A third book about Sir Dauntless, hero of The Knight of the Golden Plain (1983), whose adventures, once again, conclude when it's time for tea. Hunter navigates between classic derring-do and a child's imaginative simulation of it with wit and skill. Her tale of a boy-knight tracking a unicorn is full of such time- honored elements as a black charger and the ``beautiful Dorabella of the sapphire-blue eyes and hair of moonlit gold,'' but there's a gentle glint of parody in the telling and some amusingly whimsical details—e.g., this unicorn is particularly dangerous because he has a toothache. And the outcome has a contemporary ring: Sir Dauntless is persuaded that Dorabella must face the unicorn not only to uphold tradition but also because the highest courage is ``the kind that will force you to stand by and let your lady prove herself to be as brave as the lady of every knight should be.'' Fast and fun. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction/Young reader. 7-10)rave as the lady of every knight should be.'' Fast moving and fun. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction/Young reader. 7-10)
Pub Date: June 30, 1994
ISBN: 0-06-021062-1
Page Count: 96
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1994
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Trickling, bubbling, swirling, rushing, a river flows down from its mountain beginnings, past peaceful country and bustling city on its way to the sea. Hooper (The Drop in My Drink, 1998, etc.) artfully evokes the water’s changing character as it transforms from “milky-cold / rattling-bold” to a wide, slow “sliding past mudflats / looping through marshes” to the end of its journey. Willey, best known for illustrating Geraldine McCaughrean’s spectacular folk-tale collections, contributes finely detailed scenes crafted in shimmering, intricate blues and greens, capturing mountain’s chill, the bucolic serenity of passing pastures, and a sense of mystery in the water’s shadowy depths. Though Hooper refers to “the cans and cartons / and bits of old wood” being swept along, there’s no direct conservation agenda here (for that, see Debby Atwell’s River, 1999), just appreciation for the river’s beauty and being. (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-9)
Pub Date: June 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-7636-0792-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2000
Trisha is ready to start at a new school, where no one will know she has dyslexia. At first, she is heartbroken to be in Miss Peterson’s special-ed class, aka, “the junkyard.” But Miss Peterson treats the children as anything but junk, showing them that everyone has a unique talent. Polacco’s trademark style is fully present here; her sensitively drawn alter ego shines with depth of feeling. When bullying occurs, Miss Peterson proves her students are worthwhile by planning a junkyard field trip, where they find valuable objects to be used in exciting ways. Trisha’s group repairs a plane, and the class buys an engine for it. Then a beloved class member dies, and the children must find a way to honor him. While the plot meanders somewhat, the characters are appealing, believable and provide a fine portrayal of a truly special class. Children will be drawn in by the story’s warmth and gentle humor and will leave with a spark of inspiration, an appreciation of individual differences and a firm anti-bullying message, all underscored by the author’s note that concludes the book. (Picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-399-25078-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2010
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