Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Demigod Files

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Demigod Files (2009 ) by Rick Riordan. 151 pages.

ISBN: 978-142312166-4

The book has three short stories of Percy Jackson's dangerous adventures. It also includes interviews, maps and games. In the first story, Percy helps his old enemy from demigod camp, Clarisse, get her father's chariot back. Charlie Beckendorf, the camp counselor, is captured by a horde of swarming poisonous ants in the second story. Percy and his friends rescue him with the help of a dragon. In the last story, Percy and pals need to retrieve Hades's stolen sword. Readers will meet the Greek gods and goddess, Zeus, Poseidon, Ares and Athena.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians website

43 Old Cemetery Road: Over My Dead Road

43 Old Cemetery Road: Over My Dead Road Book Two (2009) by Kate Klise and illustrated by M. Sarah Klise. 116 pages.

ISBN 978-0-15-205734-3

Les and Diane Hope, professors of the paranormal, have moved in to the mansion haunted by Olive C. Spence. They want to document Olive's ghost and make lots of money. Except, Olive only appears to their son, Seymour. His parents then leave him when they go to Paris on a lecture tour. Seymour Hope ends up in the care of Olive and Ignatius B. Grumply, an author who has rented the mansion. They start a publishing company; they write and sell popular ghost books. All are living quite happily, making enough money to buy the house from the Hopes.

But, their happiness gets threatened when they are investiaged by the International Movement for the Safety & Our Kids & Youth (IMSPOOKY) run by Dick Tater. Mr. Tater determines Seymour is not safe and he sends Seymour to a (ghastly) orphanage and Mr. Grumply to a home for the deranged. Tater also plans to ban Halloween and warns that ghost stories are bad for children. He even ordered librarians to build bonfires to burn dangerous books.

Text is a varietal mix among the pages. Font styles vary among the characters. Characters communicate with each other through letters. The Ghastly Times newspaper reports local stories. Black and white illustrations creatively enhance the story. The names of the characters are especially funny; Ike N. Openitt, the locksmith, Fay Tality and Shirly U. Jest are few more.

Although some text may be sensitive to some people, such as "nut house" and "loony bin" for the asylum and having "mental illness" from defending a ghost, the book is amusing and witty. Good read for 9 to 11 year olds.

This book is part of a series: 1) Dying to Meet You, 2) Over My Dead Body, 3) Till Death Do Us Bark. Listen and watch to the Klise sisters talk about writing these books.

Twilight 1: The Graphic Novel

Twilight 1: The Graphic Novel by Stephenie Meyer; Art and adaptation by Young Kim.
ISBN: 978-0-7595-2943-4

Bella moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father. The weather is drastically different from what is in Phoenix, Arizona. Attending a new high school, Bella makes some friends and becomes very interested in a group of teens who are intensely good looking, but "chalky pale" with "very dark eyes". Sitting next to one of them in Biology class, Bella thinks that he, Edward Cullend, doesn't like her. Later, she discovers that his feelings for her are so intense, he needs to take precautions to control himself around her. Edwards's very mysterious and attactive to Bella and Bella is growing more irresistable to Edward.

Graphic adaptation of the popular Twilight book. Predominately illustrated in black and white, most of the panels feature the characters. The few color pages add to the intensity and meaning of the scenes.

This graphic interpretation is a good introduction to the popular Twilight books; see the Stephanie Meyer site for more information. Gives insight into the main points of the first book, although the story lacks some continuity and the content is at a surface levl. May entice non-readers to want to pick up the original book.

Artemis Fowl - The Graphic Novel

Artemis Fowl - The Graphic Novel (2007) by Eoin Colfer. Adapted by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin; Art by Giovanni Rigano, Color by Paolo Lamanna. 112 pages.
ISBN-10: 0-786-84881-2

Artemis Fowl books have been a favorite of middle-schoolers since 2001. The Graphic Novel is an adapted version of the first book in the series. The color illustrations are amazing, a combination of fun comics and intense detailed graphics. Many scene panels actively move the story without dialogue. Dialogue is interesting although, at times, complex. Characters are introduced throughout the story by secret government files.

Artemis the Second is a twelve year old prodigy and criminal-mastermind, who aims to restore his family's fortune at the risk of causing a cross-species war and destroying civilizations. His genius allows him to make scientific observations and invent advanced technologies. Accompanied by Bulter, who has extreme martial arts and marksmanship skills, Artemis obtains and translates "The Book" that contains vital information about the "People" of the underground. Underground live the gnomes, trolls, elfs, centaurs, dwarfs and goblins. Elves have fairy magic enhanced by technology.

Captain Holly Short, an elf and only female member of the LEPrecon police, is sent to locate a rogue troll. Artemis and Butler capture Holly, as part of their plan to acquire some of their magical powers and getting a ransom of gold. Led by Commander Root, LEPrecon fights back using Foaly's technical genius.

Full of adventure and fantasy, this novel will not disappoint Artemis Fowl fans and it will draw in new readers. It's consistently interesting and exciting, mixed with humor. Great read for 10 to 13 year olds.

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (2005). Directed by Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp and Freddie Highmore, with music by Danny Elfman. Available on DVD; shown on the Family channel, June 27, 2010.

Classic Tim Burton film, with visual wonders and enchanting music. Five childeren are guided on a tour of the Wonka candy factory by Willy Wonka. He introduces his guests to the Oompa Loompas, who do all the work in the factory and sing their unapproving comments when the rotten children overstep their welcome. Four of the children end their tour in very odd circumstances; the fifth, Charlie Bucket, helps Wonka rediscover his father.

Wonka has flashbacks to his unhappy childhood with his father, a dentist; which is probably why Wonka is creepy and snide.

The viewer will feel like s/he is on a water (chocolate river) rollercoaster ride through a fantastical and obsurd candy factory. Costumes and scenes are visually stimulating. Fun, albeit a bit creepy, for 9 to 13 year olds.

Visit the companion Wonka website.

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Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971). Screenplay by Roald Dahl, directed by Mel Stuart and starring Gene Wilder. Available on DVD; shown on the Family channel, June 27, 2010.

A more charming movie than the 2005 version, with lots of fun, descriptions, such as scrumdiddlyumptious, "incredibly long-lasting Laffy Taffy" and "everlasting gobstoppers". Follow the five ticket holders as they tour the mysterious and magnificent chocolate factory. Contrasts between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots', and naughty and nice are capitalized on.

It's fun to compare the different film versions.


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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Illustrated 1998, Text 1964) by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. 176 pages.
ISBN: 978-0-14-2413018


Charlie Bucket, Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde and Mike Teavee are guided on a tour the mysterious chocolate factory by the quirky Willy Wonka. Curious dwarfs, the Oompa Loompas work in the factory and sing songs when bad happens to horrible children. Lots of magical and absurd things occur to entertain the reader. Fun read for 9 to 12 year olds.

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrations by Dave McKean
ISBN 978-0-06-053092
New York: Harper Collins Publishers
Newberry Award 2009
Hugo Award for Best Novel 2009

Fantasy

An orphan baby arrives in a graveyard on the day his family was killed. The graveyard residents, who are ghosts, agree to let him stay. The Owens adopt him and name him Nobody,"Bod", Owens. Silas, who is neither alive or dead and is able to obtain food and clothing for Bod, becomes his guardian. Bod is bestowed the Freedom of the Graveyard, which gives him special abilities. The story follows Bod until he is fifteen years old. He attends classes with ghosts, has a friend who’s a ghost of a witch, is watched by Miss Lupescu, who is a ‘Hound of God’, encounters frightening ghouls and a threatening Sleer, and experiences the Danse Macabre. Bod experiences the power of love and friendship from the graveyard residents as he grows, learns and encounters menace.

Bod is warned about the dangers of leaving the graveyard. The mysterious man Jack, who killed his family, wants to kill Bod. Bod wants to leave to find a way to sell an item to buy a gravestone. His ventures out become perilous and tricky. Jack and his pals discover Bod and plot to kill him.

Enchanting and sometimes thrilling, this novel moves at a good pace. Although a haunting subject – a boy being raised by ghosts in a cemetery, the story is charming and exciting. It’s a good read for 9 to 12 years.

Official Neil Gaiman site and his Mouse Circus site for young readers.