Morris, Paula. Unbroken.

Morris, Paula.  Unbroken.  Scholastic Press/Point     2013  291p  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-545-41641-2      hs    Historical  E-BN   

Rebecca Brown travels to New Orleans with her father and best friend and winds up engaged in a mysterious ghost-related adventure once again, in this sequel to Ruined: A Novel.    While working on community service projects and visiting with old friends and family, she finds herself trying to locate a necklace at the behest of a ghost, to return it to the family that was intended to receive it. The necklace has close ties to a famous artist, and Rebecca works diligently to solve the mystery and return it to its rightful owner.  Rebecca relies on old friends introduced in the previous novel, and makes some connections to that mystery in order to resolve this one.

Paula Morris has certainly done her homework in writing this extremely fast-paced, exciting mystery adventure, which takes the reader on a historical journey along with ghosts of the past in New Orleans.  Accurate depictions of people, events, and geography in New Orleans add credibility and excitement to the story.

This is a fun, fast-paced mystery that will leave the reader unable to put it down until the very end.  The reader feels like a part of the action and can relate to Rebecca with racing heart and sense of excitement. This book is great for historical fiction fans, fans of the supernatural, and reluctant readers.

New Orleans-Fiction, Ghost stories                                      --Virginia McGarvey

Morris, Gerald. The Adventures of Sir Balin the Ill-Fated.

Morris, Gerald.   The Adventures of Sir Balin the Ill-Fated. (Knights’ Tales) Houghton Mifflin  94p   $14.99  978-0-547-68085-9     elm/ms  VG-BNS    Fantasy    

Is Sir Balin doomed by prophecy to be ill-fated? Or can he overcome his destiny?  After Balin’s christening, the Old Woman of the Mountain prophesies that the newborn is destined to a life of doom.  He shall be known as the noblest knight in England, but he’ll bring misfortune wherever he goes, bring down two kingdoms in a single day, strike the Dolorous Stroke, and destroy the knight he loves most in the world.

When Balin becomes a knight, and embarks on a life of adventure, it seems he is doomed to fulfill these predictions. Is there a way for Balin to overcome his destiny?

Fans of Gerald Morris will not be disappointed in the humorous, absurd retelling of this Arthurian legend, enhanced by Aaron Renier’s funny illustrations.  The short novel is a good choice for shared reading, with wit that will appeal to all ages.  Although this is part of the Knights’ Tales series, the books do not have to be read in order to be fully appreciated.  Those who search for moral tales will find lessons to be learned here, presented with tongue in cheek.  The story’s moral is easily digested, along with a great big belly laugh.

Knights–Fiction, Arthurian stories                             -- Hilary Welliver

Morris. The Adventures of Sir Gawain the True

Morris, Gerald    The Adventures of Sir Gawain the True (Knight’s Tales)      Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher      2011  118p  14.99 978-0-547-41855-1 elm/ms      VG-BNe      Fairytale   

     

    In Morris’s delightful addition to the legends of King Arthur and his Court that is aimed at the elementary school crowd, Morris tells the story of Sir Gawain the Undefeated who learns a life lesson in courtesy and humility through his dealings with the Green Knight.  It is not just a retelling of a fairy tale but a sprightly written and exciting adventure that is utterly engaging.  It offers a little fantasy and a lot of action fun in a witty story.  The plot is rich and interesting, the characters are very three-dimensional, and the dialogue clever and amusing in a chapter book that is sure to appeal to both good and reluctant readers. The author mixes adventure and magic into this very well done book that is enhanced by its charming black-and-white illustrations.            

      This is an excellent addition to Morris’s The Knight’s Tales and should increase interest in the legends of King Arthur.   King Arthur Susan Ogintz