Twilight: The Movie

Biblio Bits Twilight, produced by Godfrey, Mooradian, Morgan, and Rosenfelt; screenplay by Rosenbery; directed by Hardwicke. Summit Entertainment 2009.

Reading Level/Interest Age Rated PG-13

Genre Pop culture, horror, romance, magical realism

Format DVD

Plot Summary

When Bella moves to Forks, Washington (from sunny Arizona and life with her mom), she expects a small, boring town and a quiet life with her dad. Bella reconnects with a childhood friend, Jacob, who lives on a nearby reservation. Her attention is captivated by the Cullen family: five gorgeous, adopted siblings who attend Forks High School with her, and keep to themselves. It turns out that Bella and Edward are assigned as biology lab-partners, but Edward is unbelievably rude and Bella is mystified. When Edward saves Bella's life with a demonstration of superhuman strength and speed, she begins to suspect that Edward might be something other than human. Romance, and plenty of complications, soon follow.

Critical Evaluation

Condensing a nearly-500 page best-selling novel into a feature-length film is a tough job. Overall, I was impressed with the choices the screenwriter made in selecting the most significant portions of the book to portray onscreen. I was also pleased with many of the casting choices (Bella, her dad, Jacob, James, Jessica), the visual "look" and filming-style, and the way the relationships played out onscreen. However, Robert Pattinson (teen heartthrob) just didn't do it for me, as Edward, particularly his flat-sounding voice. And I have tried to listen to this on CD and hated the sound of the reader's voice. In my mind, Edward has a timeless appeal (and not those ridiculously dark eyebrows!), like a younger George Clooney. I, and others, are eagerly awaiting the release of the next installment: New Moon (November 20, 2009).

Reader's Annotation

You've read all the books, you have to see the movie! The real question is: are you Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Author Information

Stephenie Meyer received her degree in English from Brigham Young University. The idea for the characters in this popular series came to her in a dream; she worked on the first installment at odd moments and late at night, while her three sons were little. All of the Twilight Books have appeared on bestseller lists and she was named one of the most promising authors of 2005 by Publishers Weekly. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three sons. (Information in this author bio is from the author's official site.)

Challenge issues

Mature themes like throwing yourself so wholeheartedly at a boy (vampire) that you exclude all other interests and friends are just one of the ways that viewers might object to this film. Also, giving vampires a place in our world---and having their world be attractive---is another shivery concept.

Booktalking Ideas

Another one you won't have to booktalk (movietalk?) because it will walk off the shelves and probably stay off the shelves. It would be natural to include this movie in a booktalk about the supernatural or a Halloween/spooky theme, but it would also work in a booktalk with a romance theme.

Curriculum Ties

Not really applicable unless it was in a language arts class where students were asked to examine the role of Bella as the unlikely heroine in this series, or perhaps what it means for feminism that this book has become so popular with teen and tween girls.

Why this movie?
I had to satisfy my curiosity about how the movie version would measure up to the characters and visuals I had in my head, after reading the books. I saw it first in the theater (with my husband and a bunch of teen/tween girls) and revisited it for this assignment.

Awards
No.

Rockport Public Library owns?

Yes.

Graveyard Book

Biblio Bits The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, read by the author, Harper Children's Audio, 2008 (ISBN 9780061551895)

Reading Level/Interest Age 820 lexile/ages 10+

Genre Magical realism

Format Audio book

Plot Summary

When a calculated killer murders his family one night, it's only his penchant for escaping the crib that leads Baby to slip out of the house unnoticed. This turns out to be for the best, as the most important target was the baby himself. He makes his toddling way up the hill and into an old graveyard, but the killer has not forgotten his missed prey. The residents of the graveyard (ghosts) decide to harbor the fugitive, after much deliberation; Mr. and Mrs. Owens take him in as their ward and his guardian is the mysterious Silas, who is not quite a ghost, but not living either. Young Bod (short for Nobody), has the Freedom of the Graveyard, which affords him some of the privileges that the ghosts have, such as Fading and Haunting. But the caveat is that Bod must not leave the Graveyard or else he won't be protected from the outside forces that still seek his destruction. A magical tale of growing up and learning life's lessons both large and small, The Graveyard Book is a mix of humor, friendship, and love, and with a bit of suspense and scary thrown in.

Critical Evaluation

The audio version of this title is a true delight, read by Gaiman himself (one of the few authors who should be allowed to read their own stuff), with music by Bela Fleck interspersed between the chapters. In fact, though I want to share this book with my 11 year-old son, I may opt to listen with him rather than read it aloud, since Gaiman reads so masterfully. The only place in the story that has made me pause in my reading is the chapter when Bod enters the Ghoul Gate. During both of my readings of the book, I could see that Bod was about to get into trouble and I wanted to avoid reading about it or listening to it. The characters in this book, and their relationships, are one reason why this title is noteworthy (particularly Bod's relationship with the ghost girl, Liza, and the relationship between Bod and Silas). But really, Gaiman's everlasting talent as a writer is that he can conjure a complete and believable world of fantasy with absolutely no holes. As a reader, this allows one to fully immerse in the flow of the story and marvel at the possibilities Gaiman poses.

Reader's Annotation

Ready for a great story just in time to give you the Halloween shivers? Then you might be in the mood for the story of Nobody Owens, an orphan who lives in an ancient graveyard full of ghosts.

Author Information

Neil Gaiman was born in 1960 and grew up in West Sussex, England. Gaiman is the critically-acclaimed author of the Sandman series of graphic novels, has written poetry, short fiction, and books for adults. He has received many awards for his works, too many to name, and is primarily considered an author who writes in the fantasy genre (though there is lots of crossover). Gaiman is the father of three children and is divorced. He resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Information for this bio was gleaned from this entry and the author's official site.)

Challenge issues

The element of terror and suspense during the scenes when Bod is being actively pursued might make some parents leery of this title if they have younger children. Witchcraft is referred to because Bod is friends with a long-dead witch who was drowned, then burned.

Booktalking Ideas

I would definitely play up the supernatural elements for a Halloween-themed booktalk: a boy who lives in a graveyard and talks to ghosts, Fading, Haunting, Dream Visitations, not to mention the Danse Macabre (a traditional and ancient ball when the dead get to dance with the living).

Curriculum Ties

This makes an excellent read-aloud, even if you aren't Neil Gaiman. This would be a good selection for a language arts book, particularly because there are threads of the story that allow for some ambiguity and therefore lend themselves to interesting discussions. Who/What is Silas? Who are the Jacks? Who is Bod? Why is he the Jacks' target?

Why this book?
This book initially turned me off because the first few pages are so dark and scary. But the audio version was recommended highly by two librarians I know, so I tried it that way first (loved it), and then read the paper version.

Awards
Newbery Medal (2009); ALA Notable Book for Middle Readers (2009); Booklist Editors' Choice Award for Older Readers (2008); Hugo Award for Best Novel (2009); Audie Awards for Best Children's 8-12 and Best Audiobook of the Year (2009).

Rockport Public Library owns?

No.

Rapunzel's Revenge

Biblio Bits Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by Nathan Hale, Bloomsbury, 2008 (ISBN 9781599900704)

Reading Level/Interest Age 500 lexile/ages 10-14

Genre Modern fairy tale; Western

Format Graphic novel

Plot Summary

This graphic novel re-tells the fairy tale of Rapunzel (with a little Jack in the Beanstalk thrown in). When Rapunzel discovers that Mother Gothel stole her as an infant she demands to be returned to her real mother. Mother Gothel, who has some amazing growth magic, imprisons Rapunzel in a tall tree in the middle of the forest where she lives for four years. With the goal of rescuing her real mother from Gothel's mines, Rapunzel escapes and is thrust into a world she doesn't know, a world that has the look and values of the wild west. She quickly realizes it's a cruel place that is ruled by hardship and finds a comrade in Jack, who is on the run from the law himself (a problem with stealing that he is rather vague about). Rapunzel masters her long braids as her weapon-of-choice, and the two set off to find and free her real mother and vanquish the powerful Mother Gothel.

Critical Evaluation

This modern fairy tale places Rapunzel at the center of her own destiny. She is a heroine with a vision of a world that might be different, without the cruel reign of Mother Gothel. The authors have penned an engaging narrative and compelling re-telling of this fairy tale classic. Rapunzel and her sidekick Jack make a fun team; their small exchanges, on their way to friendship, are definitely a highlight of the story. Readers will respond to the pace of the action of the story, not to mention Rapunzel's moral code and sense of honor and humor. Nathan Hale has done a masterful job of bringing life to the story by Dean and Shannon Hale; the vibrant colors and setting, emotions, and humorous parts are thoroughly evoked by Hale's illustrations. The page layouts are relatively easy to navigate, even for novice graphic novel readers.

Reader's Annotation

A braid-wielding redhead who takes no guff is on a mission to vanquish cruel Mother Gothel. Think tall-tale meets fairy tale and you might have a notion of what awaits you in this rollicking adventure!

Author Information

Shannon and Dean Hale live near Salt Lake City, Utah, with their two small children (a boy and a girl), "and their pet, a small, plastic pig." Shannon has written the best-selling young adult series that begins with The Goose Girl, two stand-alone books, and two books for adults. Shannon obtained her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Montana. She was awarded a Newbery Honor for The Princess Academy, one of the stand-alone titles. (Information in this author biography was gleaned from the author's official website.)

Challenge issues

Perhaps staunch Grimms' traditionalists might object to a Western version of this story. But I am stretching it here.

Booktalking Ideas

Perfect in a booktalk on fractured fairy tales, this book might also be at home in an Adventure Tales booktalk, or even Modern Hero/ines. I might adopt a twangy accent and read some of the exchanges between Jack and Rapunzel aloud, or perhaps put my hair in two braids and don a cowgirl hat!

Curriculum Ties

It would be great fun to use this book in a language arts unit, maybe focusing on the idea of taking a classic story and bringing it into a new setting or period. The assignment, perhaps in a group, could be to take a fairy tale of their choosing, re-read it, and then begin to brainstorm a modern take on it. This would probably lead to some research on the time and/or place. Where would the setting be? Time period? Cast of characters? How about a Three Little Pigs set in modern day Manhattan? Cinderella in Australia? The possibilities could be really fun.

Why this book?
Well, this title has been checked out from the library by my two sons probably eight times, so I have seen it floating around quite a lot (in between visits to the book-mender for a recurrently weak spine!). Finally, I figured it was high time I read it myself, especially since it's on the Maine Student Book Award Reading list for 2009-2010, and I was not disappointed!

Series/Sequel

Yes! By visiting the author's website I learned that a sequel, Calamity Jack, is due out in 2010.

Awards
ALA Notable Children's Book, 2009; Maine Student Book Award Reading List 2009-2010.

Rockport Public Library owns?

Yes.

3 Willows

Biblio Bits 3 Willows by Ann Brashares, Random House/Listening Library, 2009 (ISBN 9780739380420)

Reading Level/Interest Age 700 lexile/ages 12-14

Genre Realistic fiction

Format Audio book

Plot Summary

Ama, Polly, and Jo used to be best friends. Now, it's the summer before high school and each one has gone her seperate way. Jo will spend the summer at the family beach house with her mom, working as a busgirl. Ama will be attending a prestigious summer program on scholarship. Polly will be home, babysitting. But each neat plan is somehow disrupted: Jo's dad will not be coming with them this summer, since her parents are in a trial separation; Ama's summer program turns out to be a wilderness adventure course, not the academic acceleration she was hoping for; Polly becomes obsessed with her body image, convinced that she should attend modeling camp. Each story has its triumphs and heartbreaks as the girls make important self-discoveries, and over the summer they begin to understand the role their lost friendship has played in their lives.

Critical Evaluation

Geared towards a slightly younger audience than The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, this book (presumably first in a new series) was less cohesive. The story threads were engaging, but it seemed like unrealistic that the three girls would be able to find their way back to each other after so long an absence. The willow analogy felt a bit forced, with willow lore interspersed with the sections of the book. Each story thread had such a textbook teen problem (overcoming fears, dysfunctional families, and body image issues) that I felt a little preached to. Readers will enjoy the appearance of Effie (Lena's younger sister from the Sisterhood books), though she plays the mean girl here; her character is not explored, rightfully, as we see her from Jo's point of view. The reader of the audio book did a fine job conveying the various voices in a convincing way. But overall, I didn't feel the same level of engagement with these girls that I did with the Sisterhood.

Reader's Annotation

It's the summer before high school and so much has changed between Ama, Polly, and Jo: they used to be best friends but now have very different goals. How will they deal with the summer's challenges, successes, and failures without each other?

Author Information

Ann Brashares grew up in Maryland and studied philosophy at Barnard College in New York City. After graduation, Brashares took a job at a publishing house to save money for graduate school. It turned out she had a knack for editing and decided to stay in her position. Brashares wrote the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books which have become international best-sellers. (Information in this author biography was gleaned from the author's official website at Random House.)

Challenge issues

There is family alcoholism, depression, divorce, anorexia, and kissing a near-stranger on a bus in this title. Any of those might be cause for someone to have objections.

Booktalking Ideas

Chances are, as with any Sarah Dessen book, you probably won't have to booktalk this one: fans of Brashares will be eager to snatch this book of the shelf and get reading. And then they'll recommend it and booktalk it to their friends and you won't keep this book on the shelf for long. If I was forced to booktalk this book, however, I would probably link it to other titles in which fears and challenges are confronted in a contemporary, realistic setting.

Curriculum Ties

This title would be very much at home in a middle school health unit or perhaps a mother-daughter bookclub because there is a lot to discuss and talk about. Issues like body image and anorexia and imperfect families are played out in this story in an accessible way that tweens will relate to.

Why this book?
I was curious about how Brashares would create a new "sisterhood," in light of the success of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. Fans will be curious too. The simple cover was another appeal factor for me.

Awards
None.

Rockport Public Library owns?

Yes.

Willoughbys

Biblio Bits The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry, Houghton Mifflin, 2008 (ISBN 9780618979745)

Reading Level/Interest Age 790 lexile/ages 10-12

Genre Parody fiction; modern classic; modern fairy tale

Plot Summary

The four Willoughby children (Timothy, Barnaby A, Barnaby B, and Jane) have decidedly loathsome parents. The mother chooses to knit a sweater for the cat, rather than a second sweater for the twins, A and B, who are forced to share one. The father is irate when the children want to hear a story, as he is involved in a newspaper article about interest rates. The children are the old-fashioned sort, who even find a baby on their doorstep; they decide that they really should be orphans like the characters in the books they read. It turns out that their parents feel the same way, and decide to book an adventure with the Reprehensible Travel Agency (the brochure was procured by Timothy). Enter the Nanny, described by Timothy as "odious," who quickly begins transforming the children, as nannies in old-fashioned stories tend to. When the children realize that their parents are selling the home they live in, they take action to try to thwart the sale. A reclusive tycoon, a train car buried for years in an avalanche, a cross-continental journey, and the invention of a new candy bar also figure into the tightly woven plot of this story.

Critical Evaluation

Lois Lowry: such a versatile author! This title seems to defy attempts to place it in a genre. Lowry delivers a story rife with delectable vocabulary and references to children's literature standards, in a cleverly–constructed story laced with dark humor. This book has the feeling of an old–fashioned story, even a fairy tale. The baby on the doorstep, the bossy older brother and meek sister, the nanny figure, the tycoon, and the nefarious parents are all stock characters that Lowry weaves together in a new, darker form. The humor is wryly hilarious and may be too dark for some, similar to the gothic style of the Lemony Snicket books. The plot is rather tightly conceived and dependent on many coincidental circumstances, which might bother some "reality" sticklers. The glossary of vocabulary words as well as the selected bibliography of children's literature titles are also hilarious and a must–read. Overall, this book was just what it promised to be on the first page: a book about an old–fashioned family, written in an old–fashioned style. Happy ending included.

Reader's Annotation

Although this story contains some nefarious and ignominious characters, the Willoughby children are certainly not odious. These plucky heroes are winsome and clever, if occasionally conniving.

Author Information

Lois Lowry was born in Hawaii into a military family, and lived in Japan and other places during her childhood. She attended Brown University for two years and took a hiatus from her studies to get married and start a family. Lowry raised her four children in Maine and finished her education at Southern Maine University. Lowry is one of the only two-time winners of the Newbery Award for Children's Fiction. She currently resides in Cambridge, MA, and is a proud grandmother.

Challenge issues

The Nanny is nude (not "naked") when she poses as a statue, in camoflage, by powdering her skin and then draping a sheet over her, toga-like. This might be a sticking point for some readers. Some readers may object to the dark humor or theme of parental abandonment.

Booktalking Ideas

A booktalk on this title should be told in the style of the writing, full of great words and deadpan humor. Perhaps even reading a few of the funny definitions in the glossary at the back would be a way to hook readers. Other titles to include: The Pocket Guide to Mischief, The Dangerous Book for Boys (Iggulden and Iggulden), and The Daring Book for Girls (Buchanan and Peskowitz). The booktalk friends might also include the titles from the selected bibliography.

Curriculum Ties

Language arts would be a natural tie-in with all of the great words in this book. It might be a fun extension activity for students to pen their own definitions of interesting words, in Lowry's style in the glossary. Another Language Arts activity might be a literature circle in which each group of students read one of the titles from Lowry's bibliography and then compared the title to The Willoughbys.

Why this book?
Because Lois Lowry is awesome. Oops--not graduate-student speak! This book is clever, short, and literary. It's also funny (the Nanny camoflages herself into a Greek-style statue and refers to Mary Poppins as "that fly-by-night woman") and would make an excellent read-aloud selection.

Awards
Parents' Choice Award, 2008; Booklist Editors' Choice, 2008; Oprah's Kids' Reading Lists, 10-12 category.

Rockport Public Library owns?

Yes.

Unfinished Angel

Biblio Bits The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech, Harper Collins, 2009 (ISBN 9780061430954)

Reading Level/Interest Age Ages 10-12

Genre Magical Realism

Plot Summary

Narrated in short chapters by an unfinished angel, this latest book by acclaimed author Sharon Creech, takes us back to the Ticino (the region in Switzerland you may remember from Bloomability). The Angel is an endearing character who is not quite certain about where s/he (gender neutral) fits into the grand scheme of things and is not sure s/he understands the rules and expectations of being an angel. When Zola and her father move into the Casa where the Angel has taken up residence, the Angel realizes that Zola is one of the few humans who can actually see her/him, and they fall into an unlikely friendship. Zola seems a little bossy at first, trying to tell the Angel how to be, and what to do, but eventually they unite in an effort to solve the problem of a small group of homeless children.

Critical Evaluation

A short book, told in short chapters, may appeal to some reluctant readers. The Angel's vivid observations about "peoples" and indignation about the trouble they cause are humorous and a great source for reflection. What is most enjoyable about this story is the dialect and invented language, malapropisms, and portmanteaus of the Angel ("surprise" + "please"="surplease"). Observing Creech's fun with language is truly a language-lover's delight! There are some areas of the plot that are not quite explored fully, such as why Zola's mother and brother come to Switzerland so much later, but readers will probably be distracted by the many other details of the story that are brought completely to life through the Angel's unique narration.

Reader's Annotation

Imagine I am not surpleased by the appearance of these peoples in my Casa, this Zola and her many layers of dresses in so many colors, who can also see me! Yes, she does, and I am thinking, could she also be an angel herself, here to teach me the better ways of being an angel?

Author Information

Sharon Creech is the Newbery award-winning author of Walk Two Moons (1994) as well as many other titles for tweens and teens. She grew up in South Euclid, OH with her four siblings and parents. She has taught high school English in Switzerland and England, and currently lives in New Jersey with her husband. She is the mother of two grown children. (Information in this author bio comes from the author's website.)

Challenge issues

I imagine there might be people who are offended by an angel being personified as slightly unsure of the Plan and his/her role on earth. It is not a very dignified representation of an angel, and that might bother some.

Booktalking Ideas

The most obvious booktalking buddy for this book would be Cynthia Rylant's The Heavenly Villiage because it shares the sweetness and endearing comfort of The Unfinished Angel while introducing some philosophical and spiritual themes to readers.

Curriculum Ties

Religion, philosophy, and spirituality could be ties. But perhaps it could also have a place in a curriculum unit on Renaissance art, and the depictions of angelic beings who appear to have such human characteristics, as opposed to previous artistic movements which had less realism.

Why this book?
For Sharon Creech fans, just the name on the cover will draw them in. A great choice for those who enjoy playful language, those who are in the mood for a feel–good story, and those who are interested in questions of philosophy and spirituality.

Awards
Too new to tell.

Rockport Public Library owns?

Yes.

Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Biblio Bits The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, Henry Holt, 2009 (ISBN 9780805088410)

Reading Level/Interest Age 830 lexile/Ages 9-14

Genre Historical fiction

Plot Summary

Three older brothers, three younger brothers, and Calpurnia Tate (Callie) smack in the middle. What’s a girl to do? Set in rural Texas in 1899, and narrated by Callie, we get a view into Callie’s life on her family’s pecan and cotton plantation, told with a good dose of humor. At twelve, Callie has a lively mind and is curious about her surroundings. She wakes up extra early (to get a little quiet from all those brothers) and takes a notebook outside to record her nature observations. It turns out she’s not the only odd-ball in her family when Callie develops a friendship with her grandfather, who had been a real mystery up until that point. He kept to himself, did mysterious things behind the closed doors of his laboratory, and had a library that Callie and her brothers were forbidden from. It turns out that Grandaddy is a scientist himself, an amateur distiller and naturalist, who takes Callie under his wing, including her on his rambles through their property, examining and collecting specimens of flora and fauna, and teaching her the principles of scientific inquiry. In addition to Callie’s adventures in the natural world, there are also moments when the inventions of the time period come to the small town of Fentress, where Callie lives, such as the telephone line and a horseless carriage, giving a taste of what an exciting time this was. But when Callie’s mother decides that it’s high time Callie focus more on her domestic arts, like knitting, cooking, and needlework, she knows that her days rambling at the river are numbered.

Critical Evaluation

Calpurnia's story is an enjoyable one on many levels. Kelly does an excellent job of evoking both a historical time period and a personal time period, including the details of the time and culture, as well as Callie's own self-revelations, self-doubt, and cusping maturity. The language of the book is appropriately matched to the period, without seeming pedantic or heavy, and the flavor of Callie's narrative sparks with her humor and sense of life. There are some excellent vocabulary words sprinkled throughout, which will please the language arts teachers, and just the right amount of context to sort out their meanings. Callie's relationships with her family members develop during the course of the story, as readers come to sort out all those brothers. Of particular interest, historically, is Callie's relationship with the family's quadroon cook; Callie respects her as an almost-member of the family, but Viola is reticent to be overly-familiar. The post-emancipation period is not addressed directly, but certain details (share-cropping, short hoes in cotton farming, etc.) emerge as supporting points in the story. The "trueness" of Calpurnia's character and her internal complexity brought Anastasia Krupnik (Lois Lowry) to mind—as well as her great sense of humor. Ultimately, the ending has some uncertainty, which leaves room for speculation.

Reader's Annotation

Is there a place for Callie in the Texas of 1899, outside of the limits of sock-making for all six of her brothers, her father, AND her grandfather? Smart, clever, and inclined towards science, Callie's breaking new ground, just like the lines for the telephone wire.

Author Information

Jacqueline Kelly was born in New Zealand, raised in Vancouver (BC), and eventually moved to Texas where she attended medical school and law school. She first practiced medicine, then law, before deciding to write fiction full-time, according to her website. The had a short story published in the Mississippi Review in 2001. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is her first novel. She resides in Texas. (Information in this author biography is from the author's website.)

Challenge issues

There are plenty of people who don't believe in Darwin's theory of evolution, just as in Calpurnia's time. Also, there is maybe one, minor swear word.

Booktalking Ideas

The historical, rural setting, family antics, and humor bring to mind some booktalking "friends" for this title, such as Harris and Me (Gary Paulsen) and Our Only May Amelia (Jennifer L. Holm). It could fit equally well with some nonfiction titles, such as Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith (Deborah Heligman) and Animals Darwin Saw: An Around-the-World Adventure (Sandra Markle). Women and science would be another logical category to fit this book into.

Curriculum Ties

Science—Darwin, natural history, nature observation

Social studies—Reconstruction era, critical inventions of the period, cusp of the industrial revolution

Why this book?
A smart and spunky girl main character who is fighting against the societal norms of her time, funny dialogue and a poignant plot, and evocative description and narrative will certainly appeal to many girls and boys (who don't mind a "girly" cover). An example of historical fiction at its best.

Awards
Starred reviews in several review sources, but no awards yet.

Rockport Public Library owns?

No.