Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors

Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors by Jenny Nimmo, 2005

This book continues the story of Charlie Bone and his friends who attend Bloor's Academy. It is a new school year and poor Billy Raven continues to suffer at the hands of the Bloors who have him adopted by a couple who despise children. We learn more about Billy's background and Charlie thinks he is close to solving the mystery of his father's disappearance. A new student at school, Joshua Tilpin has magnetic powers and seems destined to fill Billy's former shoes as spy and student villain. One of Charlie's friends discovers her own magic endowment and helps thwart the bad guys.

Cook, Uncle Paton, the Pets' Cafe, and the dog Runner Bean make brief appearances as do the bad guys, Manfred Bloor and the Yewbeam sisters.

The book was entertaining but not as satisfying as the previous books. The promising leads to Charlie's father's where-abouts are dashed and the story line is not advanced. The red herring Nimmo inserts was disappointing as it would have been a richer story if it had lead to something.

If you are a fan of the series, as I am, you will enjoy the story but it felt more like one of those "extra scenes" that you can view on DVDs--interesting and fun but does not add to the story overall.

London

It needs but one foe to breed a war, not two, Master Warden, answered Eowyn. 'And those who have not swords can still die upon them.
-Chapter 5, Return of the King J.R.R. Tolkien

"Sleep! I feel the need of it. Yet my axe is restless in my hand. Give me a row of orc-necks and room to swing and all weariness will fall from me!"
-Gimli, Son of Gloin, Chapter 7, The Two Towers, J.R.R. Tolkien

Author: Mo Willems

More good listening on the Internet.

Leonard Lopate interviews Mo Willems on WNYC.

Willems talks about his work on Sesame Street and his books: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog, and Knuffle Bunny.

Willems on writing for children:

• Can't use irony.

• Take the kid seriously.

• Want to make sure that the adult gets a few laughs as well.

• Tries to actually put as little in them as possible so that the kid will bring their own sensibility to it

• About Knuffle Bunny: "Everything in that book is true except for the parts I made up."

Mo Willems website

Author: Cornelia Funke

There is a wonderful interview with author Cornelia Funke on The Connection which originally aired June 27, 2005. Funke is articulate and passionate about her storytelling. The interview is about 45 minutes and a must listen if you are a fan.

Host Dick Gordon is an enthusiastic interviewer though sadly it is apparent that the only Funke book that he has read is Dragon Rider. Call-ins from listeners provoke some very interesting discussions about the role of fairy tales and fantasy in childhood. I am continually amused by grown ups' obsession with "darkness" in children's books as if it is something new.

There is lots of insight into her writing. When asked where her characters come from she said:

The funny thing is, the more I am a writer the more I don't know where I get my ideas from and the characters really "come up." Sometimes I have the feeling I get into my writing room and they are already sitting on the desk and I have no idea where they came from.

Cool things I learned:

• Her publishers told her that German works would not sell in England or the USA so she paid her cousin to translate her books into English and they sold. Her cousin did Thief Lord but Anthea Bell translates her books now. Funke praises Bell's intuitive feel for the rythym and wit of the stories.
  
• Brendan Fraser did the Inkspell audio recording. I knew Funke was a fan of his Dragon Rider reading. I have read that she wants him for the role of Mo in the movie version of Inkheart.
  
• Grownups cannot believe that Dustfinger is most kids' favorite character in Inkheart.
  
• Funke warns readers that the scary bits get worse in Inkspell which will be published in Sept. 2005.
  

Author: Mary Hoffman

Mary Hoffman's 'Grace' books never fail to enthrall young readers. Grace is perfectly named and is a young character full of strength and courage. The "chapter books" are a happy addition for readers who want to read MORE about this amazing spirit.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a very interesting interview with British author Mary Hoffman. The good news, there will be a new Grace book.

... Hoffman hasn't finished telling Grace's story and is just starting to write another picture book about her. It is titled "Princess Grace" and is scheduled to be published in 2007.

Horowitz on Dahl

Anthony Horowitz, author of the Alex Rider books, has an interesting take on Roald Dahl in the Telegraph.

Dahl was perhaps the first author to take the children's side and to collude with them against the smelly, ugly, stupid creatures that inhabit the adult world. Subversive is the adjective most often used to describe him, but in the end his own name provided a better one. "Dahlish" has come to stand for a cheerful malevolence, a sort of conniving wickedness that leaps unmistakeably off the page. Take the description of Charlie's grandparents - "as shrivelled as prunes and as bony as skeletons" - and ask yourself who else could get away with that sort of writing … and could they get away with it now?

He reviews the mirade of children's books that are under development for the big screen now, including his own Stormbreaker, and has a useful insight:

Children's literature, like no other, exists in the heads of those who read it. Young people have such elaborate, vivid imaginations that celluloid can all too easily fall short of their expectations. Look at the hash that the BBC made of the Narnia chronicles (a Disney version later this year may do better) and the many classics - Alice, Peter Pan, The Grinch, Huckleberry Finn - that have never been filmed with complete success. Indeed, it's surely no surprise that the most successful children's films, from ET through to Toy Story, have been original pieces of work with no literary source.

Movie: Lassie Come-Home

From Time Magazine:

Peter O'Toole will star in the remake of Eric Knight's book Lassie Come-Home.

[Director Charles] Sturridge wrote the part of Lassie's duke to give O'Toole a chance to let loose again. "I wanted a character who was both exciting to children and at the same time dangerous," says Sturridge. "I had Peter in mind, and it has been great to see him use his anarchic energy again." O'Toole appreciates the opportunity but understands that "the film isn't about me, it's about the dog. Admittedly, the dog isn't all that good an actor, but with the right cuts and perhaps a lamb chop, we'll get the job done." •

I love the Rosemary Wells illustrated version of this classic story.

Happy 4th of July

We are listening to McCullough's 1776. McCullough reads his book with his distinctive voicing. Splendid!

Petrified Truth has some great links for the 4th.

One of my favorites is from the National Archives where you can join the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

New Children's Dictionary

What a cool new dictionary!
From BBCNews:

The Oxford Primary Dictionary features hundreds of citations from children's authors including JK Rowling, Philip Pullman and Roald Dahl...

...A citation for the word innumerable cites Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets with the sentence "Innumerable candles were hovering in mid-air, over four long crowded table".

As well using citations from modern books, classic novels have also been drawn on, including CS Lewis and Enid Blyton.

Umm...who ever put the story into the news database needs to tidy up the grammar. I know a new grad journalist who will take the job!

Something to do while we're waiting...

Kelly at Big A Little a has an excellent post, "Waiting for Harry." The NYTimes article made me smile.

THE last time a new Harry Potter book was published, strict rules of conduct were established in my household.

With a single copy to share, my two oldest daughters devised a plan to read it simultaneously. Each girl got the book for a five-hour period, after which she had to mark her place and relinquish it - without pinching or hair pulling - to her sister. For three days reading proceeded around the clock, at intervals enforced by stopwatch.

There is a protocol for reading HP in our house too. The youngest entling gets it first then it passes to daughter no. 2. They usually finish the book fairly quickly. Friends of ours have 3 daughters who have each ordered their own copy because they cannot wait to get their hands on it.

It is usually available for me to read within 36 hours. In the past I have waited to read it until I can devote blocks of uninterrupted time to the project. We will have to see this time.

We will be picking our copy up at midnight at our local independent bookstore, Katy Budget Books. It has been our tradition to go at midnight. I enjoy the atmosphere and being with friends and enthusiasts. I have touching memories of my youngest almost hyperventilating because she was so excited as she clutched Prisoner of Azkaban on the drive home.

I will be convening a meeting of the readerhood of our neighborhood to talk about the book once everyone has had a chance to finish it.