Pride of Baghdad

Book: Pride of Baghdad
Author: Brian Vaughan
Artist: Niko Henrichon
Audience: High School and Adult
In a Nutshell: escaped lions roam war-torn Baghdad

When Baghdad is bombed by US forces, the zoo is heavily hit, and what animals survive escape into the war-torn streets. Four lions- Zill, Safa, Noor, and the cub Ali- have different reactions. For Safa, freedom is a dream come true; Noor, who lived in the wild, prefers the safety of the zoo. It's up to the male, Zill, to hold them together as a pride. They face the dangers of other escaped animals, encounter dangerous new creatures such as herds of tanks, and learn more about the perplexing world of the Keepers as their world collides with the human world.

This graphic novel takes a powerful look at war from an animal perspective. For example, the old tortoise they meet by the river has seen it all before; he doesn't know what the conflicts are about, just that the humans make black death (oil) flow in the river every time. As if no food and the really nasty "pet" bear they find in an abandoned palace aren't bad enough, they have yet to cross paths with American assault rifles.

Be aware that this is an adult graphic novel; there is some language, graphic violence (I hope I never actually see a giraffe get its head blown off by a shell *shudder*), and sexual content. The sex is between lions and not graphic, but still disturbing in places where assault is portrayed.

Maturity level aside, this is a remarkable war story- and based on a true event, by the way. A group of lions did escape from the Baghdad zoo amidst shelling in 2003.

Secrets of My Hollywood Life

Book: Secrets of My Hollywood Life
Author: Jen Calonita
Audience: Teen
In a Nutshell: teen superstar goes to high school in a wig and discount clothes

Kaitlin Burke is the sixteen-year-old star of Family Affair, the hottest show in primetime. She really needs a break from her back-stabbing co-star, Sky Mackenzie, so she enlists the help of her only "normal" friend, Liz. She convinces her mom, dad, personal assistant, publicist, bodyguard, and all the other people controlling her life to let her enroll at Liz's public school during a break in filming- in disguise, of course.

With her plain brown wig and clothes from the equivalent of K-Mart, Kaitlin is definitely safe from admirers. In fact, the In clique pegs her immediately as a big loser and treats her accordingly. One exeption is Austin, the cute, popular captain of the lacrosse team who, of course, likes Kaitlin and shrugs off his bitchy rich girlfriend to show interest in Kaitlin- for herself, not her money and fame, which is what she's always wanted. But when Kaitlin is mysteriously not part of the Rich & Famous scene as much, Sky smells a chance to get one up on her more popular costar, and Sky's celebrity guest appearance at the school's spring dance could ruin everything.

There's nothing all that different or memorable here; this book is likable but predictable. I will say that good-natured Kaitlin's story is a refreshing change from the glut of high society bitch-fest books out there to choose from (A-List, The Clique, etc. etc. ad nauseum). In the negative column, it really annoys me in books, this one included, when the author resorts to lots of high-end brand-name-dropping to pound home the fact that yes, these girls are really rich; stuff like "she grabbed her Gucci purse and Dolce coat and ran out the door." What do I care? A few times, okay. But constantly? Ugh. It also dates the book. My pet peeves aside, if you're looking for some decent chic lit, this fits the bill.

Please Don't Drool on the Authors

M.T. Anderson is one of my favorite authors. Notice I'm not prefacing that with "for teens"; he's just one of my favorites, period. Wait, make that my very favorite living author. As evidenced by all the 'o's I use when I talk or write about his books, as in: "I looooove M.T. Anderson." Well, I may add a few more 'o's yet, because I just got back from a discussion panel featuring him, Pete Hautman (who I also really like) and Alison McGhee, who I wasn't really familiar with before. They all did an engaging and thoughtful job discussing their views on teen literature in general, on writing it, reading it, and debating whether "albino squirrel" is a brilliant plot idea or just a noun.

I've never met a famous actor, but I think my reaction would be similar. Is it a sign of my unfettered bookworminess that I get all fangirl when my favorite author is in the room? That's okay. I can live with the geeky adoring fan stigma as long as it comes with a photo:

What a good sport he is. You think the National Book Award winner on the adult side of the aisle is so personable and wears such unflinchingly green sweaters? Well, I don't know. Maybe. I've never met him. But go buy M.T. Anderson's books anway. Feed. Thirsty. Whales on Stilts. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume 1: The Pox Party. Any and/or all of them. This isn't just Anderson solidarity talking. The man is a genius.

Permanent Rose

Book: Permanent Rose
Author: Hilary McKay
Audience: Grades 4-6
In a Nutshell: waiting for a letter, shoplifting, searching for your real father, and other summer holiday activities

This third book about the lovably odd and artistic Casson family focuses on the youngest member of the family, Rose, although the whole family is in on the action. Their artist parents named all the children after colors on the paint wheel: Cadmium, Indigo, Saffron (not a color, but she's their adopted cousin- see Saffy's Angel), and Permanent Rose. Yes, that is her legal name. She was very sick as a baby, and her mother hoped that having "permanent" in her name would encourage her to stick around.

We pick up shortly after the last book, Indigo's Star, left off. Indigo and Rose haven't heard a word from their friend, Tom, since he flew back to America months ago, and Rose is beginning to worry that they don't mean as much to Tom as he means to them. It doesn't help that David, a big awkward kid, has gone from tormenting Indigo as a bully to hanging around the Casson house all the time hoping for Indigo's friendship now, which makes Rose mad.

Rose begins to explore her new-found gift for shoplifting. Rose also makes multiple attempts to get their distant father more interested in his family. By distant, I don't just mean emotionally, although there is that. I mean he lives in London with his girlfriend, and the family knows it. Their mother puts on a tolerant face, but it's not truly okay with her. Meanwhile, Saffy and her best friend, Sarah, are trying to find clues to Saffy's real father. Let's not forget free-spirited Caddie, who is engaged to "darling Michael" but seems pretty nervous about the one ring, one man concept.

I have a hard time talking up this series because it's all just family drama stuff, and I don't usually get into these kinds of books. But the Cassons are so wonderful, and funny, and lovingly dysfunctional, that I keep coming back for more. If you like quirky family stories, the whole series is a must-read.

I actually listened to this one. The reader, Sophie Aldred, does a decent job, but the first two books were narrated by Julia Sawalha- think Absolutely Fabulous or feather-headed Lydia in the BBC Pride and Prejudice. Sawalha did a fantastic job, and I was disappointed by the change. But whatchagonnado.

Blue Noon (The Midnighters, Book 3)

Book: Blue Noon (The Midnighters, Book 3)
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Audience: Teen
In a Nutshell: the blue time rips and lets the midnight monsters out- or the people in?

Jessica, Rex, Melissa, Dess, and Jonathan discover that a rip is forming in the blue time, forming a space outside of Bixby where non-midnighters can slip into the secret hour unawares. The blue time is also arriving at unpredictable extra times, and each time it does, the red-tinged rip grows. They begin to realize that something huge is about to happen, and at midnight on Halloween the blue time rip will tear open wide enough to bring together the darklings and unsuspecting humans in a massive carnage-fest. Rex also learns from Angie, the woman who kidnapped him for the Greyfoots, who turned him into a part-darkling, that the lore is not the only side to the story. Mindcasters of past generations may have been selective with the good, rosy memories they chose to pass on, leaving all the shady dealings out. Now it's up to our young heroes to mend the rip before all hell breaks loose, almost literally. Jessica also discovers what her true destiny is- if she can find the courage to do what she must to save the world.

I thought it was a solid ending to the trilogy, if that's what it is. Plenty of action, adventure, creepy monsters, destinies to fulfill, and disorienting but interesting grey (make that purple) areas to deal with. Not only is blue time bleeding into normal time, but the easy good v. evil of their fight has gotten mushier with the new-found truth that their Midnighter predecessors weren't as perfect as they thought, and some of their enemies may prove not all bad.

Oddly Normal

Book: Oddly Normal, Volume 1
Author/Illustrator: Otis Frampton
Audience: Grades 4-8
In a Nutshell: green-haired half-witch accidentally makes her parents disappear

Her first problem is her name: Oddly Normal. Her mother is a witch from the alternate world of Fignation, and her father is the most normal guy you could possibly imagine. Her green hair & pointy ears don't win her any friends at school, and she resents her blissfully unaware parents for raising her as a freak in the real world without realizing what an outcast she is. When her birthday wish is that her parents would just not be there, she is shocked the next morning to discover that they- and the house- are actually gone without a trace. Her aunt takes her to live in Fignation w/ the fictional, mythical and imaginary creatures. She meets some nice misfit friends, but most of the folks at her new school seem to have it out for her, starting with the English teacher. Turns out the story goes back to before she was born, to when her mother was young.

This graphic novel goes on my list of fun, clever all-ages comics that have enough humor and meat to them to appeal to teens as well as grade-schoolers. The highlight of that semi-theoretical list is Bone- that kind of graphic novel. This is the first of four parts, all available out there in Book-buying-and-borrowing Land.

Life As We Knew It

Book: Life As We Knew It
Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Audience: Teen
In a Nutshell: the moon gets closer and wreaks havoc

Sixteen-year-old Miranda is living the life of a normal high school girl until a meteor hits the moon and knocks it just a little bit closer. What with the moon controlling tides and all, giant tsunamis immediately destroy cities on any and all coasts around the world. Then the weather gets severely rainy, then severely hot, followed by severely cold and snowy: basically severe all around. And did I mention the dozens of instantly active volcanoes that blot out the sun with a constant grey layer of ash? There's also that. Miranda, her mother, younger brother Johnny, and older brother Matt must work harder and harder to survive as the power goes out, the well dries up, the food stores get lower and lower, and just when you think things couldn't get much worse, they do.

Good journal-style survival story with a twist: part surviving, part family drama as they all try to get along in increasingly close quarters and realize just how much they're willing to give up for each other.

I listened to this one on CD, and it was an okay reading by Emily Bauer. Too sweet-sounding for me; I read the first chapter on paper, and the voice doesn't match what I imagined at all. Still, an interesting addition to the survival story bookshelf.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Book: The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Author/Illustrator: Brian Selznick
Audience: Grades 4 to 7
In a Nutshell: a young timekeeper-turned-thief, a little mechanical man that draws little clues, and a not-really-dead film director in Paris

Hey, kids! Want to read a 525-page book in a couple hours? Want to read a book that seems a lot like watching a movie? Look no further!

Even before his drunken uncle disappears, assistant timekeeper Hugo Cabret does most of the work of keeping all 27 clocks in the Paris train station running smoothly. He lives and works behind the walls, only entering the station to steal food or small mechanical parts from a toy maker's stall. He is obsessed with fixing up a small automaton of a man that will write something when it's fixed; Hugo is sure the writing will be a message from his dead father (he has his reasons). Instead, it leads him to an early French silent film and its legendary creater, Georges Melies, who was supposed to be dead, but isn't.

Out of 525 pages, 284 are entirely taken up with original drawings by the author, plus there are photos, stills from silent movies, and reproductions of sketches by the real Georges Melies. I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this. The words and pictures blend seamlessly; the illustrations don't accompany text, they replace it in large chunks.

Cinematically presented story with mystery, action, and plenty of visuals: perfect format for telling a story about silent film.

Keturah and Lord Death

Book: Keturah and Lord Death
Author: Martine Leavitt
Audience: Teen
In a Nutshell: saving the village and finding true love by telling stories to Death

After trying to follow the elusive white stag, Keturah is lost in the forest outside her village for three days. Lord Death comes for her, but she is able to buy herself some time by telling him a story and withholding the ending until the next day. Now she has one day to find her true love and save her village from the coming plague, or Lord Death will take her the next night. He has an unearthly beauty and regal bearing, and she realizes that she's seen him before. Ever since she was a child, Keturah has been able to see Lord Death waiting near people about to die.

She manages to put him off two more times, but that is the limit of his patience. Keturah secures love and happiness for her friends, health for some who should have died, gets the lord to fix up the neglected village, and even attracts the love of the lord's son. When the time comes, however, she is shocked to discover the identity of the man she has always loved.

Leavitt offers a striking combination of classic fairy tale/ fantasy elements and high romance. Death's presence in life is effectively portrayed, both as something to be feared, and something that makes life sweeter and more precious in contrast. Really well-written, highly recommended for fans of high fantasy/romance or fairy tale retellings.

My biggest hang-up with the story is philosophical. Lord Death is portrayed as holding the ultimate power in the universe, and being the true source of good. After all, if there weren't death and destruction, would we ever truly see the beauty in life? Saying Death is the ultimate good because he provides counterpoint for life seems backwards; if there were no death, life would still exist and be good, but without life death does not exist. Maybe that's just my wordview. But it's a good story that makes for entertainment, good discussion and deep thinking, which is a good thing, right?

The Death Collector

Book: The Death Collector
Author: Justin Richards
Audience: Grades 5 to 9
In a Nutshell: The Victorian London X-Files

George Archer works a quiet job at the British Museum until a scrap of paper and a zombie plunge him into a world of murder, monsters, and a megalomaniacal industrialist (that's fun to say). George has recently been offered a transfer to the Museum's Department of Unclassified Documents, a sort of Victorian X-Files, and what's happening definitely falls under their jurisdiction. His friend, Albert Wilkes, shows up at home for tea and dog walking four days after his own death. The Museum receives a set of diaries from a famous scientist named Glick. They seem like a minor thing until George's friend in Archives is murdered when armed thugs break in and try to steal the diaries. George ends up with the burned remains of the final diary page, and now rich industrialist Lorimer will do anything to get it. The young pickpocket Eddie Hopkins and aspiring actress Elizabeth Oldfield also get tangled up in the hunt for the truth about Glick's research and what Lorimer has in store for the world. There's also George's recently-deceased friend, the giant monster Eddie sees in the darkened fog, a (not entirely) phony séance, and a warehouse full of exoskeletons meant for no good.

Creepy, quick-paced tale with horror, adventure, dinosaurs, zombies- what more is there?

Engaging reading of the audio book by Steven Pacey.

Piratica II: Return to Parrot Island

Book: Piratica II: Return to Parrot Island
Author: Tanith Lee
Audience: Teen
In a Nutshell: heartache, shipwreck, and a pirate Pharaoh

I just loved the first Piratica, so a sequel made me go, "Ooo, look!" in Barnes and Noble. And I wasn't disappointed.

Months after Art Blastside's release from the hangman's noose (see book 1), she has inadvertently started a craze. Piratomania has struck Lundon (alternate spelling intentional), and people of fashion are sporting patches, swords and parrots. Art Blastside and Felix Phoenix are now married, famous, and landlocked, but the last part's about to change. A war between Free England and the monarchy of France is looming close, and the British government enlists the help of Art and her crew as privateers to "worry" French ships on the ocean. Art and Co. also hope to return to Parrot Island and find the maps and treasure they had to abandon before their capture months before. Felix does not want Art to go and risk her life, but the sea is her life, there's no question in her mind that she's going, and so all is not rosy at home.

Meanwhile, the nefarious pirate Little Goldie Girl is also after Parrot Island's treasure, not to mention revenge on Art for besting her and scarring her mean, nasty, otherwise flawless face. Both women will have to look out for the legendary black ship of Mary Hell, the Scandanavian widow out to kill all pirates to avenge her murdered husband. The adventure ranges from England to Mad-Agash to a shipwreck to Egypt, where Ebad, Art's adopted dad, has quite the family obligation to fulfill.

Action, adventure, and colorful characters abound, along with a touch of the highs and lows of married love, and a menagerie of animals such as parrots, rhinos, elephants, and Muck, the Cleanest Dog in England. Plots and characters weave in and out rather intricately, and it all comes together nicely in the end. The slightly alternative world has fun altered spellings of familiar places, like Mad-Agash Scar, and slightly altered history, both of which are fun to spot if you know the originals, but aren't necessary to know to enjoy the story.

Surrender

Book: Surrender
Author: Sonja Harnett
Audience: Teen to Adult
In a Nutshell: a good boy, a bad boy, a dog, and lots of arson

As 20-year-old Gabriel lays dying, he thinks back over his short life in the small Australian town of Mulyan: his emotionally distant/abusive parents, a horrible childhood mistake involving his severely retarded older brother, Vernon, and the wild boy Finnigan with whom he made a childhood pact. Pale, quiet Gabriel (real name Anwell) would become the good one, the angel, and Finnigan would be bad. Really bad. Throughout their childhood, Gabriel quietly allows teasing, unkindness, etc. to happen to him, but Finnigan always makes the transgressors pay later, usually by burning something important. As a series of fires, and worse, terrorize Mulyan, Gabriel knows he must take drastic action to stop Finnigan, even at the cost of his own life.

This is a beautifully written, delicate psychological thriller, if that description is possible. It does border on confusing sometimes- or most of the time, depending on how carefully you're following the jumps back and forth through the timeline. Finnigan is so wild and immoral he started really bothering me- I couldn't find much to like, even in a "love to hate 'em" kind of a way. But maybe that's just me, or maybe that was the point.
The end leaves many, many unanswered questions about what really happened- like does Finnigan really exist? Is the dog dead or alive? What's going on?? Unanswered-ness is not necessarily a bad thing, but expect to think with this one.

P.S.: Surrender is the dog's name.
P.P.S.: This book was a 2006 Printz Award finalist (in case you keep track of these things)

What Happened to Cass McBride?

Book: What Happened to Cass McBride?
Author: Gail Giles
Audience: Teen
In a Nutshell: write a catty note, get buried alive

After his troubled younger brother David commits suicide, Kyle Kirby takes revenge on popular, ambitious A-lister Cass McBride. He blames David's death on Cass's note, meant for her best friend's eyes, lamenting how that loser David Kirby had dared to ask her out. Kyle drugs Cass, kidnaps her, and buries her alive, with only a tube for air (or dirt) and a walkie talkie. Cass has always been good at reading people to get ahead, and now saying the right things to Kyle, asking the right questions, figuring out what he wants from her, why she's not already dead, is the only way she'll survive. Told in alternating chapters between Kyle, Cass, and the police detective Ben, the story unfolds of the Kirbys and their messed-up mother, the McBrides and Cass's driven, loveless father, what really drove David to hang himself from a tree in his front yard, and what finally does happen to Cass McBride.

This here's an intense, page-turning thriller with well-done characters. In spite of the fact that burying someone alive is never a good way to win friends and influence people, no one comes out seeming totally bad or good, not even Kyle. Read with caution if you are at all claustrophobic.

Grease Monkey

Book: Grease Monkey: A Tale of Growing Up in Orbit
Author: Tim Eldred
Audience: Grades 4 to 8
In a Nutshell: young mechanic works on a space station for a big ape

Robin Plotnik, a new junior spacecraft mechanic aboard the Fist of Earth, is assigned to work with Mac Gimbensky, a gorilla with accelerated evolution and a nasty temper. After the alien hordes attacked Earth and killed 60% of the human population, the Galactic Alliance scientists accelerated the physical development and intelligence of gorillas in order to give Earth a fighting chance of recovering in time to fend off any repeat attacks. Mac isn't really going to eat his assistant; he just has an artistic temperament and approach to his job, and he and Robin get along great. Their squadron is the top-ranked, all-female Barbarians. Robin quickly learns how things work on the ship, meets a girl (Kara, who works in the library), and teases Mac about his undying love for the ship's beautiful (to him) commanding ape, Admiral Stettler.

A funny, most-ages-appropriate comic; many short episodes are collected here. Judging from the haircuts it was started in the 1980's, but aside from that fashion detail it's good ageless fun.

The Higher Power of Lucky

Book: The Higher Power of Lucky
Author: Susan Patron
Audience: Grades 4-6
In a Nutshell: girl lives in a trailer in the California desert w/ her French guardian and dog, pondering bugs and the meaning of life

I'm way behind on my posts, so I'll make this short. This book won the Newbery Award for 2006, and that's why I read it. I honestly never would've given it a second look otherwise- just not my style. Set in a tiny, dusty California town, nice gentle cover illustration...nah. But I like to give the Newbery its dues, so I read it. It's well-written, certainly, and I did like it. But it's not an easy sell to most readers- unless you're sold on gentle, slightly quirky, and heartfelt. Which I guess some people are, and more power to you. I almost suspect that the librarian in California who started all the bruhaha about the scandalous use of the word 'scrotum' on page one was a plant by the publisher and/or Newbery Committee to generate press. Almost, but not quite.

PS: It was only a dog.
PPS: It was only a scrotum.

New Moon

Book: New Moon
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Audience: Teen and Adult
In a Nutshell: human-vampire-werewolf love triangle (or maybe just a love 'V')

In this sequel to the runaway hit, Twilight, Edward the love-lorn vampire is in and out of the picture after he and the rest of the undead Cullen family suddenly leave Forks, Washington, and Bella- for her own good, of course. The focus shifts to Jacob Black, Bella's reliable friend, who is disturbed by the weird changes running through the other guys in his tribe. Super-puberty hits some, and suddenly they get bigger, stronger, and run with a very tight crowd. The Big Change comes next to Jacob, and what a change it is. That's right, he's a werewolf. The only (un?)natural enemy of the vampire. And of course, he's in love with Bella, who's in love with Edward but Jacob's nice too, and Edward may be off in Italy finding himself and moping, but he's still got it bad for Bella. Add some Italian vampire mafia called the Volturi and you've got a globe-hopping supernatural soap opera.

Like the first book, this one is compulsively readable. My old roommate read Twilight three times in a row, I think (you know who you are, Katie Lind). And there are at least two more sequels in the works, so the lit crack fix goes on.

Fairest

Book: Fairest
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Audience: grades 5 to 8
In a Nutshell: Snow White retold with an ugly but beautiful heroine

Aza was left as a baby on the doorstep of a kindly innkeeper and his wife, who have raised her as one of their own. She knows two things about herself: she has a beautiful singing voice, and she is the ugliest person she knows. In the kingdom of Ayortha, singing is an integral form of expression in every part of life. Aza has another talent: she can throw her voice and imitate anyone, a unique skill she names 'illusing'.

The king's beautiful, foreign new wife, Ivi, is not a good singer, and she knows it. So she takes Aza on as her lady-in-waiting and threatens dire consequences if Aza does not sing for her at the many public functions where it's expected. Life in the castle surrounded by beauty and elegance is humiliating for self-concious Aza, but she quickly becomes friends with Prince Ijori, the king's nephew, then more than friends. When King Oscaro is seriously injured in an accident, Ivi takes power and, led by a mysterious 'advisor' (in her magic mirror), she quickly brings Ayortha to the brink of revolt against her. Aza is forced to flee, and during her exile she learns some very surprising truths about herself.

This is an enthralling, charming Snow White retelling set in the Ella Enchanted world. The songs woven throughout and spelling styles for different countries and creatures build the world and the atmosphere nicely. Aza's self-loathing and struggle with concepts of beauty ring true, and the ending is very satisfying without falling into the syrup. Highly recommended for fairy tale fans.

Gregor and the Marks of Secret

Book: Gregor and the Marks of Secret (Book 4 of the Underland Chronicles)

Author: Suzanne Collins

Audience: Grades 5 to 8

In a Nutshell: underground adventure and giant genocidal rats

In this Gregor teams up with Luxa, their bats Ares and Aurora, Luxa's cousin Howard, young Hazard fresh from life in the jungle, Temp the cockroach, and of course his little sister, Boots. Luxa's friends the Nibblers (mice) sent her a distress message, then disappeared. The Gnawers are probably responsible, with the huge, white-furred Bane leading them in genocide. When a tunnel collapses, the group is forced on a long route deep under the Underworld, where impossible air currents, volcanoes and more await them. The atrocities of the rats leads Luxa to make a Vow to the Dead, essentially declaring war on the rats.

The series contines strong in this penultimate book (I just love using that word). There's a big fat lead-in to the forthcoming final book. In other developments, Gregor is just now starting to see Luxa as a girl, and complications ensue. Gregor is also troubled about hating the idea of war, yet liking his violent rager moments more as he learns to control them. If I made a list of the top five adventure series for tweens, Gregor's books would be on it. Just one left, Gregor and the Code of Claw, due out in May 2007.

Toys Go Out

Book: Toys Go Out
Author: Emily Jenkins
Illustrator: Paul O. Zelinsky
Audience: Preschool to 2nd grade
In a Nutshell: the secret lives of toys

A know-it-all StingRay, Lumphy the buffalo, and Plastic have adventures with Show-and-Tell, a picnic, the beach, the Little Girl's high bed, TukTuk the towel, Frank the washing machine, and discovering their true natures: what exactly is a Plastic, and is StingRay a Sinker or a Floater? And will Little Girl still love them whatever they are?

Quaint, cozy story. The toys each have very distinct personalities, and even side characters like the One-Eared Sheep are memorable. Great read-aloud for 4-to-6-year-olds.

Murkmere

Book: Murkmere
Author: Patricia Elliott
Audience: Teen
In a Nutshell: eerie manor, bird worship, and a girl with a swanskin

Aggie is just starting her new job as lady's companion to the ward of Murkmere Manor. Her mother worked there years ago, but no one in the village likes to go near the creepy old mansion any more than they have to. The Master is confined to a wheelchair, and like its master, the house and lands seem to be deteriorating.

Leah was an orphan found at the gates who has been taken in by the Master since he has no children to inherit. She is haughty and willful, but she does love the Master and wants the best for the estate, starting with getting rid of the smooth but sinister steward, Silas Seed, as soon as she's in control. Many of the staff and people in the village think there is something unnatural about her; she's always running off into the dangerous mere and watching the swans. The society worships birds as sacred beings, both good and evil, and her obsession with them frightens average, honest people.

Leah and Aggie are walking in the mere one afternoon when they discover a hidden swanskin, which Leah is drawn to but Aggie fears and seeks to destroy. They gradually discover its true nature and Leah's hidden history, and how it all relates to the dreaded avia people who, according to official Ministration truth, were made half-bird by the Great Eagle as a punishment- or was it a reward?

Haunting, atmospheric, well-written story. Magic seems to infuse the story with its bird-based worldview and the misty, eerie, gothic setting, but only a hint of actual magic appears, and even that is implied.

A companion book called Ambergate tells the story of Scuff, the orphan kitchen girl in Murkmere.