reviews
ODYSSEY 100
•
DIGIMAG
Middle School:
Just My Rotten
Luck
James Patterson & Chris
Tebbetts
Illustrated by Laura Park
Karatekas #2:
Plotting &
Scheming
Anzil Lusen with
illustrations by Alinde
Lombaard
Penguin/Random House • 978 0 0995 9645 5
Struik Chilldren • 978 1 3423 0459 1
James Patterson writes kids' stories
for kids, often with Tebbett as a
collaborator, as in this case in his
Middle School series. With illustrator
Laura Park providing sketches
and comic-books style drawings,
sometimes filling whole pages or
even two or more, at others in typical
comic-style frames, all of which help
progress the storyline, as told by the
young anti-hero Rafe Kahatchadorian
to his (obviously meant to be agecontemporary) early teen readers.
Rafe is a kid who cannot find his
place in the world, suffers all the
pangs and anxieties so well known in
adolescence such as dealing with the
opposite sex, bullies and teachers,
and can't figure out why he's always
in trouble. This one could be fun,
easy reading for the youngsters from
seven or eight (there is some girl
kissing involved, though very little
of it, so expect some of the younger
ones to react to that) up through the
middle teens – hence the title series'
name. Some lessons to be learnt but
mostly an opportunity for some fun.
And why not?
Locally written, published and set, this
is a great kids' book for the holidays.
It features numerous illustrations and
is about learning important lessons
in life within the setting of male and
female karatekas (practitioners of
karate). Just great for a bunch of kids,
male or female, to read and pass
around on those long summer days
when there's a bit of time out needed
from swimming, running around
outside and playing.
Folktales from
Africa
Retold by Dianne Stewart
& illustrated by Majorie
van Heerden
Struik • 978 1 4323 0355 6
This is a beautifully produced book
and clearly meant to be educational,
it is also engaging for younger
readers. Actually, many older readers
who are not steeped in African
folklore will likely find this book just
as educational for them as for their
kids – there are even fact files at the
end of the volume, underlining the
overly educational intent behind this
work. The author, in retelling tales
told, one must assume for centuries
and probably millennia in one
form or another, says folktales are
both timeless and, while produced
by particular cultures, also have
universal relevance as they give an
insight into what it is to be human.
Stewart is an award-winning author
who has provided in this collection
of 20 stories not only a profound
education in African folklore but
much entertainment and delight. The
illustrations are charming and perfect
to enhance the story-telling process,
either for the reader or, as the case
may be, for one or more listeners.
Katya's Hairy Tales:
The Bacon Chase
Julia Richman
Struik Children • 978 1 4323 0488 1
This one is meant for the pre-teens or
very early teens and features Katya, a
lovable cat with an amazing tail, who
simply loves bacon and will do almost
anything to get some. Lots of fun for
the little ones at story or bed time.