The Inquisitor's Apprentice

The Inquisitor's Apprentice by Chris Moriarity



A story set in an alternate history, full of Jewish culture and magic. I really didn't expect to like this book before I started to read it. There was nothing in the premise that I really connected with. And yet... Once I started, I couldn't stop. Sacha Kessler discovers he can see magic. Because of his gift, he is apprenticed to the New York Police's best Inquisitor, Maximillian Wolf. Wolf's job is to stop magical crime in a place and time where magic and ethnic groups and the industrial revolution have mixed to create a very vibrant and detailed New York at the start of the twentieth century. Sacha, Wolf, and fellow apprentice Lily Astral are tasked with protecting Thomas Edison, who invented a machine that will detect magic in people. Sacha is a great character, human and believable, and I think that's why I was drawn into this story. I do hope the author will make this into a series and give us more stories of Sacha and his friends. Besides writing, Chris Moriarity is a book reviewer for the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Review based on a publisher supplied electronic copy.

Until next time, bon voyage and happy reading!

Amulet

Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi (books 1 through 4)

I'm glad I waited to read these until I had several. They are very quick reads. My students seems to have no trouble checking them out and reading them out of order, but it would drive me crazy. In this series of graphic novels a girl discovers an amulet in the attic of her grandfather's house, and discovers that this amulet has power, as well as a mind of it's own. She and her family are transported to an alternate universe where they meet robots, people who have changed into animals, bad elves, and other oddities. It's up to her to save this world, and maybe change our own world as well. The pictures are very engaging and the story moves at a steady pace. Each book is a quick read with little text, just enough to move the story along. Still, the story draws you in and keeps you asking for more. When is the next book coming out?????? Review based on library copies.

Until next time, bon voyage and happy reading!

Wonderstruck

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

I know I'm a little late to the party on this one, but this book really hit a cord with me (maybe in a large part due to the fact that my son is deaf). It's the story of a boy, Ben, and a girl, Rose. They are separated by 50 years, but their stories intersect. Ben's mother dies, he is struck by lightening, and he runs away to find the father he never knew. Ben's story is told in text, and Rose's completely in picture. It's a lovely story and I had trouble putting it down. I often have students asking if this is the sequel to The Invention of Hugo Cabret, especially with the popularity of the Hugo movie, but this story stands on it's own. Highly recommended. Review based on a library copy.

Until next time, bon voyage, and happy reading!

Surprise Island

Surprise Island by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Mike Dubisch

Did YOU know there were graphic novel versions of the Boxcar Children series?  Neither did I! Surprise Island is the second in this venerable series and this version details a summer the Alden children spend on a private island, finding a couple of mysteries to solve. Unfortunately, it seems to me that a lot of detail is missing from this version of the story, but that's probably because I remember reading the books. Unlike most other graphic novels, this book features nice children solving mysteries. The pictures make a good fit for the story. I enjoyed the story, even though I missed some of the details of the book.  This series of graphic novels will hopefully bring new life to this wonderful series by making it accessible for a whole new set of readers. Review based on a publisher supplied electronic copy.


Until next time, bon voyage and happy reading!

RIP Mama Bear

Jan Berenstain passed away Friday, February 24th.  Here's an NPR interview with her son.

Sad news.

The Bridge to Never Land

The Bridge to Never Land by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

Now, what would happen if the events in the wonderful Barry/Pearson Peter and the Starcatchers books where real?  And, what if these real events were accidentally found by a brother and sister from the US today?  That’s what the novel The Bridge to Never Land explores with the usual action and adventure this series has given us in the past.  Umbra is back, and chasing after our two protagonists who have discovered a large amount of starstuff.  It’s up to them to keep the starstuff from Umbra, and along the way they visit DisneyWorld and make their way to Never Land.  I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to all fans of the Peter and the Starcatchers series.  The book can even be read and enjoyed if you haven’t read the series.  A great book. This review is based on a publisher supplied electronic copy.


Until next time, happy reading, and bon voyage!

What book world would you go into?

I've read several books about entering into the world described in a book lately. This got me thinking, what book would I want to enter, if I could. There are so many interesting worlds out there.  For me, the top of my list would be Narnia.  What book or series would you like to go into?  Post your answer in the comments below.

Escape from Planet Yastol

Escape from Planet Yastol by Pamela Service

This book tells the story of Josh Higgins, a geeky boy who discovers that the book he wrote for a writing contest, along with all other works of fiction, are actually real.  Some flat blue aliens come looking for him so that they can take a valuable mineral from the Yastol, the planet in Josh’s book.  Josh and his younger sister Maggie are dragged by the blue guys to Yastol and they must escape and somehow make it back home. There are simple illustrations throughout this book, which was a quick and easy read. According to the Number 1 on the cover, it appears the author is planning more books in this series. This review is based on a publisher supplied electronic copy.


Until next time, happy reading, and bon voyage!

The Great Moon Hoax

The Great Moon Hoax by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Josee Bisaillon (Illustrator)

This unusual picture book shows a few days in the life of two newsies, boys that hocked newspapers by calling out interesting news. These boys are fascinated by stories of alien life on the moon.  The art style is interesting in this book, but the story is not one that would connect with most students.  Although my students might not choose to read this book on their own, when I shared it with them we had a very engaging discussion about truth in media, including the Internet, and whether the events of this book could happen today.  This is a book I intend to add to my library collection and use for instruction. This review is based on a publisher supplied electronic copy.


Until next time, happy reading, and bon voyage!

What to Expect When You’re Expecting Larvae

What to Expect When You’re Expecting Larvae by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Stephane Jorisch

What a great concept for a non fiction picture book!  Although only adults will get the connection to to more famous What to Expect books, the idea of telling about insect babies from the point of view of insect parents works very well.  The illustrations are cute and perfect for younger children.  Some of the information about insects is a bit gross, but that might just draw some students into this non-fiction picture book.  The facts are given in a tongue in cheek, yet informative manner and this quick read was a lot of fun. I recommend this book for all lovers of insects. This review is based on a publisher supplied electronic copy.


Until next time, happy reading, and bon voyage!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

After a few years of trying (unsuccessfully) to find the time to record, edit, and post podcast episodes, I've decided to change Book Voyages into a traditional blog.  I'll continue to review books, but will be working on this blog to convert it from podcast back to regular blog.  Thanks for hanging in there during this transition.

Until next time, bon voyage, and happy reading!

BookVoyages #22

In Episode 22 I announce a new book give away, I comment on an NPR article about newspapers cutting book reviewers, I discuss the Harry Potter phenomena, and I review The Ultimate Unauthorized Eragon Guide by Lois Gresh, M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman, Tales from Grimm and More Tales from Grimm by Wanda Gag.

BookVoyages #21

In episode 21, I interview children's author and audio book producer Bruce Coville.

BookVoyages #20

Episode 20, recorded in March of 2006, features the Book Launch for the Young Adult novel The Geography of Girlhood by Kirsten Smith.

BookVoyages #19

Episode Nineteen features the drawing for a copy of Julie of the Wolves as well as reviews of White is for Blueberry by George Shannon and Heartbeat by Sharon Creech.