Fantastic Fantasies for Young and Old
By Hollie Parry and Cheryl Caldwell
In these waning days of summer, it isn't too late to lie under a tree and lose yourself in another world. Here are three books that may have been written for young people, but that will captivate readers of all ages. Each of them is whimsical, if not downright fanciful, and each of them is a thoroughly good read.
Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech
Thirteen year old Zinnia Taylor tries to sort through the “spaghetti bowl of her life in search of a meatball.” She lives in Bybanks, Kentucky, with her large family and an aunt and uncle. She discovers a mysterious overgrown trail at the edge of her family’s farm and is determined to clear it to the end.
Zinny, as is her nickname, needs to clear this trail for reasons unknown to her. She finds it provides a quiet place for her away from her family where she can hear herself think. As she uncovers the trail she also uncovers memories, family secrets and answers to questions she has had about her past, her place in life and her personal worth. Zinny discovers that in her tangled up life some journeys must be traveled alone and this one is a journey that leads her back home.
This story is told from Zinnia’s perspective and is very touching at times. For anyone struggling to find a place in their family and in the world this is a tender-hearted story worth reading. The Southern language invites warmth and humor. A highly recommended book!
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Fish by LS Matthews
Told in first person, Fish is the story of a family put to the ultimate survival test as they travel across mountains and deserts to find safety. The child in the story rescues a fish from a puddle and puts it in a water bottle, just as they start on their journey. The fish becomes his symbol of survival and every day the fish survives the journey, so does the boy. Although the parents humor the boy by letting him keep such a ridiculous thing as a tiny fish in a water bottle, they are surprised to watch how saving the fish becomes a family pursuit. This is a story of miracles, of endurance, and of the power of the human will to survive. It’s interesting to note that the author of this book has inserted her political opinions in a very subtle way, mid-book. Fish is a story that will appeal to readers who enjoy triumph at the end of a hard struggle.
The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
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