Add this book to your collection: Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman
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The movie version of one of my favorite books of all-time, releases on November 23, 2011. Please read the book before seeing the movie—it’s outstanding!
Add this book to your collection: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
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By Tina Vasquez, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 9, 2011
Please Ignore Vera Dietz
By A.S. King
Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 323 pages
Publisher: Knopf (October 2010)
Source: Publisher
Award(s): Printz Honor Book, 2011
Vera Dietz is a quick-witted, intelligent, responsible, kind—essentially, she’s every parent’s dream, except for the fact that she’s linked to the murder of her best friend Charlie and is subsisting on a steady diet of vodka and fast food. Also, she may be going crazy or Charlie may be haunting her, begging her to clear his name. Either way, Vera’s senior year is shaping up to be a doozy.
Growing up, Vera spent every day with Charlie; he was her closest confidante and they truly needed each other. Vera was being raised by her dad, who was obsessed with responsibility, which is why she was forced to get a job as a “pizza delivery technician.” Vera’s dad may need her more than she needs him. After her mother abandoned them, Vera picked up the pieces. Charlie was living in his own house of horrors, the brutal, often physically violent fights between his parents were common knowledge, but rarely spoken of.
Through all of this Charlie and Vera forged a deep bond that was a lot like friendship and a lot like falling in love, but as they got older Charlie withdrew from Vera, becoming secretive and spending a great deal of his time with “detentionheads” he and Vera used to make fun of. Their relationship began to fall apart just as they needed each other most, but it wasn’t because of a lack of love. As we learn in Please Ignore Vera Dietz, sometimes love isn’t enough to keep two people together or to keep one from making bad choices.
A.S. King’s writing is punchy and doesn’t talk down to young readers. Each character is well-rounded, providing just enough insight into their inner workings, without giving too much away too soon. Everyone seems slightly damaged in a way that is realistic, meaning young readers will most likely see themselves, their friends, or their family members reflected in each of the characters.
Whether high school is a distant memory or it’s on the agenda for tomorrow, readers both young and old will find themselves getting sucked into King’s latest. It may be part murder mystery, part high school drama, but it’s also one good read.
Add this book to your collection: Please Ignore Vera Dietz
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Add this book to your collection: Interrupting Chicken
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Add this book to your collection: The House of Tomorrow
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The Alex Awards represent the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences.
Add this book to your collection: Stolen, by Lucy Christopher. A Michael L. Printz Honor Book.
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By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 10, 2011
As announced by the American Library Association (ALA), the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book:
“Bink and Gollie,” written by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee and illustrated by Tony Fucile is the 2011 Seuss Award winner. The book is published by Candlewick Press.
Two Geisel Honor Books were named:
“Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same!” written and illustrated by Grace Lin and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.; and “We Are in a Book!” written and illustrated by Mo Willems and published by Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group.
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 10, 2011
As announced by the American Library Association (ALA) …
Honoring a Latino writer whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:
“The Dreamer,” written by Pam Muñoz Ryan, is the 2011 Belpré Author Award winner. The book is illustrated by Peter Sís and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Three BelpréAuthor Honor Books were named:
“¡Olé! Flamenco,” written and illustrated by George Ancona and published by Lee & Low Books Inc.; “The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette’s Journey to Cuba,” written by Margarita Engle and published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC; and “90 Miles to Havana,” written by Enrique Flores-Galbis and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.
Honoring a Latino illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:
“Grandma’s Gift,” illustrated and written by Eric Velasquez, is the 2011 Belpré Illustrator Award winner. The book is published by Walker Publishing Company, Inc., a division of Bloomsbury Publishing, Inc.
Three Belpré Illustrator Honor Books for illustration were selected:
“Fiesta Babies,” illustrated by Amy Córdova, written by Carmen Tafolla and published by Tricycle Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.; “Me, Frida,” illustrated by David Diaz, written by Amy Novesky and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS; “Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin,” illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS.
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By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 10, 2011
As announced by the American Library Association (ALA), the “Laura Ingalls Wilder Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children. The 2011 winner is Tomie dePaola, author and illustrator of over 200 books, including: “26 Fairmont Avenue” (Putnam, 1999), “The Legend of the Poinsettia” (Putnam, 1994), “Oliver Button Is a Sissy” (Harcourt, 1979) and “Strega Nona” (Prentice-Hall, 1975).”
Congratulations, Mr. dePaola!
We invite our readers to revisit our 2008 interview with Tomie dePaola …
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 10, 2011
As announced by the American Library Association (ALA), the Alex Awards represent the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 10, 2011
As announced by the American Library Association (ALA) …
“The Pirate of Kindergarten,” written by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Lynne Avril and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, wins the award for children ages 0 to 10.
“After Ever After,” written by Jordan Sonnenblick and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., is the winner of the middle-school.
The teen award winner is “Five Flavors of Dumb,” written by Antony John and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 10, 2011
As announced by the American Library Association (ALA) …
Recognizing an African American author of outstanding books for children and young adults:
“One Crazy Summer,” written by Rita Williams-Garcia is the 2011 King Author Book winner. The book is published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Three King Author Honor Books were selected:
“Lockdown,” by Walter Dean Myers and published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers; “Ninth Ward,” by Jewell Parker Rhodes and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.; and “Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty,” written by G. Neri, illustrated by Randy DuBurke and published by Lee & Low Books Inc.
Recognizing an African American illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:
“Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, is the 2011 King Illustrator Book winner. The book was written by Laban Carrick Hill and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
One King Illustrator Honor Book was selected:
“Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix,” illustrated by Javaka Steptoe, written by Gary Golio and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 10, 2011
The American Library Association (ALA) announced the winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:
“Ship Breaker,” written by Paolo Bacigalupi, is the 2011 Printz Award winner. The book is published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Four Printz Honor Books also were named:
“Stolen,” by Lucy Christopher and published by Chicken House, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.; “Please Ignore Vera Dietz,” by A.S. King and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.; “Revolver,” by Marcus Sedgwick and published by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; and “Nothing,” by Janne Teller and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.
Add this book to your collection: Dust Devil and Swamp Angel (Caldecott Honor Book) by Anne Isaacs and Paul O. Zelinsky
I can’t wait to read this companion to the Newbery Honor winner Savvy: Scumble by Ingrid Law
Read our interview with Ingrid Law!
©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.
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On May 11, 2010, The Children’s Book Council (CBC) in association with Every Child a Reader, Inc. (the CBC Foundation), announced the winners of the third annual Children’s Choice Book Awards.
Add a CommentThe Children's Book Council hosts the Children's Choice Book Awards. The favorite book finalists for this year were determined by close to 15,000 children and teens. I highly recommend checking out these books!
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By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review
Published: January 18, 2010
Each year, the American Library Association (ALA) awards the authors and illustrators who have delivered the most outstanding work. The two most prestigious and well known awards are the John Newbery Medal and the Randolph Caldecott Medal. However, there are also many other awards that offer recognition to the deserving and applaud excellence. Each award is carefully judged by a committee of librarians and children's experts, whom never fail to provide us with a distinguished list of books that are sure to make an impact on our children.
"Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, ALA awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by judging committees of librarians and other children’s experts, the awards encourage original and creative work. For more information on the ALA youth media awards and notables, please visit the ALA Web site at www.ala.org." ~ ALA Press Release
Most outstanding contribution to children’s literature.
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
John Newbery Honor Books
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip M Hoose
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick
The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review
Published: December 7, 2009
Two of the simplest ways to encourage children to read—the fundamental skill behind all learning—is to let your children see you reading and to keep books around the house where they are visible. Coffee table books are perfect for both scenarios.
If it's going to be out on show they need to look good. Usually a hard cover with great great illustrations, or a color scheme that fits with your furnishings—it needs to look decorative. However, once you get past the aesthetics, it needs to be able to hold the attention of the reader and have the power to become a topic of conversation.
Typically, most coffee table books will only hold the attention of adults—and often not even past the first couple of pages. That is why I like the following two books. They're both attractive, entertaining, and have true family appeal. Perfect for the coffee table in the playroom ... and they also make good gifts!
by Conn Iggulden (Author), Lizzy Duncan (Illustrator)
Reading level: All Ages
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st ed/1st printing edition (October 6, 2009)
Source: Publisher
What to expect: Fantasy
Picked for its bold red color and sparkling silver border and simple but intriguing cover illustration. Not to mention the gold sticker reminding us that this book is from the creators of The Dangerous Book for Boys—that's sure to peak interest even in the most reluctant of readers.
Publisher's synopsis: These are the first three stories of the Tollins. Yes, they do have wings, but no, they aren't fairies. Tollins are a lot less fragile than fairies. In fact, the word fragile can't really be used about them at all. They are about as fragile as a house of brick.
In "How to Blow Up Tollins" a fireworks factory comes to the village of Chorleywood and the Tollins find themselves being used as industrial supplies. Being blasted into the night sky or spun round on a Catherine wheel is nowhere near a much fun as it sounds. It's up to one young Tollin to save his people from becoming an ingredient.
In "Sparkler and the Purple Death" our hero look execution in the face. Luckily, the executioner's mask in backwards.
Finally, in "Windbags and Dark Tollins" Tollin society faces a threat from the Dorset countryside, which, again, is much more frightening and nail-bitingly dramatic than it actually sounds.
Add this book to your collection: Tollins: Explosive Tales For Children
You may also enjoy: The Dangerous Book for Boys (this would also look great on the coffee table).
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By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review
Published: November 19, 2009
Congratulations to Phillip Hoose, the winner of the 2009 National Book Award, in the Young People's Literature category. I haven't had the opportunity to read this book, however, I thought I'd share the link to the Nataional Book Foundation's inspiring interview with Phillip Hoose. As well as the publisher's synopsis ...
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
by Phillip M Hoose
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1 edition (January 20, 2009)
Publisher's synopsis: “When it comes to justice, there is no easy way to get it. You can’t sugarcoat it. You have to take a stand and say, ‘This is not right.’” – Claudette Colvin
On March 2, 1955, an impassioned teenager, fed up with the daily injustices of Jim Crow segregation, refused to give her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Instead of being celebrated as Rosa Parks would be just nine months later, fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin found herself shunned by her classmates and dismissed by community leaders. Undaunted, a year later she dared to challenge segregation again as a key plaintiff in Browder v. Gayle, the landmark case that struck down the segregation laws of Montgomery and swept away the legal underpinnings of the Jim Crow South.
Based on extensive interviews with Claudette Colvin and many others, Phillip Hoose presents the first in-depth account of an important yet largely unknown civil rights figure, skillfully weaving her dramatic story into the fabric of the historic Montgomery bus boycott and court case that would change the course of American history.
About the Author: PHILLIP HOOSE’s distinguished nonfiction includes the National Book Award Finalist We Were There, Too!: Young People in U.S. History and The Race to Save the Lord God Bird, winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Nonfiction. He lives in Portland, Maine.
Add this book to your collection: Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
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By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review Published: September 24, 2009 In anticipation of the release of Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by David Benedictus, which goes on sale October 5th, I want to share this video of Jim Dale reading the exposition from Return to the Hundred Acre Wood during the recording of the audio book. Return to the Hundred Acre Wood is the first authorized sequel to A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard’s classic books, Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner to be written in over eighty years! Courtesy of the Penguin Young Readers Group, here are some fun facts about Winnie-the-Pooh: Winnie the Pooh was brought to life on Christmas Eve in 1925 when the first Pooh story, written by AA Milne, was published in the London Evening News. The piece was based on a bedtime story read by AA Milne to his son, Christopher Robin. The characters in AA Milne's stories are based on toys once owned by his son. The original stuffed toys are now kept in New York Public Library. The inspiration for Hundred Acre Wood comes from Ashdown Forest in Sussex, which was near AA Milne's country home Cotchford Farm. Winnie the... Read the rest of this post
Add a CommentBy Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review Published: September 3, 2009 “If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good” ~ Dr. Seuss One sunny day, while swimming in a pool, my husband and I overheard a lady proclaiming to the world that Dr. Seuss' books were absurd and should not be read to children. Her reason: incorrect use of the English language. Oh lady, you've really missed the whole point, haven't you?! Here are five reasons you should love Dr. Seuss, including their absurdity: 1. Great for Beginning Readers and Mastering Phonics A child who is learning to read is learning to connect the sounds that go with letters, so that he can then put them together to make words, which then become sentences. Repeating sounds frequently help a child master this skill. Dr. Seuss is the master of repetitive sounds and engaging stories, while using limited vocabulary -- an ideal book for a beginning reader. A good example: Hop on Pop. 2. Great Read-Aloud Books Dr. Seuss' books sound great when they are read aloud, thanks to his clever rhyming. Did you know that reading to an infant helps with brain development, speech... Read the rest of this post
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By Amanda Lynch, The Children's Book Review
Published: July 14, 2009
Just as a warning, there are spoilers in this post.
For me, it was the third book.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the first two. I loved the premise. Don't we all sometimes wish we could be plucked from obscurity and tell us our true destiny? From the moment Hagrid says, "You're a wizard, Harry", the picked on, poorly attired, lonely Harry Potter suddenly feels his life fall into place. It's not without obstacle, of course: Harry has a terrible time in Potions class (mostly due to Professor Snape's intense dislike of him), from time to time students suspect that he is trying to kill them (as in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when Harry is suspected to be the Heir of Slytherin), and he sometimes has to sadly learn that even Magic has its limitations (as the Mirror of Erised can show him his parents, but not bring them back). Over all, the first two books in the series, while fraught with peril, were a great deal of fun: we cheered Harry on as he became a Quidditch hero, we enjoyed his successes at Hogwarts, and we always suspected that Dumbledore was almost approving of the mischief that he, Ron, and Hermione got into.
But then the third book changed everything.
For the first time, Harry had someone to be angry at besides Lord Voldemort for the death of his parents--Sirius Black. Harry's rage and anger at Sirius--the person who he believed deprived him of a happy and loving childhood--really turns Harry into a sympathetic and relatable character. It was from that point on that I really wanted to know what happened to little Harry Potter--and each subsequent book brought a stronger emotional attachment to his plight.
With the sixth movie coming out today, we wanted to take a look at why the Harry Potter Books are as beloved as they are. So, without further ado, here are the top five reasons we love Harry Potter:
1. The Magical Realm
The Burrow. Hogwarts. Hogsmeade. Don't you just want to visit all of these magical places? J.K. Rowling's creations are exquisite: the shiny red Hogwarts express; the beautiful castle at Hogwarts; the spooky Forbidden Forest. I think Rowling is often at her best when describing Diagon Alley: The Magical Menagerie (where Hermione finds Crookshanks and the dancing rats put Ron's pet Scabbers to shame); Flourish and Blotts, a bookstore where I'm sure any booklover longs to go; and of course, Ollivander's, where the wand chooses the wizard. Of course, in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, where we get the fabulous addition of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, which (after 5 books filled with pranks pulled by the Weasley twins) is everything we could hope for from the schemers of the family.
2. The Students and Staff at Hogwarts
Colin Creevy with his camera. Romilda Vane and her love potions. The elusive Cho Chang. Burly Oliver Wood, whose life revolves around Quidditch. The often-overlooked but extremely brave Neville Longbottom. The dreamy and unusual Luna Lovegood. While the story often centers on the exploits of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, some of the other Hogwarts students really steal the show. The teachers also are fantastic, from Hagrid and his unfortunate love of deadly creatures, to the self-obsessed Gilderoy Lockhart. What I think is one of Rowling's strongest suits is her ability to make even the most repulsive character seem humane. She somehow manages to make Argus Filch, the caretaker, pitiable when we discover he's a Squib (unable to do magic); Draco Malfoy, who's been antagonistic to Harry throughout the whole series, arouses sympathy when we find what he's forced to do under Voldemort; and of course, there is the case of Severus Snape, whose true intentions we wonder about from the beginning to the end.
3. The Supporting Cast of Characters
Ask yourself: would these books be half as delightful without all the quirky minor characters? The sometimes misguided devotion of Dobby the House-Elf to Harry can sometimes be exasperating, but equally endearing (and Dobby's fanaticism with socks always can elicit a chuckle). Molly Weasley's mixture of pity and love for Harry is also one of the sweetest points of the series, as she consistently strives to make Harry feel like he has a home at the Burrow by cooking his favorite meals, fussing over him, and never failing to knit him a sweater at Christmas. Even Hedwig, Harry's owl, has quite the personality: she gets angry at him when he doesn't visit her or when he keeps her locked in her cage for too long.
One of the best supporting characters by far is Peeves the Poltergeist. Something that never fails to make me laugh is his song from Chamber of Secrets:
"Oh Potter, you rotter, oh what have you done?
You're killing off students, you think it's good fun!"
4. Albus Dumbledore
Dumbledore's love for Harry as practically his own son is one of the most moving aspects of the series. From the beginning, he takes an especial interest in Harry, and it's easy to see from the gift of his father's invisibility cloak at Harry's first Christmas at Hogwarts that he cares. That's also why it's so heart-wrenching to see Dumbledore distance himself from Harry in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, when he believes doing so will be beneficial to Harry, whose mind is being invaded by Voldemort. Dumbledore's pride in Harry is often obvious, from the time when he rescues Sirius in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to when he obtains a vital memory from Professor Slughorn in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Harry's relationship with Dumbledore is one of the cornerstones of the story, as it is nice to see a father figure in Harry's life. And of course, the reunion of the two at the end of the series easily brings tears to one's eyes.
5. Harry Himself
And then there's Harry. Harry has many great qualities, but he's also deeply flawed--another reason why he's such a relatable character. He's also very normal for a wizard. Harry deals with the same problems that boys and girls his age deal with: worry about being accepted by others in school; a desire to live up to his father's athletic skills, and his unrequited love for Cho Chang--which becomes an awkward situation for the both of them as the series continues. In Order of the Phoenix, for instance, Harry starts behaving as less of a hero and more of what he actually is: an adolescent boy. While he has a temper and is sometimes arrogant, Harry is characterized by his humility and often tries to downplay his accomplishments. Still, he does do well when he steps into the role of leader of Dumbledore's Army; he is a natural teacher and is patient with his fellow classmates.
Something that really stands out about Harry is his concern for others. He has obvious indignation over the other students who are unkind to Luna, and he shows a particular kindness to her by inviting her to Professor Slughorn's party. He is strongly guided by his conscience, as shown when he is insistent on bringing back Cedric Diggory's body after he is murdered. What is especially heart-wrenching is in the sixth book when Harry insists on ending his relationship with Ginny in order to protect her from Lord Voldemort.
Finally, Harry is extremely brave: he confronts Voldemort on numerous occasions, he rescues Ginny from the Chamber of Secrets, he goes into almost certain death on more than one occasion because of his self-sacrificing nature and knowledge that he is the one who can stop Voldemort. However, he also deals with self-doubt and frustration that he is "The Chosen One", the "Boy Who Lived." His own celebrity gets to him on more than one occasion, and he frequently wishes that this burden wasn't put upon him. In the end though, Harry's love for others saves them all.
So....do you have your tickets yet for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?
For some extra Harry Potter fun, check out Cake Wrecks. They have some incredibly beautiful Harry Potter cakes. They're almost too pretty to eat! Note that I said "almost"...
Take a behind the scenes look at Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?
By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review
Published: July 14, 2009
Enter Paloma, tagging along on a visit to Hard Pan with a pack of hungry geologists. She's smart and pretty and fun -- definitely best-friend material. But will Lucky be able to cope with tomato worms, Short Sammy's mysterious box, the potential for disaster when Paloma's parents visit Hard Pan, and Lincoln's fame among knot tyers of the world?
Lucky's intrepidness is put to the test in this satisfying sequel to the Newbery Award-winning The Higher Power of Lucky.
Add this book to your collection: Lucky Breaks
Check out the full New York Times article, With One Word, Children's Book Sets Off Uproar, and then listen and watch what people have to say about Susan Patron:
But Addie's mom has an all-or-nothing approach to life: a food fiesta or an empty pantry, jubilation or gloom, her way or no way.
All or nothing never adds up to normal.
All or nothing can't bring you all to home, which is exactly where Addie longs to be, with her half sisters, every day.
In spite of life's twists and turns, Addie remains optimistic. Someday, maybe, she'll find normal.
Leslie Connor has created an inspiring novel about one girl's giant spirit. waiting for normal is a heartwarming gem.
Publishers Weekly review: "[Leslie] Connor treats the subject of child neglect with honesty and grace in this poignant story. Characters as persuasively optimistic as Addie are rare, and readers will gravitate to her."
Add this book to your collection: Waiting for Normal
Mau is the only one left after a giant wave sweeps his island village away. But when much is taken, something is returned, and somewhere in the jungle Daphne—a girl from the other side of the globe—is the sole survivor of a ship destroyed by the same wave.
Together the two confront the aftermath of catastrophe. Drawn by the smoke of Mau and Daphne's sheltering fire, other refugees slowly arrive: children without parents, mothers without babies, husbands without wives—all of them hungry and all of them frightened. As Mau and Daphne struggle to keep the small band safe and fed, they defy ancestral spirits, challenge death himself, and uncover a long-hidden secret that literally turns the world upside down. . . .
Internationally revered storyteller Terry Pratchett presents a breathtaking adventure of survival and discovery, and of the courage required to forge new beliefs.
Kirkus Reviews review: "A searching exploration of good and evil, fate and free will, both as broad and as deep as anything this brilliant author has produced so far."
Add this book to your collection: Nation
