for a teacher!

Clockwork Three

A children’s novel (and scholastic find!). A story of three children; two orphans, one with a bed-ridden father. Their stories become entwined as they search for a better life and friendship. Featuring an automaton, a magic fiddle, and secret treasure- this is an adventure. Well-written, fully fleshed out, this would stand for any age.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

A children’s novel (and yet more from the scholastic sale!), recently made into a movie. If you’ve seen the movie (I haven’t… Yet), then you know the story. An orphan, Hugo, lives in a Paris train station, tending the clocks. His interactions with a toy vendor in the station may just finally unlock the secrets of an automaton that is the last thing he has left of his father. An enchanting story, what really makes it come alive are the beautiful ink drawings which help with the narrative. A massive book, but a quick read due to the illustrations which function almost as camera angles. Awesome.

The Perilous Journey & The Prisoner’s Dilemma, The Mysterious Benedict Society

Books 2 & 3 in this children’s series. The first book is on the summer reading list for my students. I enjoyed that book last year and decided to finish the series. Rounding out the “orphaned children” theme I seemed to have going (see previous two books), these did not disappoint. The main characters are as delightfully genius as always! Mr. Curtain is stirring up more trouble for the society and it is up to Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance to stop him! Great series for kids!

The False Priness

This was kind of a whomp, whomp for me. It was yet another scholastic sale book. It was okay, but I didn’t feel any attachment to our main character. A classic story of a prophesy declaring that the princess will die, solution: switch her out for a commoner to protect the real princess. Dilemma: how do you deal with life when you find out you’re not who you thought you were? That you now have a new name to answer to? That’s the basic premise. Along the way, our heroine decides there’s more than meets the eye and goes out to save the day. bien sur!

Sarah’s Key

Very popular adult novel. A story straddling events in the “present day” and WWII in Paris. American journalist, Julia starts researching the Vel’ d’Hiv roundup of Jews. She soon realizes that her husband’s family’s apartment may have a connection with the event and she starts looking into the story of a girl named Sarah. It was a good novel, but I think my expectations were too high going in. Worth a read, though.

Queen By Right

I’ve mentioned my preoccupation with the Wars of the Roses and the Tudors before. This novel focuses on Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, mother of King Edward IV of England. Definitely a formidable woman, she can be seen as a bit of a monster. Smith is able to humanize her, showing her as someone who was bred to be a duchess, proud of her heritage, and a fierce champion for her children. It’s a long one, but I enjoyed it!

Daughter of York

Written before the previous book, historically it would follow Queen By Right. This is the story of Margaret of York, daughter of Cecily, sister to King Edward IV and will-be Duchess of Burgandy. Admittedly, I enjoyed Cecily’s story more. The “love story” in this book has no historical support and therefore is a bit unsatisfying because you know they’ll never get together, even though you wish they will. By the end, I kind of felt like shaking her out of it, though. Gave me a chance to learn more about a historical player I barely knew.

The White Princess

The story of yet another York woman, Elizabeth of York is the daughter of King Edward IV (and thereby the granddaughter and niece of our previous two women). Beginning as her fortune turns- no longer daughter, sister, or niece to a King, she must rely on the Tudors as they assume power, to bring her back to prominence at court. The story follows Elizabeth through much of her marriage and her husband’s struggles with holding he throne. I usually like Philippa Gregory’s interpretation of historical women. I do not like Lizzie in any of the books which she appears, and I certainly don’t like her here. She seems so… So…. Ergh, inept. She lets others push her around and yet remains so woe is me! I just can’t get behind her. This book dragged a bit for me.

The Maid

The story of Jehanne D’Arc aka Joan of Arc. Though I’m catholic and I’ve read a lot of period books which take place during Jehanne’s crusades, I knew little about her early life. I liked that this book gave me a little more information than I already knew. I will say this Joan did come across as a bit crazy. Cutter humanizes her, but at the same time, she doesn’t feel like a complete character to me and there’s little focus on other figures in this historical drama. It was okay.

The Academie

The Academie is loose historical fiction. Eliza Monroe (daughter to the US president), Hortense de Beauharnais (daughter of Josephine Bonaparte), and Caroline Bonaparte (sister to Napoleon) find themselves at a prestigious French boarding school as Napoleon rises to power. The girls want to make love matches but history may have something more in store for them. They’re determined to have adventures, but it may be more than they bargained for. A decent read if you’re not concerned with the history.

Madame Tussaud

Never really considering that Madame Tussaud was a real woman, I found this book really interesting. Set during the height of the revolution and the Reign of Terror, this is chock full of the history of the times- which is exactly what wax makers were- physical journalists. Once I finished and did the fact checking, I’m surprised at how much of the story is true. The people that Marie Tussaud would have met and molded is amazing. A true self-made woman, ahead of her times. I really, really enjoyed this one.

Bewitching Season

The first book of the Leland Sisters trilogy. Persephone and Penelope are about to head out into society and be presented at court. The only thing is that their governess has gone missing. As witches, they are determined to find her whereabouts, come out into society successfully, and conceal their powers from possible suitors. However, her disappearance may be something more sinister involving the Queen-to-be, Princess Victoria. Personally, while it had promise, the characterization was not good. I was sick of hearing Persy degrade herself. It could have been better.

There’s the low down on what I’ve been reading since July! Look out for more regular updates now that summer is over!

Sovay by Celia Rees

Sovay drew her pistols and walked her horse forward. “Stand and deliver!”

Let me start by saying that I purchased this novel at the dollar store, for…. $1. I admit that fact alone gave me pause (although I found a My Name is America book there once, and I knew that wouldn’t let me down). The premise seemed awesome! Using the old English ballad as inspiration, Sovay is a woman in 18th century England who becomes a bit of a highway robber, first to test a fiancé’s devotion, and then out of necessity. Don’t get it wrong- Sovay is quite privileged, she steals not for wealth but for information. Her father is a man of the enlightenment and she learns he is wanted for treason, and this begins Sovay’s adventure into London.

I will not say this was a bad book. The historical research Rees does is quite good. However, this novel seemed to take on a lot. It ended nowhere near where I thought it would in the beginning. As you may know, I love the French Revolution, but I feel like it was just too much, the book could have ended 100 pages sooner in England. There’s scientific experiments, rituals of the Illuminati, a hot air balloon, a bunch of scenes in a brothel of young men, riots, the French Tribunal, and highway robberies. Like I said, it takes on a lot. There’s also the who-will-Sovay-end-up-with-polygon. Not a love triangle, a polygon. There’s a whole scad of men who seem to be suitors for Sovay. Hint: you’ll never guess who she ends up with. Seriously, you won’t ever get it. So that’s kind of annoying. There is an afterword which wraps it up, I suppose, but I was more distracted by the fact that it was written in first person by an unknown narrator when the rest of the novel was clearly third person.

It was a decent enough read. Kept me on my toes a bit, but really should have been a bit shorter in length. I would suggest Celia Rees’ The Fool’s Girl instead. I read that book that summer (It’s kind of an extension of Twelfth Night) and I really enjoyed it!

The Vespertine & The Springsweet (The Elementals Series)

A couple of weeks ago, I finished the first two books in the Elemental Series- a trilogy, really. These two are YA novels set in the Victorian Era- 1889 & 1890.

The Vespertine

The Vespertine begins:

I woke in Oakhaven, entirely ruined.

The story starts in Autumn of 1889, “the present”, and continues to switch back to the Spring of 1889 and the events that lead up to the present.  Amelia van den Broek goes to Baltimore in the Spring of 1889 to live with a cousin, in the hopes of finding a husband.  She immediately falls into friendship with her cousin Zora and joins her circle of friends.  One night, Zora’s parents host a dinner party for the young people and hire a Fourteenth- usually a young artist who hires himself out so that dinner parties need not have an unlucky number of guests, thus becoming the fourteenth person at the party.  The Fourteenth is a gentleman named Nathaniel, who, despite his poor prospects, Amelia finds herself immediately drawn to.   While at the party, Amelia imagines a ball scene playing out in the rays of a setting sun and she recognizes the figures as Zora and the object of her affection, Thomas.  When the scene comes to pass, Amelia soon realizes she has a gift to see the future in the Vespers.   As her relationship with her Baltimore friends grows, Zora lends Amelia out as a Vespertine, a party trick for people wanting their futures told.  The problem is, these scenes keep coming to pass, and not all of them are good.   Disaster strikes the group and Amelia finds herself in Oakhaven, entirely ruined.  Given a second chance by her sister-in-law, Amelia does set out on her own adventure at the conclusion of the novel.

 

The Springsweet, Elementals Vol. 2

The Springsweet picks up soon after The Vespertine leaves  off.  Zora feels as though Baltimore is suffocating her after her recent loss.  She decides she wants to leave it all behind and sets on marrying a homesteader and moving West.  Her mother is less than thrilled with this idea, but consents to let Zora move West and help her Aunt who is widowed with a small child.  She gets off to a rough start out in the Oklahoma Territory, but soon learns her way around the homestead.  She finds herself drawn to Emerson- a man with questionable prospects who seems to always show up at the right time, while her Aunt would prefer to see her with Theo, a charming well-educated man who followed her from Baltimore.  Zora learns that like her cousin, Amelia, she has a special talent- they call her a springsweet, she can sense water underground- a particularly useful talent out in the parched Territory.  Zora needs to decide if she should plant her roots here, return home, or set out on a new adventure, and with whom she will do this.

 

There is a third book, The Elementals which is supposed to follow the next generation.  I have yet to read it, but I will certainly pick it up sometime in the future.  As for my thoughts:  quite honestly, I started The Vespertine in the fall and read a couple of chapters before shelving the book-  I wasn’t really into it.  Later, desperate for something to read, I picked it back up again and I’m glad I did.  These books are, quite simply, historical romances with a bit of supernatural thrown in.  The writing is quite good, but it took me some time to adjust to the time switch in The Vespertine .  I admit, I liked Zora’s story better than Amelia’s.  There were times where I felt like Sassy Gay Friend, from TheSecondCityNetwork”I think you’re fourteen and an idiot!” with Amelia and her attraction to Nathaniel.  That being said, I enjoyed these novels for what they were.  They had romance, intrigue, super powers, cute boys, and were fast reads.

Why I love kids who love to read

“What do you think stories are for? These stories are classics. There’s a reason we all know them. They’re a way for us to deal with our world. A world that doesn’t always make sense.”
— Once Upon a Time

I just finished my first week as director of a wizarding themed summer camp but I’ve been teaching this type of camp for 3 years already. Some kids come to camp just for the candy (Honeydukes, of course), some because their friends or siblings are going, some have seen a few of the movies, but the majority of our campers are kids who to love to read. On the flip side, as a 5th grade teacher I can say that over the past two and a half years, I’ve only had a handful of students in my class who love to read. Now maybe I’m a bit biased because I was one of those kids- but I will tell you that I love kids who love to read.

I really put it into words for the first time this week, when, while eating lunch with two boys, we started to talk about their love of reading. One of these boys wakes up early everyday to have a chance to read, the other likes to go to bed early to read. Before I knew it, we were all comparing books and talking a favorites. It was awesome! I wish that we had had a camp like this when I was younger because talking about books is obviously one of my favorite things. (Another one of my favorite things is Harry Potter, so I can’t really believe that I’m getting paid to do this camp.)

Anyway, what I’ve noticed about kids who love to read, is that generally they are the most polite, they are the most creative and imaginative, and they can also be some of the funniest kids I have ever met. We’ve been talking this week at work about that line between reality and fantasy. And what I love about these kids is that they don’t ever want to cross the line into reality side. Even though they know that it is not truly magic, there’s still that part of them that wants to believe. they always want to learn more. They want to take this book and climb inside- and I want to join them.

These kids are quick on the uptake. It is fun to joke with them because they get it. I had one kid call me out (first time this has ever happened, mind you) during our spiel about the sorting hat having laryngitis, so I would be speaking on its behalf. “That sorting hat had that last year, I remember!” I fire back with, “Well, magical laryngitis can last for a long time- very unpredictable.” And without missing a beat, he was back to playing along- “Oh, yeah, I read about that! One time it took a hundred years before a hat could talk again!” When you play, they play along with you- even if they forget the game from time-to-time. They try to guess the real-life explanation for potions ingredients like armadillo bile,”hey! It smells like lemonade!” And then they come up with a magical solution, “Oh, that’s just because these armadillos eat lots of lemons!” And there’s the twittering in the room like, Oh yes, of course, how could we forget? Kids who love to read can come up with solutions to any problem based on the stories they have read. They have practice remembering facts from “the beginning” and are looking for the plot twist. They want to fit together the pieces of the puzzle to see how the story ends and they also want to be surprised.

These kids might be pegged for not having a lot of friends, but that’s not true. Kids who love to read know they don’t need lots of friends because they have bonds with the characters in books. As a great wizard once said, “Of course it is happening inside your head, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?” And anyway, when you’ve read enough books, you know what true friendship really looks like, and you know what false friends are. Kids who love to read will be the best type of friend- if you can get them out of the book they’re currently reading.

These kids are optimistic. They’ve seen pain and loss and joy and triumph. I love kids who read because they know that even if things don’t seem to be going right at that moment, somewhere there’s always some sort of happy ending. And isn’t that a good way to live your life?

I was a kid who loved to read, who became an adult who loves to read, and looking at these campers in front of me, I’m glad they are kids who love to read, too.

Rereading: to reread or not to reread?

“Oh! I am delighted with this book! I should like to spend my whole life in reading it.” –Northanger Abbey

There is a debate over whether or not to reread books. People stand on both sides of the issue. And I recently read this article which states that if you reread books you are: arrogant, narrow-minded, or dim.

I whole-heatedly disagreed with the main message of the article, though I could see why he argues the way he did. Let’s address the main message from my point of view. I don’t go about bragging about rereading, in fact, I keep it a secret how many times I’ve read certain books. (It’s kind of embarrassing. It’s like secretly seeing the guy you broke up with behind your friends’ backs) While I am certainly not an adventurer, I don’t think it’s narrow-mindedness that has me return to certain tomes. I read a lot. I mostly read books I haven’t read before. Lastly, I would not consider myself dim- academic success being weighed here.

Rereading is mostly a return to good memories, often like flipping through a yearbook. If a book is well-written, and a reader engaged, then characters should feel like friends (or mortal enemies if you’ve got a great protagonist). Sometimes rereading feels like a homecoming. It’s comfy and familiar and just what you need on certain days. Not habitual, not eschewing new books, just visiting old friends for a bit.

Rereading is also a way of “testing” favorites. Do they hold the same magic the next time around? Or were you influenced by your state of mind at the time? Some books get better the second time around. You have new experiences to bring to the reading and that makes passages stand out where they didn’t before. I’ve often felt like I was made to read certain books at a specific time in my life so I could really appreciate them, books I bought but shelved in favor of others and then, when I finally get around to it, I’m glad I didn’t read it at first. That can be true of rereading. You need to hear the message at a special time.

Lastly, rereading is a way to pick up on those little clues, the little breadcrumbs the author has left along the way to the end, but you didn’t see them for what they were the first time around. It’s almost like spotting “the hidden Mickeys” at Disney. It’s a way of admiring the craft and imagination of the person who left it there, plain but hidden- something for you to find.

And sure, there’s times I’ve reread books because I was desperate for a story and didn’t have anything new. Or I’m reading the next book in a series and its been so long that I just can’t remember what happened the first time around. But for me, rereading is usually a conscientious thing- something I do on purpose for my own reasons.

I just finished rereading Amber House (see previous review!) immediately after finishing it for the first time. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the characters (admittedly, I’m still not ready to say goodbye) and the next story isn’t out yet, but also, I wanted to follow the breadcrumb trail left by authors. And yes, it was there, so many little nuances that I didn’t catch, not because I’m dimwitted, but because I didn’t see the value of them at the time- they were artfully hidden in plain view.

There are few books I’ll admit to rereading, here is a small sampling:

1. The Harry Potter Series- sometimes it was desperation, sometimes for my job as a camp counselor, sometimes as a way to follow the breadcrumbs, but mainly because it was something lovely and familiar and it felt like coming home. I won’t tell you how many times I’ve reread these books though…

2. Coal Miner’s Bride (Part of the Dear America Series)- I think I’ve reread this so many times in part because the story is closely related to my own family’s background, working in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. It’s a little like peeking into their past. It’s also just extremely well-written.

3. Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson- I read this so, so many times as a “young adult”. I haven’t read it at all recently, but I think there was just such a layer of heartbreak in it, such a “if only things hadn’t gone that way…” That it sucked me in again and again.

4. Queen’s Own Fool by Jane Yolen and Richard Harris- another one I read a bunch as a young teen, but haven’t touched recently. I think this was just such a great way to see into Mary Queen of Scot’s life (remember- I’m obsessed with this period)

5. Jane Eyre- I just love it too much. I can’t get enough.

What are your opinions on rereading? What books do you keep coming back to?

Amber House & Magic Under Glass

I swear, I have a talent for picking up books that become part of a series. It seems as though nearly every book I’ve read has at least one companion to it. If you think I’m exaggerating, you should see my bookshelf. PLENTY of series, not so many stand-alones. Either I have a talent, or too many authors are writing series.

There is that lovely moment of getting to the end of a good book and realizing the story doesn’t end there- there’s MORE! Another book! Then there’s also a feeling of sadness and desperation realizing you don’t currently OWN that next book- particularly painful if its not even published yet! I followed Harry Potter and A Series of Unfortunate Events from nearly the beginning- that’s a large portion of my life waiting for the next book.. But at the ending of the first book, sometimes there’s that moment of aww, shit crap! because the book didn’t wrap up nicely like you’d been expecting. Now you have to commit yourself to the next book and possibly the next next book or even the next next next, etc book. There’s that moment when you’re nearing the end, counting the pages, reading faster to finish and you realize that you’re not getting all the answers on that last page and it kind of destroys the end of that book, knowing in someway you’re going to be dissatisfied.

Magic Under Glass was one of those books where I had that aww, shit crap! moment.

“Sometimes, before you make any plans or resolutions, before you declare your heroic intent to persevere, you just have to cry.”
― Jaclyn Dolamore, Magic Under Glass

Nimira left her home after the death of her mother and in the wake of her father’s growing debts to a different land, Lorinar, hoping to make it as a performer. Her mother was a dancer in the court of Tiansher and she wants to follow in her footsteps, however, Lorinar does not prize these “trouser girls” as they did in her homeland. At the beginning of the novel, as she is singing and dancing in the music-hall, she notices a well-dressed, handsome stranger watching her from the back of the room. He shortly introduces himself as A. Hollin Parry and he has come to hire someone to sing with his piano-playing automan. Nimira accepts the post and travels with Parry to Vestenveld, his family estate. She begins to hear strange tales about the place: reports of a madwoman roaming the halls, the automan being haunted- already driving off a few other hired singers- and strange details surrounding the death of Parry’s young wife.

Parry seems to be falling in love with Nim, meanwhile she realizes that the automan isn’t what he seems. Parry is a magician and has secrets to keep. The “bad guy” in the book is his fellow magician, Smollings, who was his late father’s best friend. Smollings is not above blackmail and possibly murder to get what he wants. The Magician’s Council has been dealing with Fairy wars for the past ten years and there may yet be a lost Fairy prince. There are those who would keep him safe, and those who would jump at the chance to get rid of him.

The back of the book suggests that fans of Bronte and Libba Bray would find the novel intriguing. There is a clear homage to Jane Eyre within the pages of Magic Under Glass. It’s not quite as dark as A Dark and Terrible Beauty, but it seems set around the same time period. I like the “scenery” of the novel- you do get a feel for this Victorian era alternate world. Nim is a delightful heroine and narrator- haughty on the outside but insecure and determined inside. Smollings is quite detestable as well. Parry keeps himself well hidden from the audience and I had conflicting feelings about him. I thought the other characters were quite well-done. Be aware- not everything comes nicely resolved at the end so, like me, you’ll have to get Magic Under Stone to find out if Nim’s biggest problem gets solved and how.

And now, for Amber House.

I looked up and imagined the generations of my ancestors standing in the windows, looking back at me. If my mother had her way, I would be the last to remember them. The last one to hear the echoes of their voices.
— Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed & Larkin Reed, Amber House

This book is one of those where I felt the acute pain of knowing that I don’t OWN the next installment, it’s not even published yet! To make matters worse, I can’t find a publication date! And it’s billed as a trilogy, so that means TWO more books!! Ahhh, the agony! I got wrapped into this one pretty quickly. Finished it in less than a day.

It begins, “I was almost sixteen the first time my grandmother died.” The story is clearly set in contemporary times- references to cell phones, tattoos and lack of Internet! But there is a clear fantasy/paranormal theme here. Sarah Parsons, 15, of Seattle, is our narrator. She comes with her family- glamorous, cold, mother, Anne, and her delightfully charming, autistic, five-year-old brother, Sammy- to Maryland for her grandmother’s funeral. The estate, Amber House, is the oldest in the state (over 350 years old), and has been in her family since the beginning, though this is the first time Sarah has seen it. Full of historical treasures, and the epitome of architecture, everyone seems to know more about this house and her past than Sarah does. As she starts to uncover more about the house, she finds herself drawn to two boys: Richard, the-senators-son, who is charming, handsome and wealthy, and Jackson, her-grandmother’s-caretaker’s-grandson, who is guarded, intriguing, and puzzling.

Her mother has plans to sell Amber House and auction off all of its treasures before returning home to Seattle. There is a recent riff between Sarah’s parents and her father had moved to Baltimore to work at Johns Hopkins. The book really looks at relationships- particularly the relationship between Sarah and her mother- which isn’t a great one. As Sarah comes to explore more of the house, she doesn’t understand why her mother seems so bent on remaining apart from it. As the story progresses, she begins to see “echoes” of her family’s past- even that of her mother. Sarah is on a quest to understand what tragedies have shaped the history of Amber House. Eventually, it becomes imperative in order to save someone she loves.

I must say, I REALLLLLLLY enjoyed this book. It’s going in the favorites list. I stayed up far too late last night to finish it and I’m paying for that today, but it was worth it. There is so much history in the house, and glimpses of other times, that you really become connected to nearly all the occupants of Amber House. The ending is such a trip. I did not foresee things turning out the way they did, in a good way! There are so many layers to this, that I’ve started reading it again, so I can appreciate all of the pieces of the puzzle dropped along the way. This could absolutely function as a stand-alone, but I’m dying to see how it will be revisited in the second book, Neverwas.

My favorite character is Sammy, such a fun little guy who knows far more than he’s given credit for. I enjoyed changing my opinion of Sarah’s mother along with Sarah. I loved seeing these other strong women of bygone days who had their own adventures and tragedies on the property. Sarah is a good narrator and I would hope that the next book is narrated by Jackson, because I’m dying to get inside his head. Really, truly, surprised by this book in the best way. GO READ IT!

The Bad Queen: Rules & Instructions for Marie Antoinette

“No one wishes to do it, Madame Antoine, but one is expected to do it, as in all things at the court of Versailles. As you shall see for yourself very soon.”
– The Bad Queen

Meyer opens the novel in 1768 from the point of view of a young Antonia. It is later implied to be a diary, but it doesn’t really have that feel. She does a very good job describing the long process of becoming the dauphine. The novel covers all of the important parts of Marie’s reign (even putting a lot of emotion around her struggle to become a true wife and mother, her relationship with Von Fersen, and the horrid things printed about her in the French pamphlets- which is surprising given the audience for which the book is written. Which means I would recommend it for higher level middle school). After the family’s failed attempt to escape the revolutionary government, the story is told from the point of view of Marie’s daughter, Madame Royale, Marie-Therese, as she is charged by her mother to record events. While I enjoy the idea of seeing the events as Madame Royale saw them, I was already too far into Marie’s head and kept wondering how it would have been told if she was still the narrator. The end of the book went much more slowly for me, which is unusual.

As I was reading I was struck by how much the staging of the novel seemed to mirror the Sophia Coppola Marie Antoinette film.

At the end, reading the historical note, I found that Meyer got her inspiration for the book after watching the movie. I admit, that disappointed me a bit. I know we’re dealing with historical fact here, but these parts ceased feeling like they were part of Marie Antoinette’s diary and instead, I saw Kirsten Dunst in my head (someone I really don’t care for as an actor).

That being said, I did like how the book was split into three sections: Rules for the Dauphine, Rules for the Queen, and Instructions for Madame Royale. Instead of just a chapter number, each chapter began with a new instruction which was integral to the events in that section. It was quite long, with 69 “rules” and just over 400 pages. All in all, Carolyn Meyer once again did a good job at staying as true to history as possible and gave the reader true glimpses of life in the French court of the eighteenth century, even describing the process of orthodontia to fix Marie’s teeth! I would recommend this book if you’re looking for a decent break down of the events in life of Marie-Antoinette, leading up to her execution.

The Red Necklace & The Silver Blade: French Revolution

“There is nothing to fear, except the power you give to your own demons.”
–Red Necklace

I’ve just finished The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner, a sequel to The Red Necklace.

Having just finished the second Pimpernelles book, this seemed like the best next choice. (Having had this discussion with a friend before- she vastly disagrees with me) I prefer to read books with a common theme, whether it be the subject or type of story. So of course, I’ve just started reading a book about Marie Antoinette. But I digress.

I read the Red Necklace last summer (it was a book I purchased at last year’s May Scholastic sale!) and I remember not being able to put it down. As people started arriving at our apartment for a party, I was still holed up trying desperately to get to the end of the story.

The Red Necklace is set at the beginning of the Revolution- 1789-1792. Yann Margoza is an orphan boy who travels with entertainers- the magician Topolain and the dwarf, Tetu. Early in the novel, Count Kalliovski asks the band to perform at a party which leads to the magician’s death. Yann meets Sido de Villeduval, daughter of the Marquis, who, though beautiful, suffers from a limp. Sido wants nothing more to be loved, but her self-absorbed father sees her as broken. Her father agrees to give her to the horrible Count as a wife and it is Yann who tries to save her. Yann and Tetu are Romany gypsies, and have the ability to read minds, throw voices, and use telekinesis.

The Silver Blade picks up where Red Necklace leaves off with Sido in England and Yann using his powers to help French aristos and “counterrevolutionaries” flee to England to escape the Terror. Yann and Sido’s lives remain entwined and evil still follows them.

I really like the detail Gardner has put into the books. There is good, solid history in the stories. She uses a lot of place-names and descriptions and Paris comes alive. The magic in the story is used believably and the cast of characters is well done. From the nervous theatre manager, Aulard and his precocious parrot, Iago, to the evil Kalliovski, to the complete caricature of the Marquis, and the determined, brave Yann, the characters are relatable and well written. As a teacher, I would recommend the Red Necklace for reading about the Revolution and gypsies, but I would leave the Silver Blade out of classroom reading. It was very good, but provides less history than Red Necklace and focuses more on the characters. Overall, an intriguing fantastical read with the Revolution as a backdrop.

Scholastic Warehouse Sale

There is a very special time that comes but twice a year. A magical time full of joy and anticipation. I am speaking, of course, of the biannual Scholastic Warehouse Sales. If you have never been to one, you are clearly missing out on heaven.

My first experience with a warehouse sale was at an actual warehouse in Throop, PA, very close to my college, while I was student teaching. The warehouse is in an area known as Keystone Industrial Park, so there’s very little around, aside from warehouses. We walked in, a little nervous, given the surroundings, and it was floor to zillion-feet-high ceiling BOOKS. A glorious, glorious sight. Mystified, I spent about an hour pouring books into my cart. I arrived back at my apartment, giddy at my haul and immediately started going through my purchases, shelving books for my someday classroom.

Since then, I’ve missed maybe two sales, though I have yet to return to a warehouse. Many of the sales are like giant book fairs at convention centers. On Monday I drove out to Oaks for the sale and I will say it is just as giddy as the first time.

One great thing about the sales is the build-a-box section. You can only pull from that area, but for $24.99, you can fill a box! The first time I went, I picked up a Disney cookbook, regularly priced $30, so you can see how the box paid for itself! What I’ve been doing each time I go is using the build-a-box to stock my literature circle books. I buy multiple copies of books that are suited for 5th grade and I’ve got quite a few literature circle selections for my classroom.

They have more than just kids books! (Though that is the majority of the selection). There are posters, pens & stickers & miscellany, cookbooks, activity books, and even adult best sellers! I picked up Sarah’s Key and the Paris Wife in this most recent adventure.

My favorite part, being the book-nerd that I am, is to take out all of the books when I get home (from both the build-a-box and the shelves) and add up the list prices to see just how much I saved. It is really ridiculous how exhilarating it is.

So, here’s the fruits of my recent haul:
Total: $156.00
Less coupon ($25 off for orders over $100 for registering for fast pass): $131.00
Total retail value of all books: $540.00
Savings: $409
Estimated value of build-a-box (too tired at this point to do actual computation): ~$280.00

You can see at once why I look forward to this day twice a year! Although my family still asks, “do you really need more books?” They know the answer is always yes! A large portion of this sale goes to school to stock my library, but there are quite a few that stay at home for me to enjoy.

Have you ever been to a Scholastic Warehouse sale? What’s your favorite way to buy books? Do you love Scholastic just as much as I do?

Tudor History, YA Books

If anyone knows me, they know I have a bit of an obsession with the Tudors.  It’s quite ridiculous.  Now, I don’t profess myself to be a historian here, but I’ve read quite a lot- historical fiction and research.    Being a teacher, there is no such thing as asking me a simple question.  I feel I must provide you with enough understanding about the situation so as truly understand the answer.  So sometimes I even try to explain Tudor history to my family when they ask me  a question about the time period.  (Also, my students are very good about knowing how to get me off track in a lesson!)

This is what happened when my brother asked, “What was the War of the Roses?” and then asked ‘Well, how did the Scots get on the English Throne?

So how did this obsession start, you may ask.  It started, as always, with my love of YA fiction.  More, particularly, it started as a result of two books I read one right after the other when I was in eighth grade.

            

Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer  &  The Royal Diaries: Elizabeth I, Red Rose of the House of Tudor.

Yes, these are the books that started my journey into the world of the Tudors and those who came before them.  They will always hold a special place in my heart.

Mary, Bloody Mary chronicles the life of Queen Mary I starting in 1527, just as “The King’s Great Matter” becomes the talk of the court and continuing through to 1536 as Henry VIII takes his third wife, Jane Seymour.  What I enjoy (having read more about the period) is that Meyer does a good job of showing how Mary came to have such strong religious convictions and such hate for the Protestant faith.   History does not remember her well: She lost Calais, her husband was deeply disliked, she did not produce an heir, and she had a rule stained with the blood of heretics.  That being said, before Henry decided to turn his back on his first wife, Mary’s life was full of promise as the only child to a great king.   It is easy to see how the events of her life would have turned her bitter and had a bad effect on her health.   Because it was the first, this will always remain my favorite Tudor “novel”.

I looooove the Royal Diaries and Dear America Series.  (More on those later)  The Elizabeth I Diary (written by Kathryn Lasky) was the first of that series I read.  Once I realized that the heroine in this book was the sister of the heroine in the previous book, I was even more interested to start reading.  This book is set in 1544, when Elizabeth is 11.   Katherine Parr, Henry’s last wife, is on the throne in this novel.  Like Meyer, Lasky does  a good job of allowing the reader to see why Elizabeth may have turned out the way she did- having never married and keeping Robert Dudley by her side during her reign.  What I love about the Dear America/Royal Diaries series is that after the narrative is over, there are historical notes, pictures, and sometimes recipes or songs from the time period.  Quoth eleven-year old me to my mother one Christmas: “These books are SUCH a great value!  You get a story, historical facts, pictures, and even a ribbon book mark!”   Ever the practical shopper, I was.

Here are some other YA books that I would recommend when it comes to the Tudor Era:

Doomed Queen Anne by Carolyn Meyer

Patience, Princess Catherine by Carolyn Meyer

The Wild Queen by Carolyn Meyer (Story of Mary Queen of Scots)

Beware Princess Elizabeth by Carolyn Meyer

Yes, I like Carolyn Meyer, can you tell?  I really like her style of writing particularly for those who are at the target age for YA fiction.  She’s got more I’d recommend for you too! (I’m going to read The Bad Queen about Marie Antoinette after I finish reading the Silver Blade– on a French Revolution kick at the moment).

Royal Diaries Series: Mary Queen of Scots

Queen’s Own Fool by Jane Yolen & Robert Harris. (This is a LOVE IT book for me… reread it a couple of times)

Nine Days a Queen by Ann Rinaldi

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood. This one is set during Elizabeth’s reign and doesn’t provide much information about the monarchy, but I do love this book and its sequel, Shakespeare’s Scribe. I just got the third, Shakespeare’s Spy and will let you know about that when I read it!

I will do a post (or posts) in the future about adult novels in the Tudor era, but here’s some YA novels to get you started!  Do you have any other recommendations for YA Tudor era novels?  Favorite Tudor stories?