Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses Book Review

 Author: Ron Koertge. Illustrator: Andrea Dezsö. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  Candlewick. ISBN: 9780763644062.

Annotation: This short collection of free verse poems  and creepy illustrations features macabre retellings of classic fairy tales from “Hansel and Gretel” to “Rumpelstiltskin.”

Personal thoughts: I am a fan of fairytale retellings, so when I heard about this creepy collection, and saw the very grim cover, I made sure to pick it up. Although I did enjoy the book, I found myself thinking as I was reading it, “Wow. This isn’t really for teens.” A lot of the stories are based on more obscure fairy tales, there is definitely some very adult language and imagery in them, and a lot of the humor and irony is very subtle. That’s not to say that I don’t think many teen readers would be able to understand the poems, they just seem to me that they would appeal much more to an adult audience. I would have trouble recommending this collection to teens who are simply interested in reading fairy tale retellings, as I feel there are many more appropriate and enjoyable books for the age group. To older teens and adults who want a taste of the macabre, however, I would suggest giving this one a try.  

Plot summary: Written in free verse, this macabre collection of poems and creepy illustrations includes twenty-three retellings of classic fairy tales. Featured tales range from “Cinderella,” told from the perspective of the stepsisters, “Hansel and Gretel,” who want revenge against the father that allowed them to be abandoned in the woods, and a monologue from “Red Riding Hood” who is relaying what happened to her mother once she is home safe from Grandma’s house.  

Review: Seasoned young adult author and poet Ron Koertge delivers a chilling set of retold fairy tales in Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses. The collection is brief and can easily be read in one sitting, although many readers might want to go through some of the chapters twice so as not to miss any gruesome details. In terms of enjoyment, some of the tales fare better than others. Although the book is marketed for the young adult audience, only some of Koertge’s retellings will appeal to teen readers. Teens will likely enjoy tales like “Red Riding Hood, Home at Last, Tells Her Mother What Happened,” “Hansel and Gretel,”  and “Memoirs of the Beast,” all grim but witty retellings of stories that younger readers will undoubtedly be familiar with. Other chapters, such as “Godfather Death,” “The Little Match Girl” and “The Robber Bridegroom” are taken from tales that aren’t as well-known, and are far more grisly, making them less likely to resonate with the young adult audience. In fact, when factors like language, characterization and imagery are taken into account, this collection seems more appropriate for an adult audience. At most, it will entertain very sophisticated teen readers who will understand all the nuances in each retelling and be familiar with the original tales they are derived from. Overall, Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses is an enjoyable and entertaining journey into the creepiness of fairy tales, but one that is likely to appeal more to adults than to teens.

Genre:  Short Stories/Poetry

Reading level: Grade 9+

Similar titles: Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross, Sweetly and Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, Twisted: Tales to Rot Your Brain Vol. 1 by Nora Thompson, A Wolf at the Door and Other Retold Fairy Tales by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling.   

Themes:  Fairy tales, poetry, macabre, irony, humor.   

Awards/Reviews:  Starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and The Horn Book, positive review from School Library Journal.

Series Information: N/A  

Discussion questions:

-        What is your favorite chapter in this collection? Why?

-       Were there any fairy tales featured in this collection that you weren’t familiar with? Which ones?

-        Do you think that the illustrations enhance the collection? Why or why not?

-         The author describes this collection as being written in “free verse.” What is free verse? Have you ever read anything else in this style of writing?

-        If you had to create your own creepy retelling of a classic fairy tale, which story would you choose?

 

 

 

Twisted: Tales to Rot Your Brain Vol. 1 Book Review

 Author: Nora Thompson. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Hairy Eyeballs Press. ISBN: 9780983669913.

Annotation: This macabre collection of short stories, poems and illustrations ranges from the musings of corpses to the pitfalls of having a pet tarantula.   

Personal thoughts: I don’t often read collections of short stories and poems, but when I heard about this one (and saw the cover) I decided to give it a try. I have to admit that, in general, I am really not a fan of poetry/lyrical writing in book form, but I actually enjoyed this collection. It is definitely creepy and more than a little gross, but I thought many of the chapters were really clever. I hope that Nora Thompson decides to publish a second volume, or perhaps write an entire novel in the same vein as this book, because I think she has a lot of originality to bring to the genre.  

Plot summary: This macabre collection of short stories, poems and illustrations ranges from the musings of corpses to the pitfalls of having a pet tarantula. Chapters run the gamut of literary styles including straight narrative style, disjointed poetry, and comic strip.

Review: Nora Thompson, the illustrator behind the-rots.com, creates her first book of flash fiction with Twisted Tales to Rot Your Brain Vol. 1. The collection is a very quick read, easy to finish in one sitting, with chapters ranging in length from one to several pages. While the entire book is, in a word, strange, the author does a good job of creating something creepy and, of course, twisted that is appropriate for the young adult audience. Readers who are familiar with the Scary Stories series or the poetry of Shel Silverstein or Jack Prelutsky will find this collection comes across as a combination of the two. Some of the most enjoyable chapters in the book are “Hairy Eyeballs,” where the narrator must contend with a bristly hair inexplicably growing from the back of his throat, “Headache,” where it feels like something is trying to claw its way out of the narrator’s skull (and it just might be), and “Chula,” a story that will make anyone think twice about keeping a pet tarantula. Overall, any teen reader who is okay with the grossout/twisted nature of the book will find something that they enjoy in Nora Thompson’s collection. Funny, clever, and unique, the world of young adult literature has something to look forward to in Nora Thompson’s creations.

Genre:  Short Stories/Poetry/Horror

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Scary Stories series by Alvin Schwartz, Weenies series by David Lubar.

Themes:  Black comedy, macabre, death, irony, humor.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus.

Series Information: N/A

Discussion questions:

-        What was your favorite chapter in this collection? Why?

-     How did the author’s use of illustrations add to the book? Do you like her artistic style?

-     Did you find any of the chapters in the collection funny? Creepy? Gross?
-       Describe the different writing styles Nora Thompson used in the book. Which do you like the best? The least? Why?

Attack of the Vampire Weenies Book Review

Author: David Lubar. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Tor Books. ISBN: 9780765323453.

Annotation:  Prepare to be creeped out with this collection of spooky (and funny) tales.

Personal thoughts:  This is my first experience with the "Weenies" books, but I am now officially a fan! The stories were all very clever, and could easily be read aloud in a classroom, or enjoyed individually by tweens, teens and adults alike. I look forward to picking up more of Lubar's creations!

Plot summary: This installment of Lubar’s popular “Weenies” collection features 33 short stories. Many of the stories have to do with vampires, but most of them feature simple plots that are clever, creepy and, at times, hilarious. Some of the stories include “Not Another Word,” featuring a mime who has a particular reason for donning that white face paint, “The Ride of a Lifetime,” about a rollercoaster that seems to have a life of its own, and “Cooties,” which explains what really happens when someone says “no returns.” Most of the stories are only 2-3 pages long, with only a few over 5-10 pages.

Review: Lubar’s “Weenies” collection has sold, according to his website, over 1.7 million copies worldwide, and it is obvious why after reading Attack of the Vampire Weenies, the latest installment. Although the stories are quite short, they are full of clever, creepy and funny characters, plots and situations that will keep tweens, and adults, reading. Some of the real stand out stories include “Not Another Word,” “It’s Only a Game,” “Rapt Punzel,” “Cooties” and “The Cure for the Uncommon Vampire.” All of the stories are very entertaining, however, and readers of all ages are sure to enjoy experiencing their favorites again and again.

Genre: Short Stories/Scary Stories

Reading level: Grade 5+

Similar titles: Other titles in David Lubar’s “Weenies” collection, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz.

Themes:  Short stories, scary stories, irony, humor, vampires.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Booklist, School Library Journal, San Francisco Chronicle and Detroit Free Press.

Series Information: Part of “Weenies” collection by David Lubar. Other titles include In the Land of the Lawn Weenies, Invasion of the Road Weenies, The Curse of the Campfire Weenies and The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies.

Discussion questions:

- Write your own weenie tale.

- Which of the stories in Attack of the Vampire Weenies was your favorite? Why?

- What do you think is important to include in a collection of short stories? What elements make the stories enjoyable?

- Have you read any other of the Weenies books? Which ones? How do they compare to Attack of the Vampire Weenies?

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath Book Review

Author: Nick Bruel. Release date: 2008. Publisher: Square Fish. ISBN: 9780312581381.


Annotation: Learn how to accomplish the most dangerous duty of a cat ownership: the dreaded bath!


Personal thoughts: This is one of the most hilarious books for children I have read in a long time. As a cat owner, I can completely identify with the experience of bathing Bad Kitty. Nick Bruel’s illustrations are laugh-out-loud funny. This chapter book would be fun to read aloud to a classroom or group of tweens.

Plot summary: This illustrated novel tells the story of Bad Kitty and her bathing experiences. The primary purpose of the story is to instruct the reader on the proper methods of bathing a cat, Bad Kitty being the example “specimen.” Chapters include the various steps of the bathing process, from preparing the bath, locating kitty, getting kitty into the water, and after the bath. Information is also given on feline anatomy and behavior: why cats lick themselves, the science behind a hairball and exactly why cats hate water. Bad Kitty is shown in various stages of the bath process, along with her “friend” Puppy. The conclusion of the novel contains an interview with author Nick Bruel about his life and career.

Review: Bad Kitty Gets a Bath is one of several books in the Nick Bruel’s Bad Kitty chapter book series and is a hilarious and fun but educational story about everyone’s favorite naughty feline. Cat-lovers of all ages will enjoy and identify with the dreaded cat bath experience described in the book. Bruel’s illustrations perfectly compliment the text, showing exactly how bad Bad Kitty is. The story’s ironic and clever humor will hold a definite appeal for tweens. Hidden within the book are science facts about feline anatomy and behavior, adding some substance to the otherwise light-hearted tale. The interview with Bruel at the story’s conclusion is also perfect for tween readers who might have an interest in creating a Bad Kitty tale of their own. Overall, this story is a hilarious must-read for tween cat lovers.

Genre: Fiction/ Humor

Reading level: Grade 3+

Similar titles: Other Bad Kitty stories

Themes: None

Awards/Reviews: Positive reviews from School Library Journal and Booklist.

Series Information: Part of Nick Bruel’s Bad Kitty series of picture and chapter books

Discussion Questions:
-  What kind of novel is Bad Kitty Gets a Bath
- Do you think the story of Bad Kitty could be told without the pictures? Do you think it could be told without the words? Why or why not?
-  Have you ever had a pet cat? Are cats really like Bad Kitty?
- Explain two things you learned about cats from reading Bad Kitty Gets a Bath.
- Write and illustrate your own Bad Kitty story.