Friday, April 15, 2011

The Book of Mordred by Vivian Vande Velde


For you fantasy fans, here's a good read...

Summary:

Booklist (September 15, 2005 (Vol. 102, No. 2))

 Mordred's story unfolds over 10 years in sequential stories told from the points of view of three women: Alayna, who appeals to Mordred for help after the kidnapping of her five-year-old daughter Kiera; Nimue, who wears Merlin's ring and wields her own magic; and Kiera, who has always seen visions and, at the age of 15, finds her gift an increasingly heavy burden. In many versions of Arthurian tales Mordred is simply cast as the traitor who brought down Arthur and Camelot, but in this novel he is no cardboard villain. On the contrary, he embodies many of the virtues of chivalry, though he remains an enigmatic figure. With its many characters and complex background, this novel can be confusing at times. Still, many fantasy fans will enjoy the adventure and occasional humor, while those familiar with Arthurian legend will find this a richly imagined retelling of traditional lore. Other novels that focus on Mordred include Sarah Thomson's The Dragon's Son (2001), Nancy Springer's I Am Mordred (1998), and Elizabeth Wein's The Winter Prince (1993).

The Week in Rap 4/15/11

Flocab's - Week in Rap April 15th from Flocabulary on Vimeo.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James Swanson







Here's a great non-fiction book that reads like a novel:


Summary:


Based on rare archival material, obscure trial manuscripts, and interviews with relatives of the conspirators and the manhunters, this fast-paced thriller that tells the story of the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth and gives a day-by-day account of the wild chase to find this killer and his accomplices. Based on James Swanson's bestselling adult book Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, this young people's version is an accessible look at the assassination of a president, and shows readers Abraham Lincoln the man, the father, the husband, the friend, and how his death impacted those closest to him. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

The Week in Rap 4/8/11

The Week in Rap - April 8th from Flocabulary on Vimeo.