This is my Alan book review freebie...
This is book 3 in The Faerie Path Series. I feel it might have been an easier read if I had read one and two. It jumped right in the middle of the story with a brief overview of where we were. I thought this book was an imitation of all the books out there. I have established myself as the "fantasy girl" and unfortunately for Frewin Jones, I kept feeling she copied stuff. With all that said, apparently these books must be doing fairly well, or one and two wouldn't already be out there, right?
I will probably go ahead and write a favorable review for the ALAN review, but I wouldn't reccomend this book to many. The following is my honest opinion, but not what I am turning in...
This is the story of King Oberon and Queen Titania (Midsummers...) and their seven daughters. The King is captured on a black island by the evil Sorceror King. The seventh daughter Tania sets out to find him, and on her way battles a basilisk, dragon, and phoenix (a la Potter). They travel over the land with mystic names very reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. There is a Hawthorne, a CHanticleer (Canterbury Tales) , and Gray Knights that sound scarily similar to Ring Wraiths....not really alive, hooded skeletal figures...maybe Dementor like as well. Anyways, of course the Faeries save the day, Oberon is released, and the Sorcerer King is given his due.
Monday, August 4, 2008
"Heir Apparent" by Vivian Vande Velde
1) a) Bibliography:
Vande Velde, V. (2002). Heir Apparent. Orlando, Florida: Magic Carpet Books, 316 pp.
b) Genre and Awards: Virtual Reality, Science Fiction, Fantasy.
A Junior Library Guild Section
An Anne Spencer Lindbergh Prize for Best Children's Fantasy Novel
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
2) Synopsis: Giannine Bellisario is given a gift certificate to Rasmussem Gaming Enterprises. On her way there to redeem her gift, she meets up with the CPOC. (Citizens to Protect our Children). While emersed in the game Heir Apparent, CPOC damages the equipment, trapping Giannine in the game. She only has a limited time to win the game before her brain is fried.
3) a) Characterization: Giannine is so lovable and sarcastic. She has dead beat parents, and lives with her grandma. In the game, she makes decisions that keep her behind based on family. She doesn't understand the way most kids would play the game. Her dad requested a paternity test in the divorce settlement, her mom's job comes first, and the game's parents are more concerned for her health than anyone she knows. It makes her very real. I loved this book, and fell in love with Giannine. All other characters weren't real! They were part of the game. Oh, and she picked Heir Apparent only because one of the characters was cute...I thought that made her a very real 14 year old.
b) Plot: Giannine or Janine in the game, must fight her way through the game, and win the crown. During her time in the game she must: find the magic ring, get back the stolen treasure, answer riddles, impress the poetry statue with original works, charm the army of ghosts, fend off the barbarians, and defeat the dragon. If she can't do it, her brain is fried.
c) Theme: Family values. Independence.
d) Setting: St. Jehan in Heir Apparent, the game.
e) Value and Concerns: Once again, values family. No concerns, unless you are again the brainwashing of fantasy, just like the CPOC. Throughout this novel, Vande Velde mentions little things about people banning fantasy. The last page is a strike poster if you didn't like the book.
f) Needs of Adolescents: Every adolescent needs a family, whether functional or not. Everyone can relate to Giannine's problems.
g) Multicultural Issues: Not really addressed here.
4) Possible Classroom Uses: great for read aloud, group discussion, or independent reading.
5) Appropriate Age Range: Giannine is 14 in this book. I would say there wasn't anything to worry about theme wise, so 12 and up! Everything ends up squeaky clean happy, so it is appropriate for young children.
6) Personal Reactions: I read this book in the car on the way to Dallas. I ordered it after running across it in Books That Don't Bore 'Em, but then didn't need it for my blog. As you can see, it is making it's way up here anyways!!! I adored this book! It is right up my alley with the fantasy adventure theme, but so clever in so many ways. I can't wait to check out some more Vande Velde stuff. I really think kids that are into "gaming" will get into this. Also, it is repetitive, but not boring, so it would be great for a read aloud, since it is easy to understand. Loved it!
Vande Velde, V. (2002). Heir Apparent. Orlando, Florida: Magic Carpet Books, 316 pp.
b) Genre and Awards: Virtual Reality, Science Fiction, Fantasy.
A Junior Library Guild Section
An Anne Spencer Lindbergh Prize for Best Children's Fantasy Novel
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
2) Synopsis: Giannine Bellisario is given a gift certificate to Rasmussem Gaming Enterprises. On her way there to redeem her gift, she meets up with the CPOC. (Citizens to Protect our Children). While emersed in the game Heir Apparent, CPOC damages the equipment, trapping Giannine in the game. She only has a limited time to win the game before her brain is fried.
3) a) Characterization: Giannine is so lovable and sarcastic. She has dead beat parents, and lives with her grandma. In the game, she makes decisions that keep her behind based on family. She doesn't understand the way most kids would play the game. Her dad requested a paternity test in the divorce settlement, her mom's job comes first, and the game's parents are more concerned for her health than anyone she knows. It makes her very real. I loved this book, and fell in love with Giannine. All other characters weren't real! They were part of the game. Oh, and she picked Heir Apparent only because one of the characters was cute...I thought that made her a very real 14 year old.
b) Plot: Giannine or Janine in the game, must fight her way through the game, and win the crown. During her time in the game she must: find the magic ring, get back the stolen treasure, answer riddles, impress the poetry statue with original works, charm the army of ghosts, fend off the barbarians, and defeat the dragon. If she can't do it, her brain is fried.
c) Theme: Family values. Independence.
d) Setting: St. Jehan in Heir Apparent, the game.
e) Value and Concerns: Once again, values family. No concerns, unless you are again the brainwashing of fantasy, just like the CPOC. Throughout this novel, Vande Velde mentions little things about people banning fantasy. The last page is a strike poster if you didn't like the book.
f) Needs of Adolescents: Every adolescent needs a family, whether functional or not. Everyone can relate to Giannine's problems.
g) Multicultural Issues: Not really addressed here.
4) Possible Classroom Uses: great for read aloud, group discussion, or independent reading.
5) Appropriate Age Range: Giannine is 14 in this book. I would say there wasn't anything to worry about theme wise, so 12 and up! Everything ends up squeaky clean happy, so it is appropriate for young children.
6) Personal Reactions: I read this book in the car on the way to Dallas. I ordered it after running across it in Books That Don't Bore 'Em, but then didn't need it for my blog. As you can see, it is making it's way up here anyways!!! I adored this book! It is right up my alley with the fantasy adventure theme, but so clever in so many ways. I can't wait to check out some more Vande Velde stuff. I really think kids that are into "gaming" will get into this. Also, it is repetitive, but not boring, so it would be great for a read aloud, since it is easy to understand. Loved it!
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