365 Days of Books

False Prophet by Faye Kellerman is part of the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series. A wealthy spa owner, daughter of a famous actress, is found near death. Her home has been robbed and she has been raped. A dysfunctional set of family members and a large cast of staff muddy this situation which soon includes a dead horse and two dead humans.

I don't know why I keep reading these books; they aren't that great. One of the other books in the series is Serpents Tooth the title gives away the mystery!

I would recommend this book to these people I know: Any adult or teen who likes mysteries and is looking for a new author.

Encounter at Easton by Avi is a sequel to Night Journeys. Night Journeys gives valuable support information for Encounter at Easton but the story is still followable without reading that information.

Two indentured servants have run away from their master and the master is searching for them. The story is told from four perspectives as given in depositions: the master, the hired bounty hunter, the sheriff, and the indentured boy. Encounter at Easton gives a clear look at several different areas of Colonial life including indentured servitude, bounty hunting, the attitude toward rape victims (the word rape is not used) and how those areas affected other areas of life.

I would recommend this book to the following people I know: a 4th grade boy, a 4th grade girl who is interested in Colonial life, a teacher of 4-6th grade boys and girls for his classroom.

Don't Hurt Laurie! by Willo Davis Roberts Another unhappy blended family. Laurie's mom, Annabelle, has married a wonderful man with two children but her abuse of Laurie continues. When anything goes wrong and even if it doesn't 11 year old Laurie is beaten, kicked, punched, and cut. Her frequent trips to the emergency room for post abuse care and obvious signs of abuse bring her to the notice of nurses and teachers but Annabelle either talks her way out of the situation or moves the family. Laurie wants to tell someone but doesn't believe she will be believed; an discussion at school with another abused child confirms her helplessness against adults. Things slowly get better, Laurie is making friends and connecting with her step-brother, Tim. Twice Laurie steps out of her protective bland camoflage to protect endangered animals and these small steps with their clear results help her to look for help from other adults. Laurie and her step-brother and sister finally leave the house and seek help from Tim's grandmother. Grandmother Nell believes Laurie but can she help?

This book does address some reasons adults may physically abuse children but does not excuse the behaviour. Breaking the cycle is also mentioned.

I would recommend this book to these people I know: Two teachers who have classes with students ranging in age from 8-12, a pediatrician for her office waiting room, a nine year old girl who has wondered about abuse situations.

The Ogre Downstairs by Diana Wynne Jones This is an unhappy blended family. Jack and his two sons are uncomfortable being together and sharing space with Sally and her three children. Can this marriage be saved? The father/stepfather gives two of the boys (one from each side of the family) a magical chemistry set. The experiments get out of control and the children start to bond together.

A few problems: The children seem very worried about the adults "noticing" the magic and yet the father goes back to the store to get antidotes to some of the obviously magical experiments. The father has an explosive temper and while they call him "ogre" they also tiptoe around and worry because they don't know what will set him off. And in the end it is unclear if the what happens is the bonding of a family or money solves lots of problems.

I wouldn't recommend this book but I wouldn't keep it from people either. I would recommend other of Diana Wynne Jones' books; I really enjoyed the Dalemark series.

Dick Francis has written several dozen mystery books that somehow touch on the racing world. Longshot features John Kendall who has written a series of successful survival guides and a novel that has been picked up for publication and has quit his day job to write a new book. As he writes, in a freezing attic no less, cold and poverty become overwhelming and he takes a job as biographer to a well known Trainer. The story places two murders and several spine tingling murder attempts among the intertwined relationships of family, jockeys, trainers, and owners.

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper is the first book in the "Dark is Rising" series. Three children find a map with clues to finding the Holy Grail. Aided by their mysterious Great-Uncle Merry, and under their oblivious parents noses, they battle evil mundane and surreal to find the grail and keep the Darkness down. Think of this as "The Secret Seven" with a little magic thrown in. I liked that the human villains ranged from nice looking to surly and sinister, after all evil can be appealing and goodness can look disheveled or surly.

I would recommend this book to the following people I know: A 4-6th grade teacher for his classroom, an 11 year old girl who likes Harry Potter and Tamora Pierce, a 4th grade boy who likes mysteries and his 53rd grade brother who likes historical fantasies.

Queens Own Fool is a novel of Mary Queen of Scots. I suppose this is a children's book but it certainly appeals to adults. This is a lovely telling of the story of Mary Queen of Scots through the voice and eyes of her Fool. The story is anchored in facts of history and floats on the invention and detail of Ms. Yolen and Mr. Harris. Nicola Ambruzzi is part of her Uncle's performing troup until they entertain Queen Mary and her husband, the young King of France. Nicola's wit and unjaded perspective are refreshing and the Queen rescues Nicola from her abusive uncle and takes her off to be part of the Court.

Nicola travels with the Queen through the death of the King, exile to Scotland where Queen Mary struggles with the lines between politics, power, and life as a woman. Nicola also struggles with those delineations in regard to her own life and those of her Queen. There is some romance and forced kisses (not part of the romance!) but nothing prurient.

This is a wonderfully written book. How well? Even though I knew the history, I read to the end with anxious hope for both lives.

I'd recommend this book to these people I know: A teacher in her 30's who likes historical fiction, an 11 year old girl who likes fiction and appreciates knowing the motivation of "villains", a 9 year old girl who has read Jane Yolen's work before and just finished a project about MAry Queen of Scots, and a woman in her 40's who reads large amounts of books.

This is a gathering of the books I read in the next 365 days. Don't expect too much: a link, a short description, and perhaps some opinion. I have lots of opinion to spread around.

Let the revelry begin!