Monday Reading - Politics & Seasons

          Visit Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders to see what they've been reading, along with everyone else who link up.  

          I had the pleasure of an advanced copy from Candlewick Press for this book by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin.

       I've loved M.T. Anderson's books with their social underpinnings (like Feed) and Eugene Yelchin's story, Stalin's Nose, showing more historical humor and bite. This time, unassuming elfin historian Brangwain Spurge volunteers for a mission of a lifetime: he will be catapulted across the mountains into goblin territory, deliver a priceless peace offering to their mysterious dark lord, and spy on the goblin kingdom. It's dangerous, yet enticing for the experience. Brangwain’s host, the goblin Werfel the archivist loves the idea of learning from this never-before visitor and goes to extreme lengths to prepare for him. It can feel like an earth human visiting Mars with the mistakes that occur accompanied by cultural misunderstandings. Even the idea of insult or compliments contradict. Goblins show their love for one another with insults; elves do not. Interspersed within the plot are secret letters from Ysoret Clivers, Lord Spymaster, who hints at a double-cross when Spurge closes in with his peace offering. These two erratic (yet oh so sincere) scholars end in the middle of an international crisis that may spell death for them — and war for their nations. The story holds humor, beauty and an inspiring call for changing one's skin. (You'll have to read it to understand my meaning.)

      Eugene Yelchin illustrates the elf side of this story. In pen and ink archaic style, a few of his chapters move the plot along, enabling us to see the world-building and action from Brangwain's point of view, as the "other", Werfel's story is told in prose by Anderson. The reader will be thrilled to see and read the details of this new place, home of Goblins, and the fantastical plot that moves like a speeding train, across landscapes hard to imagine unless one is M.T. Anderson or Eugene Yelchin. To meet Brangwain Spurge and Werfel, both earnest and honest creatures that just happen to come from very different worlds, and histories, is a pleasure.

       

       And, thanks to Beaming Books, I received a copy of this new book celebrating fall and the joys of friendship and sharing.

        This sweet story by Laura Renauld--out tomorrow--is the winner of the Beaming Books picture book writing contest! Porcupine prepares for Fall Feast Day by taking off for the river to wash her cranberries. On the way, she meets several animals like Squirrel and asks them if they are preparing the favorite dishes she remembers from last year. Squirrel replies no, no "Nut Bread" this year because she has no flour. Generous Porcupine is happy to share her flour and tells squirrel to help herself. There is humor as well as sharing, like when Bear, appreciative that he will get the needed butter for his "Famous Honey Cake", "nearly hugs Porcupine". As Porcupine moves along, young readers might also notice that those cranberries are spilling from the bucket. Oh no! But Porcupine doesn't realize what's happening and is so disappointed at the river. She trudges home, saying later to the guests that there will only be piecrust this time. All working and sharing together makes a delicious end with "Friendship Pie". The recipe is at the back! Jennie Poh's illustrations fill the pages with cute animals in an autumnal forest, a rich anthropomorphizing in this story, with small touches like Porcupine's cupboard with dishes, a hanging picture of a cupcake, and Bear hanging out with a book. There is also a ladybug that makes an appearance in every scene. It is a story for young readers, perhaps with an added sharing and cooking time?

          I discovered this book at my library, by Joanne Schwartz, author of the wonderful Town Is By The Sea. I have missed the earlier Pinny book about summer, and will look for it, but do love this nice small chapter book about Pinny's adventures in fall, with two friends and including an exciting moment helping the lighthouse keeper. It's a calm and lovely story enhanced by soft illustrations by Isabelle Malenfant of friends having fun. They, with Pinny, enjoy the out of doors. Penny even gets to put on her rain hat with leaves "raining down". It would be fun to read with young readers and writers who might write about their own times out of doors in the fall.

      I remember some of my nice bus drivers of long ago, but I never had this experience, a sweet bus driver who loved his passengers enough so that he tells them stories, is patient, kind, and teaches them Cree words. In simple text this Nomoshom (meaning grandfather) tale takes the reader through the beginning of the ride, saying Tansi (hello) and Machi kisikaw (It is a bad day - like stormy out), Mino kisikaw (It is a good day) or Ekosani (thank you). The illustrations are full of action and emotion with Nimoshom and the kids. What a great story that will be good to share with readers who will like knowing some words in a new language. Added is a glossary at the end with the words used and their translation. I only wish it also had a pronunciation guide. 

       And I did finish Resistance by Jennifer Nielsen. You can read my review on Goodreads here!

Currently reading (finally!): The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson