Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper

A delightful mesh of The Chronicles of Narnia meets "National Treasure," Over Sea, Under Stone is also a thrilling introduction to Arthurian legend. Award-winning children’s author Susan Cooper creates a cast of lively characters in a captivating setting, making this reader very upset that an immediate spelunking expedition at the English seaside simply isn’t possible.

          Siblings Simon, Jane, and Barney are visiting their mysterious Great-Uncle Merry at the seaside town of Cornwall when they uncover an ancient map in the floorboards of their rented house. Overjoyed to find the cryptic artifact, they soon realize that they are not the only ones to take an interest in the discovery. The most innocent of inquiries into the map’s history gets the children the attention of Cornwall’s sinister vicar, the enigmatic owners of a sailing yacht, and an unpleasant older boy, each of whom clearly want the map for their own purposes. Guided by Great-Uncle Merry, who knows more than he will tell, the children embark on a desperate attempt to solve the map’s message while fending off all those who want it for their own questionable purposes. Their enemies, however, are unscrupulous and seem to be aided by a dark power as strong as evil; as the pursuit intensifies, Simon, Jane, and Barney slowly lose almost all those whom they thought they could trust and the story climaxes in a chase that takes place over sea and under stone.

          A good choice for readers who enjoy C.S. Lewis’s Narnian series, Over Sea, Under Stone capably presents the allure of a favorite legend. Rather than retell the entire myth, however, the story focuses on elements such as the power of ancient tales to affect the present and the importance and magical influence of history in contemporary life. The series continues with The Dark Is Rising, Greenwitch, The Grey King and Silver on the Tree. The fourth novel, The Grey King, was the recipient of the 1976 Newbery Medal.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Are you in the mood for a tale set in an entertainingly imagined realm and featuring a spunky heroine with enough wit and grit to tame a pack of ogres? (You think I’m speaking figuratively.) Look no further than Gail Carson Levine’s Ella Enchanted, one of those valuable books that is truly worth the popularity it has garnered.

          Ella has been cursed since babyhood, when a decidedly short-sighted fairy bestowed on her the “gift” of obedience, meaning that whenever Ella is given a command, she must immediately comply. Besides the obvious downside of having to obey adult commands to eat her vegetables and do household chores, Ella’s curse puts her in constant danger from unscrupulous people who would exploit her unusual compulsion. Ella is possessed of many other gifts, however, and has more than enough courage and humor to face her difficulty. As best she can, she hides her curse and searches for a means of breaking the spell. But how can she fend off the manipulation of her nasty stepfamily? And how can she hope for a happily-ever-after with the prince she loves, knowing that she could be forced to do him harm?

          As a retelling of the classic fairy tale Cinderella, Ella Enchanted goes beyond retelling to become an excellent original story. Ella is a thoroughly likeable, zestful narrator, with both sympathetic flaws and good points. The kingdom of Frell and the surrounding geography feature prominently in the plot almost as characters themselves and are just as interesting; Ella’s interactions with them and their people while on her travels include meeting giants, ogres, elves, and fairies, each with their own personalities. As for her friendship with Char, the novel’s “Prince Charming,” it is warm and humorous and yes, romantic. Named a Newbery Honor book in 1998, this novel definitely deserves its hype.

Boston Jane by Jennifer L. Holm

What if, in order to be a heroine, you had to lay aside everything you thought was most important? In her young adult novel Boston Jane, author Jennifer L. Holm presents her readers with a protagonist as feisty as she is unique.

Running amok on the streets of 19^th-century Philadelphia, doted on by an affectionate father, Jane Peck has always considered herself to be the luckiest girl in the world – that is, until she runs afoul of Sally Biddle, the resident mean girl, who mocks Jane’s tomboy habits and makes it her mission to cause Jane all kinds of misery. Her father’s apprentice, the handsome William, encourages Jane to attend finishing school, and she quickly embraces the task of becoming a proper young lady as being the solution to her troubles. When William leaves for the Washington Territory to make his fortune and subsequently writes to Jane, asking for her hand in marriage, Jane eagerly sets out on the hazardous sea voyage to join her fiancee. But what place can her refined accomplishments find on board a smelly ship and among the unwashed, uncouth, decidedly male population of Shoalwater Bay? Also, her beloved etiquette handbook says nothing about the propriety of falling in love with a sailor…

          Jane is an uncompromisingly loveable heroine: endearingly bullheaded, determined to always behave as if she were in a Boston parlor, yet constantly surprising herself with her resourcefulness and grit. This book admirably confronts the question of what constitutes manners, good breeding, and ultimately being successful; Jane must decide which of the values she learned at Miss Hepplewhite’s Ladies Academy are superficial, and which are truly necessary for being an accomplished young woman. The secondary characters are both well-drawn and riotously funny, and many are based on real people who lived in the Washington Territory during this time period. Thanks to her extensive research and captivating storytelling, Holm provides a fascinating glimpse into a little-known chapter of American history that also explores issues such as American Indian culture, discrimination, and the necessity of living in harmony to promote the good of society. Jane’s adventures continue in Boston Jane: Wilderness Days and Boston Jane: The Claim. Read them all – they are way too good to miss!

Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman

With the outdoor temperature at an indecent temperature of negative 60 degrees, books about warm foreign countries are a delightful alternative to booking an immediate flight to Hawaii. Padma Venkatraman’s young adult novel Climbing the Stairs is much more than just an escape to better weather: her character Vidya’s narrative is both lively and thought-provoking, telling an absorbing story of spirit sustained despite all odds.

          Fifteen-year-old Vidya still prefers climbing trees with her older brother Kitta over thinking about her dowry. At an age when most other girls would be having their horoscopes presented to the families of prospective bridegrooms, Vidya rejoices that her parents are willing to send her to college once she finishes school. When her father is seriously injured, however, her family must move to her uncle’s house, where the extended family lives under one roof and the women are strictly confined to the kitchen. Frustrated at the loss of her home and dreams, bullied by her aunts, and harboring a miserable secret, Vidya seeks refuge in her grandfather’s forbidden library, where she makes a good friend in Raman, a handsome young family acquaintance. In the face of the approaching World War II and the avocation of change as made by figures such as Gandhiji (Mahatma Gandhi), Vidya begins to realize that fulfilling her ambitions requires both effort and personal cost.

          One of the best things about this Climbing the Stairs is that it is decidedly three-dimensional. In her story about a young girl negotiating her future, Venkatraman does not neglect any of the essential elements of family, friends, historical consideration, developing romance, and straight-up girlish mischievousness. Vidya is an excellent protagonist, intelligent and logical yet tempestuous and sharp-tongued, and has realistic hopes and affections due to the well-imagined plot. Furthermore, it is worth noting that in her ultimate decision over her future, she discovers that although education and romantic relationships are both vital parts of life, neither can replace the other. Readers will enjoy Vidya’s verve as well as her thirst for knowledge, and may even gain an appreciation for homework. Maybe.

          This book is currently on display in the young adult section of the Fitzgerald Library.

 

         

Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

Interested in a book with a plot as outlandish as the wildest action-adventure movie, yet is astoundingly prompted by a true story? Margi Preus’s Newbery Honor biographical novel, Heart of a Samurai, is based on the life of Manjiro, the first Japanese person to set foot in America and arguably one of the most influential people in Japan’s history.

          Manjiro, a bright young teenager, finds very few answers to his myriads of questions in the simple fisherman’s life to which he was born. When he and his fishing companions are shipwrecked on a barren island, they are rescued by a whaling ship from the United States: a fate that nearly all Japanese people believed was worse than death, as foreigners were viewed as nearly demonic and a fatal influence on those with whom they came into contact. Encouraged by the friendship of the ship’s captain, Manjiro stays with the crew as they hunt whales on their way back to America. He attends school in the States and embarks on adventures that vary from panning for gold in California to aiding a mutiny onboard another whaler. Despite the possibilities that open to him, Manjiro longs to return to his family and dreams of helping his isolated homeland embrace the future.

          In her Historical Note, the author states Manjiro was a crucial contributor to the opening of the Japan to interaction with the West – no small feat, as Japan had been self-isolated for 250 years. Preus spins an excellent story that portrays both the harmful effects of discrimination and fear and the good influences of determination, acceptance, and healthy curiosity. Although the tone of the book is more modern than its topic, this is a worthwhile work about an amazing historical figure.

Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan

India’s rich history and colorful culture is a fascinating subject for a novel – this reader is always hoping to find a book that describes exactly how Indian women are able to manage their saris so gracefully. Although she does not directly address this curiosity, acclaimed author Gloria Whelan does an excellent job of combining culture, history, and character in her award-winning young adult novel Homeless Bird.

          Koly is thirteen years old, bright, curious, and about to be married to a man she’s never met. When they do meet on their wedding day, it’s too late – Koly discovers that her bridegroom is a sickly boy whose parents are primarily interested in her dowry money as a means of paying his medical bills. When their marriage abruptly ends and she is cast off by her resentful in-laws, Koly summons all her courage to meet a precarious future and to use her talents to make her way.

          Although spirited-girl-forced-into-dreadful-betrothal/marriage is a fairly common plot nowadays, Gloria Whelan keeps this storyline nicely fresh. Neither downtrodden nor inaccurately feminist, Koly’s perspective is open and courageous. Although she has much reason to feel misused, she blessedly does not allow musing about her wrongs to take precedence over her imagination and prospective plans. Additionally, this National Book Award winner offers a captivating look into the life of an “ordinary” Indian girl, giving readers an enhanced appreciation of life in a different country.

 

 

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristine Levine

In honor of the recent celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and the current Black History Month, this next book gives a wonderful insight into the struggle involving Civil Rights as it played out in Arkansas. Author Kristine Levine creates a unique and sympathetic heroine in her second novel The Lions of Little Rock.

          Twelve-year-old Marlee can’t emphasize enough how uncomfortable she feels talking with people outside of her immediate family. Painfully shy, she tends to classify people as types of beverages (unlikable people are, of course, nasty drinks like cough syrup) and is happiest doing math. So it’s a surprise to her and everyone who knows her when she becomes friends with Liz, an exuberant new addition to her grade at West Side Junior High. When Liz suddenly stops coming to school, Marlee is desperate – especially when rumors begin whispering that Liz was actually a colored girl pretending to be white. It’s now up to nervous Marlee to stand by her new friend and speak up in her defense, even if continuing their relationship threatens both of their families.

          This book provides an intense picture of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, and is particularly moving due to the fact that the narrator is a young girl. Readers receive a clear depiction of the animosity aimed at African Americans, a rancor so fierce that it extends to even white people who sided with them. Despite Marlee’s youth, she is not exempt from being targeted for potential violence by racist groups and although her narration is sweet, often lighthearted, and eventually ends happily, the effects of her experience are sobering. Levine’s novel is a stellar fictional work based on the real-life Little Rock Nine. Another excellent book by this author on a very similar subject (my favorite, actually,) is The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had.

Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind by Suzanne Fisher Staples

Interested in the mating rituals of camels? Not really? No worries – you’ll probably still enjoy this book. Suzanne Fisher Staples’ Newbery Honor book Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind packs a punch as a captivating narrative of a young girl’s life in 20^th-Century Pakistan.

          11-year-old Shabanu and her family are desert people, nomadic and well accustomed to dealing with sandstorms, dry wells, and the occasional hostile tribe. Yet any inconveniences that come with travelling the desert land are more than made up for in Shabanu’s eyes by the freedom of their life and her love of caring for her father’s camel herd. She knows, however, that her current happiness will not be permanent. Her older sister Phulan is months away from being married, which means that Shabanu’s own wedding will follow a year later. While Shabanu speculates hopefully about her future bridegroom, a boy she barely knows, disaster rips her world to shreds. A greedy and licentious landlord’s vendetta against her family forces her betrothal to the landlord’s wealthy brother, a man twice her age who already has four wives. Desperate, Shabanu must decide between two evils: whether to lock her heart away and obey, or to rebel against her father’s decree and endanger her family.

          Reader, beware: this is not an uplifting story about a girl who finds an unconventional answer that allows her to embrace her culture while retaining her freedom. It is still, however, a worthwhile story particularly due to the fact that it does not fit this plot trajectory. Shabanu’s coming-of-age narrative is a poignant illustration of the ability to love those who hurt you, the power of sacrifice, the necessity of compassion, and ultimately the gift of inner freedom. The heroine’s fate is not the ideal destiny wished by the sympathetic reader, but is still triumphant due to the understanding of personal dignity that she achieves through great struggle.