Third Grade Angels

Jerry Spinelli is a very celebrated children's author. I personally find his work delightful. So when I had a choice between two books, and only one was by him, I chose the latter. 

Third Grade Angels is the prequel to Spinelli's famous, Fourth Grade Rats. This book is about a third grader who has an obsession with being first, and will do anything to be it.  I enjoyed this book because it was funny, and also touching on serious matters. In addition, this story had marvelous illustrations, in a cartoony form. Third Grade Angels was an enjoyable read.

Simon, 11

Poison Most Vial

In Poison Most Vial, this astounding tale woven together by suspense, pity, and mystery; author Benedict Carey accomplishes an unreachable goal: a story the equivalent of A study in Scarlett. The characters you will grow to love just as I did solve a mystery like no other. Ruby Rose and Rex must convince the world that Ruby’s father was not involved in a full-out murder. Their list of accomplices is not long: Simon, a strange character who likes it that way, Sharon, a fellow schoolgirl who is handy with a computer, and the old lady upstairs, Mrs. Whitmore, who knows a tremendous amount about chemistry. The odds may be against them but, well, who knows?

Simon, 11

Double

Chap is a sixteen-year-old boy in an orphanage. He has no relations, grew up with a fake one, and is not leading a pleasant life. Just one chapter into Double and you start to feel really bad for him. Then, out of the blue, two people show up at his door with a poster of a missing boy that looks just like Chap. The missing boy, Cassiel, has a family, which Chap wants so much that he pretends he is him. Valentine tells this story of sadness, mystery, murder, family, and identity theft in a uniquely beautiful way.

Simon, 10

Interview with Sheela Chari, author of VANISHED

When we last saw Sheela Chari, she was here for our one-year Fresh Ink anniversary party. Now she's back to answer a few questions from our very own reviewer, Simon.

But first, a little bit about Sheela (information taken from her website).

Sheela Chari was born in Bangalore, India and has lived in Iowa, Washington State, California, Massachusetts, and New York. She has degrees from Stanford University, Boston University, and New York University, where she received an MFA in creative writing.

Sheela lives in New York with her husband and two daughters. Vanished is her first novel.

Now, on with the interview.

Simon: Do you have special clothes you like to wear while you write?

Sheela: I'm not too particular - sometimes I write in my pajamas, sometimes I write when I'm dressed for the day. I've noticed that in the winter, a pair of warm socks helps!

Q: What books did you grow up reading?

A: My favorites were the Beverly Cleary books when I was younger - Ribsy, Henry and Beezus, Ramona the Pest, etc, and then the Madeline L'Engle books A Wrinkle in Time when I was a little older. I also loved books that were set in real places like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Heidi, and even Island of the Blue Dolphins (whose main character was based on a real-life person buried in the Santa Barbara mission).

Q: How much do you write every day?

A: Ideally I try to write every day, and I set myself a goal of either 500 words if it's a short session, or 1000, if I have more time.

Q: Did you want to be a writer when you were growing up?

A: Yes. I distinctly remember at the age of nine, telling my mother I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. At the time, her response was, Oh, no! But I think it was because she didn't really know what it meant to be a writer back then. She does now - and she's really proud of what I do. I did want to be many other things as I grew older, but I always came back to writing.

Q: Of all the places you’ve lived what made you decide to set your story in Massachusetts?

A: Originally the story was written for my niece, and she lives in Massachusetts. Later though, I'm glad I chose the Boston area, because writing about that setting came very naturally to me. I used to live there for a few years, and I love the place, its people, and the strange quirks that make it what it is.

Q: Who is your favorite mystery author?

A: I'm not sure I have a favorite mystery author - but I recently read The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd, which I thought was amazing!

Q: How come you wrote Vanished in third person?

A: Very interesting question. Strangely I found I could reveal more about what was going on if I was not immediately in Neela's head. I could plant clues that were there but not something necessarily she would pick up (but an attentive reader might). Also, the third person lets me get inside Neela's head when I want to talk about her feelings, but it also gives me room to "move around" in a way you can't easily do in first person. As it turns out, though, my second book is written in the first person.

Q: What did your niece think of the book?

A: She said she loved it (and I hoped she did!). She is older now - almost sixteen, so she is very different from the person she was when I first began writing Vanished.

Q: Where do the character names come from?

A: I'm terrible at naming characters. Most of the time I don't like doing it, so I usually pick the first name that comes to my mind, so that it's my intuition that's doing the selecting, not me. With Neela, Sree, and Pavi, they were based on the names of real characters, so I got off easy there!

Q: What are you planning on writing next?

A: I'm working on another novel set in the Boston area. This one is about a twelve-year old boy with an unusual talent. Not a mystery! And that's all I'll say for now!


Thanks Sheela and Simon for dropping by the blog. Can't wait to read what's next.

Winterling

After reading the first chapter it became obvious that the author must be brimming with creative energy. The aura that Winterling encompasses is one of imagination and emotion. Following the tales of Fer, Daughter of the true lady, brought me into contact with what felt like magic. When Fer, curious to find out what happened to her parents, crosses through the magical Way, I could almost feel it.. But things are not right on the other side, and people are slowly turning into animals. Can this strange girl finally on the other side of the way save them? Read to find out! 

Simon, 10

Vanishing Acts

Vanishing Acts is one of the best books I have ever read. The mystery is complex and the characters' methods of solving it make you want to whap yourself on the forehead in an “of course!” manner. The way the authors entwine two ingenious mysteries into one book and don’t confuse the reader is amazing. The cases both are solved by two very smart kids. They make rather an odd couple, a cartoonist and an incredible detective, both great soccer players, exploring the mysteries of junior high together, possibly more than just friends. A great story, guaranteed to please all readers. Read!!!!!!!

Simon, 10

Dead End in Norvelt

I was both surprised and overjoyed when I read the last name Gantos on the spine of Dead End in Norvelt. I have read many other things by Jack Gantos, including the Joey Pigsza series, which I found extremely enjoyable. But I have to say, in comparison, this story towers over any other books written about the war and what it was like growing up in it. Now, be careful in choosing this book to read because although some may find it enjoyable and heartwarming, others may be moved in the wrong direction and receive the author’s message in an alternate way.  

Simon, 10

Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories

I liked Steampunk an awful lot and for a few different reasons. The first reason was that the story’s are relatively short so if one is not absolutely enticing and amazing (which I found all but two were), then you’ll quickly be done with it. I think most young readers will be pulled into this world of churning gears, murder mysteries, and steam-powered machines. The way the authors in this genre shape it to their own tastes never ceases to amaze me. First it might be ancient Rome, then a different California, then an alternate Canada. I loved this book!

Simon, 10