Stiefvater,
Maggie. The Scorpio Races. Read by
Steve West and Fiona Hardingham. (compact disc). New York: Scholastic, 2011.
(10 compact discs).
Summary:
Exploring
the legend of the mythical water horses found in Celtic lore, author Maggie
Stiefvater has written a unique and magical low fantasy tale of an island whose
inhabitants both fear and admire these capall
uisce, and the struggle to tame the untamable in order to survive the
annual Scorpio Race. Highlighting the
lives of two protagonists, Kate Connelly and Sean Kendrick, and using an
amazing amount of imagery, the author pulls the reader into life on the Island
of Thisby and the courage it takes to survive there.
Critical
Analysis:
Featuring
music written and performed by the author, and the crisp voices of British
narrators Steve West and Fiona Hardingham, the audiobook version of The Scorpio Races provides a sensory
feast for the listener and brings Stiefvater’s fantasy tale of the mythical
Celtic water horses to life in a manner not to be found by reading the novel
alone.
The
unabridged CD format reviewed here contains 10 discs totally approximately 10
hours and 30 minutes of listening time. The
audiobook is narrated by two British readers, Steve West and Fiona Hardingham,
who do an excellent job of providing audible voices for the characters Sean and
Kate (aka Puck). The narrators also
provide different accents and tones for supplemental characters, allowing the
listener to effortlessly follow the dialogue in the story. As an American, I
especially enjoyed Mr. West’s American accent for the character, George Holly.
The
pronunciation of the narrators, as one would expect from the British, is clear
and crisp, and the production quality of the audiobook is excellent, with no
static or bothersome background noise.
The music, written and performed by the author, is played at the
beginning of each disc and at the very end, and showcases traditional Celtic
instruments such as drums, flutes, whistles and bagpipes. Enjoy a clip of this
soundtrack here: http://maggiestiefvater.com/wp-content/uploads/02-The-Scorpio-Races-Long.mp3 (used with
permission).
In the back matter, only
provided on the audio version of the book, Maggie Stiefvater discusses how she
came to compose and perform the music and the various musical instruments she
has mastered over the course of her life.
Also included on the last CD is a longer and more in depth author’s note
on the background of the water horse legend and how the author came to write
this story.
The
author uses an incredible amount of sensory imagery, describing the colors,
sights, sounds and smells of the Island of Thisby in such detail that one feels
transported to that imaginary place and into the lives of the characters. Sean says in the prologue, “even under the
brightest sun, the frigid autumn sea is all colors of the night: dark blue and
black and brown.” The capaill uisce
are described as “every color of the pebbles on the beach: black, red, golden,
white, ivory, gray, blue….they are beautiful and deadly, loving us and hating
us.”
Descriptions of the cliffs, the
beach, the sea and the island are so vivid that one can almost feel the spray
of the water, see the grains of sand on the beach and smell the salt from the
ocean. As Puck is riding her mare, Dove,
on the beach, she says: “the waves become one long blur… and the cliffs
transform into a wall of formless gray.
Now I can’t hear the ocean’s shushing, only the pounding of Dove’s
hooves and the huffing of her breath.”
One experiences the joy, fear and adrenaline rush of horse racing
without moving more than one’s eyes across the page or tilting one’s head in
listening.
The
plot focuses on the annual Scorpio Race, which Sean, a groom at the famous
Malvern Stables, has won four times, and Puck, an orphan with a brother to
support, must win to financially survive on the island she loves. The book is set in a modern, yet undetermined
time, and the descriptions of the characters and location are realistic, except
for the one magical motif of the mythical water horses that arise from the sea
every autumn, the “fall calling to the magic inside them.” They are beautiful, yet deadly, carnivorous
creatures that the island inhabitants attempt to capture and tame for The
Scorpio Race. The author expresses
universal themes in the novel, such as the will to survive, overcoming
obstacles, good vanquishing evil, love and sacrifice and staying true to one’s
self.
The
author has undertaken a difficult task in alternating the point of view between
Kate and Sean in each chapter, but manages to give each character a distinct
personality that stays consistent throughout the book. And we see the growth of each character,
especially Kate, as she overcomes many fears in the book and matures into a
confident young woman who can survive in the harsh environment in which she
finds herself.
The
audio version of The Scorpio Races is
a treat for the senses and provides a satisfying listening experience not to be
missed for young adults (and even adults) who love the lush combination of nature,
horses and fantasy.
Reviews:
“With
English accents, narrators Steve West and Fiona Hardingham alternate the voices
of Puck and Sean, adding an authentic rhythm to the text. Pacing and delivery
is strong and pulls listeners into a world of strong imagery and fierce
emotion.” – School Library Journal (Aug., 2012).
“From
the author's original music to the sweeping drama of Sean Kendrick and Puck
Connolly's quest to win the deadly annual water horse races, the dual
performances of West and Hardingham drive the narrative to its satisfying
conclusion. This 2012 Odyssey Honor award winner showcases how a listening
experience can raise a strong narrative to an even higher level as the tension
builds.” – School Library Journal (May, 2012).
“Filling
it with loving descriptions of wet, wind-tossed Thisby as well as exciting
equine action, Stiefvater has created a thrilling backdrop for the love story
that blooms between Sean and Puck. And in the water horses, based on mostly
Celtic legends, she's created scary yet compelling forces of nature.” –
Booklist (Sept., 2011).
Awards:
Odyssey
Honor Winner, 2012.
School
Library Journal Best Books of the Year, 2011 Winner
Publisher’s
Weekly Best Children’s Books, 2011 Winner
American
Library Association Notable Books for Children, 2011 Winner
Personal
Response:
I
was fortunate to read the novel and
have time to listen to the audiobook on a driving trip, and both experiences
engaged the senses and maintained interest in the story being told. I was fascinated by the water horse legend,
intrigued by the way the characters lived and loved on the island, and fully
engaged in the mounting tension as the Scorpio Race approached. I am thrilled that the book was optioned to
be made into a movie, as the setting, the characters and the action would make
an excellent film.
Connections:
This
book, in print or audio version, can be used by a librarian in reader’s
advisory for those teens who love survival stories, horses, myths, and strong
female characters. In a classroom
setting, the novel could be used in a unit on myths from the British Isles, or magical
creatures in literature, with such novels as The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, by Patricia McKillip or The Prydain Chronicles by Alexander
Lloyd.
References
Books
in Print. n.d. The Scorpio Races. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|34883363|34112688&mc=USA#( accessed
November 19, 2013).
Children’s
Literature Comprehensive Database. n.d. The
Scorpio Races. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:4529/index.php/bookdetail/index?page=1&pos=6&isbn=9780545357029 (accessed
November 19, 2013).
Spangenberg,
Lisa n.d. Celtic Studies Resources. http://www.digitalmedievalist.com/reading-lists/celtic-inspired-fantasy-and-sf/ (accessed
November 19, 2013).
Stiefvater,
Maggie. n.d. The Scorpio Races Soundtrack.
http://maggiestiefvater.com/the-scorpio-races/extras/ (accessed
November 19, 2013).
Woodson,
Jacqueline. 2007. Feathers. New York:
G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Summary:
In
the winter of 1971, a new student enters Frannie’s 6th grade class
and causes far-reaching repercussions to her life and those of the other
students in the class. Issues of race,
prejudice, bullying, family relationships, friends and dealing with
disabilities are explored in this slim, but powerful, novel by award winning
author Jacqueline Woodson.
Critical
Analysis:
The
novel, Feathers, lies in the midst of
two genres – realistic fiction and historical fiction - as it takes place in
the 1970’s, but the issues explored feel very contemporary. The setting of the story is in a suburb of
New York, where a highway divides the wealthier white families from the poorer
black families in the community. The
protagonist, Frannie Barnes, who is African American, lives in an apartment
with her parents, and her deaf older brother, Sean, with whom she has a close
relationship. They have a loving home,
though it is marred by grief over her mother’s past miscarriages and Sean’s
difficulty in dealing with “normal” people in the neighborhood who see his
disability as a more of a defect than it actually is. Fanny always says that Sean just speaks a
different language (sign language); other than that, he is just as normal as
everyone else. Coming to understand the
multi-faceted definition of “normal” is a theme in the book.
The author uses colloquial language in the book to indicate that the characters are African American, such as “jive talking,” “brother-man,” and “right-on,” that also reflect the time period, as well, with references to afros, hair pics and cornrows. There is a good balance of dialogue and narration, which gives the reader time to reflect on the themes being revealed throughout the book.
The author uses colloquial language in the book to indicate that the characters are African American, such as “jive talking,” “brother-man,” and “right-on,” that also reflect the time period, as well, with references to afros, hair pics and cornrows. There is a good balance of dialogue and narration, which gives the reader time to reflect on the themes being revealed throughout the book.
The
plot of the book is more reflective than action driven. Frannie’s teacher reads the class the poem by
Emily Dickenson about hope: “Hope is the
thing with feathers/that perches in the soul/and sings the tune without the
words/ and never stops at all.” Frannie spends a lot of time thinking about hope
and belief, and this becomes another major theme in the book.
A white boy starts to attend the all-black
school, and is nick-named “Jesus-Boy” because of his appearance - long light-colored hair and white skin. He is quiet and contemplative, and sticks to
himself, though he becomes the target of bullying behavior from the class
bully, a mixed race boy named Trevor. No on realizes that Jesus-Boy has been adopted by black parents and that he was not welcome on the white side of the highway either. Frannie’s best friend, Samantha, who is
very religious, comes to see the possibility that Jesus-Boy is actually the
real Jesus returned to earth, though Frannie doesn’t really believe it. Samantha says, though, “if there was a world
for Jesus to need to walk back into, wouldn’t this one be it?”
Frannie struggles with
staying out of, or getting involved in, the negative behavior toward Jesus-Boy;
her relationship with an increasingly holy Samantha; people judging her deaf
brother unfairly; and the news that a new sibling might be on the way, the loss
of which could throw her mother back into the dark place she went to after the
last baby was miscarried. Frannie says at one point, “some days I just want to
know that we’re all gonna be all right.”
The
resolution of the book flows naturally from the progression of the story, with the
characters coming to better understand themselves and also to understand why
the bully is behaving the way he does. Jesus-boy says of Trevor’s behavior, “it frees
him; all that stuff that makes him mad and mean and ugly leaves him when he
does stuff to other people.” But there is hope, as well, when he says, “…maybe
next time it’ll be a little bit less and a little bit less until it’s finally
all gone.”
The
children in the class gradually come to accept the new boy by focusing, with
the teacher’s help, on what they all have in common. She also tells them that each day holds its
own memory. She tells the children that
they “should always look for the moments.... [that] some of them might be perfect,
filed with light and hope and laughter…moments that stay with us forever and
ever. Amen.” Frannie comes full circle
at the end, in thinking about Emily Dickenson’s poem, and realizing that “each
moment…is a thing with feathers.”
Awards:
John
Newbery Medal, Honor Book 2008
Reviews:
“Once
again Jacqueline Woodson brings the reader convincingly into the worldview of a
young person who often has to deal with very grown-up issues like death and
prejudice and violence and finding your place. Fortunately, as in other Woodson
stories, the protagonist has the support of loving family members as she
negotiates the shoals of growing up and dealing with an often harsh world.” – Children’s Literature
“Set
in 1971, Woodson's novel skillfully weaves in the music and events surrounding
the rising opposition to the Vietnam War, giving this gentle, timeless story
depth. She raises important questions about God, racial segregation and issues
surrounding the hearing-impaired with a light and thoughtful touch.” – Publisher’s Weekly
Personal
Response:
There
are so many poignant lines in this slim novel that I had to start writing some
of them down. It also took me back to
myself at that age, and the search for acceptance, faith and hope in the midst
of the difficult adolescent years.
Frannie’s voice is a strong one, and realistic – she makes mistakes, but
makes good choices, too, just like the rest of us.
Connections:
This
book would probably not be appropriate for a unit in a public school setting
due to the significant Christian religious content, though the choice could be
offered, among others, to those interested in the discussions of grief, race,
prejudice, bullying and living with disabilities found in the book. The author has created a book trailer for
this book found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlSXG6pPmP4&feature=related which could
be provided to interested readers.
References
Books
in Print. n.d. Feathers. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|16959321|13540954&mc=USA# (accessed
November 23, 2013).
Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.
n.d. Feathers. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:4529/index.php/bookdetail/index?page=1&pos=1&isbn=9780399239892 (accessed
November 23, 2013).
Hinds,
Gareth. 1999. Beowulf. Cambridge:
Candlewick Press.
Summary:
Gareth
Hinds undertakes a challenging endeavor in creating a graphic novel based on
the story of Beowulf, using an
abridged, yet still archaic, text, and many bloody battle scenes which render the
protagonist into perhaps the first superhero. This tome may succeed in introducing a new generation
to one of the world’s most famous heroic epic poems, first recorded around 1000
AD.
Critical
Analysis:
“I
am Beowulf. Many deeds of note have I
done in my life.”
In
1999, Gareth Hinds, an artist and illustrator, self-published three graphic
novels containing the stories of Beowulf’s bloody battles with Grendel, Grendel’s
mother and the dragon, who ultimately ended the hero’s life. Candlewick Press published all three in one
graphic novel in 2007, right in time for the 2008 Neil Gaiman movie
adaptation.
The story of Beowulf begins as Denmark's King Hrothgar builds a great banquet hall that is attacked by Grendel, a monster who lived in jealous exile from men. For 12 winters no man could enter that hall without being devoured, until Beowulf arrives from the land of the Geats, whose reputation as a fierce warrior precedes him, "to fight single-handed against this Grendel," without sword, nor shield nor coat of mail, using only his bare hands. Beowulf goes on to successfully defeat Grendel, only to have Grendel's mother seek him out for revenge. Once again Beowulf defeats his enemy, and it is only in the last tale of his battle against a fierce dragon that Beowulf succumbs to a heroic death, though he succeeds in killing the dragon before dying.
In this graphic novel of the story of Beowulf, Hinds uses an abridged
version of the original text adapted from the 1904 translation by A. J. Church,
which keeps the original cadence and poetry of the archaic language, but
remains highly readable. The
author/illustrator uses three distinct illustration styles for each of the
stories: photo shopped pen-and-ink drawings for the first; paint on wood for the
second; and black wash over black ink for the third. The color schemes for each are subtly different
as well: black and tan for the first; red,
brown and green for the second and black and white/lavender for the third. These differences, however, do not interfere
with the transition between stories, but only add interest and style to the
reading experience. The setting of the
time period is clearly indicated by the style of dress of the characters, from
head gear to armor to weapons.
Gareth
Hind’s is an experienced martial artist, and this becomes very evident in the
fight scenes between Beowulf and his various enemies. The drawings are full of movement and action,
with muscles clearly delineated and bulging, grimacing facial expressions…. and
of course, flowing blood. These
illustrations are not for the faint of heart, and this book is definitely
geared toward older teens and adults.
The illustrator uses full-page drawings along with various sized panels
to tell the mostly wordless story as the Celtic-style text is inserted sparingly.
The
author provides interesting details in the author’s notes at the beginning of
the book, describing the history of the story of Beowulf and some background on
the translation. In the afterword, Hinds provides additional historical
information about the peoples referred to in the text, such as the Geats and
Swedes.
Leo Tolstoy said, “Art is not a handicraft; it
is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced.” Gareth Hinds seems to have used his
experiences in life and as an artist to transform the story of Beowulf into a
visually haunting graphic depiction that remains true to the centuries old epic
tale.
Awards:
YALSA
Best Books for Young Adults, 2008; American Library Association
YALSA
Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2008; American Library Association
Reviews:
“Menacing,
moody, and faithful to the eighth-century epic, Hinds's rendering draws on a
translation evoking Old English verse”. – School Library Journal
“The
book makes a gorgeous whole, though; the long, wordless battles reproduced on
glossy, high-quality paper are particularly noteworthy.” – Booklist
“Hinds's
angular perspectives and unusual color palettes (dark, ruddy colors, deep
burgundy blood, and not a ray of sunshine in sight) lend the book an almost
overwhelming sense of menace.” – Publisher’s Weekly
Personal
Response:
Though
I was tempted to review a Lunchlady
or Babymouse graphic novel for this
unit, I am glad I took the time and patience to read and review Gareth Hinds’
imaginative and unique take on the epic poem, Beowulf. This book puts the
“graphic” in graphic novel with its depiction of the bloody battles between
Grendel and Beowulf, and is not recommended for the younger set. But it serves a great purpose in possibly
introducing a new generation to an old, old story that has a firm place in
English literary history.
Connections:
For
students who tremble at the idea of reading the original epic poem, Beowulf, in a high school (or even a
college freshman) English class, this graphic novel would be a great
introduction that could help the reader better understand the story before
diving in. In a unit on the epic poem, having
students practice writing normal or colloquial sentences in archaic English
would also be a fun activity to lighten the load of studying this difficult
piece of literature. Reward the class
upon completion of the unit by showing the 2008 Beowulf movie.
References:
Books
in Print. n.d. Beowulf by Gareth
Hinds. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|17031143|13650306&mc=USA (accessed
November 25, 2013).
Children’s
Literature Comprehensive Database. n.d. Beowulf, by Gareth Hinds. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:4529/index.php/bookdetail/index?page=1&pos=1&isbn=978-0-7636-3022-5 (accessed
November 25, 2013).
Hinds,
Gareth. N.d. http://www.garethhinds.com/resume.php
(accessed December 2, 2013).
Thinkexist.com.
n.d. Art Quotes. http://www.thinkexist.com/English/Topic/x/Topic_201_1.htm
(accessed December 2, 2013).
