Book Review: Masterpiece by Elise Broach and illustrated by Kelly Murphy

"The ink flowed smoothly off his legs across the page. Though he'd never done anything like this before, it seemed completely natural, even unstoppable. He kept glancing up, tracing the details of the scene with his eyes then transferring them onto the paper. It was as if his legs had been waiting all their lives for this ink, this page, this lamp-lit window view. There was no way to describe the feeling." page 29-30

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Masterpiece-Elise-Broach/dp/0805082700
Paperback $11.60
Kindle $7.99

I bought this book at a Scholastic Book Fair at my granddaughter's school.

Authors list of books
www.elisebroach.com
www.kelmurphy.com

Published by Scholastic September 2008
Fiction for ages 8-12
292 pages

Marvin is a responsible boy, obedient and respectful to his parents. Actually, he is thought of as a marvel to his family, they dote on his accomplishments. Marvin though is a beetle, and he lives with his family under the kitchen sink in an apartment in New York City. The humans in the apartment are the Pompaday's. James Pompaday is a boy that feels rather pushed to the side by his family. James receives a pen-and-ink set for his birthday from his artist father. Marvin wants to be a true friend to James (even though Marvin is a beetle). Marvin draws a picture for James with this new birthday gift. A new adventure begins for both James and Marvin, taking them to the Museum of Art and the mystery art thief.

Innsbruck Castle by Albrecht Durer 1471-1528

I loved this book!
I have noticed that in many children or young adult stories one of the "characters" is often a mouse, or some other little animal that could be considered cutesy. But in the Masterpiece the character Marvin is a beetle. I loved that! I considered that quite creative.
The story has elements of friendship, kindness, bravery, commitment, loyalty, compassion, and respect for all God's creatures.
The story also deals with divorce, step-parents, and children's feelings after a divorce.
The story has a mystery, in the art thief case.
The story is creative and has an artistic element.
The story shows family love and closeness in Marvin's family. Once again this is expressed not through humans but through the beetle family.

There are several pen and ink drawings throughout the book. Great attention to detail is given in the facial expressions of the characters. Even in the bug-eyed beetles they were given little expressions.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Portaits, Dancing Through Fire by Kathryn Lasky

"She was balanced en pointe on one foot and whipped the other around. Then the second. She had not even completed the second when she thought, almost unconsciously, Oh, I can go around again. It was as if another force had possessed her, a force that allowed her, inspired her to do this third rotation. She had no fear, no second thoughts. It was beyond her control. She was just doing it!" page 37

About the author:
http://www.scholastic.com/gahoole/author.htm

Link for the book at publisher:
http://bookwizard.scholastic.com/tbw/viewWorkDetail.do?workId=1163176&FullBreadCrumb=%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.scholastic.com%2Fbrowse%2Fsearch%2F%3FNtx%3Dmode%2Bmatchallpartial%26_N%3Dfff%26Ntk%3DSCHL30_SI%26query%3Dportraits%2Bby%2Bkathryn%2Blasky%26N%3D0%26Ntt%3Dportraits%2Bby%2Bkathryn%2Blasky%22+class%3D%22endecaAll%22%3EAll+Results%3C%2Fa%3E
Hardback $9.99

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Portraits-Dancing-Through-Kathryn-Lasky/dp/043971009X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311352526&sr=8-1
Hardback $9.99

Published October 2005 by Scholastic
176 pages
Reading Level 4.3
For ages 9-12

The dance class by Edgar Degas 1874-1876

Sylvie Bertrand is a "little rat" a young pupil at the Paris Opera Ballet, the year is 1870. Her widowed mother is a laundress and tries desperately to provide for her and Sylvie. An older sister Chantal drops by occasionally for money or food. Sylvie is a dedicated and talented student of ballet. Sylvie's problem is not technique, nor form, nor talent. She must grow another quarter of an inch for her to be promoted to next level.
Her thoughts are on growing; but more sinister events are unfolding in France---war. For a young girl that has thought only of ballet; war and political events seem remote and far away for Sylvie. Sylvie will dance in the foyer de la danse (where classes and rehearsals were conducted) while a war threatens her homeland.

This is a lovely story and I enjoyed reading it!
At times I wondered if this was a young adult story or an adult story. The main character Sylvie is a child, but there are worldly situations going on in her family and in Paris and in France and in Europe, all threatening the life that she has known.
Realistically isn't this the life for many children, menacing forces edging close to a child's world if not living in the same house.
Sylvie is a tender hearted young girl, she notices the delicate and sickly people that need other humans affection and help. Even though Sylvie's world is ballet and she is a talented dancer, she is not arrogant or conceited---she thinks of others.
She is respectful to her mother, there was not a hint of disrespect in her demeanor.
Sylvie is a innocent and rather naive girl, but she is gutsy and brave.
I loved the references to ballet terms, French words, and the environment or back drop of Paris.
The cover on the book is of L' Etoile or The Star also known as Dancer on the Stage, painted by Edgar Degas 1878.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Update

Our home is under contract and we will be moving (hopefully) the middle of next month. We have a contract on the home we will be moving in to. Do not look for a post from me until about the 1st of September.
I have already started cleaning up and out things that needed to be discarded, and also of course packing.
I am looking forward to reviewing more books for you from the new office/library that I will have.
Until then read good books and enjoy the rest of the summer!

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

Hollis Woods has finally found a home she can "fit in with." But, circumstances beyond her control will threaten this little nest. Through her experience Hollis will learn things about herself she never thought possible.

Published by Scholastic 2002
For ages 9-12
176 pages

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Pictures-Hollis-Woods-Newbery-Honor/dp/0385326556
Paperback $6.99
Hardback $11.16
Kindle $6.99

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/search?query=picture+of+hollis+woods

By the age of 12 Hollis Woods has lived in almost 1/2 dozen foster homes. After settling in at each home she eventually leaves, scoots out the door, it's as if she has gotten "enough" and wants to leave A.S.A.P.
Then she is placed in to the home of an elderly retired art teacher, Josie Cahill. Josie has a moody cat named Henry. A bond quickly grows between Hollis and Josie. Often during the story Hollis day dreams of her previous foster family, she has conversations with Steven--he is her trusted confident. Hollis begins to understand that Josie's aging may make it difficult for her to continue living there and she worries about the future for both of them.

This book was made in to a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie in 2007.
It is a winner of the Newbery Honor Book award.

I loved the character Hollis. She is sharp, quick, witty, feisty, artistic, independent, and a scraper.
There is a tender spot in her heart that reaches out to Josie and for that I have kind regards for this young girl that has lived through many trials.
There were times early in the book that I was not sure if Steven was a real person, but the book does reveal the answer in time.
The book is touching. There is not physical displays of love, but the love the exudes from the heart of Hollis is memorable.

Blissful Reading!
Annette