BEOWULF by Gareth Hinds

BEOWULF by Gareth Hinds

Bibliography: Hinds, Gareth. 2007.  BEOWULF. Somerville, MA: Candelwick Press. ISBN: 978-0-7636-3023-2.

Summary: This epic tale follows the deeds of Beowulf against the terrible monster Grendel.  In the country of Denmark, a king builds a hall worthy of his majesty and his men’s great valor.  The monster Grendel, grew jealous of the men’s world and attacked and killed all within the hall that night.  Henceforth no one stayed in the hall after nightfall.  Beowulf heard of these deeds and sailed with his men to slay the monster.  Beowulf and his men were greeted with joy and stayed the night in the hall.  That night Grendel attacked the hall killing many men.  Beowulf watched from a far and then attacked the monster himself.  The fight was gruesome and Beowulf rips off the monster’s arm.  Knowing the Grendel will probably die they celebrate.  However, the monster’s mother, a “loathsome troll-wife,” avenged her sons gruesome mauling by taking the kings closest sage in the night.  Beowulf goes and fights Grendel’s mother and eventually kills both her and the dying Grendel.  Beowulf goes home with his treasures.  Many years later Beowulf becomes king of his country.  He lives out his days in peace…until one day.  Beowulf is forced to fight one last time against a foe most foul. This fight may well be his last.

Plot Analysis: I have loved this epic since the first time I heard it back in college.  The epic itself is both dark and heroic.  Gareth Hinds’ illustrations in this graphic novel match that feeling perfectly.  The majority of the graphic novel is in muted greens, browns, and greys, evoking very strong emotions in the reader.  I, for example, find the illustrations delightfully scary.  Many of the pages show Beowulf, walls, and everything else covered in blood.  Hinds makes the story come alive with his amazing illustrations and limited writing.  On many pages there is nothing but illustrations making the reader decipher the story on their own.  Many times graphic novels are meant for adults and this one is no different.  The gore and violence is very appropriate for the epic but not so much for children under the age of 16.  My favorite pictures are the ones of Beowulf’s face.  The reader really gets to see the emotion and many times ferocity of Beowulf.  Gareth Hinds’ interpretation of this great epic is both entertaining and accurate.  This was my first graphic novel, but I intend to read many more. 

Review Excerpts:

·      Booklist: “Gorgeous…will have high appeal for many, particularly fans of video games and action movies.”

·      The New York Times Book Review: “A first-rate horror yarn…Hinds stages great fight scenes, choreographing them like a kung-fu master….Visceral.”

Connections:

·      Great book for any fan of graphic novels. A bit scary, so not for children.

·      A great way for high school age kids to get into the epics.

·      Other books by this author:

o   Hinds, Gareth. 2010. THE ODYSSEY. Somerville, MA: Candelwick Press. ISBN: 978-0763642681.

o   Hinds, Gareth. 2009. KING LEAR. Somerville, MA: Candelwick Press. ISBN: 978-0763643430.  

THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater

THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater

Bibliography: Stiefvater, Maggie. 2011. THE SCORPIO RACES. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. ISBN: 978-0-545-22490-1.

Summary: After her parents passed away, Puck Connolly was the head of her household.  Her younger brother, Finn, works around the house and her older brother Gabe works at the local hotel to bring home money.  One horrible day Gabe tells his siblings he’s leaving for the mainland and leaving them behind. Out of fear, Puck enters the dangerous Scorpio Races to race against the terrible, dangerous Water Horses, the capall uisce. Puck refuses to ride one of the Water Horses since they killed her parents so she rides her own land horse, Dove.  Through a series of strange events she ends up being trained by the boy who is the reigning winner of the games.  People die in these races, will Puck?

Critical Analysis: This book was so much fun! I originally picked it because it was billed as like The Hunger Games.  I’m not sure I agree but it’s great nonetheless. Puck is a strong main character that drives the story with her stubbornness, pride, and unyielding faith in herself.  The other main character, who some of the chapters are written from their point of view, is Sean.  Sean is described by Puck as “still.” As a reader you can imagine how his silent, calm demeanor.  Maggie Stiefvater is a wonderful writer.  I was never bored the entire time I was reading this.  I simply could not put it down.

Review Excerpts:

·      Kirkus Reviews: “A taut, chilling, romantic adventure…Masterful. Like nothing else out there now.”

·      The Horn Book: “Stiefvater masterfully combines an intimate voice (think I Capture the Castle) with a fully evoked island setting with sensory-rich language (think Margo Lanagan) with a wealth of horse detail with a plot full of danger, intrigue, and romance…Stiefvater sets not one foot wrong as she takes readers on an intoxicating ride of their own…Stiefvater’s novel begins rivetingly and gets better and better…all the way, in fact, to best.”

Connections:

·      This book is violent so I would suggest a High School age student.

·      A great book for kids who liked Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, or The Percy Jackson series.

·      Other books by this author:

o   Stiefvater, Maggie. 2012. THE RAVEN BOYS.  New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. ISBN: 978-0545424929.

o   Stiefvater, Maggie. 2006. BOOKS OF FAERIE. Cambridge, MA: Hackett Publishing Co.

FEATHERS by Jacqueline Woodson

FEATHERS by Jacqueline Woodson

Bibliography: Woodson, Jacqueline. 2007. FEATHERS. London, England: Penguin Books Ltd.

Summary: “Feathers” revolves around a little girl named Frannie, who lives in 1971 on one side of the freeway, the other was for the white people.  One day a white boy came to Frannie’s elementary.  “The Jesus Boy” caused quite a stir and Frannie’s friend Samantha, whose father is a minister at a local church, even believes he might be Jesus.  Frannie’s blossoming friendship with “the Jesus Boy” makes her rethink the things she knew and what is right and wrong. 

Critical Analysis: Of all the books I have reviewed lately, this is my favorite.  The way Jacqueline Woodson explains the time, place, and people, the reader really feels like they understand how the characters are feeling.  My favorite character in the book, isn’t even a main character.  Frannie’s brother Sean is the best part of the book for me.  Sean is deaf and everyday society in the 1970’s reminds him of that.  Girls think he’s handsome but when they find out he’s deaf they say, “dang, all that fineness wasted.” I loved that no matter what happened he still hoped that things would get better.  The story’s language is very period appropriate and extremely fascinating. I would recommend this book to ANYONE.

Review Excerpts:

·      School Library Journal: “Woodson creates in Frannie a strong protagonist who thinks for herself and recognizes the value and meaning of family. The story ends with hop and thoughtfulness while speaking to those adolescents who struggle with race, faith, and prejudice.”

·      Publisher’s Weekly: “Woodson’s novel skillfully weaves in the music and events surrounding the rising opposition to the Vietnam War, giving this timeless story depth.”

·      Newbery Honor Book

Connections:

·      This book would be a great book for any middle school or high school student to read when studying race dynamics or the Vietnam War.

·      The discussion questions in the back of the book, are great conversation starters for a class.

·      Other books by this author:

o   Woodson, Jacqueline. 2006. LENA. New York, NY: Speak Publishing/ Penguin Group. ISBN: 978-0142406168.

o   Woodson, Jacqueline. 2010. THE DEAR ONE. New York, NY: Puffin Publishing. ISBN: 978-0142417058.