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.

Schooled

Biblio Bits Schooled by Gordon Korman, Hyperion, 2007 (ISBN 9780786856923)

Reading Level/Interest Age 740 lexile/ages 12-14

Genre Realistic fiction

Format Audio book

Plot Summary
Capricorn "Cap" Anderson has been raised and homeschooled by his grandmother, Rain, on a now-defunct hippie commune. Up until now, he has worked the farm with her, made his own clothes, and been out of contact with any kids his own age. He knows all of the anthems of the 1960s, can play the guitar, and knows how to tie-dye, but he has never seen TV, handled money, or used the phone. When Rain breaks her hip, Cap goes to live with a social services worker and attends Claverage Middle School as an 8th grader. The culture shock is huge, and more-so because Cap is elected 8th grade president, a rigged election designed to get the biggest dork in school in public office. Cap finds himself in charge of the 8th grade Halloween dance, making many naive and innocent mistakes along the way, while also navigating the social conventions of middle school. The story is told through many voices and perspectives, not just Cap's, which adds a dimension of complexity as the relationships unfold and develop between characters.

Critical Evaluation

The reading on audio is narrated by a full cast that brings to life the voices of Cap, Naomi, Mr. Casigi (the principal), Mrs. Donnelly (his caseworker) and others. Each chapter begins with a statement of who will be narrating, so as to minimize a reader's (or listener's) confusion. The story conveys the somewhat funny, naive foibles of Cap's first taste of institutional education and the complex social realities of middle school, but leaves a reader with a feeling of growing discomfort about the unkindness of Cap's peers as they set him up to fail. You're sort of laughing along, and then realizing that a line has been crossed into cruelty. The relationships are believable, particularly the snappy scorn of Sophie, Mrs. Donnelly's 16 year-old daughter, and the dialogue and social dynamics equally so. Cap makes a believable and subtle transformation, after experiencing Claverage, when he returns to the commune; the world he knew looks different now, after gaining a broader perspective, friends, and new experiences. Less believable was the shift that his grandmother made, when she decided to ground herself in the 21st century for the sake of Cap's future.

Reader's Annotation

That long-haired, tie-dye-wearing hippie didn't walk out of a time warp into the halls of Claverage middle school, but he might as well have! Cap has been homeschooled on a now-defunct commune and has a lot to learn from the mainstream.

Author Information

Gordon Korman, a Canadian American, was born in Montreal, grew up in Ontario, and got his BA in Fine Arts from NYU in 1985. He currently resides on Long Island with his wife and three children. Korman has written extensively for kids and young adults, and his books have sold over 7 million copies. (Information for this section was found at the author's official site.)

Challenge issues

Stereotyping of hippies is about the only one I can come up with here.

Booktalking Ideas

The perfect booktalking buddy for Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl! This book would be right at home in a booktalk on those characters that break out of the mold, forge their own paths, and fly in the face of convention. You could even throw in some titles about famous people who challenged popular thinking, perhaps a biography of Amelia Bloomer, DaVinci, or the Wright brothers.

Curriculum Ties

This could actually make an interesting link to a unit that touches on the fundamentals of anthropology, since Cap is a bit like a visitor from a foreign land. He's totally out of touch with mainstream culture and social customs and yet, like Stargirl, begins to influence those around him because of the unique perspective he has. It would be a great compare/contrast discussion to Stargirl.

Why this book?
Funny and engaging through its multiple perspectives, this book portrays the social stratification of middle school in a realistic way. But through Cap's character, it fundamentally calls into question a lot of the norms of our society. An excellent choice for readers who are in the mood to experience a different perspective.

Awards
None.

Rockport Public Library owns?

No.

Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan

Biblio Bits The Ranger's Apprentice, Book One: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan, Puffin, 2004 (ISBN 9780399244544)

Reading Level/Interest Age 920 lexile/ages 11+

Genre Fantasy, Adventure

Plot Summary

15 year-old Will is a castle ward, meaning that he has been raised with a small group of other orphans. On the day of the Choosing, Will is devastated when he is not chosen to attend Battleschool to train to be a knight. Instead, he is apprenticed to the mysterious ranger Halt, who trains him in the complex skills that are required of a ranger. Will shows his willingness to learn, his persistence and cunning, forms a special bond with his ranger's pony, and begins to earn the respect of his taciturn master. When Will saves the life of his former wardmate and rival, Horace, a unique bond of friendship develops between the two boys. But the real climax comes when Will accompanies Halt to the annual ranger's gathering, only to find out that the power-hungry Morgarath is marshaling his forces. Halt and Will must hunt down the monstrous kalkara, the mythical and deadly creatures who are now the trained assassins of Morgarath.

Critical Evaluation

This book is an engaging choice for those readers in the mood for a classic and well-conceived fantasy book, even adults. The writing, language, and description are literary, but without seeming dry or slow. The pace is a good balance between character development and action, and the rivalry between Horace and Will is developed in a satisfactory way. Horace's own experience at Battleschool is also explored, giving the reader a sense of what Will is missing out on, as Horace encounters three brutal bullies who target him. Also equally enjoyable was the way that the relationship between Halt and Will develops through the story. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by this book and look forward to reading others in the series.

Reader's Annotation

The rangers are weird, solitary types, maybe even associated with witchcraft. What's Will to do when he is apprenticed to a ranger, instead of to the Battleschool where he would have learned to be a knight?

Author Information

John Flanagan initially conceived of the Ranger's Apprentice series as a way to interest his own son in reading, and wrote installments in short story form. He had worked in advertising and television prior to becoming one of Australia's premier YA/fantasy authors. He lives in a suburb of Sydney, Australia with his wife. They have several grown children and four grandchildren. (Information in this author biography can be found here, in the author's reading guide to the series.)

Challenge issues

Some violence during the battle against the kalkara, as well as during a boar hunt, although not out of proportion or overly graphic.

Booktalking Ideas

A booktalk that included this title might also include other books that deal with a medieval setting, such as the Protector of the Small series by Tamora Pierce, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! by Laura Amy Schiltz, or Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman.

Curriculum Ties

Again, the medieval setting is the obvious choice. While it is not overly underscored, the world of Araluen is clearly a kingdom that is comprised of smaller fiefs, ruled by barons. The stratification of classes is discussed tangentially, and the concept of apprenticeships is a main theme. A complete guide to the series, including an author interview and discussion questions, is at this address.

Why this book?
Good, solid fantasy series are always popular with tweens and it's great to know another one. The book will appeal to those with somewhat literary tastes, but there's enough action, some humor, and plot development to engage other readers as well.

Awards

None.

Series/Sequel
Yes. This book is followed by several others; the second in the series is The Burning Bridge (2005). Since the books are published first in Australia, there is some lag time between that first printing and a US version.

Rockport Public Library owns?

Yes.