Category: Children’s Books

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Anthologies Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction

THE CHRONICLES OF PRYDAIN: THE FOUNDLING AND OTHER TALES OF PRYDAIN

Written by Lloyd Alexander & Cover Art by David Wyatt

SUMMARY:

Originally published in 1973, this 98-page Henry Holt and Company paperback reprint was issued in 2006. As an anthology supplement to The Chronicles of Prydain, author Lloyd Alexander provides eight prequel fables. Readers will some answers to mysteries Alexander tantalizingly left to conjecture after The High King.  Specifically, the short stories are:

  • The Foundling: Some backstory was already divulged during the saga, as to how infant Dalben was found and raised by the Witches of Morva.  Yet, the reason why Dalben opts for the mystical Book of Three as his parting gift from them offers insight into the wizard he ultimately becomes.  The last scene segues into The Stone.
  • The Stone:  A struggling farmer named Maibon insists on a reward of immortality for freeing a leprechaun-like Doli of the Fair Folk from a log that has trapped him.  Courtesy of a mystical stone, Maibon finds that the reality of living forever has dire consequences once time has halted for his family.
  • The True Enchanter: The tragic love story of Eilonwy’s parents is revealed, as her mother, Princess Angharad, rebelliously chooses her heart’s desire instead of family tradition.
  • The Rascal Crow:  Kaw’s overconfident father, Kadwyr, finds that his wily tricks may be no match for Arawn’s Chief Huntsman once he encroaches on Medwyn’s forest.  Yet, the fellow forest creatures whom Kadwyr has belittled are more ingenious than the crow realizes.
  • The Sword:  The wicked legend as to why the enchanted blade, Dyrnwyn, ended up deep underneath Spiral Castle is revealed.   
  • The Smith, The Weaver, and The Harper: Arawn’s feared methods of deception of preying upon humanity’s greed to steal Prydain’s treasures are demonstrated.  Yet, could someone ingeniously reverse Arawn’s corrupted game?
  • Coll and His White Pig:  Coll’s legendary adventure to rescue his pig, Hen Wen, from Annuvin is told.
  • The Truthful Harp: Gifted with a cursed harp by the Chief Bard, King Fflewddur Fflam’s early heroics are explored (at least, as Fflewdddur might have supposedly told them).

REVIEW:

Too often middling, this assortment of morality tales is Prydain’s answer to Aesop’s Fables. Its most intriguing asset is Arawn’s fable, though it isn’t hard to guess what direction Alexander (much like Mark Twain would have) is going in. The other stories are generally okay, but the unsettling and bloody violence implied in The Sword is likely inappropriate material for elementary school kids. Short on genuine surprises, The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain is a decent experience — but the end result is a far cry from Alexander’s Prydain at its best.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

In addition to an ‘Author’s Note,’ Alexander provides a black-and-white map of Prydain as a two-page spread.  A pronunciation guide for Prydain’s terminology is included, as is a two-page Alexander biography.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         5 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction Movies & Television (Books) STAR TREK-Related

STAR TREK II BIOGRAPHIES

Written by William Rotsler

SUMMARY:

Published in 1982 through Simon & Schuster’s Wanderer Books, this 159-page movie tie-in paperback was part of three-pack gift set (please see Notes below). Star Trek II Biographies features Starfleet backstories (in alphabetical order) for: Lt.  Commander Pavel Chekov; Admiral James T. Kirk; Commander/Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy; Commander Montgomery Scott; Captain Spock (posthumously); Lt. Commander Hikaru Sulu; and Lt. Commander Nyota Uhura. 

As indicated in the chapters for Chekov and Spock, this book is set immediately after the events of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.  In addition to revealing each character’s Starfleet records (including their academy history), the seven Enterprise crew members are profiled through snippets of correspondence and interviews, as well as excerpts from supposed 23rd Century books.

Note: Chekov’s ‘debriefing’ grimly contradicts the fate of the U.S.S. Reliant’s crew implied in the film. It’s possible that Rotsler was working off an earlier draft of the script.  

REVIEW:

It’s not exactly what the title implies.  Instead of easy-to-digest, straight-forward biographical summaries, each segment delves into a character’s backstory through an insightful combination of various supposed resources, including private correspondence.  Hence, its bogus bibliography is fun to peruse.  Of the seven profiles, at the expense of Sulu and Uhura’s short profiles, readers get far more expansive looks at Kirk and Spock.  A Kirk highlight is a poignant private letter from David Marcus sent to his mother about the recent revelation re: whom his famous father is. 

Posthumous recollections by Spock’s Starfleet Academy classmates is also worth checking out.  The same applies to some rare depth re: Uhura, Sulu, Scotty, and McCoy, as their personal lives were usually ignored by the TV series and the movies.  As for Chekov, the Original Series TV episode, “The Way to Eden,” is helpful viewing re: his past love life. Also, his section has the most intriguing angle, as it’s a combination debriefing/deposition by Starfleet intelligence.      

To author William Rotsler’s credit, he makes these narratives an interesting reference guide.  Clearly, Star Trek II Biographies isn’t flat-out kiddie entertainment, nor was it meant to be.  This obscure book does make a good read for long-time fans (possibly, in this instance, adults more so than the intended pre-teen/teen audience) who won’t care how dated Rotsler’s material seems. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There is a ten-page ‘bibliography,’ which includes books supposedly written by the characters themselves.  Each section has a single black-and-white full-page close-up of the character — these stills appear in color on the book’s cover.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:           7 Stars

Notes: Rotsler further wrote Star Trek II: Distress Call (a choose-your-own-adventure-type book) and Star Trek II: Short Stories, making Biographies part of a kid’s three-pack. In 1984, he also released in tandem Star Trek III: Short Stories and The Vulcan Treasure (another choose-your-own-adventure).

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction Movies & Television (Books) STAR WARS-Related

STAR WARS TRILOGY: RETURN OF THE JEDI {Junior Novelization}

Written by Ryder Windham /Based on the Story by George Lucas and Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan & George Lucas

SUMMARY:

Published by Scholastic Books in 2004, this 188-page paperback adaptation is a junior film novelization of the mostly recently remastered edition of Return of the Jedi (i.e. the cameo presence of a younger Anakin Skywalker).  Bolstered by sixteen pages of film stills, author Ryder Windham updates the wording of the film’s original 1983 novelizationfor a contemporary pre-teen audience. Returning to Tatooine, Luke Skywalker leads a rescue effort to free a carbonite-frozen Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt’s stronghold.  Then, the Rebel Alliance faces its ultimate test: a two-prong assault to destroy the Galactic Empire’s nearly-built second Death Star.  Growing into his legacy as the last Jedi Knight, Luke learns another startling secret that Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda have kept from him.  While his friends fiercely battle the Empire in a last-ditch effort to save the galaxy, Luke confronts Darth Vader and the ominous Emperor in a Jedi Knight’s last stand.

REVIEW:

As with his adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back, author Ryder Windham’s rehash is just as good (if not better) than the original novelization by James Kahn.  Considering the movie’s recycled plot elements, Windham succeeds in bolstering the film’s poignant depth at the right moments.  For pre-teen fans and adults, this version of Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi proves a treat to read.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

With brief one-line descriptions, the sixteen pages of photos are a major plus!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                              8 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction Movies & Television (Books) STAR WARS-Related

STAR WARS TRILOGY: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK {Junior Novelization}

Written by Ryder Windham /Based on the Story by George Lucas and Screenplay by Leigh Brackett & Lawrence Kasdan

SUMMARY:

Published by Scholastic Books in 2004, this 235-page paperback adaptation is a junior film novelization of the 1997 remastered edition of George Lucas’ second Star Wars epic.  Sporting sixteen pages of film stills, author Ryder Windham updates the wording of The Empire Strikes Back’s original novelization for a contemporary pre-teen audience.  Three years have passed since the destruction of the Galactic Empire’s Death Star.  Forcing a showdown on the arctic planet, Hoth, Darth Vader’s evil forces scatter the outmatched Rebel Alliance.  While Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 pursue a mysterious quest to resume his Jedi training, Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon desperately eludes a relentless Imperial pursuit.  Seeking refuge at Lando Calrissian’s opulent Cloud City, Luke’s friends become expendable bait for Darth Vader’s sinister trap.  Can Luke save them in time?  Or will an even darker secret haunt him by challenging Vader alone?     

REVIEW:

Impressively, author Ryder Windham’s update equals that of Donald F. Glut’s original 1980 film novelization, and, in all fairness, it improves upon Glut’s work.  For instance, the lingering questions Luke is left with will keep readers turned in for Windham’s take on Return of the Jedi.  Considering the creative advantages of Empire’s impeccable screenplay and its timeless wealth of character depth, it would have been a significant letdown if Windham hadn’t capitalized.  For pre-teen fans and adults, too, this poignant version of Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is a near-perfect time machine to experience the movie’s storyline once more.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

A prologue solidly sets up Darth Vader’s vengeful search for Luke and his friends.  With brief one-line descriptions, the sixteen pages of photos offer another worthwhile asset.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                           9 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction Movies & Television (Books) STAR WARS-Related

STAR WARS TRILOGY: A NEW HOPE {Junior Novelization}

Written by Ryder Windham / Based on the Story & Screenplay by George Lucas

SUMMARY:

Published by Scholastic Books in 2004, this 205-page paperback adaptation is a junior film novelization of the 1997 remastered edition of George Lucas’ first Star Wars epic (including Han Solo’s encounter with Jabba the Hutt and Boba Fett).  Sporting sixteen pages of film stills, author Ryder Windham updates A New Hope’s original novelizationfor a contemporary pre-teen audience.  From the faraway desert world of Tatooine, young Luke Skywalker inadvertently becomes involved in a desperate rescue mission to save Princess Leia from captivity aboard the Galactic Empire’s new super-weapon: the Death Star.  Along with his new friends Han Solo, Chewbacca, C3PO, R2-D2, and the legendary Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke may be the overmatched Rebel Alliance’s unlikely savior of escaping imminent destruction by Darth Vader’s evil forces.   

REVIEW:

Aside from author Ryder Windham’s middling style (i.e. an infrequent use of adverbs that could better describe a character’s manner of speaking), this adaptation still makes a good read.  To his credit, Windham’s narrative flows better than the 1977 novelization ghost-written by Alan Dean Foster for George Lucas.  Still, it’s a fair guess that Windham wrote his text presuming that readers have already seen the movie multiple times.  Hence, his reference to the dubious scent of “fried Rodian” (after Greedo’s cantina shoot-out with Han Solo) as appetizing to some fellow aliens doesn’t seem as out-of-place for this book’s intended kiddie audience.

Windham’s fast-paced effort spells out scenes effectively, though bolstering tidbits of character depth isn’t a priority.  As such, his subsequent retreads of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi are better reads, in part because their more complex storylines require the primary characters to evolve.  Even if Windham doesn’t incorporate much zip describing Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Princess Leia, and Han Solo, this undemanding version of Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope should still make a welcome treat for pre-teens.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

With brief one-line descriptions, the sixteen pages of photos are a major plus!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                                       7 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction Movies & Television (Books) STAR WARS-Related

STAR WARS: THE MYSTERY OF THE REBELLIOUS ROBOT (EARLY READERS)

Written by (Uncredited) & Illustrated by Mark Corcoran

SUMMARY:

Published in 1979 by Random House, this officially-licensed 32-page Star Wars paperback adventure evidently occurs shortly after Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.  On Tatooine, Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance are anxiously awaiting a supply run by Han Solo & Chewbacca’s Millennium Falcon.  Luke is aiding the Rebellion’s science corps in building a ‘super-evaporator’ to produce the planet’s badly-needed water source.  Yet, the Falcon is unexpectedly sabotaged by R2-D2.  Saved by Luke’s heroics, Han and Chewbacca find out that mechanical operations for the Rebels’ Tatooine base also have been similarly sabotaged. 

Upon receiving necessary repairs, C-3PO and R2-D2 stumble upon the saboteurs.  Chewbacca’s intervention ensures that he finally receives his own medal for heroism from Princess Leia.              

REVIEW:

Meant for toddlers, this obscure storybook is a nostalgic treat.  Although Princess Leia appears in a non-speaking cameo, the other characters (particularly Chewbacca & R2-D2) come alive in a decent mini-mystery.  It’s a shame that Random House doesn’t identify the story’s author, but illustrator Mark Corcoran does a remarkably good job replicating the film’s characters (not to mention, the cover’s Millennium Falcon).  For the space epic’s youngest fans, Star Wars: The Mystery of the Rebellious Robot makes an ideal bedtime story.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                              8 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction Movies & Television (Books) STAR WARS-Related

ADVENTURES OF HAN SOLO (EARLY READERS)

Written by Lindsay Kent

SUMMARY:

Published in 2011, this 32-page, Level 2 paperback book is intended for novice readers.  The chapters are as follows:

  • Han Solo (page 4)                                                       
  • Brave Warrior (page 6)
  • Chewbacca (page 8)
  • Millennium Falcon (page 10)
  • Smuggling (page 12)
  • Jabba the Hutt (page 14)
  • Mission to Alderaan (page 16)
  • Luke Skywalker (page 18)
  • Princess Leia (page 20)
  • Lando Calrissian (page 22)
  • Great Escapes (page 24)
  • Captured! (page 26)
  • The Sarlaac (page 28)
  • Battle of Endor (page 30)
  • Glossary (page 32).

REVIEW:

For early readers, the Star Wars imagery should at least jump-start them into exploring this book.  A remarkable asset of this basic Solo biography is the inclusion of some rare images of Solo and other Star Wars characters.    For instance, page 10 has an amusingly rare outtake from The Empire Strikes Back, featuring a goggles-clad Han Solo & Chewbacca repairing the Millennium Falcon. Of note is that Chewbacca is casually using Solo’s head as an armrest.  Overall, the combination of author Lindsay Kext’s appealingly simplistic text and vintage Star Wars photos supply a terrific motivation for children to get started on some ‘solo’ reading.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

At least thirty storybook photos from the Star Wars films accompany the author’s text. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                             8½ Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction Movies & Television (Books)

THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: THE SECRET OF BIGFOOT PASS {Junior Novelization}

Adapted by Mike Jahn / From the Television Screenplay by Kenneth Johnson

SUMMARY:

Released in 1976 by MCA Publishing through Berkley Medallion Books (and Scholastic Book Services), this 154-page paperback tie-in faithfully adapts a two-part third season episode from 1975-76.  In California’s Salmon-Trinity Alps Wilderness, Col. Steve Austin and his OSI boss, Oscar Goldman, investigate the peculiar disappearance of two married geologists (Ivan & Marlene Beckey) they have accompanied on a routine survey of the Trinity Fault.  Goldman and scientist Tom Raintree desperately coordinate efforts to help find the Beckeys.  Austin’s own search puts him into a bizarre showdown with a massive beast known as the mythical Bigfoot (portrayed on-screen by André the Giant).

Taken captive, an injured Austin discovers that Bigfoot’s hidden masters are members of an advanced alien civilization.  With a scheduled nuclear detonation on the Trinity Fault set to alleviate any near-future San Andreas Fault earthquakes, Goldman concludes that his missing bionic friend must have been killed in action.  Meanwhile, Austin runs a fateful race against time to save the aliens (and, not to mention, himself) from instant death by the imminent detonation.  Against these impossible odds, the “Six Million Dollar Man” must rely on his most unlikely ally ever.      

REVIEW:

Impressively, this enjoyable adaptation isn’t nearly as cheesy as the two-part TV episode entitled “The Secret of Bigfoot.”  In that sense, a reader’s imagination works better conveying Austin’s first alien encounter.  As padding, writer Mike Jahn nicely incorporates Steve Austin’s origin into the novel’s front end for those readers unfamiliar with the TV series.  Another asset is the well-described sequences of Austin using his bionics, including an inevitable brawl with Bigfoot (memorably portrayed by André the Giant).  Perhaps best is that Jahn does solid work expressing Austin and Oscar Goldman’s distinctive personalities during this unusual crisis.  As a sci-fi fantasy adventure, this paperback proves a solid read for pre-teens.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                                   6 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books General Non-Fiction History & Biographies (Books)

WHO WAS BLACKBEARD?

Written by James Buckley Jr. & Illustrated by Joseph J.M. Qiu

SUMMARY:

Published in 2015 by Scholastic, Inc., this 105-page biography reveals the life story of infamous 18th Century pirate ‘Blackboard,’ whose real name may have been Edward Teach.  In addition to Blackbeard’s history as an outlaw, an overview of sea piracy is incorporated.  Blackbeard’s legacy in terms of contributing to pop culture movies is also mentioned.  This book is extensively illustrated with pencil sketches.   

REVIEW:

This intriguing biography faces an awkward dilemma: explaining the pirate’s notoriety and ultimately gruesome fate without being too explicit.  To writer James Buckley Jr.’s credit, he manages the task of describing Blackbeard’s violent last duel, but the details might still be too much for immature readers.  The sketch illustrations provide just enough depth to be helpful in visualizing the text better.  For the purpose of preparing a school book report, a historical essay, or even a biographical presentation, Who Was Blackbeard? makes a solid choice for fourth and fifth graders.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There are timelines of Blackbeard’s life and world history during his lifetime.  A short bibliography acknowledges that two of the six books referenced are kid-friendly choices for further reading.

ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING:                  6½ Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction Movies & Television (Books)

VOYAGERS! {1982 TV Pilot – Junior Novelization}

Adapted by Joe Claro / From the Television Screenplay by James D. Parriott

SUMMARY:

Released in 1982 by MCA Publishing through Scholastic Book Services, this 76-page paperback tie-in adapts the pilot episode of Voyagers! (a short-lived 1982-83 NBC TV series).  In the present-day, orphaned eleven-year old Jeff Jones is inadvertently caught up in professional time traveler Phineas Bogg’s misadventures.  Bogg unwittingly sacrifices his trusty guidebook to rescue Jeff from a fall out of a New York high-rise building’s window.  Bogg’s Omni device (resembling a gold-plated pocket watch) transports them to Ancient Egypt in 1450 B.C.  Amidst their instant bickering, Jeff’s historical insights helps the duo ensure infant Moses’ destiny floating down the Nile River. 

As a Voyager field operative, the swashbuckling Bogg is responsible for ensuring that well-known events unfold, as historically recorded.  An Omni ‘red’ light indicates when history must be ‘corrected’ due to some anomaly.  A subsequent ‘green’ light gives Bogg the go-ahead to move on to his next assignment.  In this instance, a fluke malfunction in the Omni’s circuits had transported Bogg to 1982 instead of 1492.  For now, Bogg is seemingly unable to return Jeff home to his proper time period. 

Stuck with his unwanted apprentice, Bogg ponders why the U.S. is handily losing World War I in 1918.  Jeff deduces that, if Germany had pioneered airplanes first, then their answer lies with the Wright Brothers.  It’s up to Bogg & Jeff to find the Wright Brothers at their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio, in 1900, and persuade them to make their historical test flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.  Bogg & Jeff must also aid injured U.S. pilot Eddie Rickenbacker in an aerial showdown vs. Germany’s infamous Red Baron.  Ultimately, Bogg concedes a fib he had previously told Jeff.  The question is: will Jeff become a Voyager himself, or will his brash new friend fulfill a promise to take the boy back to 1982?  

REVIEW:

Despite its brevity, Joe Claro’s simplistic adaptation clarifies and adds some nice depth to the surrogate father-son relationship between a begrudging Bogg and the precocious Jeff.  As a fantasy adventure loosely incorporating historical facts, this paperback proves a solid read for elementary schoolers (from ages 6-10).

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                                  6 Stars