About Me

I'm the school librarian at G.S. Lakie Middle School. As you can see - me, reading and comfy chairs go way back. I still enjoy Asterix and many other graphic novels. My main reason for blogging is for reviewing books for the students and anyone else that might be interested in YA literature.
Showing posts with label myths and legends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label myths and legends. Show all posts

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Timber Wolf

Timber Wolf by Caroline Pignat

If you crave a story filled with backcountry adventure look no further...
Jack wakes up alone, injured and completely lost in the Northern wilderness. He has no memory of what happened, how he got there, or who he is. The days pass but there is still no sign of rescue. His injuries are festering and he can no longer hunt to survive. With the dwindling scraps of food and the wolf drawing nearer each night, Jack begins to fear for the worst. His family, wherever they are, whoever they are, have abandoned him completely. The only one coming for him is the wolf.

This is the third book in the Greener Grass series by Caroline Pignat. What I like about this series is that each book can stand alone, although they are tied together by the Byrne family.

I loved this description of the Windigo - "The Windigo towers above the tallest man, but is as gaunt as a skeleton. It smells of death and decay, for that is what it brings as it seeks to feed its never-ending hunger. And the more it eats, the bigger it gets. But as it grows, so does its hunger."
It reminded me of Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac. Obviously both creatures are based in Native American myths and legends. I hate to be told that kind of story before heading out on a winters night.



Friday, August 3, 2012

Summer Reading

Ingo by Helen Dunmore

Here's a book that I've been meaning to read for years. Each year that I've been a school librarian I've had students say "I must read this book!" So I'm happy to say it made it's way to the top of the summer reading stack, and I was enchanted by the underwater world of Ingo. In fact the descriptions of Ingo and its inhabitants were by far my favourite parts of the story. I enjoyed how the story felt filled with an old mythology, one that I wasn't familiar with (maybe, this is because I didn't grow up next to an ocean), and yet had a present day believability.  Thank you to all of  those students who insisted that I read this one. I got totally caught up in the tantalizingly beautiful and dangerous world of adventure under the sea, where the Mer people live.

Summary:
I wish I was away in Ingo
Far across the biny sea,
Sailing over deepest waters
Where love nor care never trouble me...

By the Cornwall caost where Sapphire lives with her family, it's easy to hear the call of the sea. Too easy.
When the sea called to Sapphy's father, he vanished from her life. When the sea called to her brother, he started disappearing for hours on end. And now the sea is calling to Sapphy, and she feels its pull more strongly than she's ever felt anything in her life.
In a novel full of longing, mystery, and magic, Helen Dunmore takes us to a new world that has the power both to captivate and to destroy. At the waterline, the two worlds of Air and Ingo meet. Sapphy and her brother, Connor, find themselves at the boundary between these worlds, in a place of danger and amazing discoveries.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

For Riordan Fans


The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

Well, fans of Mr. Riordan here's a sneak-peek at the third book in The Heroes of Olympus series. I know it's going to be a long wait until Oct. 2 when it is finally released. As promised here's the link to the first chapter (for those of you who just can't wait)The Mark of Athena.

The Wrath of Zozimos

Stickman Odyssey : the wrath of Zozimos by Christopher Ford

I love Christopher Ford for drawing stickmen and having such a wonderful sense of humor. The fact that he can give stickmen so much expression gives us creatively challenged folks hope.
Here's the summary:
In his quest to reclaim the throne of Sticatha from his evil stepmother, the exiled prince Zozimos has fought golems, matched wits with a sphinx, and overcome his own ineptitude to, well, stay alive. Now, with his homeland finally in sight, he and his band of misfits ready themselves for battle. Only it's not quite the fight they were expecting...

Where my last funny book left me a little bored, this one kept me reading and laughing right along.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Gods of Manhattan by Scott Mebus

Summary from publisher:
A New Yorker for all of his thirteen years, Rory Henessy has always been happy to hold his little family together. But then a magician's trick opens his eyes to Mannahatta, a spirit city that coexists along side our own Manhattan. A city inhabited by Indian sachems, warrior cockroaches, and children made entirely of papier-mache. A city built by history and legend, and ruled by the immortal Gods of Manhattan, including, Babe Ruth, Alexander Hamilton, and Peter Stuyvesant. If something or someone in the history of New York was important enough, loved enough, feared enough, imagined enough, remembered enough it is reborn in Mannahatta.
Only Rory has the power to see Mannahatta and reveal it to others. But that gift may soon be his end as he is pursued through mazes of past and present, chasing history and the chance to right Mannahatta's greatest wrong.

For fans of Percy Jackson or readers who enjoy action / adventure in a city they've always wanted to visit - in case New York.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Rick Riordan Live

With everything that was going on last week, it slipped by me to write about our live webcast with Rick Riordan. G.S. Lakie fans and fans from around the world joined Rick as he walked us through the amazing Egyptology exhibit at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. As Rick made his way through the exhibit, he explained various artifacts and their significance in Egyptian history and how they played a major role in The Kane Chronicles. The exhibit is set up much like you are exploring an Egyptian tomb yourself, as we traveled along with Rick. Deep inside the exhibit (tomb) Rick used a handheld lamp as he read from The Serpent's Shadow. After hearing that snippet of the story, I'm anxious for more. But I'll let our readers have first crack at it. Rick then answered questions from students all over the world. here's some of the ideas he's working on - wrapping up the Lost Hero's series, developing a story working with Norse mythology, possibly having Percy and Carter meet up? He's one busy author, and I know most of us think that he needs to write even faster!!


The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan
Despite their best efforts Carter and Sade Kane can't seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kane's are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos.


Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The Flying Canoe

The Flying Canoe : a Christmas Story by Eric A. Kimmel

Each year I try to add at least one Christmas story to our collection and this year this was my pick. Maybe it's because my Mom was a French Canadian. Anyways, I hope you'll enjoy this years' pick.
Here's the summary:
One frosty Christmas Eve in the Canadian wilderness, six homesick fur traders are visited by a mysterious stranger. The man claims he can send them home to far away Montreal that very night, but on one condition:  they must not utter a word until they reach their homes. Agreeing to the terms, the fur traders climb into an enchanted canoe and paddle through the sky. But when hot-headed Armand cannot keep silent, it will take a daring move to outwit the stranger.

Monday, October 31, 2011

In search of Sasquatch

In Search of Sasquatch by Kelly Milner Halls

I'm not sure whether it was all the creepy stories my brothers told me about mysterious creatures lurking in the dark and the shadows or if it's because it's Halloween night. But as I sat curled up reading this book, I couldn't help but wonder if there really is or could be such a thing as Sasquatch.

This book takes a look at the native american myths and legends of Bigfoot, current scientists that are actively researching and investigating any evidence that comes up, as well as debunking some stories that have circulated. It was fascinating to hear of real science being applied to these investigations. The question is do you believe? and if not maybe this book will convince you for the next time your out in the woods.
Oh Yeah, this book even references an article from the Lethbridge Herald of 1959. And I especially love the end papers featuring a deep dark forest and quotes Hall has collected during her research of the book.


Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Trickster: Native American tales


Trickster: Native American Tales , a graphic collection / edited by Matt Dembicki

Well, I might have a new favourite graphic novel. I loved this collection of trickster stories. Matt Dembicki selected native american storytellers from across the continent and then also selected illustrators from across the continent and helped match them up- to put forth this awesome collection of pourquoi stories (pourquoi means - a story that explains why something is the way it is), some stories teach young children rules or lessons, some are funny, some a bit scary. In general I think there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Here's part of the summary from the back cover:
Meet the trickster, a crafty creature or being who disrupts the order of things, often humiliating others and sometimes himself in the process. Whether a coyote or rabbit, raccon or raven, tricksters use cunning to get food, steal precious possessions, or simply cause mischief.

Here's a link for an interview with author Matt Dembicki and one of the storytellers Michael Thompson -
http://www.graphicnovelreporter.com/content/trickster-tales-interview-matt-dembicki-and-michael-thompson-interview

Thank You to Miss Hiembecker for suggesting it for our library.