The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

25 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Birthdays, General, Junior Fiction Tags: , , , ,

Birthday

Happy Birthday Kate DiCamillo! I discovered Kate DiCamillo a couple of years ago and I have fallen in love with her work and with her words. A couple of DiCamillo’s books have been made into films, the first being Because of Winn-Dixie, the other The Tale of Desperaux; great books, but both of which I offer the ‘Better Than the Movie‘ guy.

Now, I have gushed in the past about DiCamillo’s skills as a writer, I think so much of what she has written has been so eloquently described, beautiful in description, and heart warming in terms of story. One of my first blog posts was a review of her gorgeous story The Tale of Desperaux, which also made it into my Top Five of 2012. DiCamillo once said “I decided a long time ago that I didn’t have to be talented. I just had to be persistent.” I would disagree with her and say that she has got a talent, and for someone that has the ability to write such beauty with such simplistic tools and environments, she manages to make even the smallest aspects of life magical and terribly profound; you only have to read Despereaux or Edward Tulane to see that. Today, in honour of her birthday, I am posting the review of another of her works that I thought was very touching: The Magician’s Elephant.

Published: September 8th 2009
Goodreads badgePublisher: Candlewick Press
Pages: 201
Format: Book
Genre: Junior Fiction/Fantasy
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

 

What if? Why not? Could it be?

When a fortuneteller’s tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortuneteller’s mysterious answer (an elephant! An elephant will lead him there!) sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that you will hardly dare to believe it’s true.

This is the story of Peter Augustus Duchene, a ten year old who went to a fortune teller and made magic happen. Peter’s story is as an orphan in the care of a soldier, looking for answers and wishing for miracles. When miracles begin to happen it is the start of something extraordinary.

The magician’s elephant is unintentional and yet her arrival is one of great joy for Peter, if only he knew what to do about it. The magician himself is an interesting character in the story, he plays such a large role yet he is limited as well. So much of his story is unknown, yet what we see of him is his remorse and his confusion about his actions. I think that for him we do not need a glamorous and detailed back story, for me I think watching him reflect and deal with the aftermath of his magic gave a beautiful insight into who he was as a person.

Behind Peter’s storyline of looking for answers and discovering truths is the strange relationship between the magician and Madam LaVaughn, as well as many others in the city. All the characters in this story have their own sense of magic about them that make the so likeable, even those who do not possibly deserve it at first glance. DiCamillo manages to give them histories and depth in so few words, it really is amazing. There are connections between these characters and you feel connected to each no matter how fleeting they appear.

There are some great quotes in this book, some are very beautiful and touching, but there are funny ones as well, one favourite was “Is the child having some hat related fit?” Little things like that make characters come alive and add that little something extra to a story. It isn’t probably needed, but that what makes them so great.

I thought this book was not as emotionally profound as her previous books like Despereaux or Edward Tulane but it still managed to be heartfelt and beautiful nonetheless. DiCamillo’s books always show that she is such an eloquent write. So many of her books are filled with such simple scenes and characters, yet they are somehow also filled with such depth and beauty. It is superb.

The ending is magical and we are given answers to the questions in the same way we are not given answers. This is ideal because we can take what we can from it ourselves. There is a lot in this book about humanity and how we see the world, but also about kindness to one another. There is also a lot of emotion displayed on the surface of this story that makes it wonderful, it does not always need to go any deeper than that. A very special story that reveals humanity at its best and with its failings I think. Such a small snippet of human life, such a seemingly innocent action, told like it had the importance and magic of the world. After all, the magician “had intended lilies; yes, perhaps. But he had also wanted to perform true magic. He had succeeded.”

As I leave you with these thoughts on this fine Monday morning, I offer you something else. I discovered last night, as I snooped around the interweb until all hours of the morning, that Reading Rockets has posted snippets of an interview with DiCamillo that is really interesting to watch; she talks about becoming a writer, her novels, and she offers advice to new writers. It is always interesting to listen to authors in interviews; some offer the same advice, some recall their hardships into publishing, but somehow, no matter how many versions of ‘to write you must read’ you hear, it is always comforting to get that little bit extra motivation to follow in the footsteps of those writers you adore.

The link to this interview is below, watch it, enjoy it, then ignore the socially imposed unhappiness of Mondays and read something spectacular.

Reading Rockets interview with Kate Dicamillo.

Hating Alison Ashley by Robin Klein

20 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by Amy in 2 Stars, General, Junior Fiction Tags: , , ,

Published: October 1st 1985
Goodreads badgePublisher: Puffin Books
Pages: 192
Format: Book
Genre: Junior Fiction
★   ★  – 2 Stars

‘Utter loathing and hatred ‘ I said. ‘I wouldn’t even be on the same bus as you… If I could have caught a virus in time.’ Erica Yurken knew she was destined for great things. Never in any doubt about her own genius she felt superior to everyone at notorious Barringa East… that is until Alison Ashley turned up.

Hating Alison Ashley is about a new girl arriving at school and Erica Yurkan instantly hating her because she looks out of place and a better class of person. That’s it. So we sit through Erica assuming the worst, convinced Alison is out to get her and finding more things to hate no matter how small and shallow.

The first thought when I started reading this was that we finally got a story from someone other than the middle class. Granted it was less eloquent in my mind but that isn’t important. This book was so surprising and a very odd read. It was interesting to see Erica’s family and social point of view but by golly she was an annoying child. You forget she’s only supposed to be 12 years old or something if she’s only in year six. And the stories she comes up with were so unrealistic they just became annoying as every time she opened her mouth it was a lie. And not even a decent one.

There is a great line in this book that was put in there at just the right moment when my patience of putting up with Erica was getting thin. It is a great observation – “Erica Yurkan you have an exaggerated sense of your own importance”. This is so true and for someone coming from her family she is the most judgmental and snobbish person.

Even if you try and justify it, because of her family life etc etc she acts out etc etc. But she doesn’t even act out properly. What she does is she thinks she is superior to everyone when she isn’t, she hates those different than her and looks down on those she thinks are stupid and less deserving, she isn’t shy about openly criticising everyone and she can’t accept any one else might be having their own issues. She really is a horrible person, but again, we can justify it and say well look at what she comes from and how she is hiding up her shame, but that is no excuse.

By the end there is hope for Erica as she starts to realise that she isn’t fooling anyone, and that perhaps her life isn’t so bad after all. But you do have to put up with a lot to get her to that point. Again she is only supposed to be 12 years old so it is just weird most of the time. I guess it is supposed to shows you can’t judge anyone cause you don’t know their life but I think this took it too far. Erica’s family wasn’t what shocked me the most, that I could easily picture, it was this 12 year old hating someone so much and letting it consume her life just because she was ashamed or jealous or some stupid reason like that. Luckily she attempted some form of redemption in the end because Erica is a lot of personality to deal with in one book.

This was turned into a movie starring singer Delta Goodrem, they had changed the story a bit as per usual, but some of the plot was close to the book. I wasn’t a fan of the movie myself but that may just be me, so if you liked this book you may enjoy watching the movie.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

18 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, General, Junior Fiction Tags: , , , , ,

Published: September 12th 2006
Goodreads badgePublisher: David Fickling Books
Pages: 224
Format: Book
Genre: Historical Fiction/Junior Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Berlin 1942

When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house far far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance.

But Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different to his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences.

First of all I understand why this book is either loved or disliked. I didn’t know this was classed as a children’s book until I picked it up and I was a little surprised but I have read kids books on just as tragic topics so it isn’t unheard of. As for the book where do I even begin?

From the moment I started reading this book I was greeted with a child’s voice that had such innocence within it and observation with no deep thought it was wonderful. Bruno is a nine year old boy in his own world with his own priorities. His world changes around him and he doesn’t understand and tries to make the best he can out of what he is made to do. What I think people find hardest is how naive Bruno seems to be, he is only nine after all, and what is wonderful about children is they don’t understand adult prejudice until it is drummed into them and they become adults. Bruno doesn’t understand why things are happening, he just does as he is told, tries to fill in his own answers and pieces together the rest.

I liked that this story made you understand that there were more people involved than just Hitler. It is so interesting to see what happened from the point of view from an officer or someone within the system but also apart from the consequence. There was so much more going on during this era and it does not just boil down to the actions of one man, this book shows just what goes on behind the scenes of the man in charge. And there is no better angle than through a child, even if his family is involved, he is unaware of what it means.

It is sad and unsettling this book because you know it is perfectly true to some point. Within the first few dozen pages you realise that this very well could be, and as you read these phrases that are drilled into these children and hear the lessons they are taught, you know that this was what was happening. Now I say again, yes this is fiction, not exact historical fiction, and it is YA fiction so give it some liberties before slandering it. It tells these events in as good a way as say Two Weeks With The Queen tells you about homosexuality and AIDS. It is a story told through the eyes of a child, that has to be the biggest advantage this story has.

Writing style was rather like A. A. Milne at times with the repetition and matter of fact and selfish way children can sometimes think and behave and this I felt added something by reinforcing this was a little boy who was being left in the dark and didn’t even know it. Bruno has such an innocent look on the world and he is constantly trying to figure it all out. His conversations with Shmuel at the fence show just how naive he is, and how very wrapped up in his sheltered world he seems. But also Boyne writes through Bruno in such a way that it perfectly matches the mind of a nine year old boy worried about his own problems and ignorant to the greater picture.

Boyne maintains his style of describing without actually telling and a lot of things are described but not written down, and I trusted this to get me to the end. This approach was good because it keeps a lot of the explicit violence and unpleasantness about the events in this book out but it allowed Boyne to keep the story realistic allowing you to easily figure out what was going on. As I read and I saw the pages start to thin on one end I really didn’t want to go on, and with so few pages left I knew it was going to be wrapped up quickly. I got through it and I’m glad I did. The ending was a bit unfulfilling but expected. It gives you a lot to think about and you certainly don’t stop thinking about it quickly.

A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond

13 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Classic, General, Junior Fiction Tags: , , ,

Published: November 3rd 2003
Goodreads badgePublisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 159
Format: Book
Genre: Junior Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Mr. and Mrs. Brown first met Paddington, a most endearing bear from Darkest Peruon a railway platform in London. A sign hanging around his neck said, “Please look after this bear. Thank you” So that is just what they did.

 From the very first night when he attempted his first bath and ended up nearly flooding the house, Paddington was seldom far from imminent disaster. Jonathan and Judy were delighted with this havoc and even Mr. and Mrs. Brown had to admit that life seemed to be more filled with adventure when there was a bear in the house

From the very first pages I loved Paddington. There is just something about his sweet, well mannered and innocent nature that makes him special. While there are many books dedicated to the adventures of Paddington this is the first, and the one that explains his arrival in England. Found on the platform of Paddington Station he is taken in by the friendly Mr and Mrs Brown and he soon becomes part of the family.

The adventures in this book are very different from those in darkest Peru and Paddington marvels at everything he sees. His innocent and almost naive nature are a delight, but he isn’t so naive that he gets taken advantage of. He is a very well meaning bear and tries to do what is right, but I do love that he has a very persistent stare when he cares to use it, something that he brings out only for special occasions.

The book is a collection of the adventures Paddington has ranging from buying a coat (the coat) and going to the theatre or the beach. Reading how Bond explains these new experiences is a real joy, Paddington isn’t a child and so his reactions are very logical and reasoned. He says what he sees and he tries to understand as best he can but is not shy from pointing out each and all of his issues. Having come from darkest Peru even the little things we do and take for granted are new, watching him take a bath or ride the escalator and lift are very amusing and the way he handles it is terribly sweet.

This is classed as a children’s classic but I firmly believe this is a book that can be read and loved by everyone. Bond does not talk down to the reader as if he is writing for children, and despite there being two children in the book a lot of the conversation and content is directed at the adults, Paddington appears to have a much better relationship with the adults than the children. He is never once seen as a child but he is a young sort of bear which is different again entirely.

The 50th edition copy I have has a postscript by Bond explaining the impact Paddigton has had on himself and the world. He talks about where the idea came from and what it means to everyone. I do not think reading this changes the story in anyway, in a sense it is almost as if Paddington was sitting at the station, enjoying his life already and Bond simply wrote it down. As Garth Nix said, “Often, I get the feeling that the story is really happening somewhere and all I’m doing is trying to work out the best way to tell it.”

Bond wrote this in 1958 so people have grown up with Paddington for years, and I just need to take one look at Winnie the Pooh to realise that growing older does not mean you do not have an affection for the stories you read as a child. Paddington is practically a national treasure, even Stephen Fry loves him and how can you not adore someone that even the darling Stephen Fry has the greatest respect for.

Please don’t shy away from this book because you think it is for children, it can be read by children, adults and the elderly for eternity with equal love and affection. This is why it has become a timeless classic.

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs

06 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Classic, General, Junior Fiction Tags: , , , ,

Published: June 18th 1985
Goodreads badgePublisher: Blue Gum Publishers
Pages: 224
Format: Book
Genre: Junior Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

The story follows brothers Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, and their adventures in the Australian bush. As well as many friends, along the way they encounter the wicked Banksia Men.

I am certainly glad I fulfil the 7+ category this book seems to have been given. Personally I think when it comes to books like Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, Peter Pan, Blinky Bill, any of these classic children’s literature there should be no age. Everyone must enjoy them as soon as they are able. There is nothing in this book a six year old wouldn’t understand, they’d love it.

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie is practically an Australian institution. I do not know how legitimate these claims are but I think it is a fair call. The edition I own is a very old second hand book from 1984 which incidentally fell apart as I was reading. But before it became two separate sections of stained pages clinging for life with its thin cover the only protection and support, it was the collected works.

What I never realised what how the story of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie came about, yes they were brothers but apparently not exactly. Blown in by the wind Cuddlepie is adopted by Snugglepot’s parents as a baby, and thus the duo was created. Isn’t that sweet? Though I do wonder about poor Mrs Cuddlepie who had her baby blown away by the wind hours after it was born, and never see or hear from it again. That’s gotta be tough.

When the pair grow older they wish to have adventures, stories of the humans pass through the bush and Snugglepot is intrigued and curious of them. Tagging along is Cuddlepie and soon the start of their many adventures begin. In the first book there is an anti human feel about it, understandable of course, but it was interesting the fact that the original story was written in 1918 and the same issues about trapping and arson are relevant. There is a constant threat of death and many characters appear dead until they recover, but Gibbs isn’t shy of making you think they’re dead from whatever horrid thing they’ve experienced. It is what it is, and that’s what makes it great.

As a pair they tend to wander off a lot, often right in the middle of something they had been doing. This I think accounts for the majority of trouble and kidnapping situations they get themselves into. Each of the three main stories are very fast paced and filled with mini adventures that connect together, and there are a lot of new friends and characters to meet. Some of which are reoccurring through all three books, some are only seen once. One of the things that did annoy me was that in one of the most Australian books we’ve got, Koalas keep being called bears. No Gibbs, no! They are not bears! Surely you knew this in 1918, if not by 1918 then by 1934 you had figured it out for your final story? Yes? Apparently no.

So aside from the fact we keep hearing about the “bears” this was a rather quaint and charming little set of books. What interested me was how the Banksia story came about. Everyone knows about the Banksia men, everyone knows they are the enemies of the gumnuts but I was rather surprised to find out why. I am not going to tell you because that ruins them magic, and there is a lot of little magic moments in these stories. They are very blunt and jumpy and seem to just go from one thing to the next like a distracted toddler but they also manage to connect in some strange bizarre kind of way.

Gibbs talks to her readers like she is reading the story to them, in that sense it would work very well to read to your child, again the under sevens. Why over seven? Anyway the animals in this book are for the most part very sweet, and in the beginning I was suspicious of every animal that came along pretty much because lizards don’t generally do nice things for birds and I was confused. But this is a sweet, innocent and joyful story so everyone is nice, and all the bad characters are easily identified to avoid confusion once you realise how Gibbs writes. She also uses a lot of strange phrases which I cannot tell is supposed to be old Aussie rhyming slang or something, or just bush talk that all these creatures use, because it is strange.

The second and third stories follow these same patterns, mini adventures after another, sequels to the previous stories. Other characters get some more history as the stories continue and the continuing adventures of the duo and their friends manages to fill in all the missing information that remained from the previous book. It is rather a good system. You find out more about new places and people, an entire town goes to the dentist, Winky still will not wake, and despite being brothers Snugglepot and Cuddlepie spend a lot of time apart and move in with people very quickly.

There are some grubby bits about death and injury but there are no elaborate details, and Gibbs doesn’t exactly cover death in a deep, serious way. Sure the Banksia men want to drown the gumnuts, sure people get choked a lot, there is also a brilliant conversation that simply goes ‘Why did I get blown up?” to which the reply is ‘It was an accident…they will happen.’ And that they do Ms Gibb, that they do.

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