Bennett, Sophia. The Look.

Bennett, Sophia.  The Look.   Scholastic/Chicken House      2013  327p  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-545-46438-3      ms/hs  Realistic Fiction E-BN 

Ted, 15 years old, and her sister Ava, 17 years old, are busking on the streets of London to try to make a few dollars because money is scarce at home since dad lost his job.  When a talent scout for a modeling agency notices Ted and starts photographing her, she is totally confused, as she has always thought her older sister was the fashion icon.  A short time later, Ava is diagnosed with leukemia, and the family enters a new state of fragility.  As Ted, at first secretly, then later with parental approval, becomes a sought-after model, she must balance her concern for her sister, her school work, and her modeling gigs. This is an insightful look at the modeling industry and the way it treats teenage models, as well as a heartwarming story of family love and bonding.  The poignancy of an illness changing the relationships within a family, the close connection and support between sisters, and laugh-out-loud moments based on the naivety of Ted as she enters the modeling world make this book a page turner. While the ending, involving the love interests of both sisters, may be somewhat predictable, the reader will overlook this minor flaw due to the strength of character displayed by both Eva and Ted. A heartwarming as well as satisfying read. An intriguing book jacket will cause the book browser to stop and consider the book based solely on the cover.         

Fashion Modeling                                                  --Lois McNicol

Bennett, Holly. Redwing.

Bennett, Holly.   Redwing.    Orca  201p  $12.95      978-1-4598-0038-0 2012  jr/sr            VG          Fantasy    

After the death of his family from the plague, grief-stricken Rowan makes a subsistence living as a wandering musician.  When he teams up with Samik, who is on the run from an evil warlord, music and magic mix in a satisfying fantasy.

Orca seems to be branching out.  This medieval sword-and-sorcery novel does not fit the usual high-interest, low-reading-level realistic-fiction mold, nor does its length at 201 pages.  The story is more about friendship, and is more sword than sorcery.  Although Samik has the Sight and therefore "sees" that Rowan's sister Ettie is always with him in spirit, the plot ramps up with Samik's flight from the warlord.  And yet, the story is more Rowan's than Samik’s, as he learns to deal with his grief and craft a life for himself without his family's support.  Suspense ramps up throughout the novel and the climax is compelling.

A note of warning: there is a kiss between the boys on the beach.  Readers who do not read past that point will think there is a homosexual relationship.  This is resolved in the final chapter, when Samik is reunited with his father and sails away, while Rowan stays behind and wonders about his feelings for the girl Shay.  All in all, this is a great story about friendship and adversity.    

     

Friendship-Fiction, Fantasy                             --Pat Naismith

Bennett, Holly Shapeshifter

Bennett, Holly Shapeshifter
Orca 2010 244p 12.95
978-1-55469-158-6 ms/hs Fantasy E-BN
Sive possesses two unique talents, the ability to sing and the ability to change into a deer. She is caught and used by the evil Dark Man, but saves her child and eventually escapes by shapeshifting and surviving in the mountains. Her son finds her and helps her become human once more. Orca Soundings never disappoints the reader, whether the story be a quick read for the teenager who has an hour or two to spare or a full novel for a longer sitting. In this case, Holly Bennett has taken an Irish myth about a woman who lives in a parallel land to Ireland called Tir na nOg, a land in which she has an unusual ability to change into a deer at will, and to return to human form whenever it suits her. She has the voice of an angel, and when evil Far Doirche hears her perform, he wants her, seemingly for love. He pursues her relentlessly, and she is able to escape his advances by shapeshifting into a deer and fleeing her homeland. For years, she hides in the mountains until she meets the love of her life, Finn mac Cumhail, who she weds, and subsequently finds herself in a family way. A wizard of sorts, Far Doirche changes his appearance and tricks her, stealing her outright from her home and taking her into his own home where he imprisons her for years with the hope of conquering others by using Sive’s musical talents to weaken his enemies. The plot may sound complicated, but the details flow along smoothly, aided by a glossary of pronunciation and a dictionary of characters and settings. Not only does the author create an appealing description of the transformation from human to deer, but she also creates a timeless theme in that of self-sacrifice for one’s family and beliefs. As one sees, heroine Sive gives herself to Far Doirche to save her child, and when she believes that he has survived, figures out a way to save herself by shapechanging again. The story does not end until, as an adult, Sive’s child, Oisin, figures out how to reach his mother, now a deer, because she has forgotten how to be a woman, by using the beauty of music. This story is unique, the characters and plot are appealing to both male and female readers, and the action never stops. Bennett has written a remarkable novel.
This book is a perfect choice for a middle school or high school library. A librarian could easily include this novel in its mythology section to show children that Romans and Greeks do not have exclusive rights to mythology! Squaresky, Martha
Irish mythological story of love & life of Sive

A good read

Bennett, Holly. Bonemender’s Choice.
Orca, 2008. 222p $7.95 978-1-55143-718-7
Fantasy

This third book about Gabrielle the healer presents her with a difficult choice. The two children of the king are kidnapped by pirates who plan to sell them at the slave auctions. When the ship sails into port, they discover the town closed due to a plague called the "Gray Veil." One of the crew becomes infected and passes it to the king's daughter. A rescue party made up of Gabrielle, her elf husband, Tristan brother to the King, blacksmith and jewelry maker Derkh (who Gabrielle healed in a prior book) and Yolenka an exotic dancer., sails in pursuit. They disguise themselves as traders and come to the fortress of the pirate. Gabrielle is brought in to heal the girl. Each member of the rescue party plays a specific role in the rescue. By pretending that both children are dead, they escape. Sailing back toward home, Gabrielle finally begins to understand the nature of the disease but must choose to save the girl or her husband who contracted the disease while carrying the girl.
Even though it is a third book in a series, the reader can quite quickly surmise some of the action of the prior books. The action is nonstop with minimal descriptive passages. The only drawback is that the speech of foreign characters reminds one of the stereotypical speech of Old West Native Americans.
This is a thoroughly pleasant read.
This is the third book of the Bonemender series. JT