Sunday, September 5, 2010

The Bone-Pedlar by: Sylvian Hamilton

The Bone-Pedlar, published in 2000, by Sylvian Hamilton came to my attention this week. The cover and the author's short bio in the front of the book peaked my interest. This story is set in 1209, after the crusades, and a time in history when all things possible are still in peoples minds. Religion, magic, politics, and people are even beginning to dabble in science.
I wouldn't have wanted to live back then, but I do like to visit that period in books, for some reason it is fascinating to me. In this day and age of all things convenient people complain about being to hot, to cold, not having enough to eat, but back in those days those things were really true. I am also, continually fascinated by how the human race, no matter what the circumstances, are continually on the move, either from necessity or pleasure.
The collection and possession of relics at that time was of all importance to the church. The hero of our book makes his living in this trade. Ms. Hamilton has crafted an excellent story around the life and times of this period in history.
A little bit of adventure, a little bit of magic(if you believe), and a good story to boot.
Once, you get past the first few pages, you have to remember people were a lot more gruesome back then, you won't be able to put this one down.
It turns out there are two more books in the series, so she has just whetted our imaginations for some more adventure to come.
Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥ 

Guardians of Ga'Hoole by: Kathryn Lasky

I saw a preview at the movies a few months ago that really sparked my interest. It seems it has sparked the interest of a lot of other people also. The books are very hard to find. Fortunately, a friend of mine found the first 3 on Paper Back Swap . The series is the Guardians of Ga'Hoole. The first 3 titles are: The Capture, The Journey, and The Rescue.
I found these books not only to be entertaining, but also filled with some wonderful life lessons. Friendship, loyalty, courage, love. I don't know that adventure is a life lesson, but oh my, life is so much more fun when we have some adventure included.
I think these books are rated for the 9 to 12 year old group of readers, but as I am still a kid at heart I do like to refresh myself from time to time with these most important things that we learn as we are growing up.
Since, these books have been hard to find at the book store it is wonderful to think that a movie preview would spark interest in reading and that parents would help their children to seek these books out to read.

Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥