Shapeshifter By Holly Bennett

By author: Holly Bennett
ISBN: 9781554691586
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Pub Date: April/01/2010
Pages: 256

I’ve always enjoyed the works of author Holly Bennett, and found that this new novel did not disappoint!

Shapeshifter…ummm…the word alone just intrigues the mind….and leads into a world of magic that is reminiscent of Celtic folklore and ancient tales. This is the heartbreaking turbulent story of a girl who  shape shifts into a deer in order to escape the relentless pursuit of a malevolent and yet powerful sorcerer.

Bennett has truly intertwined and captured the lore, mystic and magic of  Ireland and reached far back into the  human psyche where the lines were blurred between mortal and immortality. Sive is one of those ‘immortals’ who not only can ‘shapeshift’ but is gifted with a special unquie talent of ‘Song’.  Her ‘singing’ is not of the ordinary and it  is this gift that brings her to the attention of Far Doirche, a sorcerer who first tries to marry Sive. When this fails he begins an all out attempt to enthrall her to do his bidding. Surrounded by courageous family and friends, Sive manages to escape  for a time by slipping past the boundaries of her world and into the world of mortals. Here she finds temporary refuge by taking a mortal form and living within a protective circle that allows her to even become a mother. Her protective instincts have her sacrificing herself to Far Doirche’s enchantment and thus begins her agonizing psychological torment. Salvation arrives in the quise of her son, but have the anguish and distress of being in the sorcerer’s thrall prove to be to much?

  Bennet’s use of different perspectives in the narration of this well told fantasy tale, makes clever use of Irish lore, culture, geography and language.  What is also useful to readers at the end of the novel ,  is the  pronounciation guide in the names and places used, and another version of the legend of Sive.

Interest Level: strong Junior readers/ Intermediate/ Senior

Genre: Myths and legends; Magic; Fantasy

Who would love this book?  Any reader interested in the folktales, legends  of Ireland. 

Author Weblink:

http://www.hollybennett.net/

End of Days by Max Turner

Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin (September 28, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0312592523

ISBN-13: 978-0312592523

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Turner’s runaway hit Nightrunner is followed by this action-packed sequel and enough of the first novel is intertwined and disclosed within these pages that this title can be read as a stand alone book.This book continues where the first left off, with Zach Thompson and his two friends, Charlie and Luna all trying to come to terms with being  vampires and all the changes and implications that this transformation has brought into their lives. After attending a rave-like dance, Zach and Charlie become part of an altercation and have to run for their lives. It is while they are on the run that they witness a strange wolf-like creature making short work of the vampire that was chasing them.  It is this mysterious creature that begins a systematic dismantling of the network of support that enables Charlie and others like him to survive, which throws the “underground” into chaos. As the turmoil around them increases , Zach and Charlie are forced to hide, and stumble upon an ancient prophecy that hints at the “End of Days”. Zach takes it upon himself to find out answers and with the help and courage of his friends begins on this path of good at a time when it seems only the ruthless can survive.I truly like the plotline of this story and found that the characters were well developed and that the relationship between Zach and Luna was also blooming.  The reaction of Charlie to his transformation into a vampire was also different…much more human in his anger, resentment and rebellion at being a vampire…just realizing what he has lost in becoming a vampire. This is an action-packed urban thriller that I think will appeal to young adult readers!

Reading  ability:  Grade 7,8, 9

Genre: Supernatural urban-fantasy thriller

Who would like this book?

Readers of books like: The Darkest Powers series by Kelly Armstrong;  Deception by Lee Nichols;  Angel ( Maxium Ride 7 ) by James Patterson

http://us.macmillan.com/BookCustomPage.aspx?isbn=9780312592523&m_type=6#widget

The Kayak by Debbie Spring

The Kayak

by Debbie Spring

Thistledown Press | March 11, 2010 | Trade Paperback; 190 pages; $12.95     ISBN: 978-1897235-71-3

The simplistic realism of this cover … of a young woman paddling a kayak toward the sunset is what first drew my attention to this book! 

 Serenity and peace … an image that also conjurs  a feeling of enjoyment and relaxation.  At the onset, author Spring cleverly has the reader believing  in  this “sense of freedom”  and even  Teresa’s own words while kayaking …. “This is a mystical place. Out here I feel safe and secure.”   is a contradiction of what  this story is really about….. that of a young woman facing  major psychological and physical challenges in order to enjoy the freedoms she once took for granted.

Teresa , once a typical teenager, hanging with friends, and  running track until a tragic accident changes not only her life but that of her family’s.  Entering adolescence is difficult enough for teens, but add insecurities, anger, and doubts and Teresa struggles to push herself  to attempt things that she’s never done before.  As Teresa battles her physical and psychological demons we  also see the impact these adversities have upon her parents and sister.

This is a powerful touching story with a protagonist that displays courage, determination and grit, but also has an inner depth that  truly has the reader cheering for  her!

Highly recommended!!!!

Genre: Realistic Fiction; Romance

Interest Level: Intermediate/ Senior students; interest in the Physically challenged

Weblinks: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/marking_materials/en10/training_papers.pdf

http://www.docshare.com/doc/91928/Debbie-Spring-The-Kayak-A-literary-deconstruc

http://voicethread.com/share/1893491/

The Other Side

 

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

ISBN: 0-399-23116-1

Themes: friendship, racism, tolerance, African-Americans, acceptance

Genre: realistic fiction

Grade /Reading Level: Grade 2/3, Level M

Interest Level: K-8

 Summary: Clover , a young African-American girl, has always wondered about the fence that runs along the side of her house. She is unsure of why the fence is there and why her mother tells her it isn’t safe on the other side of the fence. After watching a young girl, who sits on the fence, she finally builds up the courage to speak to her while her Mama watches from the yard. The fences that are broken down in this story provide excellent discussion throughout the grades. I have used this as a read aloud in my 7/8 classroom with great results. This would tie in well with studies on Civil Rights and character education.

Study Guide Links:

http://suburbanmosaicbooks.org/other_side.htm

http://storybookipedia.sblc.wikispaces.net/The+Other+Side+Activities

http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit40/lesson1.html

The Mob by Clem Martini

Grade Level: 7, 8

Fountas and Pinnell Level: X

Theme:  Family, Friendship, Traditions

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

The first impression my students had of “The Mob” was a book about animals…too immature for grade 7s!  But upon further exploration, the themes of family and friendship are strong.  Traditions, strength of character, responsibilities, and loyalty are all great discussion topics. 

The Mob of crows which makes up a very extended family, meets together at an annual Gathering.  This coming-of-age story is about Kyp, a male adolescent crow who is temporarily exiled for causing the accidental death of another crow, but prematurely returns to warn his family of imminent danger.  Kyp’s proposal offers no guarantee of survival against the challenge the family faces.  Only teamwork, strength and wisdom will give the crows a fighting chance.

ISBN-13: 978-1553376644