[LM_NET] Book Review

[Christine Rayl <cjrayl@YAHOO.COM>]

I am embedding a review of a new graphic novel in this posting but am wondering if 
it would be better to not clutter up the List Serv with reviews but rather direct 
you to my blog. What do you think? Are reviews helpful? Would you rather they are 
placed here or just a short notice of a blog update?  I would love to know but will 
say that I enjoy reading the reviews when they come across the list. My blog's 
address is:
http://childrens-bookspot.blogspot.com/
Feel free to comment on it. I am still updating it but have been putting postings 
there as I read new materials...and some not so new.

I just finished this graphic novel and loved it!

Kibuishi, Kazu. 2008. Amulet: Book One The Stonekeeper. New York: Scholastic.

It isn’t often that one finds a graphic novel geared towards young girls with 
this level of sophistication. Amulet is far more than what I expected in quality 
and intrigue with its mood-enhancing illustrations and its mystery-induced story 
line. Its quality of production is a welcomed relief from some graphic novels that 
seem almost pushed to publication before story and graphics were finalized. It is 
certainly a welcomed addition to any library’s collection of graphic novels, not 
just for its artistry but for it having a main character that is a girl.

After the death of Emily’s father in a tragic car accident, that is 
heart-wrenching and starts off the book, Emily, her mother and brother move to a 
family home to start a new life. On the very first night, the strangeness of the 
house intrudes upon their future dreams as something is still in the house, 
something that isn’t quite human. This something kidnaps Emily’s mother and 
without hesitation, Emily and her brother Navin, enter another world located 
beneath the house in the search of her. It is in the searching that they encounter 
other life forms and another world in which Emily is given an amulet, a talisman 
that provides her with a power unlike any other. 

The story is fast paced with danger and intrigue that never stops. The mysterious 
mechanical creations of Emily’s grandfather become allies in her quest to find 
her mother and Emily shines as a heroine throughout. Not to leave the boys out of 
the picture, Navin also plays a strong role in the action yet he is constantly 
shadowed by the bravery and actions of Emily. Young readers will clamor for the 
next book in the series, which is not yet available. 


Christine Rayl, Librarian
Bowie Elementary school
Grand Prairie ISD TX

cjrayl@yahoo.com



      

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