Shadow Forest

Author & Illustrator:

Genre: Humour, Fantasy, Spooky

Age Range: 9+

Theme/Subject: Bravery, Bereavement, Norway, Folklore

Publisher: Corgi

ISBN: 9780552555630

Synopsis:

After a disastrous accident ruins a perfect day for Samuel Blink and his sister, Martha, both siblings find themselves flown off to the deepest, darkest ends of Norway to live with their Aunt Eda, whose obsession with smelly cheeses is rivalled only by her fear of the Forest that lies on the borders of her house. It is a Forest full of trolls, huldre, pixies, witches and worst of all, the Changemaker himself. Dare Samuel enter within ? It seems he has no choice but to.

Review:

When I first started this book I found myself enjoyably caught off-guard by the shocking and rather sad beginning: this was a good way to grab that reluctant reader early on (Not that I am one!). Both children find themselves whisked to Norway to live with their Aunt. From here, the story of the ‘Shadow Forest’ unravels at a comfortable pace. The tale itself is a very good one but I found that the authorial intrusions, dotted throughout the story, did not work for me. When we jumped out of the world and into the author’s thoughts (taken up by chapters), the story momentarily lost its flow. I understand that Haig was trying to add a little Snicket-like humour into the telling, but I feel he would have done better omitting it. The story is good enough to stand on its own two legs and I couldn’t help but want to explore and know more about the Forest itself. On saying this, I hope Haig leaves the forest to the reader’s imagination and never writes a sequel.

The story deals with the adventure Samuel goes on in which he attempts to retrieve his mute sister from the clutches of the sinister Changemaker. He conquers his fears and with the help of a special book, is able to tackle the denizens of the Forest. Throughout the pages, we get parallel stories and flashbacks from Martha as well as Aunt Eda and the Changemaker. This shift from different storylines works very well and helps create a sense of pace and excitement throughout.

I would recommend ‘Shadow Forest’ in many different ways. It’s not a book that will stay with me forever, but it is a well-written little story and a complete break from a lot of the same conventional rubbish that is out there at the moment. Haig has the ability to become a solid and exciting writer for those readers who enjoy an adventure that isn’t too predictable and isn’t too cozy. This is a great book to read tucked up at night or have read to in class. A good present and a book aimed at a budding a reader or an accomplished one who wishes to be whisked away to a Norway filled with rather nasty fairies.

Mr. Gum and the Power Crystals

Author: Andy Stanton

Illustrator: David Tazzyman

Genre: Humour, Nonsense

Age Range: 7+

Theme/Subject: Good versus Evil,

Publisher: Egmont

ISBN: 9781405228176

Synopsis:

Mr. Gum is up to his dastardly tricks again ! This time he is enlisting the help of a windmill ! Well, an evil spirit trapped within a power-infused windmill. If Mr. Gum can gather the power-crystals in time and store them within the windmill then all of Lamonic Bibber is doomed. Only Polly, Old Granny and Alan Taylor (the Gingery-type bread being) can stop them…oh, and a donkey named Barcelona Jim.

Review:

I read this book shortly after the ‘Goblins’ one and although that one was funnier, ‘Mr. Gum and the Power Crystals’ is actually funny but with the a worrying hint of a story trying to creep in through the door in the background. Again, all the elements of what makes Stanton so funny are here: a ridiculous story idea, hilarious conversations (I particularly liked Nicholas de Twinklecakes) and the welcoming play on the English language and all its pot-holes. Examples are numerous, from the huge range of text-sizes and font-styles to sweet play on words:
‘With a grimace, Polly took the coloured stones from her skirt pocket. She could not believe she had once thought them beautiful like a goose on a hill. They had brought nothing but trouble and now she could barely bear to bear them in her bare hands.’
See. Silly. And that’s the milder stuff.
Stanton’s ‘silly’ humour will appeal to struggling readers who need something really short and easy to read, as well as a book small in size with a simple and engaging storyline. The pace is quick and therefore short amount of reading will seem rewarding. This series allows reluctant readers to see that some stories are allowed to be fun, quirky and nonsensical.I would recommend this book to readers who like a touch of the ridiculous as well as those who might have not gotten into reading on a regular basis. The light-hearted humour of these books consistently bring a smile to my face and help me understand that the world doesn’t always have to be as serious as I often

Laika

Author & Illustrator: Nick Abadzis

Genre: Graphic Literature, Modern History

Age Range: 14+ (This is only due to there being the odd swear-word. Handled with care, then a deeper child who is younger could read this if assisted by an adult who can help them deal with the themes.)

Theme/Subject: Russia, Space Race, Cruelty to Animals, America vs. Soviets

Publisher: First Second

ISBN: 9781596431010

Synopsis: (Amended from the Inside Sleeve)

Laika was the abandoned puppy destined to become Earth’s first space traveller. This is her journey. Along with Laika, there is Korolev, once a political prisoner, now a driven engineer at the top of the Soviet space program, and Yelena, the lab technician responsible for Laika’s health and life. Abadzis gives life to a pivotal moment in modern history, casting light on the hidden moments of deep humanity behind the cold hard facts.

Review:

I saw this on the ‘Just In’ shelf in Borders and it caught my eye immediately. Judging by the text on the front, I knew the story had to be something to do with Russia (the Soviet Union as it turns out) and so I picked it up and saw, to my joy, that it was a graphic novel. This was the first piece of work I had encountered by Abadzis.
In short, the story deals with the launch of the Soviet’s launch of Sputnik (1957) and the race afterwards to launch a second ship into space. We become involved in Krushchev’s desire to out-do Eisenhower and the Americans and show them that Communism in the Soviet Union was, in his eyes, successful. Whilst this battle for the heavens goes on, the reader follows the story of Laika, a homeless stray dog who is painfully searching for companionship and comradeship. Ultimately, she is taken in and trained to be the first living creature ever to enter space. However, heartbreakingly, it was never to be a return journey.
Abadzis does a wonderful job on trying to capture the Soviet Union in the 1950s; the struggle for power in the space race; but more importantly, the struggle for compassion and love in a country only just coping with the repressive control that Stalin had placed upon them.
There are so many facets that I loved about this graphic novel: the relationship between Yelena and the dogs she handled and the huge social differences and difficulties in the Soviet Union during the 1950s, to name but a few. Abadzis handles the story with a warm and caring touch, so much so that I could not help but cry and reflect on the impact that the little dog, and all those attached to her story, had on me.