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CITY OF LIGHT, CITY OF DARK

Name: CITY OF LIGHT, CITY OF DARK
Author: Avi
ISBN: 0-531-06800-5

A COMIC-BOOK NOVEL

by Avi & illustrated by Brian Floca ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1993

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Complications abound in a graphic novel related in brief narrative boxes plus dialogue (some of it in both Spanish and English) in hundreds of b&w comic-book frames. Sarah has been told (falsely) that her mother died; Carlos can't understand why an old blind man is so interested in a subway token he's found. The two kids team up and eventually learn the truth: the evil Mr. Underton was blinded by Sarah's mother 11 years ago when he tried to steal the token that's the source of power for the metropolis (N.Y.C.), which will freeze if the token isn't delivered to safekeeping each December 21 by Sarah's mother (and, someday, by Sarah). With neat feats of derring-do but uncharacteristically lumpy plotting and motives (Stubbs hides from his wife for 11 years, fearing she'll hate him—to keep her love, he leaves her?), this isn't quite fish or fowl. Still, robust spirits run appealingly amok until the expected triumph of good. Author (and publisher) get high marks for experimenting with a new genre, though this may not be the book to make it fashionable. A bold venture that will probably entertain the young more than their elders. (Fiction. 10+)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1993

ISBN: 0-531-06800-5

Page Count: 192

Publisher: Orchard

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1993

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
LOST IN THE EMPIRE CITY
by Avi

- BOOK REVIEW
THE SECRET SISTERS
by Avi

- BOOK REVIEW
CITY OF MAGIC
by Avi

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I CARRIED YOU ON EAGLES' WINGS

by Sue Mayfield ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 16, 1991

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On the surface, ninth-grader Tony Sharp leads the life of an average teen: he listens to rock, has a part-time job, and is having his first romance. But Tony's mother has multiple sclerosis; her illness leaves him wavering between a sense of helplessness over her condition and resentment that he doesn't have a mother who can care for him. Tony escapes from the pain by caring for an injured herring gull that he finds in a cave; but as the bird's wing heals, Mrs. Sharp's health fails. In a symbolic gesture, Tony releases the healthy gull the morning following his mother's death. Unfortunately, weak characterization, overly sentimental writing, and an almost nonexistent plot badly mar a potentially good story. The mother-son relationship is poorly developed and doesn't give a real sense of their intimacy between the two; as a result, Tony's frustrated outbursts sound hollow. (Fiction. 11+)

Pub Date: Oct. 16, 1991

ISBN: 0-688-10597-1

Page Count: 128

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1991

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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FAIRY TALES OF EASTERN EUROPE

illustrated by Larry Wilkes ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 1991

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Beginning with a brisk introduction concerning the unique aspects of Eastern European folklore, Philip (a British expert in folklore and children's literature) presents 22 stories told in a lively, colloquial style and ranging from brief Serbian creation myths to such long, formal tales as the familiar ``The Flying Ship,'' from the Ukraine. In a final section, Philip discusses the specific source for each story and cites others (often more familiar) with similar motifs. Wilkes provides an abundant number of watercolor and b&w illustrations; unfortunately, while some successfully depict a story's essence, others are way off the mark. Still, though the illustrations are uneven, the whole is pleasingly designed and carefully produced: a collection with high appeal both for children and those who enjoy sharing stories with them. Folklore. 10+)