Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

Oppel, K. (2004). Airborn. New York, New York: Eos.

Summary

On a trip to Lionsgate City, Matt Cruse, a cabin boy on the airship Aurora, spots a drifting hot air balloon. Upon boarding the gondolier, its pilot Benjamin Malloy, tells Matt about flying winged creatures before he loses consciousness and later dies. Six months pass before Malloy’s revelation is tested by the arrival of his granddaughter, Kate de Vries, on the airship Aurora. Kate convinces Matt to help her prove the existence of these creatures, their research being mostly hypothetical and dependent upon Malloy’s journal. However, what is initially a research expedition, soon becomes a fight for survival.

Advisory Information:

Themes:

a. Coming of Age: Matt is constantly trying to prove himself (his ambition to become a sailmaker and thus proving his worth, his quest for understanding his own identity-“light at air”… his constant need to be aloft as he tries to escape unhappiness, his relationship with his father via memories and dreams, his relationship with Kate, his resentment of the wealthy, and finally his relationship with the Aurora itself).

b. Kate “making it” in a male driven society, proving her own worth by proving the existence of cloud cats.

c. The idea of adventure and discovery is a crucial theme to this novel. Air has become the “next frontier” and yet, Kate and Matt are able to find an island with new creatures.

Age Recommendation:

This book would appeal to younger teens. It’s sense of adventure and growing relationships will resonate with readers who are 10 to 14 years old.

Other Information

Kenneth Oppel has also published Skybreaker and Starclimber in this series.

Awards for Airborn Include:
A 2005 Michael L Printz Honor Book (ALA)
Winner of the 2005 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award
Winner of the 2004 Red Maple Award (OLA

Reaction:

With its character development, interesting storyline, and themes, Airborn is an excellent read for young adults. Readers are able to connect with Matt and his sense of duty to his family, the ship Aurora, and his growing relationship with Kate. The writing style and story line is similar to that of Robert Louis Stevenson: a young boy who must face adversity while learning about himself and the world around him. I really enjoyed the fact that this novel takes place in a world created by the author. Where technology in air travel is very different from today, however, social behavior and manners are very reminiscent of our world’s past.

On Wings of a Dragon by Cora Taylor

Taylor, C. (2001). On wings of a dragon. Markham, Ontario: Fitzhenry & Whiteside.

Summary

A king, manipulated by his queen, rebels and sends out a message for help. A winged woman and a dragon hear his call. In the midst of the kingdom, the queen has ordered all children are conscripted into labor and are forced to report to the palace to serve the kingdom. In an attempt to save two girls, Petaurus and Brede search the palace grounds. Told from all of these character’s varying perspectives, the reader must discover how all of these character’s actions affect each other. Can they come together and save the ones they love?

Advisory Information

-Themes:

a. Unlikely Hero: While I do not want to give away the twist at the end, through a humble background, one character is expected to rise above and lead a nation. It is not necessarily coming-of-age, though because the character remains static, however, we do learn that he/she rises to the occasion.

b. Triumph of Good over Evil: Common in most fantasy novels, the battle between good vs. evil is prevalent throughout this novel.

c. dedication: This novel reinforces the idea that people need to be dedicated and persevere in what is morally right to each individual character. In fact many of the characters in the story embody these points of view.

-Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book to middle school children aged 12-15. The book’s plot is told in different viewpoints; therefore readers should have more abstract reasoning to be able to follow the changes. However, the writing is not all that complex.

-Other Information:

On Wings of a Dragon was a Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Our Choice” Selection and nominated for the Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award in 2002.

Its sequel is entitled On Wings of Evil.

Reaction:

On Wings of a Dragon is an interesting example of fantasy fiction. Told from many different perspectives, the author does an excellent job tying all of the plot lines together. The author’s ability to draw each character makes it easy for the reader to understand each perspective. While some of the characters seem too static, the overall book is entertaining and provides readers with a light-hearted fantasy novel.

Hold Fast by Kevin Major

Major, Kevin. (1991). Hold fast. Toronto, Canada: Stoddart Publishing Co. Limited.

Summary:

Following the death of his parents involving a drunk driver, Michael is sent from his hometown of Marten, to live with his Aunt and Uncle in St. Albert. Having difficulties coping with his new living arrangement Michael looks to make friends with the kids at school. It is not until he fights with a school bully that Michael starts to befriend his cousin Curtis and the rest of his group. After a series of fights and misunderstandings Michael and Curtis decide to run away back to Marten. Can they make the long journey on their own?

-Themes:

a. Survival: Michael’s quest for survival includes in the wilderness, life, school, and even within his family.

b. Standing up for yourself: While Michael is always prone to standing up for himself; it is Curtis who must learn how to do this for himself.

c. Being true to yourself: Michael never deviates from his perception of self.

d. Coping with loss and Death: When Michael loses his parents in a car crash, he must learn to cope with the aftermath, including the separation between him and his brother.

e. Social Class: Michael is from a poor rural town in New Foundland. This becomes an issue when he moves to the suburbs and people begin to make fun of his background and the way he speaks.

-Age Recommendation:

I would consider this book more for older, more advanced younger teen readers, aged 12-16.

-Other Information:

Hold Fast is Kevin Major’s first book. It won the Governor General's Award, Book-of-the-Year CACL, and Ruth Schwartz Award, when it was first published in 1978.

Reaction:

I found Hold Fast to be interesting. The novel was thought provoking, however, it was difficult for me to connect with Michael. While Michael’s reactions to situations did logically stem from his own experiences and beliefs about authority figures, I found it hard to justify some of his actions. His ability to “borrow” a car was especially problematic for me. Nevertheless, I found Michael’s character to be true to his characterization, especially based upon his personality and background. In that sense I think that I was still able to be engaged in the book. Kevin Major’s characterization was consistent throughout Michael’s experiences.

The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade

Slade, A.G. (2009). The Hunchback Assignments. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

Summary
The story begins with a man named Mr. Socrates adopting a child named Modo from the back of a freak show caravan. Modo is an interesting child who has the ability to change his facial features. Raised to be a spy, Modo begins his first mission for Mr. Socrates when his 14. Modo is stranded in London and left to survive on his own. Can Modo survive the streets of London while there is a murderer in his midst?

Advisory Information:

Themes:

a. Coming of Age: This book chronicles Modo’s journey from a person who blindly follows Mr. Socrates’ orders, to questioning them and using his own ingenuity to make his decisions.

b. Above the law: Renegade organizations acting upon their own means and with little to no regulatory watch-dog agencies. Modo and the Association must rely on their own moral compass to determine actions.

c. Identity Crisis: The fact that Modo is able to change his appearance at will suggests that his physical identity is nonexistent.

d. Kids are Smarter than Adults: This idea stems from the fact that Modo and Octavia’s judgment is often morally truer than that of other adults. This includes Mr. Socrates who seems to be a cynic and oftentimes will sacrifice one for the sake of all.

Age Recommendation:

I think that this story could have widespread appeal; therefore I would encourage readers from 6th grade through 9th to read this novel.

Other Information:

The author is writing a sequel that is supposedly going to be released September 14, 2010.

Reaction:

I thought that this book had an interesting plot, almost like a Sherlock Holmes-esque mystery with young children solving the mystery. I thought it was interesting the way the author was able to incorporate ideas with such fluidity. The use of steam technology coupled with a Victorian-era time period worked well. Furthermore, he took characteristics of classic novels and incorporated them into his work (Modo in name and true appearance resembles Quasimodo from Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the use of the name Mr. Hyde which could reference Stephenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, etc.).

The Hunchback Assignments Book Trailer

Retrieved from http://www.hunchbackassignments.com/

Spud in Winter by Brian Doyle

Doyle, B. (1995). Spud in winter. Toronto, Ontario: Groundwood Books.

Summary:

John “Spud” Sweetgrass witnesses a murder outside of his home one morning. He notices that one of the accomplices to the murder is a man who gets his hair done by his friend, Connie Pan. Spud is conflicted because he does not want to tell the police about the accomplice if it is going to put Connie in danger, especially now that he really likes her. Finally, Spud realizes that it is easier to deal with a problem if he tells people. Detective Kennedy, Spud, Connie, and Spud’s friend Dink are now on the case.

Advisory Information:

Themes:

a. Coming of Age: Spud is starting to grow up. He is starting to understand his feelings towards Connie, and is helping his mother get over the death of her husband, Spud’s father.

b. Multiculturalism in Canada: Connie is part Vietnamese and Filipino. Spud is half-Irish, half-Ojibway teen. Both of these ethnicities are crucial elements to each character’s personality and background.

c. Grief and Getting over Death: Having to deal with the repercussions of his father’s death, Spud is learning how to become the “man of the house.”

Age Recommendation:

I would consider this novel to be an early teen read for young adults, youth aged 12-14. The novel does include instances of adult language, and while it is mild for today’s standards, parents of younger readers should be cautioned. The murder is also something that while not obscene, is graphic enough for readers to understand exactly what happened. Furthermore, the killer does commit arson and abduct a man who he thinks is the witness to the murder. The relationship between Spud and Connie is innocent, with them simply holding hands and sharing a kiss.

Other Information

The book takes place in Ottawa.

This is a sequel to the book Spud Sweetgrass.

Reaction:

I really enjoyed the writing style in Spud in Winter. The literary devices like the coldest storm correlating with Spud’s anxiety over the shooter along with similes and metaphors helped the reader get a feeling not only for the story and characters, but also Canadian winters in Ottawa. I also really enjoyed Doyle’s incorporation of a mixed heritage protagonist. Spud’s Ojibway heritage is a part of him, however it is incorporated subtly in anecdotes that Spud’s father would tell him.