Book Review of "The Ides of April" by Mary Ray

Hylas is a Greek slave. His master is the affluent Caius Pomponius. One day Hylas wakes to discover that his master was murdered in bed while asleep in a room in his villa. Suspicion instantly falls on the household slaves; who else in the villa could have committed the vile crime? In Rome when one slave was suspected of murder every single slave in the house was executed, whether man, woman or child. Soldiers soon arrive, arrest the slaves, and herd them to prison. Hylas, however, manages to escape arrest and flees the house. It is only a matter of time before he will be missed and the soldiers start searching for him. Hylas is frantic, and for good reasons. His own mother is one of the slaves facing torture and death in a Roman prison. Trusting his life into the hands of people he hardly knows, Hylas must somehow prove that the murderer was not one of the slaves while evading capture himself.

This exciting mystery set just after the time of Christ is so thrilling that I could not put it down. The author connected me emotionally with the characters and compelled me to pause a moment to imagine how it might have felt like to be a slave in Rome. I found myself growing exceedingly angry at the distorted form of justice displayed by the Roman Empire in such murder cases.

At the same time, I was moved by the mercy showed to Hylas by people who are virtual strangers. When an author can invoke so many different emotions while juggling a complicated cast of characters I cannot help but be greatly inspired. 

                       

 Inspirations 4 Writing

How does it feel like to be a slave? How does it feel like to be an escapee with your life on the line? Ponder these questions and try to imagine yourself in such circumstances. Then write feelingly about a character who is either a slave, an escapee running from some danger, or both.

"I Am David" by Anne Holm

 

 David is a young boy who has lived in a concentration camp for as long as he can remember. All he knows is concrete and barbed wire, cruel hard guards, and desperate prisoners. He has never seen a tree. He has never seen a child his own age. He has never even heard music before. One day a guard at the concentration camp suddenly takes pity on David and helps him to escape. At last David is free. But how can a single boy who is virtually a stranger to the outside world survive on his own?

The author of “I am David” writes so vividly and emotionally about David’s plight that I was moved to tears. In the course of his short life David has experienced suffering, evil and death close-hand. Music, food, and laughter are things that never cease to be miraculous to him. Things we take for granted he sees as extraordinary gifts. In reading David’s story I realized how rich in blessings my own life is.  

I hope that other people who read this book are moved similarly. I know for certain that they will eagerly read to find out what becomes of David, and if he will ever find a place where he truly belongs.

Inspirations 4 Writing  

Imagine a setting with a character who is without the necessities and pleasures which we often take for granted. Perhaps the character is lost in the wilderness, or, like David, is in a prison camp. Use your imagination. What would it feel like? Try to put yourself into this character’s shoes in the way the author of “I Am David” put herself in David’s shoes. How does the character feel like when he/she returns to civilization? 

Book Review of "Sparrows in the Scullery" by Barbara Brooks Wallace

Colly Trevelyan is an eleven-year-old boy who has been coddled and protected by his wealthy parents for all of his life. When he receives the news that his beloved parents were killed in a carriage accident, he is devastated. He knows his life is about to change for the worse, but he could not have possibly imagined how worse… 

On a cold dark night, two men creep into his room and kidnap him. He is taken to The Broggin Home for Boys, an institute that is run by the miserly and cruel Mr. and Mrs. Crawler. The façade of the institute is that of a loving refuge for homeless boys where they will be educated and taken care of. In reality, Mr. and Mrs. Crawler use orphaned boys as free labor in factories.

It is all Colly can do not to slip into despair. Why was he kidnapped and taken here? Who kidnapped him? Will he ever be rescued?

This riveting mystery story has been a favorite of mine for years. From the start, the author opens a window into Colly’s heart and mind, vividly describing his thoughts and emotions during his abduction and while he is at The Broggin Home for Boys. The way she describes Mr. and Mrs. Crawler and also the other poor orphans at the institute renders them unforgettable. Years after reading it I could still recall the details of the Crawlers appearances and even the names and characteristics of the boys. I remember that when I was a little girl listening to a recording of the novel on tape I exclaimed to my mom, “Someday I want to write a book just like this!” If an author has the ability to inspire young people in their desire to be a writer you know that they have to be good!

Inspirations 4 Writing

The title of the story at first appears enigmatic and unintelligible. After all, what do sparrows have to do with a mystery story about orphans? Upon reading it, however, the meaning of the title becomes clear. Titles like these always inspire me to carefully choose significant names for my novels, a name that catches your eye and holds deep meaning that is fully understood only when you read the book.  

Book Review of "The Trumpet of the Swan" by E.B. White

Louis is a young trumpeter swan. Trumpeter swans are known for their voices, which earned them their name. But poor Louis was hatched unable to speak.

However, the indomitable Louis is not the type to let such things impede his life. With the help of his affectionate father Louis acquires a trumpet and learns to play it, thus making himself a “trumpeter” swan in the literal sense of the word. He also learns how to read and write. With the help of his trumpet and his school-learning, Louis not only can communicate with swans but also with people. But even this extraordinary swan cannot began to foresee the direction that his abilities will take him.

With humor, wit, and emotion, E.B. White spins a tale that will excite, enthrall, and make you laugh! You cannot help but cheer on Louis the trumpeter swan and read eagerly to see what he will do next.

This heart-warming story from the author of “Charlotte’s Web” and “Stuart Little” is bound to become a family classic.

Inspirations 4 Writing

A story for children is often one of the most fun things to write! Taking inspiration from E.B. White’s theme of talking animals overcoming obstacles, see what you can come up with. As you write, try to think of the sorts of things that would make a child laugh. When I first listened to a recording of this book as a child, E.B White certainly made me laugh!

Book Review of "Princess Academy" by Shannon Hale

“Princess Academy” tells the story of young Miri, a girl named after a pink mountain flower. She lives with her family in a small village on Mount Eskel. Everyone works in the rock quarries mining a valuable rock called Linder; everyone except for Miri, that is. Her father has forbidden her from working in the rock quarries along with every other able-bodied villager. As a result, Miri grows up feeling like a useless burden to her father and to the village. Then the news comes that in one year the Prince will be choosing his bride and that his bride will be one of the girls from Mount Eskel! Miri, along with the 19 other eligible young women of her village, are taken to an academy where they will learn how to think, look, and behave like princesses. Miri sees this as her chance to truly be someone of importance, but her heart is torn by the conflict between these new desires and her love and longing for Mount Eskel. 

This Newbery Honor winning book is a poignant tale that revolves around such subjects as friendship, home, family, and true love. I was awestruck by the profound thoughtfulness and careful usage of adjectives Shannon Hale used in writing this fantasy novel. She showed rare skill in involving you emotionally with each character’s lives. As I read it with breathless anticipation it was as if I experienced Miri’s hopes, fears, and confusion. Hale also vividly describes Mount Eskel, and I found my imagination drawn to this beautiful mountain that Miri and her village call home.

Inspirations 4 Writing

What I appreciated about this novel was how the author presented human nature and emotions. She described Miri’s feelings in such a way that you felt you could relate to her. I do not think it is easy to capture in words something so elusive as an emotion but the author somehow did it. I find this greatly inspiring and I hope you do too. 

Book review of "I, Juan de Pareja" by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino

This is the intriguing historical-fictional autobiography of Juan de Pareja. He is a man who is a slave to the famous Spanish painter Diego Velazquez. As a slave he helps his master with his painting as far as mixing paints, etc. However, Juan desires far more. He wants to become a painter as well, but as a slave he is forbidden by law to learn art. Juan’s passion for art is so strong that he sets about teaching himself by observing his master’s paintings and he soon learns to use his brush to create exquisite works of art. Juan’s tender conscience pricks him constantly in regards to his secret. If it was once known that he was doing this the consequences could be dire.   

When I was about twelve I read this book for school and absolutely fell in love with it. Juan is a relatable human hero with faults, desires, and secrets. He quickly endears himself to the family he is enslaved to and they come to view him as a human being and not just as a servant. The ability to write in a deeply feeling way about human emotions is a gift that not all writers possess. Elizabeth Borton de Trevino is definitely one of those authors who has this gift. Juan’s idea of observing a master’s art and technique is quite practicable and I recently undertook to copy a famous sketch in order to teach myself to draw better. This method can also be applied to writing. If you want a book to provide you with a better sense of good writing I would recommend this one.

Story Prompters

Write a pretend biography from the viewpoint of someone in history. Put yourself in the person’s shoes and write in a relatable way from this standpoint. Underscore this person’s human emotions. Let that person become real to both yourself and the reader. As always, include authentic historical details to make the story believable to the reader.

Book Review of "The Whisper of Glocken" by Carol Kendall

Book Review of “The Whisper of Glocken” by Carol Kendall.

This book is the magnificent sequel to “The Gammage Cup”, (a book I previously posted a review about.) Once a again, the villages of the unobtrusive race of the Minnipins are in danger. This time it is not from enemies but from flood waters. It is deduced that the tunnel in the mountains from which the river usually flows has been somehow blocked. The duty of investigating the tunnel falls to the rather reluctant Glocken and a group of ordinary folk whom he would never willingly have chosen as friends, but whom circumstances will shape into some of his closest comrades. The book abounds with danger, narrow scrapes, and wonderful themes.

The theme of both Kendall’s novels of the Minnipins is that heroes are not made of extraordinary stuff. Typically, they don’t even choose the position of heroism. Also, bravery is not a synonym for fearlessness. A hero is an ordinary person who, though deathly afraid, does not choose to run from his fears.

Story Starter Ideas:

• Write a story about a person or a group of people who have the job of saving the lives of other people from some mortal danger thrust upon them. What makes these people heroes?  
• Write a story about an ordinary person who has to face his or her fears. Perhaps write a non-fiction account of yourself in a circumstance like this.