Six thousand years ago, in pre-agricultural Europe (northern Scandinavia, to be exact) the people of the Forest live in clans, each represented by a particular animal or life form. This is the setting for Michelle Paver’s “Wolf Brother,” the first novel in her Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. The story kicks off with a jolt, as twelve-year-old Torak, of the Wolf Clan, is bolted awake by a giant bear attacking his father and smashing their shelter to splinters. By the time Torak realizes what has happened, the bear has vanished and his father has suffered fatal wounds. Before his father dies, he tells Torak that the bear was possessed by a demon from the Otherworld, and that “with each kill — its power will grow.” He makes Torak promise to travel north to the Mountain of the World Spirit and tells him that his ‘guide’ will find him and help him on his quest. Quickly packing up some of his belongings, Torak reluctantly leaves his father as he hears the bear return and sets off on his quest.
Torak soon finds an orphaned wolf cub, whom he discovers he can communicate with, and he eventually realizes that the cub is likely the guide his father spoke of. Along the way, he also encounters Renn, a girl from the Raven Clan, who, though adversarial at first, becomes his friend and accompanies him on his journey to try to kill the bear and face down the Soul Eaters, a group of rogue mages, or magicians, who turned to evil and imbued the bear with a malevolent spirit in order to kill Torak’s father.
Fast-moving and filled with thrilling chases and scary moments, this is a great novel for older grade-school readers that conjures up a prehistoric world in a clear and accessible way. It’s also a rousing beginning to Paver’s nine-book series, which continues with “Spirit Walker.”
One of my coworkers here at the library recently shared with me a lovely practice for this time of year when the leaves fall from their perches to gather in the nooks and crannies of the world. Each year my coworker gathers whatever leaves catch their eye — sometimes it’s the leaf’s color or colors; sometimes it’s the leaf’s size, shape and texture; sometimes it’s simply the leaf’s placement on the path in front of them — and transforms these fallen gems into artful affirmations to carry them and their loved ones through the dark, cold winter.
An example of a leaf affirmation. Photo credit Hilary Aid.
It’s almost that most magical time of make-believe. (I may be biased!) If you celebrate Halloween, chances are, you will come across all sorts of ghostly and ghoulishly costumed creatures — as well as many adorable ones. As leaves crunch underfoot and the crescent moon glows overhead, I invite you and your kids to think of the original creatures of the night — bats, owls, raccoons and other nocturnal animals. The books highlighted below include a mix of naturalistic and whimsical stories to share with your little ones any time of year!
“Night Animals” by Gianna Marino This suspenseful yet comedic read-aloud really lets you ham it up for your kids. Possum is hiding from other nocturnal animals’ strange and spooky sounds (oh, the irony!) when along comes raccoon and they decide to hide together. The spooky sounds continue, and bigger and bigger animals join the group until the spookiest creatures of all — humans — send everyone running.
Have you ever seen a snack too cute to eat? What about a snack that entices little ones to try a nibble? Recently I saw a few ways to make spider snacks and fell in love with how adorable they are for the spooky season and how you can change how they look and taste so quickly.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I have been patiently waiting for fall to come around again since the end of last November. Now that it’s finally here, I can share one of my new favorite graphic novels. I read this book way back in the dog days of summer and have been biding my time until I could share it with you! “The Accursed Vampire” by Madeline McGrane is utterly enchanting.
Our main character, Dragoslavia, is a vampire child, and as if that isn’t bad enough, they have been cursed by a witch! Dragoslavia must do the witch’s bidding, or she will turn their flesh into worms! The witch’s latest task takes Dragoslavia and their friends Quintus (a Black vampire) and Eztli (a vampire with bird feet) on a journey, and along the way, the party meets some kind (and not-so-kind) strangers! Quintus and Eztli also help Dragoslavia realize that their relationship with the witch is not healthy. This sweet graphic novel deals with a host of topics: chosen family, how to break off an abusive relationship, queer representation and vampires! What’s not to love? Happy haunting …. Errr, I mean reading!
Hello again! Are you enjoying autumn so far? After you’re done stomping on crunchy leaves and sipping apple cider, snuggle up somewhere cozy with one of these new books.
Picture Books
“Wombat Said Come In” written by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Brian Lies
Bush fires are raging in Australia, but Wombat isn’t worried. He knows he’ll be safe in his cozy, underground burrow and prepares to snuggle in with his favorite quilt and a mug of tea. Then a knock on his door introduces a succession of animals fleeing the fires, and Wombat invites them all in with unfailing hospitality. But Wallaby, Kookaburra, Platypus, Koala and Sugar Glider are not the most considerate house guests, and Wombat is eager to regain the serenity of his home after the danger is over. Yet when one of the animals doesn’t have a home to return to, Wombat’s compassion overrules his frustration with his guests. Kids can giggle at the animals’ antics but this book also creates a wonderful opportunity to discuss our responsibility to help others in need. And the Australian setting introduces fun animals that might not be as familiar to our North American audiences. Continue reading “Brianna’s Books: October Favorites 2022”
Did you know that our state lies on the ancestral lands of the Chickasaw nation, the Otoe-Missouria tribe, the Illini tribe, the Osage nation, the Ioway tribe and the Quapaw tribe? In last year’s blog recognizing Indigenous People’s Day, we learned a bit about Missouri’s Native heritage and featured some excellent picture book picks by Native authors. This year, I wanted to switch gears and highlight some chapter books!
Photo via Canva
All of the books in this list are written by authors who identify as Indigenous and come highly recommended by various Native American cultural groups and civil rights organizations. Several of these are recent publications from Heartdrum, a children’s and YA publishing imprint curated by Native author Cynthia Leitich Smith. More and more publishers are beginning to raise up Native voices, and it’s so exciting to finally see these underrepresented authors get the recognition they deserve. Please join us as we honor this year’s celebration and remembrance of Indigenous people past and present with a selection of chapter books for middle-grade readers! Continue reading “Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2022: Chapter Book Spotlight”
It’s fast approaching that spooky time of year again and, as another sequel to my previous Halloween posts, here is another batch of frightening books for older grade-school readers:
Happy October! I hope you’re enjoying the crisp chill in the morning air; the new hues of the leaves and grasses as they golden and rust; and the spice-warm scents of your favorite fall beverage. Besides welcoming in the seasonal shift from summer to autumn, October is well-known for another important phenomenon: it’s spooky season, y’all!!!
Six thousand years ago, in pre-agricultural Europe (northern Scandinavia, to be exact) the people of the Forest live in clans, each represented by a particular animal or life form. This is the setting for Michelle Paver’s “Wolf Brother,” the first novel in her Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. The story kicks off with a jolt, as twelve-year-old Torak, of the Wolf Clan, is bolted awake by a giant bear attacking his father and smashing their shelter to splinters. By the time Torak realizes what has happened, the bear has vanished and his father has suffered fatal wounds. Before his father dies, he tells Torak that the bear was possessed by a demon from the Otherworld, and that “with each kill — its power will grow.” He makes Torak promise to travel north to the Mountain of the World Spirit and tells him that his ‘guide’ will find him and help him on his quest. Quickly packing up some of his belongings, Torak reluctantly leaves his father as he hears the bear return and sets off on his quest.
