Lindsey's Library » jazz http://www.lindseyslibrary.com Lindsey's Library is here to delight young adult literature readers of all ages as well as act as a tool for parents that is easy to navigate with reviews that are quick and easy to read but contain all of the relevant information for prospective readers. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:37:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Going Bovine http://www.lindseyslibrary.com/2009/09/going-bovine/ http://www.lindseyslibrary.com/2009/09/going-bovine/#comments Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:10:03 +0000 lindsey http://www.lindseyslibrary.com/?p=1220
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Going Bovine
Libba Bray
Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2009
Fantasy Fiction
ISBN: 0385733976
496 pages

Synopsis

Coasting through life thus far, 16-year-old Cameron just wants to make it through high school. However, he soon contracts a disease that is eating away at his brain and will likely die soon. Fortunately, a mysterious punk angel named Dulcie with pink wings delivers a message that Cameron can be healed from his disease, but first he must go on a quest to find a brilliant doctor. The journey takes him through an often dark but adventurous America, pulling him out of his languorous personality into someone far more engaging with life.

Critique

First off, I know one ought not to judge a book by the cover, but how could I not be interested in a book called Going Bovine with a standing cow holding a garden gnome? Also, I would say that the story is not entirely what I expected it to be, but considering the description, a story like this could be just about anything. Seriously though, punk rock angel with pink wings, blobby fire demon things that destroy stuff, and a bad guy that takes the form of a knight with a space helmet. How can you not be surprised every few pages?

All that said, it was far more like an epic story such as The Odyssey or The Aeneid than I would have thought it to be. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bray didn’t attempt to mirror something of epic legend through each of the scenarios throughout book. It does start out a bit slow, but once you get past the first 150 pages or so, it really picks up. Cameron is also not necessarily the character you would root for because of his lethargic outlook on life, but since he narrates it, you grow to love his sardonic inner dialogue. I actually laughed out loud a few times. I recommend this book to lovers of eccentric fantasies with a heavy helping of satire.

Rating Rubric

Enjoyable Read: 5 out of 5 stars
Original Fantasy: 5 out of 5 stars
Original Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Language: 4 out of 5 stars
Asthetics: 4 out of 5 stars
Depth In Characters: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Depth In Story: 4 out of 5 stars
Social Commentary: 4 out of 5 stars
Layers/Complexity: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Classroom Text: 3 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

For the Classroom

Being that this may be a modern day epic, it would be an interesting exercise to read it alongside The Odyssey to see what kinds of parallels exist between them. Also, there are some interesting bits about cutting edge universal theories and interweaving worlds, which blends the book into something of a fantasy/science fiction hybrid. 

Other Books You May Like

]]> http://www.lindseyslibrary.com/2009/09/going-bovine/feed/ 0 Becoming Billie Holiday http://www.lindseyslibrary.com/2009/08/becoming-billie-holiday/ http://www.lindseyslibrary.com/2009/08/becoming-billie-holiday/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:16:22 +0000 lindsey http://www.lindseyslibrary.com/?p=1160
Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Becoming Billie Holiday
Carole Weatherford
Wordsong, 2008
Poetry
ISBN: 159078507X
117 pages

Synopsis

A series of fictionalized poems, chronicling the life of Billie Holiday from birth until 25, this text provides an interesting insight into the life and rhythm of one of the greatest jazz performers throughout history. The poems themselves are more like stories broken into poetic line than writing that follow the typical constraints of poetry. Each of the poems is titled after one of Holiday’s songs, bringing a depth into the story of the song, possibly where it came from. Also, the text is, in places, accompanied by beautiful artwork that enhances the experience. 

Critique

I feel like “experience” is a truly fitting adjective for this text. I would actually recommend it to children and adults alike, not only because of the richness in historical value, but also because the stories of Holiday’s life that are told through this medium create a rich experience for all readers. 

I believe, however, that Weatherford’s most phenomenal accomplishment with the text is that it communicates the story in a very similar way to the songs and jazz style of Billie Holiday—her signature style of singing just behind the beat, improvising in subtle but profound ways. All of that, although not represented in the same way, is brought to life throughout the text. I recommend this to all readers.

Rating Rubric

Enjoyable Read: 5 out of 5 stars
Poetic Originality: 4 out of 5 stars
Thought-Provoking: 5 out of 5 stars
Language: 4 out of 5 stars
Asthetics: 5 out of 5 stars
Depth In Narrative: 5 out of 5 stars
Poetic Voice: 5 out of 5 stars
Social Commentary: 5 out of 5 stars
Layers/Complexity: 5 out of 5 stars
Classroom Text: 5 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

For the Classroom

This text is a gem for the classroom, not only because of its historical relevance, but because of its poetic style. This is the perfect example of modern poetry that doesn’t have the typical constraints. It would be good for children to grow up believing that poetry doesn’t have to rhyme or have meter in order to be considered poetry. It should be expression, flushed out through whichever medium or style fits the content the best.

Other Books You May Like

]]> http://www.lindseyslibrary.com/2009/08/becoming-billie-holiday/feed/ 0