A lovely, magical volume that is a must-have for storytelling collections.
A selection of folktales from the British Isles.
Gathering material previously published in two separate collections, Crossley-Holland (Norse Myths, 2017, etc.) includes nearly 50 stories divided by theme: “Magic and Wonder,” “Adventures and Legends,” “Fairies and Little People,” “Power, Passion, and Love,” “Wits, Tricks, and Laughter,” and “Ghosts.” Readers will encounter familiar favorites, such as “King of the Cats,” “Tam Lin,” and “The Black Bull of Norway,” as well as lesser-known tales. The stories are told in language that is both economical and vividly evocative, with a cadence that lends itself equally well to reading aloud or as a basis for learning a story to tell orally. Rather than appealing directly to teen readers, it is likely that this book will be indispensable to educators planning folklore units or teaching storytelling skills. Castle’s (Journeys of Discovery, 2018, etc.) black-and-white digital illustrations call to mind woodblock prints, and their rustic beauty greatly enhances the book. The thorough source notes are a model for works of this type, indicating what is typically the earliest printed version of the story, its geographical origin, particular adaptations Crossley-Holland made, and, quite often, his reason for selecting that individual tale. Encompassing moods from whimsical to awe-inspiring to spooky to fantastical, this is a valuable resource for fans of northern European folklore.
A lovely, magical volume that is a must-have for storytelling collections. (pronunciation guide, afterword, sources and notes, biographies) (Folklore. 12-adult)Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5362-0941-9
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2019
With its richly accessible prose and visually captivating subjects, this will inspire and challenge readers to follow in...
An engaging look at men who helped make and break fashion history.
Following her critically acclaimed study of key women in the history of fashion, Bad Girls of Fashion (2016), Croll joins forces with illustrator Pacholska to introduce “bad boys” through the ages who have had iconoclastic effects on fashion. Instead of featuring only major designers, Croll again spotlights 30 diverse rebels who used fashion to make their renegade marks in the worlds of entertainment (Marlon Brando, David Bowie), sport (Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Andre Agassi), politics (Jawaharlal Nehru, Mao Zedong, Malcolm X), and art and design (Jean-Michel Basquiat, Waris Ahluwalia, Karl Lagerfeld). Aided by arrestingly bold illustrations and copious photographs, Croll provides a tantalizingly detailed chronicle of these dashing figures, including both florid descriptions of their sartorial choices as well as the historical context behind them so readers better appreciate how these men broke boundaries. Back in 17th-century France, for example, Louis XIV simultaneously turned courtly fashions on their ear and tightened his grip on the throne by sporting long, curly wigs and restricting red high heels to members of his court (a sidebar explains that high heels were only later adopted by women in order to appear more masculine). Readers will understand fashion’s pivotal role in shattering and challenging gender, racial, and other constraints.
With its richly accessible prose and visually captivating subjects, this will inspire and challenge readers to follow in these trendsetters’ footsteps. (references, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: April 9, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-77321-243-2
Page Count: 184
Publisher: Annick Press
Review Posted Online: Jan. 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
A funny and engrossing romance.
In this debut novel, a whip-smart teen grapples with her out-of-touch mother, catty classmates, a proclivity for shoplifting, and first love.
As Samantha Stonesong enters her junior year in high school, her budding friendship with the pretty and popular Madison Caulfield gives her a shot at joining the Sherpas, a Mean Girls–esque clique led by Hillary Markham. Sam’s need for acceptance is understandable: her father cut off contact two years prior, and her mother is the kind of woman who sports zebra-print fake nails and would rather discuss her sexcapades than Sam’s college plans. But that all becomes less important when Sam falls for a charming but slightly odd boy named Zach. Given the book’s title, it is easy to guess the source of his peculiarity. However, Sam’s ignorance is plausible—after all, Zach is nothing like the suspenders-clad boy with missing teeth from whom he saves her at a cornfield party. Amusing dramatic irony ensues as Sam tries to reason away Zach’s lack of a driver’s license, unfamiliar vocabulary, and curious phone habits. Then, once he discloses his Amish upbringing, the pace quickens. Sam seeks relationship advice from Madison but inadvertently alienates her (“That makes me a prissy Saint Sam, and I guess you’re the wild slut”), and the Sherpas lash out accordingly. Meanwhile, a family emergency threatens to return Zach to the Amish fold. As everything comes crashing down, Sam devises the ultimate shoplifting challenge to regain some sense of control. Sam is blunt, self-aware, and prone to doubt and regret. Despite her insecurities, she has a firm sense of self as a movie buff, math nerd, vegetarian, and fashionista. Dodds leverages these traits well—for instance, the couple's conversations about horror films parallel the progression of their relationship, from surface-level “What’s your favorite movie?” talk to exchanges requiring deep trust. The author writes with specificity, and though a few instances of slang in this virtually all-white cast feel forced (one party is described as “off-the-hook-CRAZY”), the tale’s messages about remaining vulnerable, honest, and forgiving ring true.
A funny and engrossing romance.Pub Date: June 13, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-988279-43-5
Page Count: 275
Publisher: Blue Moon
Review Posted Online: Aug. 24, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2017
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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