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The Whole Truth by K. Pearson
No full textPearson, Kit. The Whole Truth. Toronto: Harper Collins, 2011. Print. Victoria, B.C.-based children’s author (and one-time children’s librarian!), Kit Pearson’s tale of family intrigue will have you hooked from the first line, ‘After it happened they were sent away.” A Governor General Award-winning author for Awake and Dreaming, Pearson won the 2012 Canadian Library Association’s Book of the Year for Children Award for The Whole Truth, which delightfully has been followed with a sequel, And Nothing But the Truth. The year is 1932, and, like many areas, Winnipeg is gripped by the Depression. Following a tragic incident which resulted in the drowning death of their father, nine-year-old Polly and her older sister Maud must make a long journey, first by train and then by ferry boat, to Kingfisher Island, a small island near Victoria, to live with their maternal grandmother whom the girls do not remember. Maud will attend boarding school in Victoria while Polly will go to the small island school. Before Maud leaves, however, she makes Polly swear a strict promise to keep a secret regarding their father. Polly’s daily struggles with her grief and loneliness are juxtaposed with her desire to be happy. Maud deals with her sadness by pouring her energies into her new friendships and all that comes with attending a boarding school: uniforms to buy, sporting events, and school plays. The girls’ well-respected and loving grandmother, along with their interesting extended family, provide a safe home, and Polly’s school offers new opportunities for friendship and adventure. But Polly is just a young girl, and keeping a secret weighs heavily on her. She copes by writing touching yet so very sad letters to her deceased father. As the shocking secret is revealed, Polly and Maud’s newfound happiness is threatened and the bounds of family loyalty are tested. I eagerly await the sequel to this novel and the next chapter in the lives of Polly and Maud. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Debbie Feisst Debbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction
And Nothing But the Truth by K. Pearson
No full textPearson, Kit. And Nothing But the Truth. Toronto: Harper Collins, 2012. Print. Victoria, B.C.-based and Governor General Award-winning author Kit Pearson delights yet again with her sequel to 2011’s The Whole Truth, which won the 2012 Canadian Library Association’s Book of the Year for Children Award and was previously reviewed in Deakin. Progressing three years since the first book in the ‘duology’, the year is now 1935, and our beloved heroine, Polly, almost thirteen years of age, is being made to move to Victoria to attend the same boarding school that her sister Maud excelled at and enjoyed so much. Polly would much rather spend the days with her doting grandmother, Noni, and exploring the wilds of Kingfisher Island with her sweet dog, Tarka, than attend St. Winifred’s School for Girls. Polly has her mind firmly set on not being a full time boarder and spending every weekend at home, to the detriment of her experience at St. Winifred’s as well as her ability to make friends at the school. Noni, however, understands the need for a strong education and encourages Polly to stay full time even though they will miss each other dearly. The draw of attending Special Art classes every Saturday is finally enough to convince a budding talent like Polly, in addition to the gentle encouragement from her trusted art teacher. A magical scene in which Polly meets and interacts with the famous Canadian painter Emily Carr is especially poignant. Polly’s older sister Maud, now a university student in Vancouver, continues to play a large role in the story as well as in Polly’s life. Polly struggles amidst the headmistress’s constant reminders of what an intelligent and faithful student her older sister was. Now a young woman, Maud is changing and no longer readily accepting the ideals that St. Winifred’s instilled in her. As Maud suddenly begins to distance herself from the family, Polly yet again finds herself in a dilemma that threatens to tear their family apart. The ending, including the wonderful afterword that is often lacking from young adult fiction yet so satisfying, is bittersweet as we say goodbye to characters we have grown to love. This book and its prequel would make a lovely gift set for a tween girl. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Debbie Feisst Debbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction
The Rising by K. Armstrong
No full textArmstrong, Kelley. The Rising. Toronto: HarperTeen, 2013. Print. Ontario-based award-winning writer Kelley Armstrong, author of the New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling Darkest Powers young adult urban fantasy trilogy, brings us the third and final title of her Darkness Rising trilogy. The first in the trilogy, 2011’s The Gathering, was previously reviewed in the inaugural issue of Deakin, Vol. 1 No 1 and the second, The Calling, was reviewed in Vol. 2 No. 4. As with the previous book in the trilogy, this book is not meant to be read on its own, as again the author’s recap on events and characters is minimal. I felt the need to revisit the second book and familiarize myself with the plot before I started in on The Rising as it had been a year between books, the price of being a fan of series fiction. Sixteen-year-old supernatural, Maya Delaney, and her fellow supe friends are assumed dead after an apparent helicopter rescue-turned-crash leaves them running for their lives. With no one they can trust to turn to, the teens are truly in harm’s way as their supernatural abilities start careening out of control. Corey’s headaches are increasing, Nicole’s mental state is fragile at best and even Maya is concerned that she herself may be regressing. Like it or not, the friends need assistance from the rival networks that seek to exploit their abilities. Maya’s biological father, Calvin Antone, plays a larger role in this book and again, his intentions are often unclear. The intensifying romance of the previous book does indeed lead to the expected supernatural YA love triangle, but it feels forced and formulaic, as if the author’s fans would expect it and so it was hastily written in. There is a continued lack of storyline that seems to centre around the characters’ need to run and hide, which is echoed in Armstrong’s other works. I am giving this book three stars out of four because true Armstrong fans will enjoy the series as a whole as well as the tie-in to well-loved characters in her Darkest Powers trilogy and devour it regardless of its limitations. The epilogue will be particularly satisfying. I would not be surprised to learn of yet another spin-off series with Maya or some of the new characters introduced in the series. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Debbie Feisst Debbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction
Monkey & Elephant’s Worst Fight Ever by M. Townsend
No full textTownsend, Michael. Monkey & Elephant’s Worst Fight Ever. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. Print. Best friends Monkey and Elephant live on a tiny island with many other animal inhabitants. One night, Monkey decides to bring Elephant a surprise gift–a tray of delicious cupcakes. Much to his dismay, Monkey spies what he believes to be a costume party going on at Elephant’s house – to which he was not invited! Feeling very sad, Monkey runs away, all the while reminiscing about the good times he and Elephant have had, which leaves him feeling confused about why Elephant would leave him out of the party plans. Sad, however, quickly turns to mad and the desire to get even, and Monkey freezes Elephant’s toys into blocks of ice. Elephant is shocked by his best friend’s actions. Why, they collected pet rocks and watched pro wrestling together! In turn, he too gets mad and retaliates. The back-and-forth havoc escalates until the islanders decide that enough is enough and plan an intervention for the former best friends. While Monkey and Elephant are sleeping, they are set adrift in a small boat and are ordered not to return to the island until they have hugged and made up. The two friends bicker, but eventually the truth comes out– Elephant’s party was actually going to be a surprise wrestling match for Monkey. An embarrassed Monkey admits he should have asked about the party, and both friends apologize for their rude behaviour. Upon their return, the islanders rejoice, and everyone enjoys the wrestling match. Michael Townsend is a gifted illustrator, visual artist, comic book enthusiast, and author of the Kit Feeny series of graphic novels for young children. Fans of graphic novels will enjoy the comic book feel to this book, though children younger than the publisher-recommended age range of 5-8 may find the storyline distracting. Somewhat questionable, however, are the friends’ over-the-top antics, which lead to violence, including the breaking of windows. However, the “don’t jump to conclusions” plotline will inspire bedtime conversations, and the contemporary and colourful drawings are funny and engaging. Recommended with reservations: 2 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Debbie Feisst Debbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction
Flip by M. Bedford
No full textBedford, Martyn. Flip. Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 2011. Print. Martyn Bedford is a lecturer in creative writing at Leeds Trinity University College in the UK and is the award-winning author of five adult novels, including The Houdini Girl. Flip is his first foray into the genre of young adult fiction. Fourteen-year-old Alex Gray rushes home one December Friday night in an attempt to beat his curfew. Feeling a bit foggy upon waking the next morning, he realizes that not only is he in a strange bedroom but he does not recognize the clothes he is wearing. An unfamiliar voice calls for “Philip” to get ready for school, and when he descends the stairs to the breakfast table, he does not recognize the people seated, though they seem to recognize him. It’s now the middle of June. Upon looking into the mirror to wash his face, another boy stares back. Alex does not know if he has gone mad, or worse—if it is all real. Alex has no choice but to go through the day while trapped in another’s body, that of Philip Garamond. Nicknamed Flip, Philip is an athletic, sociable girl-magnet who goes to a posh school, and though he is Alex’s age, seems the complete opposite in every other way. For a while Alex even enjoys his new, fit body and the attention that comes with it. But where is Philip, and where is Alex’s body? Alex needs to figure out why his psyche has become trapped in Philip’s body and how he can get back into his own before it is too late. This is an excellent psychological thriller and not your average teen fare. The characters are realistic and the plot is action-packed, yet believable. Bedford dips into heavy topics like existentialism and concepts such as the soul and memory with adeptness. Body-swapping stories have no doubt been done before in teen fiction, but Bedford has given this tale a contemporary flair with a satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Debbie Feisst Debbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction
The Calling by K. Armstrong
No full textArmstrong, Kelley. The Calling. Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 2012. Print. Ontario writer, Kelley Armstrong, author of the New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling Darkest Powers young adult urban fantasy trilogy, brings us the second offering of her Darkness Rising trilogy. The first in the trilogy, 2011’s The Gathering, was previously reviewed in the inaugural issue of Deakin, Vol. 1 No 1. This book is not recommended as a standalone, as The Calling starts immediately where we left off with The Gathering and the author’s recap on events and characters is minimal, which for fans of series is refreshing. Sixteen-year-old Maya Delaney and her friends have been forced to flee from their community of Salmon Creek, a small town on Vancouver Island, during a forest fire that was surely deliberately set. After their rescue helicopter makes an emergency landing in the remote wilderness, the group is on the run and forced to survive using nothing but their wits and their supernatural abilities that begin to unfold as they find themselves in danger. Through this we learn more about Maya’s friends as well as the circumstances surrounding the death of her best friend, Serena, in a bizarre swimming accident the previous year. Maya also learns a lot about her own powers but perhaps the most mysterious event is the introduction of Calvin Antone, a man who is pursuing Maya, and who admits to being her biological father. Teen readers will certainly delight in the run-and-hide action as well as the intensifying romance, but I couldn’t help feeling a little let down by The Calling. After the adrenaline-fuelled and plot-driven action of The Gathering, the lack of storyline and character development in this book was disappointing. With that said, however, we don’t have long to wait to see how things turn out for Maya - the final title in the trilogy, The Rising, is set for release in April 2013. As such, I am giving it three stars out of four on the promise of the final book. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Debbie Feisst Debbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction
The Gathering by K. Armstrong
No full textArmstrong, Kelley. The Gathering. Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 2011. Print. Rural Ontario-based writer Kelley Armstrong is the author of over 15 novels, mostly fantasy, including the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling Darkest Powers young adult urban fantasy trilogy. The Gathering is the first in her new Darkness Rising trilogy, a sequel series to Darkest Powers, and is interrelated but with a new set of characters. Sixteen-year-old Maya Delaney lives in Salmon Creek, a small Vancouver Island town of less than two-hundred people which exists solely to serve the needs of a medical research facility owned by the St. Cloud Corporation. In fact, the St. Cloud Corporation owns the entire town including homes, the school and other world-class facilities that have been built for its resident employees and their families. Maya has an affinity for animals and healing and enjoys spending time in the wildlife rehabilitation centre her father runs as the town’s park ranger. Adopted from birth from parents of an unknown First Nations background, Maya has a generally happy life and loving and responsible parents but is haunted by the bizarre drowning death of her best friend Serena, the captain of the swim team, a year previous. Maya’s life and those of the town’s close-knit residents, changes drastically after a reporter arrives and begins to ask questions about the St. Cloud Corporation and life in Salmon Creek. Maya is led to believe that this reporter may have information on Serena’s mysterious death. Other strange occurrences such as: mountain lions gathering around her home, the appearance of the town’s new ‘bad boy’ Rafe Martinez, and being called a ‘witch’ during a visit to a Nanaimo tattoo shop, cause Maya to question who she is and where she comes from. The Gathering is a quick, easy read and a good start to what looks like will be another intriguing trilogy. The characters are believable and of note is the involvement of Maya’s likeable parents in her life which is so often missing from other books in this genre. A Native Canadian protagonist and a unique Canadian setting also make for interesting reading as does the move beyond vampires and werewolves. Do not expect a neat and tidy ending; this trilogy is structured as one story rather than three separate stand-alone volumes and leaves you wanting more. Readers will have to wait, however, until April 2012 when the second book in the series, currently titled The Calling, is set to release. Recommended: 3 stars out of 4 Reviewer: Debbie Feisst Debbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction.
EDPY 903 Instructional Session
No full textThis presentation was developed specifically for EDPY 903 in the fall of 2013. The presentation was developed using previous library presentations created by librarians working in Coutts
Checkers and Dot at the Beach by J. Torres
No full textTorres, J. Checkers and Dot at the Beach. Illus. J. Lum. Toronto: Tundra Books, 2013. Print.The team of Ontario-based author and illustrator (and comics veterans) J. Torres and J. Lum brings young babies the duo of Checkers and Dot. Torres is best known for his Alison Dare graphic novels and other comics while this is graphic designer Lum’s first opportunity at illustrating for a children’s audience.Checkers, a young boy in a checkered shirt and his friend Dot, a little girl in a polka-dotted jumper are introduced as part of a larger series of Checkers and Dot titles, all with a high-contrasted and heavily-designed black and white motif. This high contrast design is said to appeal to young babies and toddlers as well as provide visual stimulation that may lead to increased brain development. The small size and sturdy binding is a plus.In Checkers and Dot on the Farm, the youngest of children are introduced to animal sounds in rhyming prose that will be fun for any parent or caregiver to read aloud. The images are highly stylized and will be mesmerizing to young children and the characters, a little reminiscent of anime, are quite cute. In Checkers and Dot at the Beach the concept of basic counting to 5 is introduced via ocean animals. Both volumes have a slight plot which makes it more palatable to adults.Though toddlers will enjoy re-reading these books to practice their farm animal sounds and basic counting, they may bore of the black and white in favour of more colourful & engaging board books aimed at preschoolers. The series is aimed at ages 0-4, however I feel it better suits the 0-2 age range. Suitable for public and home libraries.Recommended: 3 stars out of 4Reviewer: Debbie FeisstDebbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction
Off to Class by S. Hughes
No full textHughes, Susan. Off to Class: Incredible and Unusual Schools Around the World. Toronto: Owlkids Books, 2011. Print.The United Nations may have declared education a basic human right, but that does not mean it is accessible to all. Across the world over 100 million kids are not receiving a basic education. This photographic account will open the eyes and minds of both children and adults who will be amazed and inspired by stories of real children facing challenges in their quests to get an education in some very unconventional situations.Toronto-based author Susan Hughes has penned a very readable, interesting, and sometimes alarming collection of first-hand accounts. Divided into 3 sections (‘Working with the Environment’, ‘No School? No Way!’ and ‘One Size Doesn’t Fit All’) Hughes’ book details 23 schools in 14 different countries. Each school is presented in a 2 page spread with colour photographs alongside regional facts, imagery and often with an interview of a student or adult who has committed to make a difference in these children’s lives. A small colour map indicates where the school is which corresponds to a larger map of the world showing the locations of all schools highlighted.Many environmental issues are investigated, from schooling after a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, USA and creating a ‘boat school’ in monsoon regions such as Bangladesh. Schools in refugee camps, caves, tree houses and portable schools made of bamboo are fascinating but tough educational issues are also discussed; poverty, homelessness, gender inequality and the impact of HIV/AIDS. Many Canadian students will be humbled to read about their peers around the globe.A section of follow-up resources and a brief index are included. This book is appropriate for school libraries and students in the upper elementary and middle school years.Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Debbie FeisstDebbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction
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