By: Tanya,
on 5/19/2014
When N. D. Wilson realized that many young readers think all great fantasies begin in England, he wrote the 100 Cupboards trilogy, an other-worlds-fantasy that begins in Henry, Kansas with baseball-playing Americans. And, while I love this magical trilogy, Leepike Ridge, Wilson's debut, which I reviewed in 2010, remains my favorite. In Leepike Ridge Wilson gives readers something rare - a
By: Tanya,
on 9/20/2010
I discovered this book while shelving at work one day and I am so glad that I did. Fantasy has always been my favorite genre, but I think that, after reading I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade by Diane Lee Wilson, I can say that both Fantasy and Historical Fiction are my favorite genres to read - as long as the historical fiction is as well written and compelling as Wilson's magnificent book is.
By: Tanya,
on 2/5/2010
Once again, I have to begin with the best fantasy beast ever (after the unicorn, right?) the raggant. From the mind of ND Wilson, and brought to life by the amazing artwork of Jeff Nentrup, this little creature gets more page time in Dandelion Fire, but still has yet to fly. The worlds behind the cupboards get more time, too. While much of the plot of 100 Cupboards played out in Henry, Kansas,
By: Tanya,
on 2/1/2010
I am now half way through my third ND Wilson book and I have to say, he really likes to beat the tar out of his main characters - all of whom are boys. Leepike Ridge is Wilson's first published book, his second, 100 Cupboards, is also the first in a trilogy. Having been a female my whole life, this getting beaten up and bashed about thing is still pretty alien to me as I/we try to stay out of
By: Tanya,
on 5/22/2009
ND Wilson wins the award for the creation of the best fantasy creature you might actually like to have as a pet, the raggant, as does Jeff Nentrup, for bringing it to life with his painterly talents. Sort of a thinking girl's unicorn, the raggant looks like a chubby, cuddly baby rhinoceros with wings and is used sort of like a homing pigeon or a bloodhound. Raggants are sent to find someone and
Sounds like a wonderful book. I don't know what RL5 means (I guess reading level 5?), so I went to Amazon and read an excerpt--perfect for the readers I review for, middle-graders. Plus I can tell I'm going to love it!
This sounds lovely--I just requested it from my own library!
Yes! Reading Level 5. I hope you like it! I have never read/seen a YA book like it. Have you read WAR HORSE by Michael Morpugo? It is set during WWI and sounds pretty intense, but it is a YA book.
I'll have to look for War Horse--I'm not familiar with it. Your comment about not wanting to read about anything bad happening to a horse--I so agree (I feel the same about dogs). I was reading this wonderful book (non-fiction, aimed at adults) called Chosen by a Horse about a woman who gets a horse from a rescue group--very warm and uplifting right up to the point where the horse gets
Dogs, for me, too. It took me YEARS to finally read Ann Martin's "A Dog's Life." I stick to kid's books because I know that, despite the pain, injuries and illnesses, good will come at the end - except WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS. Sorry to hear about your experience with "Chosen by a Horse."