Emily Climbs by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Summary: The second book in the Emily novels, Emily Climbs follows Emily Byrd Starr through her high school years in Shrewsbury living with her Aunt Ruth. Forced by her Aunt Elizabeth to give up writing fiction while she attends school, Emily focuses on climbing the Alpine path by trying to get her poetry and non-fiction works published. Emily feels the sting from Ruth Dutton’s constant barbs and the stream of rejection letters, but her self-confidence remains strong and ultimately buoys her dampened spirit. Some success in the publishing department gains her respect from her family, and Emily is faced with a decision related to her writing that will change her life.
Number of Pages: 325
Age Range: 15-17
Review: I picked the middle novel of the Emily books by Lucy Maud Montgomery because Emily begins at age 13 and grows to age 17 by the end. But if you’ve never read the Emily books, you should start with Emily of New Moon so you can properly fall in love with Emily Byrd Starr, her friends Ilse, Perry and Teddy, and her family, the Murrays.
It has been written that of all her characters, Emily comes the closest to representing Lucy Maud Montgomery. I haven’t read Montgomery’s journals so I’m not sure how close Emily’s and Montgomery’s experiences are, but I feel like Montgomery’s voice is the voice of the narrator, looking over Emily’s life like it is her own and being critical where needed.
Emily, herself, is a character for writers. She inspires and motivates through her fictional trials and triumphs. Writing is so much a part of her that she knows she must give up her opportunity to go to high school when her Aunt Elizabeth tells her she has to stop writing if she wants to go. When Emily needs to make a decision about staying in Canada or going to the United States in pursuit of writing opportunities, Mr. Carpenter gives her a moving speech about maintaining her Canadian tang and flavour even though the money is horrible. I wonder if Montgomery found herself in a similar situation and whether she was happy with her choices.
I love that Montgomery proves to her readers that real people live everywhere. She brings life to small town Prince Edward Island, and I loved reading about how a last name defines your character and scandal can be found in the most innocent situations just from people talking.
Emily is a kindred spirit for female teen writers aspiring to greatness of their own, but I would recommend the Emily novels to anyone looking for a passionate character who continues to believe in herself when the odds and opinions are against her.
Memorable Quotes:
“‘But now that I have written it out in my diary I don’t feel so badly over it. Nothing ever seems as big or as terrible – oh, nor as beautiful and grand, either, alas! – when it is written out, as it does when you are thinking or feeling about it. It seems to shrink directly when you put it into words.'” – Emily from Emily Climbs by Lucy Maud Montgomery, page 9
“‘The trouble is, Aunt Elizabeth and I have different Gods, that is all. Everybody has a different God, I think. Aunt Ruth’s, for instance, is one that punishes her enemies – sends ‘judgements’ on them. That seems to me to be about all the use He really is to her. Jim Cosgrain uses his to swear by. But Aunt Janey Milburn walks in the light of her God’s countenance, every day, and shines with it.'” – Emily from Emily Climbs by Lucy Maud Montgomery, page 13
“‘Emily,’ whispered Teddy, ‘you’re the sweetest girl in the world.’
The words have been said so often by so many millions of lads to so many millions of lasses, that they ought to be worn to tatters. But when you hear them for the first time, in some magic hour of your teens, they are as new and fresh and wondrous as if they had just drifted over the hedges of Eden. Madam, whoever you are, and however old you are, be honest, and admit that the first time you heard those words on the lips of some shy sweetheart, was the great moment of your life.” – from Emily Climbs by Lucy Maud Montgomery, page 54
“‘Not that I won’t – it’s just that I can’t,’ said Emily despairingly. She knew Aunt Elizabeth could not understand – Aunt Elizabeth never had understood this. ‘I can’t help writing, Aunt Elizabeth. It’s in my blood. There’s no use in asking me. I do want an education – it isn’t pretending – but I can’t give up my writing to get it. I couldn’t keep such a promise – so what use would there be in making it?'” – Emily from Emily Climbs by Lucy Maud Montgomery, page 82
“This time Emily took the doughnut. She might as well have some comfort. Now, you can’t eat doughnuts and remain dramatic. Try it.” – from Emily Climbs by Lucy Maud Montgomery, page 145
“She was sufficient unto herself. needing not love nor comradeship nor any human emotion to round out her felicity. Such moments come rarely in any life, but when they do come they are inexpressibly wonderful – as if the finite were for a second infinity – as if humanity were a space uplifted into divinity – as if all ugliness had vanished, leaving only flawless beauty.” – from Emily Climbs by Lucy Maud Montgomery, page 177
“‘…she isn’t a Canadian any longer – and that’s what I wanted you to be – pure Canadian through and through, doing something as far as in you lay for literature of your own country, keeping your Canadian tang and flavour. But of course there’s not many dollars in that sort of thing yet.'” – Mr. Carpenter talking to Emily from Emily Climbs by Lucy Maud Montgomery, pages 105-106
“‘I’ll create my own atmosphere,’ said Emily, with a trifle of spirit. . . ‘And as for material – people live here just the same as anywhere else – suffer and enjoy and sin and aspire just as they do in New York.'” – Emily from Emily Climbs by Lucy Maud Montgomery, page 310
Emily Climbs by Lucy Maud Montgomery was first published by Fredrick A. Stokes (1925).
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The Green Gables Detectives by Eric Wilson
Summary: Liz Austen is in Prince Edward Island for a baseball tournament, but playing sports doesn’t keep her from participating in a Green Gables murder mystery event. When what was fictional turns horribly real with the death of Miss Martin, the woman playing Marilla, Liz and her new friend Makiko from Japan are on the case to find the murderer. But for all her smarts even Liz can be fooled, and she must quickly piece things together before serious harm comes to her and her friends.
Number of Pages: 142
Age Range: 12-13
Review: The Liz and Tom Austen Mystery books was another series that was around when I was growing up, but I never ended up reading one. After today’s book, I wish I had. I enjoyed Liz’s feisty attitude and determination to solve the mysteries she encountered.
What a fun and educational story! I love the idea of a series of teen fiction that incorporates Canada’s major landmarks, and Eric Wilson makes such information easily accessible to his readers through the mystery genre. In The Green Gables Detectives, there were actually two mysteries, but Liz Austen managed to solve them both and, aided by new friends Makiko and Aaron, escape a dangerous hostage situation.
I chose the second quote because I laughed at its outlandishness, and I made sure to credit the quote to the ‘bad guy’ instead of using a name so the mystery will be preserved if you haven’t read it before. This book is definitely geared toward pre-teen to very early teen readers, but I enjoyed the lighter read and learning more about Lucy Maud Montgomery while feeling like Wilson had transported me to Cavendish, Prince Edward Island.
Memorable Quotes:
“This book is for Rick Hansen
The triumphant ‘Man in Motion'” – Dedication from The Green Gables Detectives by Eric Wilson
“‘Without the radar we can’t get back to port. You’re stuck out here at sea, so let the kids go. I’m sure the courts will be fair to you.’
‘That’s hard to believe when I’ve just murdered someone.’ He shook his head. ‘No, I’m not going back to prison. These kids are my ticket to freedom, so they’re going ashore with me.'” – conversation between ship’s mate and the bad guy from The Green Gables Detectives by Eric Wilson, page 131
The Green Gables Detectives by Eric Wilson is published by Collins Publishers (1987).
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Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Summary: Siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert decide to adopt a boy to help on their farm, Green Gables. But instead of a boy, a spirited, red-headed, orphan girl named Anne Shirley is waiting at the train station when Matthew arrives. Matthew brings her home despite the mix-up, and Anne quickly finds a place in both of their hearts with her bumbling yet earnest and ultimately endearing ways. Anne’s gradual growth into an accomplished young woman brings Marilla and Matthew more joy than frustration, and in the end it is clear that this unlikely trio has become a family.
Number of Pages: 329
Age Range: 13-18
Review: What does one say about the most iconic teen book in Canadian culture?
When I was young, Anne of Green Gables was about subtle romance. Anne and Gilbert’s fraught relationship kept me interested because I knew they were meant to be together.
But today’s re-reading surprised me, because this time I found myself focusing on the family aspect. Marilla and Matthew are siblings that have never married. For one it was because of being stubborn, and for the other it was because of being shy. But Lucy Maud Montgomery shows us that both are capable of a deep love when it comes to accepting and raising Anne Shirley, the girl who was never supposed to be theirs. Montgomery’s tale is chiefly about growth and love as Anne grows into a young woman, Marilla and Matthew grow into their roles as parents, and the three grow into a loving family together. Anne of Green Gables showed us back in the early 1900s that families don’t have to be traditional to work.
Intermixed is a little bit of romance, a lot of imagination, and the fiesty, unforgettable character of orphan girl, Anne Shirley, and the result is a book that has become part of the fabric of our culture for over one hundred years now. I wonder if there is something precise that gives this book its staying power, but maybe it’s just the fact that I can’t imagine my childhood without it, and I know there are many others who feel the same.
I listed the age range as 13-18 because part of the beauty of this book is that there is something for everyone.
Memorable Quotes: I think of this book more in scenes than in quotes.
Some of my favourite scenes are:
When Anne smashes the slate over Gilbert Blythe’s head.
Anne and Diana trying to sleep in the spare room.
Matthew buying Anne a new dress.
Anne’s expression of her commitment to taking care of Marilla.
Anne and Gilbert walking home together as friends.
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery was first published by L.C. Page Publishers of Boston (1908).
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War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay
Summary: Jacob is looking forward to going to George Jones seminary for Boys in Uganda with his friends Tony and Paul, but on their first night there the students are abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The LRA claims they have God on their side and that they are fighting for Uganda, but they are forcing children to be soldiers and leading them down a path of violence and lies. Jacob lives in hope that his father will rescue him, but when it becomes clear help isn’t on the way, he decides he and the family he has created in the midst of the horror around them are going to escape. But escape means returning to a life that doesn’t fit anymore, and each of them deals with this new reality in their own way.
Number of Pages: 234
Age Range: 14-16
Review: I couldn’t resist taking the opportunity to read the book behind War Brothers: The Graphic Novel just to compare and I am so glad I did. Because I liked it better. Sharon E. McKay has a great writing style of being able to seamlessly interweave an educational piece with a great story that keeps its reader gripped in its clutches till the end.
There was quite a bit more depth than there was in the graphic novel, as well as the renewal of storylines that had to be cut to fit the other style. With the additional material, the story becomes more about dealing with a horrific experience and then trying to adjust to ‘normal’ life again, as opposed to simply escaping the horrific experience.
Even though it’s about child soldiers in Uganda, something vastly outside of the Canadian experience, it is relatable and real for readers who have been through a life-changing experience that causes others to see them differently. It’s about facing the worst humanity has to offer, and deciding what kind of life to live after seeing that kind of evil. It’s also about the unshakeable bond that develops when two or more people share an extraordinary experience, good or bad.
I loved the characters, but it was Tony and Oteka that really got to me. Tony because I could understand how shattered he was after his experiences. I think the reason why it is easier to shatter the good ones is because they simply can’t live with what they have done and the only option is to become more evil in response to the self-hatred that is going on inside. As for Oteka, he really was a hero, and I was inspired by his determination to meet his fate and save other girls and boys.
Wow, I really did love this book. Writing this review is putting tears in my eyes remembering McKay’s powerful characters and words. I could write more, but I’ll leave the quotes speak for themselves because there were just so many of them that I felt deserved to be included.
I am having a bit of trouble placing an age on this one though. War Brothers: The Graphic Novel is clearly more accessible to younger and reluctant readers, but War Brothers, the novel, deserves a reader that is a little bit older to truly appreciate its depth.
Memorable Quotes:
“Jacob lay in the dark, hands behind his head, and thought that he couldn’t have been happier. Once, old Bella had said that cooking made her happy because it allowed her to share her happiness. It was true, he thought. A person could be content alone, maybe even at peace, but happiness was real only if it was shared.” – from War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay, page 59
“‘You see? We are the enemy now,’ hissed Tony. ‘Our school – they do not want us back. You think you can go home? You cannot. None of us can go home again. We have con in us now – evil spirits.’ Tony’s mouth curled into a sneer, although tears pooled in his eyes. ‘You think that if you do not kill they will take you back? They will not believe you. They will treat you like a murderer. Even your father.'” – Tony from War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay, pages 124-125
“Jacob sighed. A truth had been building up inside him for a long time. And then, as with all revelations, it arrived in a flash. He looked from Norman to Paul and over to where Tony sat. The boys from school were scattered about. He looked from one to the other. No one was coming to save them . . . A certain resolve settled into his heart.
‘We have to save ourselves,’ Jacob whispered. No one heard, not even Paul. ‘We will save ourselves.'” – Jacob from War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay, page 127
“This new Jacob was not shy any longer. He was not a leader, not a follower either, nor was he a warrior. He was something else. He was his own person, and he was not afraid. God willing, he would fight to live, but never would he live to fight.” – from War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay, page 157
“‘I will tell you something. If I had a brother I would like him to be like you. Smart. Good at multiplication. You are my war brother. We are in a war and we will win the war because we are the good, and good people win. Then you will be my peace brother.'” – Jacob talking to Norman from War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay, page 163
“‘You are right to worry about him,’ said Hannah. ‘The commanders – they can tell which boys can be broken like glass. Shattered glass cannot be put together. When the good boys become LRA they become especially mean, especially dangerous. I have seen it happen over and over.’
‘How do they know which boy to pick?’ Jacob asked.
‘Bullies always know.’ – conversation between Hannah and Jacob from War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay, page 184
“In this country, in his Africa, it was possible to see Heaven while standing in Hell.” – from War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay, page 185
“‘Soon the reasons why will be forgotten and only the actions will remain. The deeds – good and bad – will be all we remember.'” – Oteka from War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay, page 209
“‘Are we born to be beasts? Is that our nature?’ Jacob’s throat closed up.
‘No, we can choose. That is God’s gift,’ said Oteka.
It occurred to Jacob that he would give his life for this friend, and yet the two had never talked, not the way friends talk. Was it possible to know a person’s soul and not know the person?” – Conversation between Jacob and Oteka from War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay, page 221
“I remember Michael, the boy called Lizard. Hindsight allows me to see that he was as much a victim as an enemy. but that is the question that we all wrestle with – where does the victim end and the criminal begin? Who is accountable? Child soldiers are instruments of evil men. How can we punish the child? What happens when the child grows up and continues on the path of murder and destruction? The world will see many more such children. It is a question that must be answered.” – Jacob from War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay, page 225
“Uganda is where my heart resides and I could no more live without my country than I could live without my heart.” – Jacob from War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay, page 229
“We tell the story of the crocodile and the scorpion over and over, then debate and wonder: Are we all beasts inside? What is our nature? Can a good boy be turned into a killer more easily than one who was not a good boy in the first place? I think of how the words of God were so misused by Kony and his commanders. I now believe that if you tell a lie, feed it, nurture it, and help it to grow, it will be believed. It will grow powerful despite being rotten at the core.” Jacob from War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay, page 231
War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay is published by Puffin Canada (2008).
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Thunder Over Kandahar by Sharon E. McKay
Summary: Yasmine’s parents have moved her to Afghanistan with idealistic hopes of helping to change the country. Their outsider ways and liberal beliefs attract unwanted attention, and put all of their lives in serious danger from the Taliban. Along the way Yasmine’s parents hire Tamanna to be her companion and the two become the best of friends since going to school is not an option. When the situation turns deadly, their friendship is put to the test as they are forced to make a perilous journey, but the kindness of strangers and family persistence will pull them through.
Number of Pages: 247
Age Range: 13-15
Review: Sharon E. McKay provides us with a powerful story about Afghanistan’s growth as a country in the face of Taliban insurgence and foreign assistance through the eyes of Yasmine, an outsider girl who grows to call Afghanistan home. Her examination of Afghanistan’s complicated history and present is incisive, somewhat philosophical, but still hopeful.
Thunder Over Kandahar is one of those books that thrusts you into a different perspective smoothly, while still being a great story. I enjoyed learning about what life is like in Afghanistan for a girl through Yasmine’s experiences, and appreciated that McKay also brings in other characters to provide her readers with a well-rounded perspective of the country’s challenges.
But what I liked the most was McKay’s over-arching message that education is the key to change. If Tamanna’s brother had known how to read, would he have believed everything the Taliban told him? If everyone was educated, would girls and women still be so restricted in their actions or would they become equal to men? After reading this book, I am more aware of how lucky I am to live in Canada, and hopeful that things will change for Afghanistan in the future through people who are dedicated to making that happen.
Thunder Over Kandahar is a deeper read for early to mid teen girls that is both educating and entertaining.
Memorable Quotes:
“‘Do we not all want universal peace? Is that not what we strive for? It is a university, a place for discussion.’ Baba sounded indignant now.
‘Here, today, discussion can kill, my friend. We are living in a dark time. We suffered through many years of Russian occupation, and then came chaos and fighting between warlords, each with their private armies. But how could we know that the worst was yet to come? We thought the Taliban, ruling in the name of Allah, would bring us stability.'” – conversation between Baba and Professor Maywand from Thunder Over Kandahar by Sharon E. McKay, page 17
“Teacher wagged his finger. ‘We have been occupied but never conquered. To know about history is to know that dark times pass and after the dark there is light. You must remember that always.'” – Teacher from Thunder Over Kandahar by Sharon E. McKay, page 56
“‘Allah has made women to suffer,’ said Mor.” – Mor from Thunder Over Kandahar by Sharon E. McKay, page 66
“‘I wish with all my heart that you were in school. I love my country, Daughter, but here we have been robbed of our most precious gifts: thoughts and imagination. Only in an atmosphere of peace and security can artists, poets, and writers flourish. Without our artists and storytellers, we have no history, and without history our future is unmoored – we drift. It is art, never war, that carries culture forward.” – Baba from Thunder Over Kandahar by Sharon E. McKay, pages 79-80
“‘My husband was a teacher and I a good student. You think that I am ignorant because I live in the mountains. I am strong. All the women of Afghanistan are strong. We will endure.’ Ariana looked away, but it was too late, Yasmine could see tears in her eyes.” – Ariana from Thunder Over Kandahar by Sharon E. McKay, page 163
“‘It is possible to love a country, even one that I was not born in, but hate its politics. In this part of the world it is not only possible, it is probable.'” – Nicolette from Thunder Over Kandahar by Sharon E. McKay, page 217
“Mina leaned in close. She smelled of flowers and mountain air. ‘We wait until it is safe for us to return. We are young, we are educated, we are strong. If we too run away, what hope is there for our country? It is not the West that the old mullahs fear. It is modernity. Anything modern or new is a challenge to their way of thinking. Education is our only hope. Meanwhile, Babrak and I support the medical efforts of Dr. Latouche and others who would help our people – all our people, not one tribe over another. We are all Afghans first.'” – Mina from Thunder Over Kandahar by Sharon E. McKay, page 225
“The hard times, the fear, the heartbreak and loss would never be forgotten, but love for each other, family, and their country would triumph.” – from Thunder Over Kandahar by Sharon E. McKay, page 247
Thunder Over Kandahar by Sharon E. McKay is published by Annick Press (2010).
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Amy Mathers has been passionate about reading from a very young age, and hopes others will share her enthusiasm for funding a teen book award. Read more Follow Amy
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