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WOOLVS IN THE SITEE

Name: WOOLVS IN THE SITEE
Author: Margaret Wild
ISBN: 978-1-59078-500-3

by Margaret Wild & illustrated by Anne Spudvilas ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2007

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Semi-phonetic spelling and slashing, ominous art add powerful notes of anxiety and otherness to this eerie psychodrama. “I yoosed to hav a familee, a home,” writes young Ben, but now that “the seasons are topsee-turvee” and “nothing is rite,” he huddles in a basement, creeping up the stairs only when he runs out of water. He does find some comfort with his older neighbor Mussus Radinski, even though she refuses to acknowledge the “Woolvs” outside. These are not common wolves, but an undefined, hovering threat that is edging ever closer. It’s her disappearance that, at last, gives Ben the stomach to stand back up, screw his courage to the sticking place and go out in search. “Joyn me,” he urges. Using colors that suggest shadows and burning, Spudvilas creates a scary, depopulated urban setting heavy with unspecific threat. But Ben does defy his fears at the end, and similarly beleaguered children may be inspired to follow his example. Provocative reading. (Picture book. 10-12)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2007

ISBN: 978-1-59078-500-3

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Front Street/Boyds Mills

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2007

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
GOODBYE, OLD HOUSE
by Margaret Wild ; illustrated by Ann James

- BOOK REVIEW
THE FEATHER
by Margaret Wild ; illustrated by Freya Blackwood

- BOOK REVIEW
THE TREASURE BOX
by Margaret Wild ; illustrated by Freya Blackwood

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THE BAD BEGINNING

by Lemony Snicket ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 30, 1999

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The Baudelaire children—Violet, 14, Klaus, 12, and baby Sunny—are exceedingly ill-fated; Snicket extracts both humor and horror from their situation, as he gleefully puts them through one terrible ordeal after another. After receiving the news that their parents died in a fire, the three hapless orphans are delivered into the care of Count Olaf, who “is either a third cousin four times removed, or a fourth cousin three times removed.” The villainous Count Olaf is morally depraved and generally mean, and only takes in the downtrodden yet valiant children so that he can figure out a way to separate them from their considerable inheritance. The youngsters are able to escape his clutches at the end, but since this is the first installment in A Series of Unfortunate Events, there will be more ghastly doings. Written with old-fashioned flair, this fast-paced book is not for the squeamish: the Baudelaire children are truly sympathetic characters who encounter a multitude of distressing situations. Those who enjoy a little poison in their porridge will find it wicked good fun. (b&w illustrations, not seen) (Fiction. 10-12)

Pub Date: Sept. 30, 1999

ISBN: 0-06-440766-7

Page Count: 162

Publisher: HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
SWARM OF BEES
by Lemony Snicket ; illustrated by Rilla Alexander

- BOOK REVIEW
THE BAD MOOD AND THE STICK
by Lemony Snicket ; illustrated by Matthew Forsythe

- BOOK REVIEW
GOLDFISH GHOST
by Lemony Snicket ; illustrated by Lisa Brown

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GLORIA'S WAY

by Ann Cameron ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 9, 2000

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Fans of Cameron’s Huey and Julian stories (More Stories Huey Tells, 1997, etc.) are in for a treat as Gloria, their friend from those tales, gets a book of her own and graciously allows the two brothers to share it . In the first tale, Gloria makes a wonderful card for her mother, but the wind blows it away and it ends up in the cage of a cantankerous parrot. Thanks to Mr. Bates, Huey and Julian’s dad, the day is saved, as is the burgeoning friendship that Gloria and the boys have struck up with new neighbor Latisha in the story, “The Promise.” In another story, Gloria has to deal with a huge problem—fractions—and this time it’s her dad who helps her through it. Mr. Bates proves helpful again when the group trains an “obsessed” puppy, while Gloria’s mother is supportive when Gloria is unintentionally hurt by her three best friends. The stories are warm and funny, as Gloria, a spunky kid who gets into some strange predicaments, finds out that her friends and wise, loving adults are good to have around when trouble beckons. Great fun, with subtly placed, positive messages that never take center stage. (b&w illustrations) (Fiction. 8-12)