Dael and the Painted People

Dael and the Painted People

Allan Richard Shickman

Earthshaker Books, 2011

ARC: 155 pp.







"...but who knew what was happening inside of him, or how fragile was the equilibrium of his soul?"  p.63
3.5/5


This third installment of the Zan-Gah series will continue to engage its legion of fans as it continues the story of troubled twins in prehistoric times. Seeking peace among the painted people, Dael tries to shake the haunting images and violent tendencies of his past. Accompanying Dael on his journey, shy Sparrow grows confident as she finds her voice in the clicking language of their chosen people and Dael is able to make friends of men and crows alike. As Dael and Sparrow grow closer in the embrace of their new tribe, a new enemy emerges out of jealousy, threatening the calm they worked so hard to attain.

Though conflict and hate are still present, the intensity of such isn't quite so overwhelming as in the first two volumes of this series. Focusing mainly on Dael, this book is more about the healing process and how to work past the stumbling blocks set in the path to inner peace and happiness. Allan Richard Shickman manages to write about the universal themes of friendship, family and love without becoming sentimental or mushy (definitely a plus when trying to induce a readership of young adult males!). 

I think the cover of this book is brilliant! First and foremost it is visually arresting, perfect to capture attention. Secondly, it depicts a relationship of garnered trust that you immediately want to learn more about and last but not least, the dripping hand posses an instant question in the reader's mind. Not sure if there is an award out there for exceptional book covers but this one would definitely get my vote! My only quip in reading Dael and the Painted People was that descriptive passages detailing the physical appearance of the shaman seemed a bit long winded, otherwise Shunar was the perfect antagonist.

Zan-Gah and other characters from Dael's past are reconciled in what feels like a natural and  conclusive ending. I hope though, that the imagination of Allan Richard Shickman will continue on in new characters and book series as equally as entertaining as this trio turned out to be.

Evidence of Autumn

Summer was slow to give way to Autumn this year, day time temperatures hit as high as 28 earlier this week but change is in the air. Cooler nights and shorter days; sweaters come out of storage as Autumn's colours begin to show in the trees. A little late but here too at A Season to Read, fall has arrived with change — hope you like the new background, I chose it to reflect the season and a planned shift toward darker reads!

On a personal note, I've been away from the computer for the best part of September and unable to visit my favourite book blogs while my father was in the hospital. Dad's home now and recovering so I'm hoping to catch up and get back on track with reviews over the next few weeks. As my daughter's current bookmark states, it's time to fall into reading.

The Making of Harry Cossaboom

The Making of Harry Cossaboom

Jerrod Edson

Saint John: DreamCatcher Publishing, 2000

133 pp.





"But it would be nice to be looked at every once in awhile, instead of always being on the outside looking in." p.24
3.5/5


If I had read this book in 2000 when it was first published, I probably would have said something to the tune of ... a promising first novel, I look forward to reading more from this bright young author! Eleven years after the fact and now with six titles under his belt, I guess it's a little late for making statements like that about Jerrod Edson. 'The Making of Harry Cossaboom' caught my eye when our local library was spotlighting Canadian books for the month of July. I love the cover illustration, a painting titled "Roofs of Saint John" by Chris Lloyd, there was something about it reminiscent of days spent with a box of Crayola crayons. Thank goodness for warm memories of colouring in my youth, without them, I wonder if I would have been so drawn to this book?


The Making of Harry Cossaboom is about an average man, a bus driver who has an attainable dream of someday owning his own bus line, of having people remember his name. Almost out of the blue, love comes to Harry and for a brief moment life is very sweet. But just as quickly, the fickled finger of fate pokes in to point Harry down a dramatically different path to fame. This path is paved with personal demons that will bring Harry to the edge until one man intervenes with a plan, a plan to make Harry Cossaboom famous.

Dark humour that reads very much like a short story, I spent just a quick couple of days with this book. At only 133 pages, I'm sure there are readers out there who could finish it in one sitting which would make it an excellent choice for a read-a-thon. Not sure about the length of his other novels but with how much I enjoyed my first time with Jerrod Edson, I'm thinking we're destined to spend more time together soon!


* Curious about Jerrod Edson and his work? Click here to visit his blog and learn more.*


7/13 for The 5th Canadian Book Challenge.

Last Days in Africville

 Last Days in Africville

Dorthy Perkyns

Vancouver: Beach Holme Publishing,
2003 "A Sandcastle Book."

110 pp.





4/5

Here, between the two rail lines, lay the main part of Africville referred to by the residents as “up the road.” Small houses, all different from one another, were scattered over the rough hillside, their colourful walls and roofs bright in the sunshine. Whenever Selina jumped from the track at this point, she was swept along by the comforting feeling of coming home to a place where she was loved and understood, for she had known everyone in every house all her life. Page 10

Once situated on the northern end of the Halifax peninsula, directly south of the Bedford Basin, Africville suffered the social injustice of being razed in the name of urban renewal during the mid '60's. Another together read for 'C' and I, Last Days in Africville is about more than a lost neighbourhood and a broken community spirit. This book is also a celebration of what was good and right, of pride and faith in the face of prejudice and frustration. By focusing on 12-y.o. Selina and her family, the author takes us to the heart of this small Black community, of what it meant to belong to and be loved by an entire neighbourhood before its wrongful destruction.

The problem with reading historical fiction more often than not, is knowing the eventual outcome. I wish I could say that this book ended in hope, that the future ahead for Selina and the other residents of Africville looks bright and prosperous. For though their standard of living improves with such things as indoor plumbing and electricity (amenities denied to most of the residents in former Africville) goodbyes were overwhelmingly difficult and heartbreaking for this tight-knit family. No, not hope. More to its credit, the ending mood of this novel is instead one of determination and courage. Determination to move on despite the overwhelming loss, courage to face the challenges ahead while remembering Africville and carrying its spirit forever in their hearts.



6/13 for the 5th Canadian Book Challenge .

The Legends of Lake on the Mountain

The Legends of Lake on the Mountain
An Early Adventure of John A. MacDonald

Roderick Benns

Whitby, ON: Fireside Publishing, 2011

217 pages



"Maybe doing the right thing has its own truth." p. 201
3.9/5

From the back cover:

When a grizzled man shoves a decades-old treasure map into thirteen-year-old John A. Macdonald’s hands, the young boy is certain this will be the best summer ever. But that was before a humpback lake serpent is seen at twilight by the people of Stone Mills in the mysterious Lake on the Mountain. As people flee in panic, John knows his family might be next unless he can figure out what dwells in the lake in time. Does he have what it takes to confront something he can’t see clearly - or will the serpent in the darkness win?

In Book Two of the Leaders & Legacies series, we are introduced to a young John A. MacDonald. Long before he became Canada's first Prime Minister, John lived and worked with his family in Prince Edward County, Ontario. Mixing historical fact and fiction, author Roderick Benns uses this setting and local legend as the basis for John's mystery/adventure in the summer of 1828.

A together read for my daughter 'C' and I, I liked this book only slightly less than the first in the series, The Mystery of the Moonlight Murder. Though there is the added bonus of humour (mostly supplied in part by John's adversary, Owen Boggart), keeping track of who's who among the abundance of characters became a bit of a chore at times. I must mention here though, that this was my problem alone, 'C' had no problem keeping the characters straight from chapter to chapter, one night to the next.

Benns descriptions of the area during the time period are vivid and easy to picture. Unfamiliar to me, I found myself looking up info on present day Lake on the Mountain and the local legend that helps inspire the mystery; Prince Edward County sounds like a cool place to visit! It's always a bonus when a book leads you to want to learn more; in the case of Legends of Lake on the Mountain that should hold true for both adults and children alike. My daughter and I both look forward to reading more in this series!


5/13 for the 5th Canadian Book Challenge. 

Saturday Snapshot 8/6/11

Please join me most Saturdays as I try to capture and post in pictures, what enjoying life is like in my little corner of the world — a little bit about me beyond my love of books.

 (click pics to enlarge)

 Spongebob's Paradise Playground!

 In the Distance

These photos were both snapped by my husband, just a couple of the wonders we've witnessed while out in our little fishing boat. You really need to click on the second picture to appreciate that "in the distance" is a better vantage point than up close when you're in a little boat! 

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce @ At Home With Books. To participate, post a photo that has been taken by you (or a friend or family member). Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

The Green Library

The Green Library

Janice Kulyk Keefer

Toronto: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, 2009

272 pages




"Blood ties, family ties. You're born with family like a chain around your neck: metal rings, each one kissing, biting into the next. And even if you break a link, the chain doesn't dissolve. It just sinks under your skin, you wear it without knowing." page 41
4/5


From 1941 Kiev to 1993 Toronto, The Green Library spans years and encompasses what was lost and what remains of generations. When a mysterious old photograph resembling her son is slipped through her mail slot, Eva's world shifts in ways she couldn't have imagined. In her quest for answers, Eva is shocked to learn of her Ukrainian heritage and the secrets her mother has harboured. Traveling to Kiev, Eva stirs old memories of long ago desire when she seeks out a boy from her youth and reconciles past and present.

I really enjoyed the way this story unfolds, alternating between different time periods and countries. It's a bit of a mystery at first, trying to figure out who the narrator actually is but I had faith that all would be revealed in due time. There were a few twists that I wasn't expecting as the truth is brought to light. Though a couple light bulb moments are thrown in for dramatic effect, Kulyk Keefer also managed to illuminate some connections between characters more akin to the glow of a single creeping candle pushing back the shadows.

I had a slight problem with the main character Eva, in that I didn't care for her all that much. I realise though that the things I would count against her as character flaws, are indeed necessary to make the novel work. A rewarding reading experience, I learned a little about the history of war torn Ukraine while getting swept up in the story that is The Green Library.



4/13 for the 5th Canadian Book Challenge.