“Whirligig,” by Paul Fleischman
“Whirligig,” by Paul Fleischman is a powerful novel about the complex interactions that spring from a single tragic event.
The main character is sixteen-year-old Brent Bishop, a young man who is desperate to fit in with the other kids at his school. His life completely changes however, when his drunk driving results in an accident that takes the life of another young person, 18 year old Lea Zamora. When he is charged with drunk driving and manslaughter Brent comes to realize the full implication of his actions. As part of restitution Brent must carry out a rather unusual request that Lea’s mother makes of him:
“My father is a very fine carpenter. Lea was his first grandchild. When she was little, he made her lots of wooden toys. Her favorite was a whirligig, of a girl with arms that spin in the wind. He painted the face to look like her. We‘ve had it on a pole in our yard forever. Hundreds of people over the years have noticed it, and stopped, and smiled. Just like people smiled at Lea…
This is my only request. That you make four whirligigs, of a girl that looks like Lea. Put her name on them. Then set them up in Washington, California, Florida, and Maine-the corners of the United States. Let people all over the country receive joy from her even though she‘s gone. You make the smiles that she would have made.”
And so Brent begins a unique journey around the United States. Along the way he learns about what really matters in life, developing better character traits at the same time. “Whirligig” focuses on Brent’s journey and his creation of the four whirligigs, but it also shows the results of his work.
The four whirligigs bring peace to a girl and her grandmother, transform the life of a street sweeper, bring love to a lonely schoolgirl, and help a mother be a better parent. Fleischman’s wonderful novel shows the far reaching effects of Lea’s death, that every action, good and bad causes a wave of reaction all around the world, and that all that happens is interconnected like a great moving whirligig.
I would highly recommend “Whirligig.” It has become one of my favorite books, both for its deep message and the wonderful writing style of its Newberry Medal-winning author.
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“The Railway Detective,” by Edward Marston
“The Railway Detective,” by Edward Marston is mystery story set in 19th century London.
When the London to Birmingham mail train is robbed it means the
loss of a large shipment of mail and gold destined for the national mint, but its just the start of a rash of strange crimes that are being committed against the railroad. A derailed train, a tunnel bombing, and a threat at the Great Exhibition all seem to have been aimed at ruining the railroad’s reputation as a safe and effective method of transportation. Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck must try to find the perpetrators of these crimes before they cause even more damage to the railroad, but to do that he must stay one step ahead of them.
In this action-packed novel Marston does an admirable job of recreating the London of the 1850’s. The mystery is people by lively and memorable characters, and the plots twists and turns will keep you surprised to the very end. “The Railway Detective” is a well-written mystery novel.
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External Links:
Read an excerpt from “The Railway Detective” at Amazon.com
“A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears,” by Jules Feiffer
“A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears,” by Jules Feiffer is an amusing fairytale style story that is as humorous as it is unique.
Prince Roger has the strange gift of inspiring laughter. Every animal and person within a half mile of him falls into uncontrollable laughter. Needless to say this is not a desirable quality for a prince to have. His father, the king, decides that Roger needs to embark on a quest. His hope is that the quest will turn Roger into a sober and responsible individual.
And so Roger sets off, through the Forever Forest, across the Dastardly Divide, through the Valley of Vengeance, and over the Sea of Screams and Mountains of Malice. Along the way Roger learns important lessons about what really matters and although he gets everything wrong, it all turns out right.
I am confident that you’ll enjoy “A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears.” Feiffer’s writing style is amusing. One of the things that I enjoyed most was his periodic digression into the difficulties that he as a writer has in keeping his characters in line. One of the characters in particular occasionally walks in and out of the book, a feat accomplished through the book’s black and white ink drawings.
I would recommend that you read “A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears” both for its wonderful storyline and its refreshingly different style.
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External Links:
Read an excerpt from “A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears” at Google Books
Read about “A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears” at Wikipedia.org
“Down the Yukon,” by Will Hobbs
Warning: This book is a sequel to “Jason’s Gold.”
“Down the Yukon,” by Will Hobbs continues the Yukon experiences of Jason Hawthorn.
Jason is happy to have merely made it to the Yukon alive, and
although he didn’t strike it rich, he at least has his brothers and their successful family business to support them. However, disaster strikes when Jason’s older brother gets involved with gambling and loses their sawmill in a game of chance. There is only one way to buy the sawmill back: by winning the upcoming race from Dawson City to Nome, 1700 miles away.
Jason and Jamie Dunavant, the girl he loves, set off on a race that will take them through the beauty and the danger of the upper Yukon. With two dangerous rivals and numerous disasters, Jason and Jamie must struggle hard to make it to the finish line at all, much less in first place.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Down the Yukon.” Jason and Jamie are memorable characters whose adventures will not disappoint any reader who is looking for excitement. Will Hobb’s story is admirable both for its style and its historical theme.
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External Links:
The official Will Hobbs Website
Read an excerpt from Google Books
“North” by Alan Zweibel
“North” by Alan Zweibel is a novel with a great cover but disappointing content.
The main character is young North, a kid who’s qualities should make anyone appreciate him. But his parents never notice his good grades, great batting average, etc. North feels that his parents don’t deserve him, so he goes to court and wins “free agency.” North then embarks on a ridiculous search for the “perfect” parents.
“North” does not offer a quality reading experience. It’s has an exaggerated quality that gives it the feeling of a cheap movie, and the book’s plot is lacking in both substance and delivery. If you want to read something that is interesting and worthwhile, then “North” is not the book for you.
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Used copies of “North” are available through Barnes and Noble.com
“A Day No Pigs Would Die,” by Robert Newton Peck
“A Day No Pigs Would Die,” by Robert Newton Peck is a moving coming-of-age story, based on Peck’s own life.
At the surface, the novel is merely the story of a young Shaker boy and his pet pig, but Peck’s unique voice gives the novel poignant charm and emotional power. The Shaker wisdom, quiet humor, and deep personalities found in the book mesh together precisely, drawing the reader in so that he or she can understand the feelings and thoughts of the characters.
The four lines of poetry at the beginning of the text wonderfully summarize the entire point of the story:
A farmer’s heart is rabbit soft,
And farmer eyes are blue.
But farmers’ eyes are eagle fierce
And look a man right through.
“A Day No Pigs Would Die,” is also one of the saddest books I have ever read. Peck’s novel is no happy-ending fairytale, but a realistic story whose touching ending is not easily forgotten.
If you haven‘t yet read “A Day No Pigs Would Die,” then you’re missing a classic story that you simply must read.
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External Links:
Read an excerpt from “A Day No Pigs Would Die” at Barnes and Noble.com
Information about “A Day No Pigs Would Die” at Wikipedia.org
“Pieces of Georgia,” by Jen Bryant
“Pieces of Georgia,” by Jen Bryant is a unique journal style novel written in the voice of a thirteen year old girl.
Georgia McCoy is an aspiring artist, striving to follow in the
footsteps of her mother, who died six years ago of pneumonia. Although Georgia is very good at art she struggles in the other subjects at school, and her shy personality gives her an outcast status among the other kids at school.
When the high school counselor gives Georgia a blank journal, and encourages her to write in it every day, she has no idea what to fill it with. But then an anonymous person sends her a gift membership to the local Brandywine Art Museum. Through studying the works of art there Georgia comes to learn more about art, and gradually, more about herself as well.
“Pieces of Georgia” has a writing style that makes it truly unique. The lines of text in the book are broken into a lyrical, prose poetry style that well suits the voice of its shy and lonely character. Bryant also does an excellent job of capturing human characteristics and emotions. I really enjoyed reading “Pieces of Georgia” and I would recommend it as a meaningful and powerful book for your own reading enjoyment.
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External Links:
Read an excerpt from “Pieces of Georgia.” Barnes and Noble.com
Teachers resources for “Pieces of Georgia” RandomHouse.com
Two Write Hands (and two left feet)
“Two Write Hands (and two left feet)” is a pleasant, writing oriented site that features short flash fiction pieces and general commentary on the author’s life.
Overall, the site has a great theme and interesting comment. I have enjoyed reading the excellent pieces that are periodically posted on Two Write Hands, but its sometimes difficult to navigate the site. Since there isn’t a tag list on the main page I found myself forced to search through posts by date. But there were plenty of shining jewels among the posts to keep my interest. For example, I’ve selected a two of my favorites:
Two Write Hands has a clean, easy to read theme, and a great logo picture at the top of blog. The blog content is not overshadowed by voluminous amounts of advertising either, and that is something I always appreciate.
I would recommend Two Write Hands to anyone interested in writing.
Statistics (As of 4/24/2008)
Ad Count: 7
Load Time: About 5 seconds
Blog Age: 8 years
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“Jason‘s Gold,” by Will Hobbs
“Jason‘s Gold,” by Will Hobbs is the first of two books about Jason Hawthorn’s adventures in the Yukon.
The story is set in 1897. Gold has just been discovered in Alaska, and Jason Hawthorn is eager to get in on the gold rush. However, he soon finds that getting to the goldfields isn’t as easy as he had first thought. Since he has no money he stows away on a ship bound for the Yukon, but the journey involves more than riding a boat. Jason must hike the legendary trails that the Yukon gold rush made famous. Author Will Hobbs shows us Dead Horse Trail and Chilkoot Pass, from the ground up.
There is no end of excitement and adventure in “Jason‘s Gold.” I would recommend this book both as a historical masterpiece, and as a wonderful adventure. The story is well-researched, the characters memorable, and the action non-stop.
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External Links:
Read an online excerpt from “Jason’s Gold” from Barnes and Noble
