The Underneath

by Kathi Appelt
{ 2008 | Atheneum | 320 pgs }

The Underneath is a Newbery Honor book, which is impressive as it is Appelt’s first novel. It’s about animals, the deep South (think bayous and alligators), shape shifters, and revenge. While I wouldn’t necessarily call it a children’s book – it’s an ALA Notable Book for middle readers, and is definitely too mature for young readers – Appelt has produced a fascinating piece of literature.

To begin with, there’s a calico cat who has two kittens (Puck and Sabine). There’s the hound, Ranger, who befriends them. There’s Ranger’s owner, the bitter, hardened, excruciatingly mean and tortuous Gar Face. Woven into their story is the tale of Grandmother Moccasin, an ancient snake who can take human form once in her life (a distant relative of mermaids and selkies), and the loneliness that drives her to exact revenge on those whom she believes have betrayed her.

The writing is, for the most part, exquisite. Appelt’s sentence structure and narration style is very unique, and I loved the elements of repetition that made the story feel like it was really being told – not just communicated. That being said, I cannot express how much I hated the excessive use of exclamation points. Additionally, whenever Appelt was presenting Grandmother Moccasin’s thoughts, the snake-speak hissing was over-the-top. For example:

Grandmother hissed. Sssssttttt!!!

and

The prrriiiicccccce! she whispered. There’s a prrriiiccce.

Seriously, I can’t stand it. I know it’s just a pet peeve of mine, and honestly, the book is in all other respects superb. But I had a really hard time getting past the exclamation points and hissing.

If you don’t mind it like I did – and probably even if you do – it’s worth reading. As I said, Appelt is a masterful storyteller and the two plots are intricately woven together. It was so enjoyable to watch them develop alonside each other and then begin to combine.

Tweet: In the mood for some timeless bayou storytelling? Pick up The Underneath by Kathi Appelt. Her characters are unbelievably believable.

The Ginseng Hunter

by Jeff Talarigo
{ 2008 | Nan A. Talese | 192 pgs }

Since 2004, I’ve read 250 new books. About 3 every year make it onto my list of favorites. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m pleased to announce that The Ginseng Hunter has aquired a coveted spot on that list.

Talarigo has exceptional skill as a writer, and his subject matter is fascinating. The Ginseng Hunter is set on the China-North Korea border, and although the narrator describes scenes from his childhood during the days of Mao, most of it is present-day – like now. Talarigo spoke with North Koreans who had escaped into China and, presumably, from there to the US. Or someplace more welcoming.

In addition to chapters narrated by the main character, others are told in third-person but follow a North Korean mother and her daughter, who are trying to survive the harsh conditions there. They were heartbreaking, though in print it was easier to swallow than in film (please watch Seoul Train). It was interesting to see how different lives crossed paths or collided, and how our choices about our behavior to others may mean more to us than to the people with whom we interact.

I also was intrigued by the complexity of the main character, although as I reflected on it, he is actually a good example of how complex we all are. Yes, he is a ginseng hunter, and that defines a huge part of his existence – but there were so many other aspects…his decisions not only gave insight into his character but created his character, the way our choices shape us.

Tweet: Strongly recommended and highly praised: The Ginseng Hunter by Jeff Talarigo. Experience life and death on the China-North Korea border.

Previously

by Allan Ahlberg / illustrated by Bruce Ingman
{ 2007 | Candlewick | 32 pgs }

Previously tells several different folk tales and fairy tales, each starting at the end of the story and working backwards. Ahlberg tries to weave the stories together, although in 32 pages it comes out feeling very rushed. The illustrations are ok, though not spectacular. I did like the bright colors. However, I was altogether disappointed with the book. It was a fantastic idea, but not well executed.

Tweet: Previously Ahlberg had a killer children’s book idea, and previously I thought the book would be good. Sadly, we were both wrong.