An Earthly Knight by Janet McNaughton
Summary: Living in a feudalistic society set in 1164 Scotland, sixteen year-old Lady Jeanette Avenel (Jenny) is used to a world where women are expected to submit a man’s will and are treated as property. When her older sister Isabel is disgraced by a marriage resulting in her new husband’s death, Jenny becomes the daughter whose marriage will advance her family’s stature in society. With her own estate and tocher (more commonly known as a dowry), Jenny is a potential bride for the King’s brother, William de Warenne. Then she meets Tam Lin, a former nobleman squatting on her estate trapped between the earthly world and the world of the fairies, and their developing friendship and romance forces her to choose between love and the conventions of society.
Number of Pages: 258
Age Range: 15-17
Review: Combination historical fiction and fantasy, An Earthly Knight is well-written, brilliant portrait of Jenny, a female character stuck in a patriarchal society. I’m not usually a big fan of fantasy, but for me even with the parts about fairies, I was hooked into the story and reading it felt like listening to a piece of music. It flowed.
It’s like Janet McNaughton stuck a liberated, female teen into the 1160’s and then made it believable. Given the context of the book I was shocked by Jenny’s gall at times, but in the end I agreed with McNaughton’s growth of Jenny’s character and that she would have acted the way she did. Reading about Jenny was interesting and also inspiring considering the odds stacked against her during that time period.
McNaughton does an especially excellent job of really putting the reader in the time period. This was a whole world in a book, one that contained knights, kings, fairies, feudal systems, magical dresses, love and strong female characters. I loved it all.
After reading Creeps yesterday having McNaughton wrap things up on a happy note may have been overly simplistic but I did appreciate it.
This is a feel good read with insights into the female experience I would recommend to fans of fantasy and romance looking for positive female characters.
Memorable Quotes:
“When she remembered it now, that night had the quality of a nightmare in which something terrible is about to happen, and the dreamer knows it but can only watch helplessly.” – from An Earthly Knight by Janet McNaughton, page 69
“‘Aye, Isabel, among the nobles you are disgraced. But why? We are taught that a woman should always bow before a man of her rank or better, even when he means to harm her. But what of those who must always bow? They see you with different eyes. Isabel, to them you acted with honour. You should believe them.'” – Jenny from An Earthly Knight by Janet McNaughton, page 103
“She rose and stood behind him, leaning her cheek against his back. ‘Listen to me, Tam Lin. Even if I spend the rest of my life sleeping in William de Warenne’s bed, even if you are some place I can never reach, you are mine. You will always be mine, even if this one night is all I ever have of you.'” – Jenny from An Earthly Knight by Janet McNaughton, page 194
“But if her sister had destroyed one knight and she had saved another, Jenny knew they had both faced their fears with courage and honour, and Isabel was her equal in every regard.” – from An Earthly Knight by Janet McNaughton, page 250
An Earthly Knight by Janet McNaughton is published by HarperTrophy Canada (2003).
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| Canadian Booksellers)
Creeps by Darren Hynes
Summary: With his short statue, wide-set eyes and penchant for writing, fifteen year-old Wayne Pumphrey is a target for the local bullies in Canning, Labrador. Marjorie, a fellow target of bullies, changes Wayne’s life one day when she sticks up for him. A friendship is fostered by their shared experiences, but the bully Pete the Meat is angered by it and vows to get revenge. Just as Wayne and Marjorie find reasons to believe in themselves and their futures, events that will shake their newfound resolve begin to unfold in a way that no one could have expected.
Number of Pages: 307
Age Range: 15-17
Review: There is a universal truth about small towns – that some people just don’t fit in there and are better suited for bigger places. Being raised in a small town myself I can attest to this fact, but Darren Hynes’ story of Wayne and Marjorie really brought it all back.
For me, this is the hallmark of a great writer, one who creates characters are relatable and inspire the reader’s empathy. There were moments when I didn’t like Wayne and Majorie’s actions or agree with their decisions, but each episode of bullying they endured was still heart-rending because I identified with their otherness. Hynes even managed to make Pete, the bully, a somewhat sympathetic character by alluding to previous abuse at the hands of his biological father.
Creeps made me think. While I find it difficult to put myself in shoes of Pete and his friends to understand their actions, I wonder what it would take to drive someone to do something like what they did. It also makes me think about Wayne and Marjorie’s end of the situation. When I was surprised by their actions I really had to consider what that kind of long-term bullying would do to a person because that was what Hynes was trying to convey. Creeps is a complicated story, but ultimately a valuable read.
My favourite parts were the letters written by Wayne. Not only were they very revealing of his thoughts and character, I also liked the growth they inspired as he eventually shares one of his letters when previously they had been written only for himself. Great touch.
I’d recommend this book to older teens due to the mature nature of the story.
Memorable Quotes:
“‘I hate Canning,’ Marjorie says. ‘At least if we lived on the island we could go to St. John’s. Not everyone would know me. What? Why are you smiling?’
‘”God’s country,” Mom says.’
‘What, Labrador?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Too cold for God in Canning.’
‘She says we have the best northern lights–‘
‘Pfft–‘
‘And that when the sky’s blue and the sun’s reflecting off the snow there’s nowhere prettier.’
‘Really? Well you tell her that I can think of a hundred places better. A thousand.’
‘And best of all, Mom says, is the quiet.’
‘That’s because no one’s stupid enough to live here. Except us.'”
– conversation between Marjorie and Wayne from Creeps by Darren Hynes, page 21
“Marjorie says, ‘You ever get tired?’
‘Of what?’
‘Of being Wayne Pumphrey?’
‘I don’t know. You ever get tired of being Marjorie Pope?’
Marjorie looks away. then at her fingers again. ‘Sometimes.’
‘Me too,’ says Wayne. He breathes in and lets it out and says, ‘But I can’t not be me, right? And you can’t not be you.'” – conversation between Marjorie and Wayne from Creeps by Darren Hynes, page 49
“Just the sound of her breathing then, the feel of it against his neck, and he wonders how it could be that yesterday he felt so young but now feels like a man and it occurs to him that something begins at the same time something ends, so he’ll always be in motion, moving towards and away from things.” – Wayne from Creeps by Darren Hynes, page 180
“A few laugh and then it goes quiet and Wayne thinks he understands loneliness.” – Wayne from Creeps by Darren Hynes, page 207
“Wayne turns and faces everybody and tries looking past them but can’t, so he goes to that place in his head where yellow snow tastes like creamsicle and whipped snowballs feel like beads of rain, where drawings taped to his locker are works of art and insults are compliments and the faces looking back at him are all Marjorie’s face and Wanda’s and Mr. Rollie’s and whoever else might have his back.” – Wayne from Creeps by Darren Hynes, page 209
“Three years! That’s a lifetime when Pete The Meat’s walking in my direction or waiting behind the corner or holding me down so I can’t breathe. Three years is how long before the sun burns out and the earth dies and everything goes back to the way it was before it all started.
Three years is forever.” – Wayne from Creeps by Darren Hynes, page 212
“‘I know it’s just a stupid little play but how do you know for sure we’ll both be the same afterwards? My dad’s reading a stupid little book and he’s not the same. And my neighbour, Miss Flynn, had a stupid little tummy tuck and she’s not the same either. Well, she also had a nose job and an implant in her chin and her cheeks lifted too, but you know what I mean. Maybe the stupid little things change us the most.'” – Wayne from Creeps by Darren Hynes, page 224
“I’m not sure if you’ll be there today (I’d certainly understand if you weren’t) but I just wanted to say that maybe you spend too much time with Thom Yorke after all. He’s an amazing songwriter, I know, but if you keep saying you’re creepy and weird and asking yourself why you’re here because you shouldn’t be. you’ll never be okay anywhere and what kind of life will that be?” – Wayne from Creeps by Darren Hynes, page 305
Creeps by Darren Hynes is published by Razorbill Canada (2013).
(Buy this book: Amazon
| Canadian Booksellers)
Refuge Cove by Lesley Choyce
Summary: The death of Greg’s father inspires Greg and his mother to move from Toronto, Ontario to Deep Cove, Newfoundland, a place where Greg’s parents always wanted to live. Greg, a champion Laser sailor, ventures out into the Atlantic Ocean one day and finds a boat with three refugees from Southeast Asia on board. After some communication issues, Greg decides to help them out by offering to let them stay at his house till more permanent arrangements can be made. Fearful of being deported back to a country where death is guaranteed, Tamara and her parents agree, but all is not smooth sailing when an immigration officer comes to ask questions.
Number of Pages: 89
Age Range: 13-16
Review: This was a short and succinct book, but the story did not suffer from its brevity. Instead I found myself immediately hooked by Greg’s tale and the emotional journey he was on after having to face the death of his father. Choyce’s detail of making Greg a champion Laser sailor was an especially cool detail, because the Laser is a Canadian designed sailboat.
Feeling like a refugee in Newfoundland after his father’s death, Greg easily identifies with Tamara and her parents, refugees from Southeast Asia when he finds them in a boat off the coast of Newfoundland. Despite an initial incident with a knife, Greg manages to convince Tamara and her parents that he is on their side and is willing to help them make a life in Canada. Of course, his willingness partially stems from the fact that he is attracted to Tamara, but considering this is a teen novel that is not an odd detail. I liked Greg’s emotional connection to Tamara and her parents, and his offer to help may have been naïve, but it was refreshing.
Lesley Choyce lives in Nova Scotia so I am looking forward to reading more from him when I am done my Newfoundland journey. I would recommend this book specifically to reluctant readers, but this is a quick read that any teen will enjoy.
Memorable Quotes:
“I wanted to try to explain a lot of things just then. I wanted to paint a picture for her of the rugged coast of Newfoundland and tell her that you couldn’t just live in total isolation, even here.” – Greg from Refuge Cove by Lesley Choyce, page 25
“People who live in Newfoundland outports have a curious ability to ignore the rest of the world. On top of that, nothing seems to come as a shock to them. Nobody seemed to think it unusual that a refugee family from Southeast Asia had found its way by boat to Deep Cove and that they were living with a mother and son from Toronto.” – Greg from Refuge Cove by Lesley Choyce, page 46
“‘I mean they’ve lost something big in their lives, something important. They’re in a new place and cut off from the past. We’re refugees too, Mom. We’re a lot like they are.'” – Greg from Refuge Cove by Lesley Choyce, page 48
“‘Only so much luck to go around, though.’ Harold added. ‘I’ve seen it all. Some boys go straight down the first boat they sink. Others get away with it. But around here, in these waters, luck’s only good enough to save you once. When the second time comes around, you don’t stand a chance. The bloody sea remembers the first time and feels cheated.'” – Harold from Refuge Cove by Lesley Choyce, page 69
Refuge Cove by Lesley Choyce is published by Orca Book Publishers (2002).
(Buy this book: Amazon
| Canadian Booksellers)
Buried Truths by Alice Walsh
Summary: Fourteen year-old Zoe is facing major life changes. Her mother died and she’s suddenly moving from Toronto, Ontario to Port au Choix, Newfoundland to live with a father she’s never met because her mother told her he was dead. Things become more confusing when Zoe realises her new family have secrets of their own, but it turns out her father being alive was not the only thing her mother was hiding. When Zoe’s Aunt Caroline sends her mother’s journals to her, she learns just how terrifying facing the truth can be.
Number of Pages: 175
Age Range: 13-14
Review: In a story interwoven with apt quotes from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Alice Walsh explores the difference between lies and truth and the meaning of family through one girl’s journey toward honesty.
Side plots include lessons about the Maritime Archaic Indian and painting, a singular focus on the photography of Diane Arbus, a step-mother’s hysterical pregnancy and a grandfather’s obsession with The Tempest.
I was interested in Zoe’s developing sense of self, but I found myself continually frustrated by the pacing of the book. I wanted answers before Walsh was ready to reveal them. In the end, I was rewarded for waiting, but I definitely wasn’t a patient reader.
When the truth is revealed, Zoe is encouraged to just get over it and seems to in a single chapter and an epilogue. I did not find this believable considering what had happened and wished there had been further character development.
I did love the way the quotes totally set up what was about to happen in the chapter, but as a result at the end of this book the strongest feeling I am left with is a desire to re-read The Tempest. I have a sneaky suspicion that if it were fresher in my mind, I would have been caught up in drawing parallels between the stories and therefore would have enjoyed Buried Truths more.
Memorable Quotes:
“Her friend Omar, who had moved to Toronto from Afghanistan, used to say: “The truth is like the sun. When it comes out, no one can hide from it.” – Omar from Buried Truths by Alice Walsh, pages 122-123
“She fixed her eyes on the photograph of the Mexican dwarf.
‘A Diane Arbus,’ Opa said, following her gaze.
‘Kind of scary.’
‘That my dear, might not be attractive, but it really is a work of art.’ He reached out his hand to straighten the picture. ‘Arbus photographed a number of ‘freaks’ as she called them. She thought most people went through life fearing some kind of trauma. Freaks, according to Arbus, had survived their trauma. They already passed their test in life. She saw them as aristocrats.’ – Alexander/Opa from Buried Truths by Alice Walsh, page 146
‘We celebrate the life we are given, not the one we hope to have,’ Opa said quietly. ‘I know you must feel terribly betrayed.’ He reached across the table and squeezed her hand. ‘But if you don’t cut the strings of resentment and make peace with this, it will destroy you.’ – Alexander/Opa from Buried Truths by Alice Walsh, page 173
Buried Truths by Alice Walsh is published by Tuckamore Books (2013).
(Buy this book: Amazon
| Canadian Booksellers)
Hold Fast by Kevin Major
Summary: When their parents die in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, brothers Michael and Brent are split up among their relatives. While Brent gets to stay in Marten with his aunt and grandfather, Michael is sent to St. Albert to live with his other aunt and uncle and his two cousins. Michael soon builds a bond with his cousin Curtis, but Michael’s uncle becomes increasingly controlling and aggressive making Michael’s home life miserable. Events at school lead to Michael getting a two-week expulsion, and his uncle’s reaction is enough to inspire Michael and Curtis to set off on their own adventure back to Marten.
Number of Pages: 170
Age Range: 13-15
Review: Hold Fast is a classic Canadian story about survival against the elements, and Kevin Major’s first book. It was recently made into a movie that was released in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia last year, but should hopefully be released in other Canadian cities this year. I can’t wait!
Faced with butting heads with an abusive uncle after his parents die, Michael makes the decision to go back to live with his grandfather, aunt and brother, proving along the way that he and his cousin Curtis can survive on their wits alone. Michael and Curtis’ willingness to take control of their situation by proving themselves in the wilderness of Newfoundland is powerful, and surprisingly realistic.
While Michael is the main character and an admirable one when it comes to how he cares for his grandfather and brother, Curtis, Michael’s cousin, is my favourite. Seemingly quiet and timid, afraid of displeasing his father in any way, Major reveals Curtis as a runaway adventurer willing to take a stand by the end of the book. Plus he’s an avid reader, which also makes him extremely likable.
With some serious elements, Hold Fast is an enjoyable adventure read for younger teen readers.
Memorable Quotes:
“It was just that Marten was the best darn place I knew to live. God, what was I talking about, it was the only place I ever did live. Of course, you can almost count the number of people on one hand. Not really, but going by some places in Newfoundland, Marten is pretty small. Probably no more than seven hundred people all together. But that didn’t matter. In fact, I liked it that way cause it gave us all kinds of room to be roaming around. I could put on the boots and leave the back of the house and in no more than two minutes I’d be up in the country, out of sight of any house in the place. Go on all day then, if I wanted, and not see a single soul.” – Michael from Hold Fast by Kevin Major, page 17
“Some people got the idea that a kid his age could get over something like what happened in no time. they didn’t know much if that’s what they thinks.” – Michael from Hold Fast by Kevin Major, pages 19-20
“Some fellows I knows haven’t got no time for their grandparents. Like they figures it’s not very smart to be saying much that’s good about them. Or about any old people, for that matter. Like what they thinks or says is too old-fashioned for them. Or maybe it’s because the grandparents they got are too contrary. I don’t know. But me and Grandfather wasn’t one bit like that. We got along great, better than I done with some my own age.” – Michael from Hold Fast by Kevin Major, pages 21-22
“One thing I did know for sure – I wasn’t too fussy about some of the things girls’ll do if they likes you. Some girls have this stupid way of showing other people they’re hooked up with somebody. They’ll mark their school books all up. That’s a sure sign of something – every square inch of white space inside their books filled in. So-and-so loves so-and-so. Inside hearts, around in circles, up one side of the page, down the other. No such thing as being secret about it. I believe they must change books when they change boyfriends. I don’t get off on that atall. It’s like they’ve captured upi and got their branding iron put to work.” – Michael from Hold Fast by Kevin Major, page 83
“Not one lousy person believed what I said except Curtis. And that was only because he was in the school and he knew the rights of everything. That’s what bugs me! Every friggin time the ones that thinks they knows it all are the ones who are never there when it happens.” – Michael from Hold Fast by Kevin Major, page 99
“We both knew that what we was on wasn’t no running away from home and never coming back deals. We wasn’t on the lookout for no circuses to join. We’d been out to prove something. And by then, maybe we’d done it.” – Michael from Hold Fast by Kevin Major, pages 150-151
“I caught myself half on the bawl last night after I was in bed. There’s still that time after every day when, no matter how much I’ve done, everything gets quiet, and I’m alone with all that’s happened and I feels like bawling. But I drove it out of my system last night and that might be the end of it. It was a hard bloody thing to do, but I thinks that maybe I got it done.” – Michael from Hold Fast by Kevin Major, page 170
Hold Fast by Kevin Major is originally published by Clarke, Irwin and Company (1978), but Groundwood Books published a 35th anniversary edition in 2013.
(Buy this book: Amazon
| Canadian Booksellers)
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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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