The Girl Who Drank the Moon (Kelly Barnhill)

Title:  The Girl Who Drank the Moon

Author: Kelly Barnhill

Target Ages:  9-14

Genre:  Fantasy Middle Grade Fiction

Publisher Summary: 

Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the Forest, Xan, is kind. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon. Xan rescues the children and delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey.

One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. As Luna’s thirteenth birthday approaches, her magic begins to emerge--with dangerous consequences. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Deadly birds with uncertain intentions flock nearby. A volcano, quiet for centuries, rumbles just beneath the earth’s surface. And the woman with the Tiger’s heart is on the prowl . . .

Awards:   Newbery Award, Multiple Best Book Lists

Evaluation:

From the first few lines, I was hooked!  The story begins with a woman telling her daughter about a witch who lives in the forest.  Every year the witch demands a sacrifice of the youngest child in the protectorate.  During this brief conversation, she drops other hints about the setting and plot. The next two chapters are through others’ perspectives—an elder and a boy in the village in one and the witch in the next. Each section intrigued me further.  I could not wait to read the next chapter. 

There are several well-developed characters readers will love: Xan—a maternal and helpful witch, Luna—an enmagicked girl, Glerk—a kindly swamp monster, Fyrian—a feisty dragon, Antain—a brave man of integrity, and Ethyne—a clever and kind girl. Luna will be especially captivate readers with her mischievous and curious nature. 

The multiple parallel storylines and periodic flashbacks create a multifaceted view of the plot and characters.  Eventually, the plot converges into a coherent and satisfying ending.  

Mythical characters and magic blend together with real world characters to create a fantasy world adventure with contemporary relevance.  The importance of forgiveness, love, sacrifice, devotion, and hope are emphasized.  One of the most memorable and powerful scenes is when two of the characters forgive another despite a lack of repentance on the part of the evildoer. 

Though I do not have a problem with fantasy literature taking liberties on the facts because, after all, it is fantasy, there is one part that bothered me.  In the confines of the story, the beginning of all life is the bog. The swamp monster is an immortal and wise being.  He quotes proverb-like lines from “the poet.”  All that is fine with me in the context of the narrative.  It crossed the line for me on a spiritual level though when it rewrote a section of the Book of John to reflect the truth of the story’s fiction.  Create your own version of truth all you want, but don’t delude a sacred book.

I highly recommend The Girl Who Drank the Moon.  Readers of all ages will find it thrilling and thought-provoking. 

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

Reader’s Guide

Visit Always in the Middle for more Middle Grade Recommendations.

A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L’Engle)

Title:   A Wrinkle in Time

Author:  Madeleine L’Engle

Target Ages:  10 and up

Genre:  Fantasy

Award:  Newbery Award and Lewis Carroll Shelf Award

Publisher Summary:

It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger.

“Wild nights are my glory,” the unearthly stranger told them. “I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me be on my way. Speaking of way, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract.”

Meg’s father had been experimenting with this fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. Now the time has come for Meg, her friend Calvin, and Charles Wallace to rescue him. But can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space?

Memorable Lines:

Life, with its rules, its obligations, and its freedoms, is like a sonnet: You’re given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself.

We can’t take credit for out talents.  It’s how we use them that count.

Just because we don’t understand doesn’t mean that the explanation doesn’t exist.

Evaluation: 

I just finished A Wrinkle in Time for the third time. The first time I read it was in grade school.  I was in college the second time. This time, I listened to it on CD as a refresher for the upcoming movie.

I generally like the protagonist in children’s novels.  However, this one is an exception.  Meg is a bit too whiny and insecure.  She has unrealistic expectations, especially of her father.  She often grated on my nerves. On the plus side, she is a devoted sister and friend.  

The other main characters are likable. Calvin is kind and protective of Meg while being her biggest advocate.  Charles Wallace is wise, brave, and helpful. 

The adults are admirable and trustworthy.  From Mrs. Murry to the three Miss W’s, all the women are strong and smart, but also resourceful and compassionate. Mr. Murry is a devoted father. The Murry’s are steadfast in their commitment to one another despite their involuntary separation.

The plot is paced well. The creatures and planets are imaginative and exciting. However, the ending wrapped up a little too quickly and easily, but it was satisfying.  The main plot points come to a close while leaving it open for the sequel. 

The motifs are powerful—family, love, courage, non-conformity, and friendship.  Children who feel like outsiders—externally or internally—will connect with the heroic trio.  For those who like deeper discussions, there is plenty to mine. 

A Wrinkle in Time was a memorable book for me as a kid.  The unforgettable motifs, characters, and plot have kept it relevant five decades after its first printing. 

Ideas for Extension Activities at Home or Lesson Plans for Teachers:

Scholastic Teacher’s Guide

Resources for Teachers

Study Guide

Teacher’s Guide from MacMillan

For more Middle Grade book recommendations, visit the MMGM round up.  

Fairest of All (Sarah Mlynowski)

Title:  Whatever After: Fairest of All (book #1 in Whatever After series)

Author:  Sarah Mlynowski

Publisher Summary:

Mirror, mirror, on the basement wall . . .

Once upon a time a mirror slurped up me and my brother, and magically transported us inside Snow White's fairy tale.

Then we stopped Snow White from eating the poisoned apple. Hooray! Or not. If Snow White doesn't die, she won't get to meet her prince or get her happy ending. Oops.

Now it's up to us to fix Snow White's story. And then, fingers crossed, find our way home.

Evaluation:

I love fairy tales, so I have been eyeing this series for a while. The cover art and titles are highly appealing for readers, especially middle grade girls. I finally listened to the book on Hoopla (great site for all things audio visual). 

The Good

Fairest of All is a creative retelling of the Snow White fairy tale. I enjoyed all the twists and turns the characters went through to set things right after “ruining” the traditional narrative.

There is a strong middle grade voice in Abby, the main character. She is determined, smart, and fiercely loyal.  Her dreams for her future are big. At times, she can be a bit inflexible and judgmental.  However, she matures some in these areas. For instance, she learns that there is more than one way to have a happy ending. 

Her sweet little brother Jonah is her co-star.  He is often able to see a situation in a unique way, which is helpful to Abby and the other characters. He is incredibly optimistic!  In many ways, he is a foil to his older sister.

The fairy tale characters are developed beyond the traditional tale. The author provides a fresh take on the dwarfs and the wicked step-mother (Evil Evelyn). In the beginning, Snow is depicted similar to the Disney version—submissive and helpless—but she develops a stronger sense of self and empowerment.  The fairy tale ending is rewritten in a way that reflects those changes.  

Family is a core motif. There is the typical sibling banter, but overall Abby and Jonah get along well. Abby grows to appreciate her brother more during their adventure.  Both children are closely connected to their parents.  Abby is concerned about getting back before their parents realize they are gone because she does not want them to worry.  Snow adopts the dwarfs as her family.  She invites them all to live with her in the castle.  

The narrative is a blend of fantasy, magic, and realism.  Of course, fairy tales fall under the fantasy genre and magic sends them to the alternate universe.  Most of what goes on both in the real and fantasy worlds is rooted in realism. For instance, Evil Evelyn does not use magic. She uses poison and disguises. The only magical element is in the mirrors—the one that sends them to the fairy tale world and the one in Evil Evelyn’s room.

The story is humorous at times and thrilling at others. The characters have to work together to problem solve and to help one another which are great character qualities to highlight for middle grade readers. 

The Bad

The mirror commands the children not to tell their parents about their adventure or it will put them in danger. I realize it is a fantasy story. In the real world, though, it is a red flag if an adult tells a child not to tell their parents about something.  I just mention it because some parents may want to have a discussion about the issue. 

Occasionally, the language is a bit silly. There is some slang. A few references to modern day life may become outdated with time. The target audience will not mind these issues at all.  These observations are from the English teacher in me. 

The Verdict

Overall, Fairest of All depicts strong females and takes young readers on an exciting ride.  I recommend it for middle grade readers (especially girls) who enjoy fantasy and fairy tales (I mean, who doesn’t?). 

Visit Ramblings of a Wanna Be Scribe for more Middle Grade recommendations.

Fairy Tale Friday: Storybound (by Marissa Burt)

It is Fairy Tale Friday!  Please visit my co-host Literary Transgressions where you can link up with this weekly round-up. Readers can enter to win this week’s book: Storybound!  Click on the Debut Author Giveaway Hop to find out how. 

Summary of Storybound (by Marissa Burt):

Twelve year old Una feels isolated and alone in the "real" world.  Everything changes when she discovers an extraordinary book in the library that transports her right in the middle of a fairy tale adventure!  She makes friends with Peter, a hero-in-training, and Sam, a talking cat.  They help her fit in the character academy, where each person is trained to be a character in a fairy tale—the hero, the princess, the side kick, the villain, a village girl, and so forth.  For years, the citizens of Story have believed the accounts of the Talekeepers, who keep all the books written by the Muses hidden and forbid any new stories from being recorded.  Unbeknownst to most, the people are being manipulated and oppressed.  As the trio works to discover why Una was brought to Story, many truths are revealed, and they realize there is something much more sinister at work. There are many questions that beg to be answered:  Who wrote Una into the story?  Are the rumors of the once and future king true?  What is the true nature of the Muses?  Who can be trusted?  Will Una’s friends be able to rescue her when she comes face to face with the nefarious women in red?  Una must also face the truth of her past, and the three friends must help defeat the great evil that is working to envelop the land. 

Evaluation:

It did not take me long to become captivated with Storybound.  Author Marissa Burt creates an alternate world, much like Harry Potter’s Hogwarts, where students live and are trained in special skills. Characters of Story take classes in Villainy, Backstory, and Outdoor Experimental Questing.  Not only is this a creative take on the fairy tale world, I also like that the classes (and book in general) prompt readers to consider what elements make up a fairy tale and how are they manipulated to make each tale unique. 

The plot was action-oriented, lots of intrigue and suspense.  Peter must work to keep Una’s origin a secret while helping her figure out how she got there and how she is going to get home.  Like Harry Potter, there is a villain along with some cohorts who are working for complete control of the people.  A group of adults are already working in the background to prevent this tyranny from occurring.  The children are in the middle of it, sneaking into forbidden places, looking for clues, keeping their activities secret, and protecting each other. 

One way the people are kept under the thumbs of the Talekeepers is through the suppression of creativity and ideas.  This aspect made me think of Fahrenheit 451.  All the tales from the past are hidden away. No new tales are allowed to be written.  Instead, people are fed propaganda, and anyone who protests disappears.  This problem is escalating because, now, many of the books are being sought after and burned to prevent the truth from ever being revealed. 

Like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, there is the notion that a just and benevolent king once ruled Story.  It is believed that he left the Muses and some leaders in charge of his people until his eventual return.  These people have betrayed the king and the people…or at least that is what it seems.  The king’s eventual return gives some of the characters hope. 

Characterization is well-done.  Several of the characters are multi-dimensional.  Snow, Una’s roommate, is the most round.  At first, she comes across as spoiled and demanding.  Then, she acts catty and materialistic when Una moves into her room.  These are all covert ways the young girl uses to cover up the insecure and painful feelings she has about herself and her family.  She acts like she doesn’t care, but she really does.  Both Una and Peter are developing characters.  For instance, Una begins shy, uncertain, and lonely but she develops into a bold, confident, and sociable young girl.  Peter comes across a bit arrogant and inflexible when you first meet him, but he develops into my favorite character.  As he helps Una on her quest, he becomes more flexible and sacrificial.  There are many interesting portraits of supporting characters like teachers, parents, and classmates.

Friendship, loyalty, freedom, family, and bravery are some of the positive motifs. Opportunities for discussion, though, are also prompted about censorship, government propaganda, fairy tale elements, gender roles, and stereotypes. 

Storybound concludes with some riveting revelations, but there is not a complete resolution to the action.  Story’s End is the planned sequel for 2013 which I am looking forward to reading.  I highly recommend Storybound for ages 8 and up.   Enter to win a copy: Debut Author Giveaway Hop.

Disclaimer: As per FTC guidelines, I received a copy of this book from the publisher or author in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. 

Middle Grade Fantasy: A Tale of Two Castles

Summary of A Tale of Two Castles: 

Elodie, a 12-year old farm girl, journeys alone to Two Castles the capital of the kingdom to secure an apprenticeship.   She longs to be a mansion (actor/storyteller), but her parents want her to be a basket weaver.  On her way to the capital, she finds out that free apprenticeships are no longer available.  Alone and penniless, Elodie attempts to win over the master mansioner.  Despite her talent, she is turned down for her lack of money to pay for it.  Fortunately, a lone dragon befriends her and offers her an apprenticeship where she learns how to induct and to deduct in order to find things, read people, and solve mysteries.  Elodie is quickly swept up in solving a mystery involving a mannerly ogre, a sweet princess, a selfish king, a dashing thief, a kindly couple, and many other remarkable characters.  Her mother warns her to watch for the sepulcher, or one who seems good but is evil.  Will she find out who it is in time?  Will she finally be able to follow her dream to be a mansion?

Evaluation:

I was drawn to A Tale of Two Castles because it is written by Gail Carson Levine, author of Ella Enchanted.   Two Castles is an enchanting realm with ogres, dragons, and mystical cats, but much of the rest is reminiscent of the medieval times.  The protagonist Elodie defies traditional gender roles.  She is brave, hard-working, and determined as well as compassionate, intuitive, and generous.  While she is slightly concerned about fashion, she is far more interested in action and adventure.  Most importantly, she is on a quest to fulfill her destiny.  Elodie plays a pivot role in solving the mystery of the kingdom and in saving the lives of others.   Along the way, she learns how to use her natural gifts and her talents to do what is necessary, but she does not give up on her dreams.  Eventually, she redefines what her ambitions are as she grows as a person and in her relationships. The mythical creatures in A Tale of Two Castles are more human than beastly.  They are benign and reflective— challenging some of the common stereotypes about them.  They each help Elodie grow into maturity.  The plot is full of mystery and suspense—moving at a steady pace.  Like many middle readers, it is broken up into short chapters.  Each ends with a revelation or further layer to the mystery, prompting the reader to continue.  The novel is light and entertaining.   It does tackle the motif of prejudices and labels, but it never gets too serious or provocative. This novel is ideal for readers ages 8-12.  Parents and educators may use the novel to discuss friendship, family, trust, self-identity, dreams, stereotypes/prejuidices, fantasy, and perseverance.

Check out other middle grade books on Marvelous Middle Grade Monday.