This Librarian's Quick Picks: Mighty Jack

Mighty Jack
by Ben Hatke
First Second Books (September 2016)
Graphic Novel/Fantasy

What It's All About:

Jack might be the only kid in the world who's dreading summer. But he's got a good reason: summer is when his single mom takes a second job and leaves him at home to watch his autistic kid sister, Maddy. It's a lot of responsibility, and it's boring, too, because Maddy doesn't talk. Ever. But then, one day at the flea market, Maddy does talk—to tell Jack to trade their mom's car for a box of mysterious seeds. It's the best mistake Jack has ever made.

Why You'll Love It:

• This book, like many graphic novels, will have wide appeal -- to already avid graphic novel readers, but also to those who love fairy tale retellings.
• Hatke's interpretation of the familiar fairy tale is richly imagined, giving girls—including one on the spectrum—equal weight in the adventure rather than staying true to the male-dominated original. 
• The full color panels and crisp depictions of all the vegetation which comes alive is so well done. Kids can let their imaginations run wild in this story.

Who Should Read It:

Great for 5th-8th graders.



What Else You Should Read:

• Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi
• Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale
• Fairy Tale Comics edited by Chris Duffy

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Frogkisser!

Frogkisser!
by Garth Nix
Scholastic (2017)
Fantasy Chapter Book

Summary:

Poor Princess Anya. Forced to live with her evil stepmother's new husband, her evil stepstepfather. Plagued with an unfortunate ability to break curses with a magic-assisted kiss. And forced to go on the run when her stepstepfather decides to make the kingdom entirely his own.

Aided by a loyal talking dog, a boy thief trapped in the body of a newt, and some extraordinarily mischievous wizards, Anya sets off on a Quest that, if she plays it right, will ultimately free her land-and teach her a thing or two about the use of power, the effectiveness of a well-placed pucker, and the finding of friends in places both high and low.

Why You'll Love It:

• This line: “I don’t expect to need rescuing. I’m not that kind of princess.”
• Refreshingly, there’s no romance plot here, and just as refreshingly, the two dark-skinned women are both beautiful and benevolent. 
• Playing on fairy tale tropes and conventions, Nix delivers a delightful adventure stuffed with absurdity, magic, and a spirited young heroine.

Who Should Read It:

Great for 6th-10th graders.



What Else You Should Read:

• Newt's Emerald (also by Garth Nix)
• The Apothecary by Maile Meloy
• Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

This Librarian's Quick Picks: If the Magic Fits

If the Magic Fits
by Susan Maupin Schmid
Random House, 2016
Fantasy Chapter Book

Summary:

Inside an enchanted castle, there's a closet--a closet with one hundred dresses that nobody ever wears. Dresses like those need a good trying-on, and Darling Dimple is just the girl to do it. When she tries on Dress Number Eleven, something unbelievable happens. She transforms into the castle's Head Scrubber! It turns out that each dress can disguise her as someone else. And Darling is about to have an adventure that calls for a disguise or two . . . or a hundred.

Why You'll Love It:

• Kids who enjoy magical adventures with a healthy dose of sleuthing will like this series opener
• Darling’s engaging, entertaining first-person narrative is nicely paced, and small illustrations of the dresses, each with a unique design, open up each chapter.
• The carefully plotted mystery moves along at a quick pace with enough ups and downs to keep readers excited.

Who Should Read It:

Great for 4th-7th graders.

What Else You Should Read:

• Disenchanted: The Trials of Cinderella by Megan Morrison
• Anything by Jessica Day George
• Princess Academy series by Shannon Hale

Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve

Here Lies Arthur
by Philip Reeve
Scholastic, Dec. 2008
320 pages
Fantasy/Legend
Library Copy

Awards & Honors:
2008 Carnegie Medal, 2008 Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth; 2008 School Library Journal Best Books, Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of 2008; 2009 ALA Best Books for Young Adults

Summary in a Sentence: 

Gwynna is forced to flee her village, but when she is discovered hiding in the woods by Myrddin, a bard, he swears to protect her as long as she agrees to bind herself to his service while he transforms young Arthur into a heroic king.

My Thoughts:

Countless retellings of the Arthurian legend abound in the literary world, and I know some of you are ready to leave this review behind before you finish it. Before you move on, let me tell you why this book is just a little different than all the rest and worth a second chance. First of all, thank you, Philip Reeve for not making this novel another over-romanticized, plotless tale of love. I've read quite enough of that sort, thank you very much.

Secondly, and most important, is Reeve's characterization of Arthur. If you are looking for a valiant and gallant myth of a man, do not come searching here. Arthur is a brute who is vying for power and dominance the only way he knows how- by looting nearby villages and taking whatever he wants and needs in order to attain more power. Myrddin, more commonly known as the bard Merlin, meets Gwynna, a servant girl,  and takes her under his wing. It is through Gwynna's eyes that we the readers witness the real story behind the legends of Arthur, from the Lady of the Lake to the sword in the stone to Guinevere.

This book is a refreshing revision on the Arthurian legend and will be enjoyed by all fans of historical fantasy as well as those curious about King Arthur.

~ This book counts toward the Four Month Challenge and the Tournament of Reading Challenge~

You might also like:

• The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White
• The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland
• Sword of the Rightful King by Jane Yolen
  

Other Reviews:

• Book Nut 
• Vulpes Libris 
• Confessions of a Bibliovore