Kids and Teen Blog
Book Reviews
by monique t
Fiction / April 14, 2006
Bookstore Girl at Cantstopreading recently posted about a couple of Raincoast-distributed titles:
Goose Girl by Shannon Hale and Marie, Dancing by Carolyn Meyer
Here's an excerpt of her review of Goose Girl by Shannon Hale: "I picked it up when I read Leila (from Bookshelves of Doom)'s excitement over a new book by Hale being published ... It is apparently based on a Grimm Brothers' fairy tale, though I don't think I ever heard this particular story. It's the story of Ani, who is not a very good Crown Princess, though she does have a rather uncanny ability to speak with animals. Mostly birds, as they are the most talkative animals. Ani's mother arranges to have her married off to the neighbouring country's prince, in order to prevent war, and that's when things start to go wrong. Ani does arrive in the new country, though not with her escort, and not as a princess. She has to make a living, and so becomes a goose girl. Eventually Ani learns of the plots of the imposter who has taken her place. And she must find the courage to stand up to her and make herself known. Although there were a few predictable bits in this book, they were predictable in the same way that all fairy tales are. Obviously there's going to be a happy ending, but how else would you want it? I would definitely highly recommend this, and I can't wait to get started on Hale's newest book, Princess Academy."
I haven't read Goose Girl yet, but now I'm interested. I have, however, read Marie, Dancing and loved it.
Here's what Bookstore Girl has to say about Marie, Dancing by Carolyn Meyer: "... for the most part, quite the accomplishment. I say this because Meyer takes us into the slums of Paris, circa 1870, and yet, keeps things clean enough for a 10 year old. Marie and her sisters are all ballet dancers, which, it turns out, is not really all that glamorous an occupation. Their mother is an absinthe addict, and the only bright spot in Marie's days are the times she models for the artist Edgar Degas. I also enjoyed the ending, which, while not sad, was not the perfect happy ending of many children's books.
For more book reviews, check out Bookstore Girl at Cantstopreading.blogspot.com.
Have you reviewed any Raincoast books on your site? Do you have a book-focused blog? Let me know. I'd like to link to you.