Friday 25 November 2016

Spirit Bear

Spirit Bear (The Great Bear Rainforest Series Book 1)
Spirit Bear
By Jennifer Harrington, illustrated by Michael Arnott



Annuk is a baby bear, born to a black bear mother.  Deep in the Great Bear Rainforest, Annuk discovers that he is special; unlike his siblings, Annuk is a white “Spirit Bear”.  His mother tells him that one day, he will “catch more salmon than any bear in the forest.”

While fishing in the river, Annuk becomes separated from his family. Despite being a young bear, he must navigate the wilderness and both friends and foes to find his way home.  Encountering a series of animals along the way, Annuk leads us through the diversity of a British Columbia forest.  Foxes, wolves, turtles, eagles, whales and wolverines abound.
 
Spirit Bear is the archetypal story of a child who has lost his mother and must face dangerous odds to find her again.  This is the child’s survival story, where separation from the parent is a terrifying prospect.  But Annuk is clever, and demonstrates that he, like all children, has the internal resources to persevere.

This book is also a celebration of the diversity of the British Columbia forests, raising environmental awareness and drawing attention to the Gitga’at people.  After the story, Harrington has included some information about the Gitga’at First Nation, explaining its people’s belief that “the spirit bear has supernatural powers, and that it is the guardian of the rainforest.”

Award-winning illustrator Michael Arnott also emphasizes the diversity of the rainforest with his brightly coloured illustrations.  A member of the Batchewana First Nation of Northern Ontario, Arnott’s love of nature shines through.

The book also contains information about the Spirit Bear Teachers’ Package, which will be of interest to those bringing First Nations and environmental concerns into their classrooms.

This picture book will appeal to 4-8 year olds.

Thursday 17 November 2016

Serafina and the Black Cloak

Serafina and the Black Cloak
Serafina and the Black Cloak
By Robert Beatty



Serafina is a 12-year-old girl who lives in the grand Biltmore Estate in 1899.  Owned by the famous Vanderbilt family, the house itself is beautiful and vast, almost a castle.  The grounds are lovely, manicured, and surrounded by forest.  But Serafina is not a rich girl or even a servant.  She lives hidden in the basement with her father, the workman who keeps the new-fangled electric lights running.

Serafina and her pa have lived in the basement for 12 years. She is an expert at hiding, prowling the estate at night when everyone is asleep.  She is a hunter, mostly of rats and mice, which she catches with her bare hands.  Like other hunters, she knows how to stay silent and watchful, observing the residents and guests of Biltmore in all their finery.

Like other hunters she is also drawn to the forest, but forbidden to enter.  The forest is full of dangerous beasts, possibly demons, and many other things both “dark and bright”.  Yet the forest holds an allure that she cannot explain.

One night in the basement, Serafina hears the unusual sounds of people descending the stairs; no one at Biltmore ever comes to the basement at night!  As they approach, Serafina realizes that a young girl is being chased by a man, who is trying to assure her that she will not be hurt.  Closer and closer they come, and Serafina watches the terrifying ordeal.  The man is wearing a black cloak, and when he finally gets his hands on the screaming girl, he wraps his cloak around her and poof!  She disappears.

Is the girl dead?  Has he somehow consumed her, body and soul? 

Intent on solving this mystery, Serafina becomes bolder, roaming the house during the day.  A pall is cast over Biltmore as children begin to disappear.  Search parties are organized to no avail.  Serafina wants to help, but who would believe the things she saw?

Finally, hungry for a friend and confidante, Serafina allows herself to be seen by Braden Vanderbilt, a boy of her age who is always accompanied by his fiercely loyal Doberman, Gidean.  Braden is lonely as well and a friendship begins to blossom.  Together, Serafina and Braden embark on a grim adventure to save the disappearing children from the Man in the Black Cloak, and to make the adults understand that the culprit may not be of this world.
 
Serafina and the Black Cloak is suspenseful throughout.  The beautiful finery of Biltmore is contrasted with the dark and unknown forest.  Animals such as Gidean feature prominently in the story; both Braden and Serafina are able to communicate with animals on a deep level, hence their affinity for each other.

The book also features elements of the supernatural, as magical forces shape the actions of some of the characters.  But fantasy mixes with realism in this novel, making the fantastic all the more believable.  

Serafina and the Black Cloak will appeal to those who love fantasy, mystery and adventure, but it can be quite scary at times.  The notion of children being kidnapped or possibly killed is a central feature of the novel, and should not be discounted.  This novel is recommended for grades 5-8, but especially for children who enjoy a bit of a scare.
 

Friday 4 November 2016

The Swallow: A Ghost Story

The Swallow
The Swallow
By Charis Cotter



Polly is an awkward and lonely girl with a big family – too big in her estimation.  There are so many kids that her parents barely notice Polly.  Even her own bedroom, which has always been her sanctuary, has now been invaded by baby Sarah, with whom Polly must share a room.  But Polly has an inner life that she relishes; she loves to read ghost stories and is constantly on the lookout for real ghosts.  Living right outside the cemetery only encourages her; surely she will see a ghost one day!

Rose is friendless as well but when it comes to family, her problems are the opposite of Polly’s.  She has only her mother and father, who are never home, and Kendrick the housekeeper, who resents her.  Her house is big and empty – except for the ghosts.  Rose has a gift, if you can call it that: she sees ghosts everywhere.  Moving in next to the graveyard has only made it worse, of course.  The ghosts all seem to want her help, but all she wants is to escape them.

Polly and Rose, both seeking a place to hide, make their way into their attics.  When Polly hears a voice in the attached house next door she is sure her wish to see a ghost is finally coming true.  In fact it is Rose, in her very own attic, who fulfills another of Polly’s wishes: to have a friend.

Both girls embark on an adventure to discover Rose’s family secrets, including why she is being haunted by Winnifred, an aunt who died many years ago.  Winnifred threatens to kill Polly, and Rose is desperate to keep her safe.  Readers will be shocked when the ghost mystery is finally solved and the truth about the girls is revealed.

Set in Toronto in 1963, The Swallow has a dark and overcast feel.  Each section begins with an excerpt from a classic “ghostly” poem.  Spooky and sometimes spine-tingling, this book is just right for those who like a little scare.  Curl up in your bed on a rainy day and enjoy!