Impressive on all fronts.
The early days of cinema change a young girl's perspective on war.
To escape the Seattle rain and the gloom caused by her physician father's departure to serve in World War I, 12-year-old Isobel's mother packs the family (including 5-year-old sister Sylvie) off to visit Aunt Buzzy, who's recently married and moved to a small California town called Hollywood. Buzzy's stepson, Ranger, is obsessed with the town's nascent film industry and quickly pulls Isobel, whom he tags for his leading lady, into a series of escapades, including nearly drowning Sylvie, impersonating a Boy Scout in a war bonds parade, and pretending to be a real movie extra, all so he can create a movie that will impress his favorite director. Isobel is intrigued by the way film allows stories to be created from small scenes shot out of order; she begins to love the art of moviemaking. When her father returns home badly damaged, Ranger's movie becomes a way to express the family's love and grief. The novel is packed with cameos by Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and Charlie Chaplin (most of whom will be unfamiliar to young readers but will nonetheless tantalize), fascinating tidbits about the early days of film, and a relentless series of action scenes. Set dressing and quick pace aside, as narrated by Isobel, the story relies on—and delivers—solid characterization to drive it forward.
Impressive on all fronts. (Historical fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4926-0944-5
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Horticulture pays off for an enterprising teen. If almost-14-year-old Jackson can bring his neighbor’s apple orchard back to life, he can keep any profits over $8,000 and become the owner of the orchard. Because Mrs. Nelson has reneged on promises in the past, this time he insists on a signed and witnessed contract. Of course, Jackson hasn’t the least idea how to grow apples. With a helpful library book, some timely advice, weeks of arduous work and the (mostly) willing assistance of his cousins and sisters, Jackson, with intense determination, attempts to produce a healthy crop, overcoming myriad obstacles along the way. With its 1980s-era rural New Mexico setting, complete with many references to contemporary popular culture, the ambience is that of an earlier time. Jackson tells his own story, at once trusting and skeptical, optimistic and despairing. Hawkins has created an enormously appealing character and an engaging plot. He includes detailed diagrams and perhaps more technical information than absolutely necessary, but readers will root for Jackson to win the day. Surprising and absorbing. (Historical fiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-547-27977-0
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2010
The success of Mah’s memoirs (Falling Leaves, 1997, for adults and Chinese Cinderella, 1999, for kids) led to her well-received novel Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society (2005) and historical overview China: Land of Dragons and Emperors (2008). Here, she tries to combine them all, blithely and unwisely stepping beyond her literary capabilities. Readers initially meet CC (the character from the previous novel) on what seems to be a mission in World War II China. Chased, she falls and enters a coma. A doctor hypnotizes her, and readers shift to the Song dynasty and CC’s previous life in a star-crossed romance, observing the scene in the famous painting Along the River at the Qing Ming Festival. Both setting and emotional tension rely heavily on cliché and exclamation points. The author abuses dialogue to cram in historical details (a visitor exclaiming “Good tea!” is treated to an encyclopedic definiton of white tea). It is unclear what story she is trying to tell: the romance? the story of the painting? the bookend of CC’s coma, which will be inexplicable to readers unfamiliar with the previous novel? As none succeed, the question may go unanswered. (Fiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: Sept. 14, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-385-73895-8
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: July 29, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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