Thompson, Holly. Falling into the Dragon’s Mouth.

Thompson, Holly. Falling into the Dragon’s Mouth. Macmillan/Henry Holt  2016  343p  $17.99  ISBN 978-1-62779-134-2  ms/hs  Realistic fiction  VG-BN     

Written in verse, this is the story of a bullied child.     Jason Parker is your average boy-next-door.  He is in sixth grade, studies karate, and has a younger sister.  But Jason is an American attending a Japanese public school, where he is a year older than the other students in his class, and tries to be calm and courageous in the face of relentless bullying. 

Thompson discreetly suggests methods for coping with being an outcast by showing a variety of ways that Jason attempts to fit in.  He excels at karate and is able to find some respect and self-confidence at his dojo.  He joins a weekly international study group and forges friendships with other outsiders.  Ultimately, though, adult intervention is necessary.

Written in strong, spare verse, Falling into the Dragon’s Mouth is an excellent springboard for class discussion about bullying, conflicting cultures, and experiencing school as an expatriate. The story also highlights the insider’s perspective on being a second-language learner.      

Bullying-Fiction, Multicultural fiction               --Hilary Welliver

Thompson, Tamara. Fracking.

Thompson, Tamara.  Fracking.  Cengage (Gale/Blackbirch/Greenhaven)  2013  106p  $25.45  ISBN 978-0-7377-6510-6  series: At Issue #12  ms/hs  Nonfiction  VG-BNs     

This book provides a good introduction to the issue of fracking, or hydraulic fracturing of natural gas, with points of view in favor of and opposed to the practice.  Each piece is short, with an initial, succinct summary.  Some of the points of view expressed were written by officials of ExxonMobil, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Food and Water Watch, and individuals from a variety of legal, literary and energy organizations.  The juxtaposition of the articles, pro and con, will give the student a lot to think about and will arm him/her with many of the arguments supporting each side of the debate.  One argument on the anti-fracking side that is missing, however, is the one about how many years of fuel fracking will actually be able to provide … there is a large body of evidence that, as the easier-to-obtain gas is depleted, it will no longer be cost-effective to continue fracking.  Including that argument in the anti-fracking articles would have presented a more balanced and accurate portrayal of the anti-fracking side.

The book is well organized, and there is a list of organizations to contact.  There is a bibliography, which is a good thing, but, as in other books in this series, the bibliography does not include all of the references that it should … namely, all the original pieces from which the articles were excerpted.  The index is good.

Summary: This book provides a good introduction to the issue of fracking, or hydraulic fracturing of natural gas, with points of view in favor of and opposed to the practice.  Each piece is short, with an initial, succinct summary.
     

Shale gas industry                                                --Carol Kennedy

Thompson, Tamara. Wikileaks.

Thompson, Tamara.  Wikileaks.  Cengage/Greenhaven    2013  120p  $24.95      978-0-7377-6220-4 series: At Issue   #12  ms/hs    E-BN    

The continuing controversy about the right to release government documents onto the internet without obtaining prior permission will continue to evolve as the internet becomes a first place of publication and a venue for individualistic, sometimes nonconformist expression.  What constitutes journalism and how much freedom of speech is allocated to journalists have been and will continue to be hot topics, as concerned citizens attempt to make government more transparent. The articles, taken from a variety of magazines and journals representing divergent points of view, discuss the ethics of the case known as WikiLeaks. Students will find persuasive arguments to support both sides of the argument on whether Julian Assange bears any culpability and whether the newspapers should have assisted in the dissemination of the various government documents that were illegally obtained by his group.  This is a good jumping-off place for students who need to write a pro/con paper on WikiLeaks and the government’s ability to control the dissemination of information.

The series At Issue provides pro/con articles taken from a variety of journals, most within the last three years.  A summary of the article appears at the beginning of each chapter.  An annotated list of organizations to contact, a bibliography and an index complete each book. 

Wikileaks                                                         --Lois McNicol

Thompson, Paul B. The Brightworking. (Brightstone Saga)

Thompson, Paul B.  The Brightworking. (Brightstone Saga)           Enslow  160p  $17.95 978-0-7660-3950-6  2012                  ms/jr       VG-BN    Fantasy                                 

Mikal is apprenticed to a powerful wizard with strange ambitions.  Will Mikal follow his master or stand against him?   Mikal is learning the blacksmith’s trade when the Guild of Constant Working tests all the youngsters in his village and “gleans” him. Following a harrowing journey from his rural home to the capital city, Mikal becomes friends with street-wise Lyra, is apprenticed to the powerful (but evil) wizard Harlano, and is caught up in events that threaten to destroy the kingdom of Phalia.

The plot moves forward at a rapid clip; the emphasis is on the action, and it ends with a cliffhanger.  As the novel was written with reluctant readers in mind, this approach will appeal to that audience.  Certainly, reluctant readers will empathize with Mikal, who struggles to learn to read without tutelage in order to learn magic and organize Harlano’s extensive library.  The pacing does not allow for any in-depth character development, but many engaging characters are introduced against an intriguing setting.  Mikal’s mentor is a magical talking head he calls “Orry“ (which stays close-lipped for all others save Mikal).  Harlano ,the “evil” wizard, seems more distracted and caught up in his own agenda than wicked and vindictive in his dealings with Mikal.  Lyra might clean up into a love interest in a future installment, but in this story she is a street-savvy urchin focused on her own practical needs, as well as Mikal’s.

Paul Thompson is the author of several Dragonlance novels.  Brightworking is the first of the forthcoming fantasy trilogy The Brightstone Saga.  I look forward to reading The Fortune Teller (an excerpt is included in the first volume) and seeing how this story unfolds.
Fantasy-Fiction, Wizards-Fiction                                                                                                                 --Hilary Welliver

 

Thompson, Carol. I Like You the Best.

Thompson, Carol. I Like You the Best.
Holiday House 2011 unp 16.95
978-0-8234-2341-5 E-BNes
Dolly and Jack are the best of friends. They did everything together until they decide to do a picture of each other and took a good look at how they portrayed each other. They became angry and had a terrible fight. Now they are lonely and missing each other. How can they become friends again?
Dolly the pig and Jack the rabbit are the best of friends. They do everything together. They play together, they laugh together, they listen to music together, they giggle together and they sing together. Then one Jack comes by wearing a beret looking like an artist and he asked Dolly if he could paint her. Dolly thinks it is a grand idea and she gets her paints and does a picture of Jack. When they were done they looked at each other pictures. Dolly complained that Jack made her look like a lumpy pumpkin and Jack complained that Dolly made his ears look like slimy slugs. Dolly grabbed her things and angrily walked out and Jack told her to never come back. They both sulked at home at how angry they were but gradually they become sad and lonely and are missing each other and the way they share laughter, fun and games. They must find a way to become friends but how can they make up and be friends again?
A funny cute story full of delightful images of two cute characters. Their delight in each other is fun to watch and when the fight breaks out you can feel how much they miss each others company until they can take it no more and find a way to mend their friendship.
Kids will truly enjoy this picture book.
Diaz, Magna

Thompson, Paul B. The Devil’s Door

Thompson, Paul B. The Devil’s Door: A Salem Witchcraft Story
Enslow 2010 160p 27.93
978-0-7660-3387-0 ms/jr Witchcraft VG-BN
Historical Fiction Adventures(Enslow)


Sarah Wright and her father move to Salem Village, Massachusetts in 1692 during the witchcraft hysteria.Sarah and her father escape from an attack from the Wabanaki Indians after they kill Sarah’s mother and brother. Ephraim Wright and his daughter land in Glouster and set off for a place to live. In time they hear of some possibilities in Salem Village. Times are tough in the area, but Ephraim is willing to work for room and board. He found work at the home of Goody and Dr Griggs. He was to build the new addition on the doctor’s house.
Sarah tried to fit with the household. The Griggs’ indentured servant, Betty, had other ideas. Betty was friendly with some other girls in the community. These girls started having spells and declaring members of the community to be witches. Before long the community was in a state of hysteria with the girls constantly denouncing members of the community as witches. At one point Sarah’s father was arrest as a witch because he refused to work as a sheriff unless he was paid in real coinage.
In this book it is easy for the readers to see how hysteria spreads widely without discretion in such situations. Sarah’s thoughts and feelings give the readers an understanding of what it was like to live in such a trying time in history.
The author included the facts concerning the real history of the time period for comparison. Also included were bibliographies and websites for further information.
Historical McNeil, Linda

Thompson, Paul B. Billy the Kid

Thompson, Paul B. Billy the Kid
Enslow 2010 128p 31.93
978-0-7660-3480-8 ms/hs Billy the Kid VG-BNS
Americans-Spirit of a Nation(Enslow)


The story of Billy the Kid from his birth in New York City to his death at the age of 21, and the mythology that has grown up around him. This is the definitive Billy the Kid biography for young people. In (sometimes excruciating) detail, there are descriptions of all the battles in which he was involved, all of the people who he regarded as comrades and as enemies, and everything that is known about his short but adventurous life. Of particular interest is the cult that grew up around him, especially after his death, and the books, music and movies that grew out of his story in the 20th century.
The timeline, glossary, notes and references for further research are all well done.
Kennedy, Carol

Thompson, Ricki. City of Cannibals.

Thompson, Ricki. City of Cannibals.
Front Street Books (see Boyd's Mill Press) 2010 269p 18.95
978-1-59078-623-9 ms/hs
To escape her family’s cruelty, Dell runs away from her isolated mountain home to Reformation London, a city she has been told is inhabited by cannibals. If, like me, you expected a zombie novel from the blurb on the back cover -- prepare for disappointment. The back cover on the uncorrected proof reads: “A cloud of smoke filled the air in front of her and stung her eyes. Dripping fat sizzled, and through the greasy smoke, Dell could see something turning on a spit. It was a human leg -- it was the leg of the woman who sat outside the gate. She looked closer. No. Not a human leg. A leg of mutton. Just mutton. Father was right. This city was Hell, and now she was a part of it. Her eyes blurred with tears, but whether they were caused by remorse or smoke, she couldn’t tell.” If, however, you enjoy historical fiction, particularly with a strong female protagonist and spare, elegant prose -- this book is sure to appeal to you. The heroine, Dell, is un-”common” (descended from a royal lady-in-waiting to Katherine of Aragon) yet her adventures expose her (and the reader) to the voices of the common folk who had to walk the fine line of loyalty to the King (or lose your life) or loyalty to the Pope (or lose your soul) in voices which ring true. The idea of a lovely maiden raised by dwarves stretches credulity (and carries overtones of certain fairy tales...). Dell is exceptionally gullible and trusting, but the adventure sweeps the (forgiving) reader along. Dell’s blossoming romance with a young (Spanish?) man several weeks from taking his vows with the Church is also unlikely. Few novels set in this time period (Reformation England -- Henry VIII ruling Britain) tell the story from a commoner's point of view. Generally, readers are introduced to the fallout resulting from Henry’s ascension to the Head of the Church of England, and his multiple marriages, from the point of view of a leading historical figure, or an insider of the Royal Court. It is this POV that makes the novel stand out. Readers receive an authentic glimpse of the strain commoners faced in staying loyal to their faith and their sovereign simultaneously. From page one, some of the scenes are a bit earthy -- however the language is appropriate for the era depicted. Welliver, Hilary

Thompson, Paul B. Liberty’s Son: A Spy Story of the American Revolution.

Thompson, Paul B. Liberty’s Son: A Spy Story of the American Revolution.
Enslow 2009 160p 27.93 978-0-7660-3309-2 ms/jr
Historical American Biographies
Oliver Carter was a teenager who lived in Boston during 1773. He worked for the famous Dr. Benjamin Church. Both were members of the Sons of Liberty, but one of them was a traitor. The author has created an insightful story that will appeal to young readers as well as providing them with an clear understanding of the working conditions at the time. It was also evident that Oliver had to stand by his own beliefs and morals as he became more involved with the tea conspiracy.
As I read the book (which flew by the way), I was impressed with the characterization and attendance to details. The inclusion of : The Real History Behind the Story” is a terrific resource for both teachers and students. Supplementing it with further readings and internet resources will also be appreciated by schools. One of the most important aspects of this series is the support .pdf for educators. In today’s busy schools it is so hard to fit everything into the schedule. Teachers will be most appreciative of the tools and support provided for them.
I am teaching a course in historical fiction to teachers. I can certainly say that I will be highlighting this Historical Fiction Adventures series because of the above mentioned positives. Linda McNeil