Book Review: Ruined by Paula Morris

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Author Christina Hamlett is a regular guest reviewer here at Mother Daughter Book Club.com. Here she gives her take on a supernatural book for young adults set in one of my favorite cities: New Orleans. Her review ends with a hint of mystery and it’s intrigued me enough to add Ruined to my list. Here’s the review:

Title: Ruined
Author: Paula Morris
Reviewer: Christina Hamlett
Genre: YA Supernatural
Publisher: Point (2010)

Ruined cover image

As someone whose family moved a lot when I was growing up, I could easily relate to the fish-out-of-water frustrations of teen protagonist Rebecca Brown. When she’s temporarily uprooted from the familiar digs of New York City to go stay with her kooky clairvoyant aunt and cousin in post-Katrina New Orleans, life – as she knows it – may as well be over. Is it any wonder, then, that when her snooty Southern belle classmates decide to ostracize her, Rebecca forms a bond with Lisette, the only girl who seems to understand what it’s like to be lonely and motherless. For Lisette, however, life really is over…to the tune of 150 years. Murdered by a member of one of New Orleans’ most prominent families, Lisette is destined to roam the grounds of the spooky Lafayette Cemetery until such time as a prevailing curse is lifted and can set her free.

New Zealand author Paula Morris does an exceptional job of capturing the dual ambiance of decadence and decay in The Big Easy, a region that still clings as aggressively to the traditions and social mores of an earlier century as it does to collective beliefs in the sinister power of the supernatural. There’s a tendency to keep looking over one’s shoulder throughout this taut and suspenseful read, especially if such reading is done on a dark and stormy night. What was that noise just then? Is someone there? Has the room suddenly become colder?

Skillful, too, is her development of the cautious romance that starts to unfold between Rebecca and the neighborhood hottie, Anton. It’s cautious on Rebecca’s part because she has learned fairly quickly that this isn’t a city where one trusts a stranger, no matter how cute or polite he is. For Anton, it’s all a matter of society’s expectations that he not date anyone outside “acceptable” ranks. To be seen with such a pariah as the New York girl is, in Anton’s world, synonymous with social death, a risk that no one from the upper-crust Southern gentility can afford to take.

From a visual standpoint, this novel would be a perfect candidate for film. The gorgeous backdrop of the Garden District mansions, the creepy labyrinth of cemetery paths, and even the bizarre decorating scheme of Rebecca’s bedroom would be a cinematographer’s dream to replicate for the silver screen. All of the characters are well drawn, and the motivations behind their actions and attitudes are totally plausible and consistent with their respective cultures. As if these elements were not enough to commend the pulse-pounding mystery, there is also an underscore of social conscience that reminds readers of the tremendous loss of lives and property when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. It gives nothing away to say that a glimmer of optimism shines through on the final pages and suggests a sequel of a completely different—but equally compelling—genre.

www.authorhamlett.com
www.mediamagnetism.org
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christina-Hamlett/155417084517326
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPXX3p8TltI&feature=plcp

Ten Children’s Classic Books to Read in Your Mother-Daughter Book Club

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Books get to be known as classics when they stand the test of time with generation after generation of readers. Many of these classics end up becoming movies, which take the place of the written story in popular culture—think Pinocchio and The Wizard of Oz. Your book club can have a lot of fun choosing one of these classics to read and watching a movie adaptation at your meeting. When you talk about the book and the movie you can make some comparisons:

Were you surprised to find out the movie was based on a book written long ago?

What were major differences between the book and the movie?

Which one did you prefer?

Why do you think the movie’s director would want to change the story the way he did?

If the book was written a long time ago, did you find it difficult to understand some of the references or words used?

Here are some classic titles to look for:

  • Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
  • The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Peter Pan by James E. Barrie
  • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
  • The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
  • Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
  • The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
  • Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
  • The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

 

 

Book Review: Sweet Music on Moonlight Ridge by Ramey Channell

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Sweet Music on Moonlight Ridge cover image

In Sweet Music on Moonlight Ridge, Ramey Channell has painted a picture of simpler times when families lived close together and helped each other out, children were free to play and spark their imaginations without close adult supervision, and communities came together during hard times.

Lily Claire lives in the small town of Eden, Alabama where she spends most of her time with her cousin, Willie T. The two of them were born on the same day and they like to have adventures together. The two have an extended family of eccentric characters, including a “great-granddaddy” who kept possums in the house and a Cajun “Paw Paw” who could play the fiddle.

The stories of the two children playing games together can be funny, while other stories of dealing with family loss and helping find a missing baby are touching and sweet. Dialogue will have you hearing a southern twang in your head as you read along.

There’s a touch of mystery and magic in the air on Moonlight Ridge, and Channell has worked her own magic in creating this new series for young readers. (Note: there are a few swear words in the beginning of the book, but other than that nothing is inappropriate for readers starting at age 9).

The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

January is National Soup Month: Try This Recipe with Your Book Club

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It’s no surprise that January is National Soup Month. Most of our nation experiences cold weather during January, and having a bowl of soup for dinner is a good way to warm up. That goes for book clubs too. This recipe has been a hit at my neighborhood functions, where we have soup parties every year, and it’s a good one for book clubs too.

Chicken, Potato, Artichoke Soup

  • 1 lb. boned, skinned chicken thighs, rinsed and patted dry
  • 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 tsp. each salt and freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tbsp. capers, drained
  • Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 3/4-in cubes
  • 2 8-oz. pkgs. frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and quartered, or 2 15-oz. cans, drained
  • 1 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 cup pitted medium green olives

Cut each chicken thigh into 2 or 3 chunks. Add flour, salt, and pepper to a plastic, resealable bag and shake to mix. Add chicken thighs, seal, and shake until chicken pieces are well coated.

In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium-high heat for abut a minute. Carefully take chicken from bag and place in the pot in a single layer. Discard excess flour in the bag. Cook until chicken pieces are brown on both sides, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Working over medium heat stir in garlic, capers, and lemon zest and cook about 30 seconds. Add dry white wine and simmer until reduced by about half, about 2 minutes. Stir to scrape up browned bits from bottom of pan. Add broth, water, potatoes, and chicken and return to a simmer. Turn heat to low and cook, covered, for 10 minutes.

Add artichokes to pot and stir to incorporate in. Cover and cook another 8 to 10 minutes or until potatoes are easily pierced with  fork. Stir in parsley, lemon juice, and olives. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed according to your own taste.

This hearty soup is great served with crispy French bread and a green salad.

 

 

Book Review: Wish You Were Eyre by Heather Vogel Frederick

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Wish You Were Eyre cover image

I don’t read many continuing books in a series for review on this site. My review philosophy is that if the first book in a series is strong enough to stand on its own, then it’s a good choice for book clubs to read and discuss while letting individual members decide whether to continue with the series.

I occasionally make exceptions and the six-novel-strong The Mother-Daughter Book Club series by Heather Vogel Frederick is one of those. How could I not read a fictional series about the very real life topic I dedicate this site to? And yet, I may not have continued if Frederick hadn’t made it so easy for me to fall in love with her characters and want to continue to read their stories book after book.

With the release of the last book in the series, Wish You Were Eyre, I am sure I will not be the only reader conjuring up images of what happens next with Emma, Jess, Megan, Cassidy and Becca as well as all their families. Alas, “next” will have to remain in my imagination.

That desire to follow characters through to the next step in their lives is the mark of a great series and a skilled writer who can bring the people in her stories to life. In all honesty and disclosure I have to say that I have come to call Heather Frederick a friend over the years she has been writing this series, but I certainly would not have continued to read and review them if I didn’t believe they were a great choice for mother-daughter book clubs and young readers everywhere.

Frederick manages to capture the daily issues that pre-teens and teens may face while also giving readers things to hope for and dream about, like international travel, successfully identifying passions for careers, starting businesses, and more. She has a skill at helping her characters speak up for themselves and solve their problems, even if they stew in them for a while. Her latest installment and last book in the series, Wish You Were Eyre, is another delightful example.

Once again Frederick weaves the reading of a classic novel, this time Jane Eyre, into the story line of her modern-day girls living in Concord, Massachusetts. There are problems to be solved, misunderstandings of other people’s actions and intentions, and strained mother-daughter relationships to be found for sure. But you will also find different characters of all ages exploring what it means to be in love, supporting their friends, exploring new adventures and more. It’s a satisfying finale to a beloved series.

The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

Book Review: Hating Heidi Foster by Jeffrey Blount

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Hating Heidi Foster cover image

Mae McBride’s life comes crashing down around her when her father dies while rescuing her best friend from a burning home. Bereft of anyone to talk to except her mom, who is dealing with her own grief, Mae shuts down and forces the pain away by nurturing her hatred.

She hates her dad for putting someone else before his family, and she hates her friend for not rescuing herself. Heidi spirals down into depression, as she feels responsible for Mae’s dad’s death. A startling discovery may help the two friends heal each other.

Hating Heidi Foster by Jeffrey Blount is an unflinching look at grief, guilt and the fortitude that it takes to move on after a tragedy. Mae learns that while she wants to move on with her life, and her mom seems to be emerging from grief, everyone deals with loss differently and nothing can rush the process.

Blount deals gently with his characters, taking them through the darkest times to emerge into brighter times. The emotions they experience are sometimes surprising. For instance, it’s expected that Mae would blame Heidi for what happened, but it’s also unexpected, yet feels very real, that she would also blame her dad. Young adults reading this novel can talk about the nature of friendship, family and the strength of the ties that bind those together.

The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Right Leaders by J. Patrick Lewis

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When Thunder Comes cover image

Children’s Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis has created a new book of poems for young people about the lives of those around the world who sought to break race, class and sexual equality barriers through their actions. When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders is a collection of poems highlighting the lives, strengths, and accomplishments of seventeen men and women who fought against the restrictions put upon them by the societies they lived in.

Included in the list are well known activists such as Mohandas Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Coretta Scott King. But there are also lesser-known names, such as Mitsuye Endo, a Japanese American woman interned during World War II, and Dennis James Banks, who cofounded the American Indian Movement.

Each person listed is given an honorific title, like “the first” for Jackie Robinson, who was the first African American baseball player in the modern era, and “the crusader” for Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California.

Five artists illustrate the poems: Jim Burke, R. Gregory Christie, Tonya Engel, John Parra and Meilo So. At first I worried that this may make the drawings too separate and feel unrelated to each other. Instead, it brings richness to the illustrations that highlight the unique qualities of each civil rights leader. Here’s an image from one of the featured activists, Mitsuyi Endo who was a Japanese American interred during World War II:

Detail of The Captive from When Thunder Comes

Brief biographies at the back add detail to the lives of the leaders celebrated through verse. When Thunder Comes is a great book to share with your children and introduce them to some of the major issues of the 20th century. It’s great to read around Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Black History Month, or anytime you want to celebrate the courage these ordinary people drew upon to speak up for themselves.

The publisher gave me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

Book Review: Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm by Philip Pullman

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Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm cover image

Many of the fairytales that Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm collected and published in the 1800s are well known even today: Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood. So why would anyone be interested in reading a new printing of these stories?

Philip Pullman answers that question with his Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English Version (Viking, 2012). First off, Pullman, who created the popular and beloved His Dark Materials series that started with The Golden Compass, knows how to weave a tale or two of his own. Second, the Grimm brothers collected dozens of fairy tales that are not as well known but just as delightful as those listed above. And third, Pullman has researched and lists other similar fairy tales known in other cultures that adds to the appreciation of these tales.

Pullman starts with an introduction about brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, who were born in Germany in the late 1700s and began collecting and publishing tales in the 1800s. Pullman talks about the popularity of tales at the time, and he paints a picture of what it was like for listeners to hear them. He also makes a case for fairy tales as being meant to be added to and improved upon depending on the teller and the times they are told in. I really got an appreciation for how modern adaptations fit right into the spirit of fairy tale construction.

I really enjoyed reading each tale, then looking for Pullman’s comments at the end. In them, he noted any changes he may have made and why as well as cited similar tales told in other countries. For instance “Mount Simeli,” is similar to “The Story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Killed by a Slave Girl” from The Arabian Nights, and “The Robber Bridegroom” has connections to Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.”

Also a plus for reading the book is the length of the stories. Most are short and easily digested before bedtime or easy to read aloud at any time. But even though the stories are fairy tales, children would probably not appreciate the explanations or many of the tales themselves, which tend to be a bit more violent than the toned down versions found in popular culture. While thoroughly delightful, I believe  Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm is best suited for young adult and adult readers.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

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