Mending Horses

Barker, P.  Mending Horses.   Holiday House  2014  309p  $17.95  ISBN 978-0-8234-2948-6     ms/hs  Historical fiction  VG-BN

This is the sequel to A Difficult Boy, but it also stands well on its own.  Daniel, an Irish immigrant, has been released from his indenture and is on his way with his beloved horse Ivy.  To the farmers of Massachusetts, an Irish boy with a horse like Ivy must be a thief.  After some time in jail, Daniel is taken under the wing of the peddler, Jonathan.  He travels with the peddler and an orphan named Billy, who sings like an angel.  The trio ends up traveling with a circus.  Daniel has a way with horses, using love and praise rather than punishment as an incentive.  He takes over the show ponies and is working to develop a performance.  Trouble follows the three as they travel.  It turns out that Billy, who is really a girl, was sold to the peddler by her father.  Her father sees her perform and tries to get her back.  Interspersed throughout the novel are chapters about Billy’s family.  These help the reader understand her decision at the end of the story.
 

This is an exciting read.  It paints a good picture of life in New England in the late 1830’s and the life and attitudes surrounding Irish immigrants.  The themes of the book are the way that both animals and people respond to love and gentleness, and the true meaning of family.    

Summary: This is the sequel to A Difficult Boy, but it also stands alone very well.  Daniel joins with the peddler Jonathan, who is traveling with a young boy named Billy.  They join up with a traveling circus but their pasts follow them, which causes problems.  Middle to high school.             

New England-Fiction, Circuses-Fiction                 --Joan Theal     

Susan Marcus Bends The Rules.

Cutler, Jane.  Susan Marcus Bends The Rules.  Holiday House 2014  108p  $16.95  ISBN 978-0-8234-3047-5  elem/ms  Historical fiction  VG-BNe

In 1943, during World War 2, Susan and her parents need to leave New York City to live in Missouri, where her father has a new job.  With the move come many new experiences with racial and ethnic prejudice, and Susan decides to fight back in her own small way.  The youngster who reads this book will learn something about American history, including the war, rationing, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, and the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement.  The protagonist is a feisty, imaginative girl with a sense of justice that will appeal to readers.  While the story does not result in any huge victories for tolerance and racial equality, it has a satisfying ending that represents a small victory for a little girl and her friends and family.  The age of the protagonist is ten, and the book should appeal to girls in grades 4 through 6.

Summary: In 1943, during World War 2, Susan and her parents need to leave New York to live in Missouri, where her father has a new job.  With the move come new experiences with racial and ethnic prejudice, and Susan decides to fight back in her own small way.                   

Racial intolerance-Fiction                            --Carol Kennedy  

Springer, Nancy. My Sister’s Stalker.

Springer, Nancy.  My Sister’s Stalker.    Holiday House     93p   $16.95  978-0-8234-2358-3                 jr/sr       E-BN      Realistic Fiction

Rig misses his dad and sister. Since the divorce, they have left to live in another city.  Rig stayed with his mother, who is an artist, but sometimes he feels as if she is simply not in touch with life.  Curious to see what his sister is up to, Rig googles her and finds her in all kinds of pictures of her college life.  He also finds one web site that is different from all the rest.  On the surface, it seems to be a romantic web site about his sister, but as he views it, he begins to feel that something is not right.  He has a gut feeling that this isn't an ordinary web site.  He visits his father and shows him the contents of the web site and they agree.  What happens next is the most fearful event of Rig’s life. He is sure that his sister is being stalked, and he is afraid that it is escalating.  He doesn't know why it is happening, but if he wants to save his sister, he had better figure it out soon.

This story is a fast and scary read, a book that you will not be able to put down until the end.           

Stalking-Fiction, Divorce-Fiction, Realistic fiction  -- Magna Diaz

Winter, Jonah. Wild Women of the Wild West.

Winter, Jonah.  Wild Women of the Wild West.    Holiday House, 2011.  40p.  $16.95 ISBN 978-0--8234-1601-1  elm/ms (Grades 3-7).  E-BNe           

     This book includes the biographies of fifteen women who shaped the frontier during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Each woman's background and impact on her community and on American history is accompanied by a full-page color portrait.  The concise yet informative biographies provide a look at the place of women on the American frontier when it was just becoming settled. The women include Calamity Jane, Belle Starr, Annie Oakley, Carry Nation and other lesser-known but equally important women who shaped the West. Through all the biographies run the threads of strength, self-assurance, and a desire for freedom to live their lives as they wished. This book is an excellent addition to feminist collections as well as pioneer-history collections.             

Subject:  Women of the Frontier - Biography    

Lois McNicol

Freeman, Martha The Case of the Diamond Dog Collar

Freeman, Martha   The Case of the Diamond Dog Collar  

 Holiday House     2011  136p  16.95 978-0-8234-2337-8 

 elem  E-BNe      Mystery/Detective
   Second title in First Kids Mystery series.  The diamond dog collar sent to the White House resident dog is assumed to be fake until one gem disappears.  The First daughters tackle this mystery that may involve White House staff.  Grades 3-6     
   Since mom became President, Cammie and Tessa live in the White House with their dog Hooligan.  The dog of the ruler of a nearby country sends a diamond studded collar to Hooligan.  The diamonds must be fake, right?  Until one is stolen off the collar.  The two First Daughters enter sleuthing mode to tackle this mystery.  Guests, staff and an invited dog trainer are all considered suspects by the girls.
   The action is raucous and totally age appropriate in this second title in the First Kids Mystery series.  Narrated by Cammie, the voice sounds authentic to an active youngster who occasionally rebels against the required security and rules, and fondly remembers life before the White House.  The girls collect evidence and propose motives while occasionally dropping tidbits about the White House and life in it.  Hooligan lives up to his name.
This charming title will satisfy budding sleuths and future politicians alike.           
   Second in the First Kids Mystery series about Cammie, Tessa and Hooligan living in the White House.  First title was Case of the Rock ‘N’ Roll Dog, third will be Case of the Ruby Slippers.       Joan Theal

Lairamore, Dawn. Ivy and the Meanstalk.

Lairamore, Dawn.  Ivy and the Meanstalk.  Holiday House, 2011.  227p.  $16.95

ISBN 978-0-8234-2392-7  ms/jr VG-BNS     

     What happened after Jack climbed the beanstalk?  When he made off with the harp and hen, did he consider the repercussions of his actions?  Fans of “Ivy’s Ever After,” in which Princess Ivy saved her kingdom from a scheming prince, will enjoy “Ivy and the Meanstalk.”  Princess Ivy has little time to bask in her earlier success.  She and her friend  Eldridge, a dragon, find the kingdom of Ardendale threatened once more.  Largessa, a giantess suffering from insomnia since her golden harp and hen were stolen by a youth named Jack, threatens Ardendale with a terrible fate if her belongings are not returned to her in one week.  So Ivy and Eldridge embark on (another) fairy-tale-inspired quest, which will take them across the sea, into a golden kingdom, and up a man-eating “meanstalk.”
     The lighthearted story is humorous and entertaining, with potential for springboarding interesting discussions about how historical events may be interpreted from differing perspectives, depending on which character is sharing his or her experiences, the ethics of stealing to avert a tragedy, and the fallout created by individuals who seek revenge. 
Subjects: 1.  Princesses - Fiction.  2. Fairy Godmothers - Fiction. 3. Dragons-Fiction. 4. Giants - Fiction.     

Hilary Welliver

 

Woelfle, Gretchen. All The World's A Stage

Woelfle, Gretchen.      All The World's A Stage        

Holiday House           2011   163p   16.95   978-0-8234-2281-4             

ms                               VG-BN 

 This novel of Elizabethan London is presented as a play in five acts.  This fascinating account of this era givesyoung readers a chance to experience life both as a poor orphan and a member of

the theater company with its myriad of tasks and opportunities.  The ╥reality╙of the time is enhanced by the pencil drawings that add to the sense of time and place.               

 Kit Buckles, newly orphaned and now apprenticed to a gang of pickpockets,

is sent to relieve theater patrons of their purses at the Theatre Playhouse. 

Caught in the act, he has to choose between prison and being an unpaid worker

for the Chamberlain╒s Men.  Kit chooses the latter and finds that life as a part

of this company agrees with him.  During the winter of 1598, the ongoing dispute

between the company and their landlord becomes critical.   After they are locked

out, the company makes plans to secretly dismantle the existing theater and

rebuild it again as the Globe on another site along the Thames.  Kit finds his

way in life during this tumultuous period.  He tries his hand at many chores and

discovers friends and companions that suit him from the company╒s apple girl to

Will Shakespeare himself.

 This fascinating account of this era gives young readers a chance to experience

life both as a poor orphan and as a member of the theater company with its

myriad of tasks and opportunities.  The ╥reality╙ of the time is enhanced by the

pencil drawings that add greatly to the sense of time and place.  The book ends

with an author╒s note, a glossary, and a bibliography.  It is sure to lead to

further reading on the topic and, perhaps, a nudge towards the works of

Shakespeare himself.       Ogintz, Susan

  

Your Friend in Fashion, Abby Shapiro

 Axelrod, Amy. Your Friend in Fashion, Abby Shapiro

Holiday House     2011  261p  17.95

978-0-8234-2340-8 elm/ms      Realistic Fiction       VG 

  

“Beginning in 1959, Abby, nearly eleven, writes a series of letters to Jackie

Kennedy, each with sketches of outfits she has designed, as she faces family

problems, concerns about neighbors, and her own desperate desire for both her

first bra and a Barbie doll.” Set in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s in

Massachusetts, eleven year-old Abby Shapiro is a tween who has a love of

designing clothes and is not of expressing her thoughts and feelings.  Abby’

lives with her mother, her Aunt Rina, Uncle Max, and Uncle Morris.  Abby faces

family difficulites and struggles at school with a mean girl.  In order to earn

extra money to purchase a bra and a Barbie doll, she begins to design clothes. 

Readers begin to see Abby’s true character come of age, as she writes letters to

Jackie Kennedy, wife of Senator Kennedy, and offers fashion advice.  Abby knew

that writing to the possible future first lady, could be profitable especially

if her husband ever became President of the United States.  These letters are

sometimes humourous but also reveals how Abby is not afraid to express her

thoughts, feelings, and struggles.  Abby’s family and Jewish faith and upbrining are addressed throughout. The author includes a glossary and pronunciation of

Yiddish and Hebrew words for readers to comprehend.               Forba-

Mayer, Charleen

 

White, Linda. Too Many Turkeys.

White, Linda Too Many Turkeys
Holiday House 2010 unp 16.95 978-0-8234-2084-1
elem Turkeys VG-BNe


The farmer and his wife take in a turkey who helps to keep bugs away and creates fertilizer for their garden. But when he becomes attracted to a female turkey, suddenly hundreds of turkeys show up in the farmer╒s yard.
When Farmer Fred and his wife Belle adopt a turkey, they find that the bird becomes an asset that keeps away bugs and provides fertilizer. The garden flourishes, but Belle wants to keep her ╥secret ingredient╙ to herself. When she leaves for a visit, the turkey finds a mate and many hundreds of friends. When his garden is overrun with turkeys, Fred finally comes up with a solution, that spills the secret, but makes everyone╒s garden better and helps him get rid of the turkeys.

Not only is the story funny, but it imparts interesting information about turkeys and organic gardening.

Megan Lloyd's illustrations are enchanting, colorful and humorous. The detail of the hundreds of turkeys will give the reader hours of delight. Almost like an I Spy or Where╒s Waldo book, there is so much to see and discover in the illustrations. Interestingly, the author and illustrator notes indicate that Lloyd actually lives on a turkey farm.

A funny and enjoyable read. Wonderful for younger (K-1) story time and family sharing. This was a delightful, informative and funny book Misc. Naismith, Pat

Reed, Lynn Rowe. Color Chaos.

Reed, Lynn Rowe. Color Chaos
Holiday House 2010 unp 16.95 978-0-8234-2257-9
elem Color-- Fiction VG-BNe


When substitute principal Mr. Greystone prohibits colors at Hughes Elementary School, it takes a visit from illustrator Maurice Coleur to set things right. Includes information about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors and the color wheel.
Elementary students will find this title amusing while cheering for the crayons to be rescued. When substitute principal, Mr. Greystone╒s new board gets written on with every crayon during lunchtime, he creates new rules for the school to follow. Now in addition to the long list of rules, students are no longer allowed to use crayons, markers, or colors of any kind at Hughes Elementary. The crayons and art supplies with colors were collected and placed in the trash can. The crayons began to argue in the trash can and now everything at their once vibrant school is seen in grey. When Maurice Coleur, a famous illustrator arrives for his presentation, he too longer is vibrant. Meanwhile in the trash, the crayons and colored objects begin to work together to find a way out of there and to return life back to normal at their school. The colors found their proper places on the color wheel . When Mr. Coleur pulled out his once colorful illustrations to show the audience, he noticed that all were without color. These non-colorful illustrations upset him and he hit his head against the trash can, releasing the color wheel. At that time, Mr. Greystone realized that colors do matter and then has Mr. Coleur explain the color wheel to students. Young readers learn about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, complimentary and analogous colors are addressed, along with easy-to-understand descriptions of hue, shade, tint, warm and cool colors, as well as the term value.

Beautifully illustrated with acrylic paints, this title will appeal to young readers. Realistic Fiction Forba-Mayer,Charleen

Adler, David and Michael Adler. A Picture Book of Cesar Chavez

Adler, David and Michael Adler A Picture Book of Cesar Chavez
Holiday House 2010 unp 17.95 978-0-8234-2202-9 elem
Chavez, Cesar, 1927-1993 VG-BNe


An illustrated exploration of the life of labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez.
In this title, elementary students will gain a better understanding of who Cesar Chavez was and what earned him fame and recognition. Beautifully illustrated with colorful pictures, students will be drawn into the story of this brave man. Written in an easy-to-read fashion, elementary students will learn of Cesar╒s upbringing as a child through his last days on this earth in 1993. While Chavez and his family struggled to make ends meet as produce pickers, his father taught him that their dignity was more important than money, leading to the family's homelessness for some time. Cesar╒s strong values and beliefs helped him have the courage to fight for better working conditions and fair wages for farmworkers. Through his work, Chavez organized marches and church meetings and activated sit-ins and hunger strikes. Even though Cesar was jailed for some of his actions, he knew that his work and dedication was his lifelong mission for farmworkers.

Includes beautiful color pictures, a list of important dates, source notes, recommended websites, and an author╒s note. Forba-Mayer, Charleen

Elliott, Patricia. The Pale Assassin.

Elliott, Patricia. The Pale Assassin.
Holiday House 2009 336p 17.95 978-0-8234-2250-0 ms/hs In Paris in the early 1790s, as the revolution gains momentum, young and sheltered Eugenie de Boncoeur finds it difficult to tell friend from foe as she and the royalist brother she relies on become the focus of "le Fantome," the sinister spymaster with a long-held grudge against their family. If you were an aristocrat, the last place you would want to be in France in 1789 would be Paris. Yet this is where orphaned teen Eugenie deBoncoeure found herself, abandoned by her guardian and unbenowst to her, promised in marriage to Le Fantome, a phantom assassin with a grudge against her family. Her brother Armand is a royalist who nonetheless favors a constitutional government. Armand does everything in his power to prevent Eugenie’s marriage and attempts to keep her safe amid the violence and destruction surrounding them. As the political climate in Paris becomes more volatile, he ignores the warning signs until it is too late for the two of them to escape. Armand trusts his friend, whom Eugenie despises, to guide her safely to their uncle in England but Le Fantome will not let her go so easily. Her harrowing escape plan barely succeeds and even at the conclusion the reader is aware that danger has followed Eugenie across the channel, even though she does not. Eugenie is a character trying to make sense of her changing circumstances while at the same time holding on to the ideal of romantic love but not realizing that appearances are decieiving. The terror of the revolution comes alive, with the intrigue, suspicion and uncertainty adding suspense to the plot. Well researched, this title is a close-up look at a young girl who fights to survive and who finds love in the process. What her future holds is uncertain and a sequel is suggested. Zajko, Rosanne

Howard, Ellen. The Crimson Cap.

Howard, Ellen. The Crimson Cap.
Holiday House 2009 197p 16.95 978-0-8234-2152-7 ms/jr Eleven-year-old Pierre Talon leaves his family to join LaSalle’s expedition to find the mouth of the Mississippi River. Because he cannot refuse the honor, he heads into an adventure that will change the lives of many and give readers an insight into the hardships of settling our New World. Pierre Talon was responsible for his mother and sisters since his father disappeared. They were part of LaSalle’s expedition, funded by Louis XIV of France to settle the New world in France’s name. The expedition suffered many setbacks when they lost their ships and couldn’t find the mouth of the Mississippi River. The remainder of the expedition set up a settlement but they were stressed by illness and Indian attacks. Pierre fills the gap as provider for his mother and siblings when their father disappears. As a 10 year old he finds that he has a way of communicating with the Indians and other s. This is why he is so valuable to LaSalle when he takes off in search of help for the settlement. Pierre’s mother dresses him in some of his father’s clothes. Of which was a red wool cap that he will keep throughout the story. The group struggle not only with the harshness of the land but also the power struggle between the men. LaSalle is murdered and many of the men scatter. Pierre falls deathly sick and is taken in by the friendly Hasinai Indians. In time Pierre, with his Indian friends, returns to the settlement only to find devastation. He then set out on another endeavor to find his missing siblings who have been taken captive by a group of Indians. The red cap that Pierre has cherished throughout his travels serves him well when it is the one thing that allows his siblings to recognize him as their brother. It is a story of hardship and self enlightenment for someone growing up during the period of exploring the New World. McNeil, Linda

That Doggone Calf.

Wallace, Bill & Carol. That Doggone Calf.
Holiday House 2009 137p 16.95 978-0-8234-2228-9 elm/ms
Life on the ranch turns frustrating for Hoss, the loyal ranch dog, when a stubborn young bull calf is brought to the ranch with a group of new cattle. Eventually Hoss does educate the young fellow to the way things run on his ranch. Told through the eyes of Hoss, the German shepherd ranch dog, this is a story about ranch life, Hoss’s cows and his human family. When a new group of cows are brought to the ranch, a young bull calf with attitude comes with his mother. The calf acts like he runs the place but he really doesn’t know how to behave or what to do. This calf, not even a teenager yet, wants to be the herd bull but just makes trouble for the home cows, Hoss and everyone else. Hoss knows his job is to protect the cows and his human family, but especially the youngest daughter, Ann who is about five years old. Hoss is getting very frustrated with the bossy calf. After giving the calf some helpful information he finally is beginning to make him understand how to behave and what to do. The climax of the story comes when the calf helps Hoss protect Ann from a pack of wild dogs. This is a heartwarming story of loyalty, courage and growing up that is also funny at times. To hear a dog try to understand and explain human behavior is entertaining. There is also an amazing amount of detail about ranching included in the story. Theal, Joan

My Darlin’ Clementine

Kristiana, Gregory. My Darlin’ Clementine
Holiday House 2009 206p 21.95 978-0-8234-2198-5 elm/ms Starting with the folk song of the same title, Gregory has crafted an enjoyable work of historical fiction. A tale of family life, love, death and daring, set in an 1866 Idaho mining town. This fictional work is based on the folksong of the same title. Set in 1866 Idaho mine fields, the story opens with the disappearance of Clementine on her wedding day. Going back a year in her life, we are given a very good picture of life in a mining town. As her Pa slips into gambling and whiskey, Ma serves breakfasts and dinners to miners. The girls, Clementine and younger sister Josie help their Ma in the kitchen and with the other chores and go to school. Clementine dreams of becoming a doctor and is being courted by Boone. Tragedy strikes the family in the disappearance of Ma, and Clementine must decide how far she will go to save her family and follow her dreams. Does it include marrying Boone’s father in exchange for a promise to erase her father’s debts? The ending is a surprise twist. Well-written with several twists in the plot to surprise the reader. This historical fiction gives a detailed picture of frontier life in an 1860 mining town. Theal, Joan

Donaldson, Joan. On Viney’s Mountain

Donaldson, Joan. On Viney’s Mountain
Holiday House 2009 231p 16.95 978-0-8234-2129-9 hs
When Englishmen buy up land and start to clear the land for a town, Viney, a talented weaver wants to find a way to stop the progress. Along the way she learns about herself and finds love. In the Tennessee Appalachian mountains, Viney, a very talented weaver, lives with her older brother and sister. As she is gathering herbs and plants for dyes, she sees a group of English gentlemen clear cutting of a section of forest. She wants to find a way to stop the coming of the town and the destruction of her beloved forest. Her sister goes to work in the town and Viney considers her a traitor. As Viney interacts with the foreigners to try to find their weakness, she meets two young men and pretends to let them court her. Along the way she discovers she has feelings for one of them. He wants to be able to buy land before making a commitment, so they head their separate ways.
This book is based on the real community of Rugby built in in the 1880’s. Several buildings survive and can be visited. Viney is a weaver and weaving terms and the process are features throughout the novel. There is an extensive glossary of both mountain terminology and English terms used to give an authentic feel to the narrative. Also included are web sites about the town of Rugby and weaving.
This book gives a good historical picture, well researched, but also includes mountain lore, weaving, and a love story.
It is an excellent read for high school students. Joan Theal