Stardust

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Gaiman, Neil. Stardust. New York: Avon Books, 1999.

Annotation: Tristran Thorn crosses a wall into the magical world of Faerie to find a fallen star to present to his love, Victoria. However, in Faerie, adventure awaits because some things are not how a person would imagine them to be. 

Book talk:

In our town – the town of Wall – there is a wall that separates our town from Faerie. We are not allowed to cross the wall; there’s even guards there to prevent us from crossing the wall. We are only allowed to cross every nine years during a fair. And boy do they sell the strangest things, like storm-filled eggshells and glass flowers. If the fair is any indication, Faerie must be a magical place indeed. Well, I’m about to find out because I have to cross the wall. I’m in love with Victoria, you see, and she promised to marry me if I bring her back a fallen star that just fell on the other side of the wall. What is Faerie like? Are the people as strange as they are during the fair? I’ve overheard talk of unicorns, witches and flying pirates. What does a fallen star look like? Well I’m going to find out because I need to bring it back to Victoria. So how do I get past the guard and cross the wall into Faerie?   

Awards:

• Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature
• Alex Award from the American Library Association.

Awards source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stardust_%28novel%29

Extras:

• Link to movie: http://www.stardustmovie.com/index2.html
• Audio Except: http://www.neilgaiman.com/mediafiles/works/audio/102_Chapter_One.mp3
• Interview with Neil Gaiman and Jane Goldman (screenwriter) about Stardust: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md7qa2HxoU8&feature=related

Geek Fantasy Novel

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Archer, E. Geek Fantasy Novel. New York: Scholastic Press, 2011.

Annotation: Ralph goes to England to set up his cousin’s wireless network but ends up in a magical journey based on his cousins’ wishes.

Book talk:

Wishes can be dangerous if they ever came true, which is why Ralph’s parents are adamant against making wishes. Other than that, Ralph leads a pretty average geeky life where he is good at computers and gaming. Then one summer, extended family invite him to England to set up their wireless network, and Ralph finds out why his parents are against wishes. His cousins’ wishes send him on a magical journey of a lifetime full of exploding rabbits, enslaved fairies, murdering unicorns, evil aunts and a snow queen that come to life in this unusual fantasy tale that breaks the rules and has a narrator who can’t keep his opinions to himself. Being a geek isn't always geeky.

Teen Recommended:

“A funny book with a twist. Never-ending mystery until the end.”

-- Christine, 13

Awards: None

Ella Enchanted

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Levine, Gail Carson. Ella Enchanted. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997.

Annotation: Ella has been given the “gift” of obedience where she has no choice but to obey any command, which might put herself and others in danger, especially if enemies find out.

Book talk:

Many parents probably want their child to be obedient. But is full obedience truly a good thing? That is what Lucinda the fairy godmother seems to think because she gave Ella the gift of obedience. The trouble is Ella has to do anything that is a direct command, even if it means putting herself or others in danger. What is Ella to do? Can she live with her “gift” of obedience? In order for Ella to find out, she goes on many adventures, dealing with stepsisters, fairy godmothers, ogres and a prince in the process. 

Awards:

• Newbery Honor Book
• Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award (Vermont)
• Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
• California Young Reader Medal
• Iowa Teen Award
• Arizona Young Readers’ Award

Awards source: http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Ella-Enchanted-Gail-Carson-Levine/?isbn=9780064407052

Extras:

• Start your adventure! Watch a reading of the first chapter of Ella Enchanted on YouTube.
• See the movie! See the movie based on the book Ella Enchanted and compare how they are similar and different. The site also includes a movie trailer.

Fairy Tale TV shows

I'm going to start a series of booktalks about fairy tales/fantasy YA novels. Retold fairy tales have been a little bit more popular recently with new TV shows this fall. The main ones are "Once Upon a Time" at ABC and "Grimm" on Fox. And these shows cannot be any different.

• "Once Upon a Time" is more of a drama about fairy tale characters who are trapped in our world, and the daughter of Snow White is supposed to be the savior.  From the creators of "Lost,"  the story weaves the stories of many different fairy tale characters, including Cinderella and Rumpelstiltskin.
• "Grimm" involves a little more horror mixed in with its drama. It is about a cop who realizes he is the descendent of someone who can see fairy tale/fantasy characters in the real world. It kind of retells fairy tales in a more dramatic way.

Check out their websites for episodes from the show. Note that episodes are only on the sites for a limited time.

Mind of My Mind

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Butler, Octavia E. Mind of My Mind. New York: Doubleday & Company, 1977.

Annotation: A woman telepath who was created to be a part of a new human race realizes she is able to control people’s minds more than was excepted by her father, who has been controlling others for 4,000 years.

Book talk:

Doro, my father, has been in charge for 4,000 years. He created a breeding program to create a new race. People always have done what he wanted them to do. Hell, even me. Well not anymore. He told me I was special, but I guess he didn’t know how special I was going to be. After my transition when I learned to control my talent, I became powerful in a new way. Now I’m able to control others with my mind. Doro had better watch out. He no longer is in complete control with all of the power.

Awards: None

The House on Mango Street

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Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1984.

Annotation: A young girl grows up in the Latino section of Chicago who works to reinvent her self as she interacts with people from her neighborhood.

Book talk:

The House on Mango Street is not the perfect house. Esperanza is a dreamer, so when her family finally decided to get a house instead of renting, she expected one more like what she saw on TV. But alas, the House on Mango Street wasn’t that. “It’s small and red with tight steps in front and windows so small you’d think they were holding their breath.” But this is where her family is moving so this is where she has to stay. The book's series of stories shares many perspectives of Esperanza’s new neighborhood. At that house, there were some good times full of beauty, but there also were some bad times that breaks the heart. So now she has turned to writing and dreams of getting a new home, one where she can be herself. So what happens to Esperanza? How does Mango Street affect her? Does she ever leave The House on Mango Street?

Award: Before Columbus Foundation's American Book Award

Award source: http://www.sandracisneros.com/bio.php

A Contract with God

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Eisner, Will. "Part I: A Contract With God." The Contract with God Trilogy. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2006. 3-180.

Annotation: Eisner’s graphic novel shares short stories of Jewish life in the Bronx in the 1930s.

Book talk:

I thought we had a bargain, God. Then why did you let my daughter die? I upheld my end of the bargain. Why didn’t you uphold yours? 

"A Contract with God" is the first story of this collection of short stories. Considered to be one of the first graphic novels, find out what happens in the stories that started the form – when a man thinks God broke his contract, when a diva says she’ll nurture a drunk’s career, when the tenants fear the super and when families and gold diggers visit the country for a vacation. Eisner tells the tales like it was and  doesn’t hold anything back.

Award: Inspired the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.