Ghost of heroes past by Charles Reid

Vancouver, BC: Ronsdale Press, 2010.
168 pp., pbk., $10.95.
ISBN 978-1-55380-102-3.

Grades 5-9 / Ages 10-14.

 One of the reasons that I picked up this title is that I know of a number of reluctant male readers who are keen to read about anything that has to do with war.

Reid’s central character is Johnny Anders,  who exhibits much of the similiar sentiments that teens today display about Remembrance Day. This is evident on the opening page when he states to his father  that “it’s all old stuff that happened a long time ago. What’s it have to do with me?”

Through a series of events presented in a time-travel format, Johnny is taken to various points in history where a unknown ghost in the guise of a soldier acts has his guide. First confusion fills him  as to these ‘ghost’ visits, and then as the nightly treks continue to different war-torn locals, Johnny’s many unanswered questions nudge him to seek some sort of explanations by using the resources in his school library.  Here he stumbles into an odd sort of friendship with another new student like himself, only this is a girl and her name is Casey.

Their shared interest in history allows Johnny to divulge to Casey about his nocturnal soldier-ghost visits and the various journeys he has been taken on. As Johnny is given the priviledge of ‘seeing’ what roles the men and women during war played, he and Casey are inspired to continue their research in locating information on notibale heroes such as Bill Chong, Joan Bamford Fletcher and fighter-pilot Raymond Collishaw.

By the conclusion of the story we see how Johnny’s time-travel adventure have impacted and changed his preceptions of meaning of Remembrance Day and that the ”old stuff  that happened long ago” really does have significance for all generations.

 Easy read…. recommended for Boys!

Interest level: Grade 6 to 8

Reading Level: Grade 5 to 7

Genre: Historical fiction; War; Remembrance Day

 

Who would like this book?  ANy boy who is interested in war; First Nations soldiers;

Furthur Information on Canadian War Heroes:

Bill Chong: 

Canadian Weblink:http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/sub.cfm?source=collections/hr_cdnchinese

YouTube link for Bill Chong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n88YwntKXvY

Raymond Collishaw weblink:http://www.earlyaviators.com/ecollish.htm

Joan Fletcher Bamford: http://www.tiltcreative.com/rogues/heroesandrogues.htm

Tommy Prince (First Nations War Hero):http://firstnationsdrum.com/2002/09/thomas-prince-canadas-forgotten-aboriginal-war-hero-2/

Genre: Historical fiction; War; Remembrance Day

Author Weblink:

http://www.cbc.ca/books/booksandauthors/2010/11/ghost-of-heroes-past.html

Elephant Run by Roland Smith

 Grade Level: 7 – 8

Genre: Historical Fiction

Theme: Relationships, War, Survival

I’ve always been a fan of stories from other countries and other times.  This book is no exception.  I was drawn to the overtly stereotypical Burmese and Japanese characters, to the descriptive settings, and to the various personalities of the the elephants.  This made the read worthwhile, especially when I discovered the disappointing and predictable ending. 

Thankfully for my students, knowledge about 1940s history was not a requirement, and in fact, it was not a leading theme.  It is helpful, though, to recognize when students are open to reading about other ways of living, and when there is just not enough context to make the story interesting to them.  I was not surprised to see some students abandon the book.

For teachers, this book is full of rich symbolism, and provides much to talk about within a classroom setting.  The elephants, the bell, and the complex relationships are all great starting points.

ISBN 13: 978-1-4231-0402-5, 318 pp

Wild Geese by Carolyn Pignat

 

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Red Deer Press; 1 edition (Sep 1 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0889954321

ISBN-13: 978-0889954328

Wild Geese  is the long anticipated sequel to Carolyn Pignat’s poignant book Greener Grass.

When I saw this title , I just snapped it up and devoured it in one sitting! It is the story of Irish immigration in the years 1845-47 to Canada,during the “Great Hunger”, where families were fleeing the destitute and poverty-stricken land that called home, Ireland. This is a tale of strength, courage, determination, grit, love,  faith and adventure. Through Kit’s narrative we cannot  help but be drawn into the sufferings and deprivations that family upon family had to endure during these lengthy ocean crossings. Pignat ‘s descriptive prose has skillfully brought to life an almost forgotten a part of Canadian history…and time of great trial, tribulation and opportunity.

Although this is a sequel to Greener Grass, Wild Geese can stand alone. However by  reading the first book it will allow readers to better understand the harrowing  ordeals of the Irish immigrants.

Reading ability: Intermediate / Senior level; Grade 7, 8, 9

Genre: Historical fiction, Canadian

Who would like this book? This book will appeal to those interested in ancestry, historical fiction, and adventure

Greener Grass by Caroline Pignat

 

Fountas and Pinnell Reading Level:   R      Grade Level:   5-7    

Genre:  Historical fiction /Adventure 

  Literature Circle set ( 6 copies) available  at  Classroom Support Centre 

Red Maple Book Award nominee 2010,  278 pgs.  

Other recognition and awards:

Governor General’s Literary Award winner 2009 CLA Children’s Book of the Year Award shortlist, 2009

  

Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People 2009 finalist 

Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Awards shortlist, 2010 

Canadian Children’s Book Centre Our Choice, 2009«Starred Choice 

Red Maple Book Award nominee 2010 

______________________________________________      

“1847 – Ireland. The potato famine enters its second year, as British landlords raise rents and tumble cottages, leaving Irish families homeless and overcome by hunger and disease. Kit Byrne, a young girl of fourteen, will do everything she can to save her family. But will it cost her soul?” 

http://carolinepignat.squarespace.com/greener-grass/ 

Review by Karen 

I am a lover of historical fiction and was eagerly looking forward to reading this latest book by Canadian author Caroline Pignat. I had thoroughly enjoyed Pignat earlier debut novel Egghead and was interested in how she would handle this genre. 

The 1840′s in Irish history was a period of unrest turmoil and utter destruction and devastation — devastation to human life, human dignity and the human spirit. Pignat’s novel Greener Grass opens in the second year of the Great Potato Famine — 1847. We become first-hand witnesses to the heartrending struggles of human survival through the eyes of the central character 14 year-old Katherine (Kit) Bryne and the choices she  and her family are faced with.  The author has skilfully woven the horrors and bleakness of the times, with Kit’s courage and herioism , and that makes this is a truly inspirational story. 

Highly Recommended!!!

Similiar Books:  Nory Ryan’s song by Patricia Giff; Katie’s Wish by Barbara Hazen; The Grave by James Heneghan 

  

Author Interview on Greener Grass: 

http://carolinepignat.squarespace.com/media/ 

Study Guide (free) : http://www.fitzhenry.ca/Download/guides/GreenerGrass.pdf 

Betrayed : the legend of Oak Island by Christopher Dinsdale

Publisher: Napoleon Publishing

Author: Christopher Dinsdale

ISBN: 9781894917919

Publish Date: 2009-08-31

Pages: 292

 

Betrayed……..the name alone conjures up in the mind, a dark tree shrouded location, perhaps filled with murder and mystery.  This imagery was what made me pick up Christopher Dinsdale’s latest book.

I was not to be disappointed!

 

Set in a time when warring factions dotted the European landscape, this YA novel is a fast paced historical adventure that spans the shores of two continents and sweeps the reader into the life of young Connor MacDonald.  One fateful night, life changes for Connor as he and his mother are ‘rescued’ by the arrival of a group of knights. Heading this band of men is the legendary Henry Sinclair, prince, crusader, Templar Knight, and mysterious Earl of Orkney. Adopted into the Gunn household, Connor becomes like a second son to Sir Rudyard Gunn and so begins the adventure of a lifetime!

In an attempt to outwit the invading English from taking their “Holy most Holies”,  the Prince and his loyal crew of expertly trained Knights do the unthinkable…..they follow in the path of the ancient Viking mariners and sail to the ‘undiscovered lands of the west’. Intrigue, mystery, secrecy and murder stalk Connor and the brave men on this voyage to “sanctuary”.

Reminiscent of the popular adult book, the Da Vinci Code, this young adult novel, also steeped in ancient mystical legends and skillfully intertwined with fact, is an exciting tale that will surely engage any reader!

 

 

Reading Ability: Grades 5 and up / Ages 10 and up.

Genre:  Historical fiction; Adventure

Theme: Crusades; Native peoples; Knights Templar; Courage; Honesty; Determination; Friendship

Who would like this book?  Anyone looking for an adventure into the time of the Crusades, Knights, Explorers, Heroes

Similiar Reads: Stolen away by C. Dinsdale; Blood Red Horse by K.M. Grant;  Green Jasper by K.M. Grant; Black horses for the King by A. McCaffrey

Author website: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&viewas=0&gid=53790249022