Susan Fletcher (1)Anmeldelser

A cow follows his owner to the battlefield ... and winds up saving the day by providing milk when food is scarce.

The story of Shahrazad has always puzzled me. This King kills his wives day after day and his people just let it happen? They didn't revolt? Monarchies have been tumbled for much less! Yet this slip of a girl manages to stand up to this King and save her people.

She has never gotten her proper due in my opinion.

Fletcher's book however is a decent step in that direction. Though about Marjan, we see what it must be like for Shahrazad. Night after night for years, constantly frightened and stressed that at any moment the wrong word, the word turn of phrase will get her family killed.

Marjan is just as brave and clever as Shahrazad, which is both a blessing and curse for women in those days. A muslim hired out to a Jewish man and his wife, her life isn't easy, but they care for her like a daughter and she is happy at least. Its not that Marjan does reckless things--impetuous perhaps, but not reckless. She emphasizes with Shahrazad and reveres her like a hero, willing to do anything (including putting her life at risk) to save hers.

The outside 'force' in the story, that of the Sultan's greedy, waspish, over indulgent mother Khatun, is necessary. Her actions are just this side of evil, but they are covered with 'I need to protect my sons!'.

Just as in life, in Shadow Spinner things do not end 'perfectly'. A measure of happiness for most, but no real 'justice' is given to Khatun's actions and Marjan is forced to flee the city, never seeing her Aunt and Uncle, or friends at the palace again. I could almost wish for a sequel, to make sure that Marjan's life hereafter isn't a let down after this adventure, but sometimes a story needs an ending.

The opening pulled me right in and kept on going:
"I was fifteen the year the king's men came to take me from my home."

I loved Susan Fletcher's _Journey of the Pale Bear_ and this one was just as good!

The story is about learning where your loyalties lie in a complex world, and finding the courage to stand up for what you believe, (in this case non-violence). In a totally believeable way, Kara's perspective changes as she gets to know the dragons better.

I re-read some passages just for the sheer pleasure of reading: the language is strong and beautiful like the beat of dragon wings. The details about falconry are fascinating and the link between the healing of a disease, the dragon's milk, and the relationship between the birds and dragons felt exactly right.

Books 1 + 2 are vivid and gripping. I preferred Book 2, but that might be because I read it first. I definitely went on to read Book 3 and I have my eye on Book 4.

Maybe it's just been too long since I read the others. I collected the first three books when I was younger and I loved them and reread them a lot way back when. This one felt different, outside of the modern day perspective. I don't mind the time period aspect, but the writing just didn't impress me. A bit of a depressing note to end on, if it's the end of the series.

A story of a polar bear born in Norway, and given to Henry III, King of England, when it was full grown. The illustrations are stunning, and the story is touching. Records indicate that a bear (perhaps a polar bear which was indigenous to Norway,) was indeed given to Henry III for the menagerie at the Tower of London. A cage containing the bear who was muzzled and chained on board the deck of the ship. Tempest tossed, no doubt sick, the bear had a tumultous journey from Norway to England.

After arrival, a huge chain was used to tether the bear to the Thames river so it could fish. Interestingly, the records also show a purchase of a thick wrap for the bear's keeper to go into the water with the bear. Normally polar bears eat seals, and not fish. But, there were no seals in the Thames river. Huge polar bears would not survive on fish as an inordinate amount would need to be consumed to sustain the bear.

The author does a wonderful job of painting a calm, beautiful life then disturbed by those who traveled on a sailing ship to capture the bear and taken via the ship back to England.

I very much enjoyed the suppliment at the end of the book that gives a brief history of the tower menagerie and the records that still exist of showing the menagerie contained camels, lions, leopards originally on the property of Henry's great-grandfather who then transported them to the Tower of London in 1252.

History also shows the menagerie was closed in the 19th century and placed in new homes (not named in the book.) Today, if you visit the tower, you can see a sculputure of King Henry III's bear at the place he/she spent their life.

Four and 1/2 Stars½

I'm not sure how this book came to me - I found it in a pile of books my kids had outgrown, ready to be donated to the library. I decided to pick it up and read it, and I'm glad I did. I haven't read much middle grade, lately, though I used to all the time. I loved it! A young girl begins to think for herself and separate from her parents' beliefs, learning how to stand up for what is right in her own eyes. The setting was rich, and the story was good.

I just finished it, and I was teary-eyed, heart-warmed, and schooled in some interesting history. The writing by Susan Fletcher really takes this up a notch. The relationship between the boy and the bear is palpably empathetic. Their story is full of hardships and adventure, but in a way that makes the reader really root for them. I just loved this book!

Recommended by Caitlin G.

Promising beginning. Will come back to this in another year or so when L is 8.

very good - Ruthie

I love this story! I've read it several times and it is always fresh and wonderful. I read the earlier three, too, but wasn't as hooked. I love the fact of dragons being rediscovered from eggs in the modern world in this volume. Bryn is such a real character, one I would recognize if I saw or met her. As a birder, I would love to be able to "ken" with birds - and dragons, of course! I also love how the author selects one phrase from the text to name each chapter. So well-written and believable! Thank you, Susan Fletcher! I wish you'd write more about Bryn and "the critter."

I loved the first three books in The Dragon Chronicles, so I was prepared to sit back, relax, and savor this new entry. That didn't happen. There was no sitting back or relaxing here. I was leaning forward, heart thudding, eyes glued to the pages throughout.

Ancient, Strange, and Lovely takes place in the near future. Bryn knows that her family is different. They have a secret. They can "ken" with birds, touching their minds, bonding, and finding companionship with a particular bird. At the beginning of the story Bryn's scientist mother has gone missing in the wilds of Alaska. Her father has taken up the search and soon he is missing also.

When Bryn's bird Stella starts acting strangely and leads her to the basement where a mysteriously large egg is hatching, Bryn is not prepared to care for the unusual lizard which emerges. It isn't long before she is on the run, heading for Alaska in an attempt to find someone who can help to care for this critter, which she is suspecting is really a dragon.

I sat up reading late into the night to find out what happens to Bryn and "the critter." Readers of the the first three volumes will have extra knowledge of the distant past events which led up to this book. But, it is a stand-alone and won't need the other volumes to make sense. (Although you are going to want to go back and read them, once you reach the end of Ancient, Strange, and Lovely!)

I very satisfying read!

More engaging story than the cover would suggest, and based on a true story. My only challenge with using this as a readaloud is its use of rural dialect. I don't want to sound like I am making fun of dialect users, so not being a skilled voice actor it is hard to use books that are written in dialects.

Recommended by one of my kid patrons, and I really enjoyed it -- a little more angsty than the Wrede series, but a good story in an interesting world none-the-less.

The protagonists struggle with her faith and her father's prejudice hit a little close to home to be honest. Obviously not the 19th century lighthouse keeper part but emotionally this really hit me and the whole thing was very atmospheric and well written.

Not as good as I remember. But still better than most of the stuff out there.

Alphabet of Dreams by Susan Fletcher is a YA novel that is set in the time of the birth of Jesus. In ancient Persia a girl called Mitra and her younger brother, Babak, children of a rebellious noble, have disguised themselves as beggars as the King is searching for them in order to wipe out the whole family. Babak , unfortunately, calls attention to them by experiencing prophetic dreams that have people vying for his services. Mitra disguises herself as a boy, and she and Babak join the caravan of the three magi on a long and arduous trip to Bethlehem.

The magi have studied the stars and know that something of great importance is about to occur, but Babak’s dreams are able to help them put the pieces into place. As the wise men travel to Bethlehem to seek out the birth of this unknown king, Babak is often called upon for his dreams. These dreams take a terrible toil on Babak and Mitra can see that he is going to die unless she finds a place of safety for him.

Although the story of the birth of Christ is an important element of the book, Mitra is the main character and her coming-of-age is front and centre as she learns to understand her place in the world, how she can protect her younger brother, and, who she and her brother can turn to in order to finally find the home that they seek. There are reasons for it but Mitra isn’t the most likeable character as she can be very stubborn and selfish but her love and desire to protect her younger brother is strong. I found this an interesting and touching story and it was obvious that the author had done her research. I appreciated the fact that she clarified much of the history and geography in her notes at the end of the book. The Alphabet of Dreams was a solid historical story aimed at a younger audience but still enjoyable to adults.

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I have always enjoyed Susan Fletcher's writing. This is an excellent story of 1800's California.

This is a middle grade fictional novel about some of what went on behind the scenes in the story of Shahrazad and the 1001 nights. It's a quick read, but has some interesting twists and good characters. And it follows it's own advice, weaving lessons into the story that it tells.

This story is based on true events. The heartwarming story of a Union Army soldier in the Civil War and his persistent cow who stayed by his side.

I’m a sucker for well-known stories re-told from a different perspective, Wicked by Gregory Maguire being one of my favorites along with books by Donna Jo Napoli, so Fletcher’s novel caught my attention right away. As a former Catholic school girl, I know the New Testament story of the Three Magi pretty well, but Fletcher tells the story from the perspective of a Persian princess reduced to living in caves and stealing food after her family is slaughtered by her father’s enemies. Mitra discovers quite by accident that her little brother, Babek, can dream other people’s dreams, a skill that brings him to the attention of the Magus Melchior. Mitra and Babek journey to Bethlehem with Melchior and two other Magi to witness the birth of Christ, enduring all sorts of hardships and learning a thing or two about family in the process. I really liked Mitra — as my grandmother used to day, she has pluck! –and I found Babek’s gift fascinating and a little scary. The characters are well-drawn, especially the three Magi and the bodyguard who keeps Mitra and Babek safe. A lovely story all around…

Engaging historical fiction. The relationship between Arthur, a peasant boy, and the captive polar bear is beautiful.

This is an enchanting tale. Quick, enjoyable read. Your preteen would love it. Adventure-journey to save the baby dragons with a bit of love.

I thought it was a little odd.

Summary: A cow went to the Civil War with her owner. Though her owner called her the dadblamed cow, he loved it. Because she had saved many soldiers' lives with her warmth and milk. After the war, the cow became the cow with honor-- the captain hung the golden medal on her neck.
Genre: historical fiction.
This story is created based on a real story happen in Civil War period. But the details and conversations were made up by the author.
Use: 1. Compare this book with another book called "Finding Winnie". What are the differences and the similarities of this two stories?
2. The cow had done a lot of contributions in the war-- gave warmth to the cold sodiers, produced milk, shooed off flies. Teacher can ask students what else she could do in the war? Students write down the possible ideas and present them.
Media: pastel and water color