A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Genre: Middle grade, fantasy/sci-fi, Newbery Medal

Published: 1962

Audiobook

My review: 2/5 stars

My husband had been telling me for years that this was a book he had read growing up that he loved. I picked it as one to read for the Shelf Discovery Challenge because it seemed like I was one of the few who hadn't read it yet. Well, I can now say that I've read it and I can check another Newbery Medal winner off my list but I can't say that I liked it. It just seemed a little silly to me. Meg, the main character, was a little too whiny but maybe that was just the way it sounded since I listened to the audiobook. However, Madeleine L'Engle, herself, was the reader so it seems like she would portray her the way she intended.

Since I have the book Shelf Discovery, I decided to see what Lizzie Skurnick had to say about it. She seems to really like it. She identifies with Meg and likes her "bullheadedness". She says that she's read it 18 times. Hmmm. Probably an exaggeration but I don't think you'll catch me reading it twice. I think it probably depends on what age you are when you read this for the first time. What are your thoughts?

Rating: 1.1.1 Nothing offensive to me.

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale and Nathan Hale

Category: Middle grade, Graphic Novel, fantasy

Published: 2008, 144 pgs.

Review: 3/5 stars

This is not your mother's Rapunzel story, it's Rapunzel with a wild west flavor. I thought this was a cute book but I didn't love it. I'm not sure the graphic novel is for me. I found myself annoyed when I had to infer the intended meaning by looking at the pictures. I know. That's the whole point of a graphic novel--the pictures are supposed to tell the story and the words are just there to assist in the telling. I personally prefer words that paint the picture in my head.

I don't know if I'll read very many more graphic novels. But before I completely write off this genre, are there some out there that I shouldn't miss out on?

Rating: 1.1.1 I can't remember anything offensive

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Category: YA or middle reader, Newbery Medal, Fantasy

Published: 2008, 307 pgs.

Review: 4/5 stars

The 2008 Newbery Medal winner, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is not quite what I expected. I'm not sure what I did expect but it wasn't what I got. I was surprised by the first chapter and the descriptions of the murders that take place. It seemed a little too much violence for a middle grader reader but once we got past that first chapter I felt much more comfortable with it. The book tells the story of Nobody Owens and how he is raised in the cemetery by ghosts and other frightful creatures. It's a fun story but is creepy at times. It's original and I can definitely see it in the form of a Tim Burton film some day.

Rating: 1.3.1 Like I said, I thought some of the violence was a little much for a kids' book. I would preview it before I let just any child read it.

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

Rating: 1.1.1
Category: Middle reader, Newbery Medal 2002
Published: 2001
Audiobook

Review: 4.5/5

I read this book months ago but have gotten very behind in my reviews. I really enjoyed it though so I want to finally get my thoughts down. The story is set in 12th century Korea. Tree Ear is a 10 year old orphan who is fascinated with the pottery made by several potters in his village. Orphans are not treated well since family and lineage is so important in the Korean culture but Tree Ear manages to become an apprentice to a potter who has no son. The story goes on from there and includes very interesting descriptions of how the pottery is made but the most compelling part of the book is the relationships between the characters. I really enjoyed this book. I lived in South Korea as a missionary for about 16 months so it was especially interesting to me but I recommend it to all. It's not a long book and I actually listened to the whole thing as I was doing one of my training runs for a marathon last year. I finished the book as I was running my last mile. I don't know if it was fatigue or the book but I was running down the road with tears streaming down my cheeks.