Clarence
should be the happiest boy ever. He has a big, wonderful Italian family that
loves him, his Nonna, his grandmother, is the best cook ever, and Stella, the
family dog, always makes sure Clarence gets a big, wet, slobbery greeting when
he comes home from school. School. That’s the problem. Clarence has unique
ears; they are big and he gets teased and bullied by the other kids about them.
Somehow, when his sister, Daria, teases him a little bit, and his older
brother, Joey, makes jokes, it’s not hurtful but just part of playful family
comments. One night when all the family members are gathered around the dinner
table, talking loudly and having lots of conversations across the table,
Clarence noticed that everyone else’s ears look normal; his are very different
and so the kids at school must be right. He quietly slipped away to his
bedroom, but not without his Nonna seeing him leave the table. Clarence
listened as Nonna told him some family history, especially about his
grandfather who came to America in 1912, with nothing but the clothes on his
back and a very special gift; a little silver bell given to him by his father.
Clarence’s grandfather was hard working, handsome, and he too had large ears.
Nonna gave Clarence the silver bell. Will this small and dainty object be able
to help Clarence deal with the mean bullies?
Clarence: The Story of a Boy with Big Ears and a Big Italian Family by Stephanie Baruffi
is a charming story about a young boy with quite an unusual difference; his
ears are large. Do we ever really notice things like ears, which sit on the
side of a person’s head, not really being obtrusive? However, kids who want to
be mean pick on the seemingly most unimportant things to tease and bully
someone who lacks self-confidence. I enjoyed the way the author portrayed
Clarence finding the courage to stand up for himself and to retaliate, but not
wildly and just saying anything to his tormentors. Clarence wisely points out
that the things he just said were things he didn’t have to say – he was making
a point about how the kids carelessly say things that are hurtful. This story
is a lovely lesson in respecting your peers, being tolerant, being tactful and
compassionate towards others. I also enjoyed the role of family in the story,
how Clarence drew strength from his grandfather’s story, and from realising that
he was part of, and loved by, a big, boisterous family, and how they all
accepted each other. Delightful illustrations bring the characters and events
to life for young readers and a little glossary at the back explains the meaning
of Italian words used in the text. A great book for storytelling time at school
or at bedtime.My interest in ancient history, mystery, legends, and my love of travel led to The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, the first in my exciting children’s adventure series—Chronicles of the Stone. Book 2: The Search for the Stone of Excalibur continues the adventure. Book 3: The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper is now available. I hope you enjoy my book reviews and news! Visit www.chroniclesofthestone.com for more about my MG book series!
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Book Review: Red-Tail Recovery
Red-Tail Recovery is the third
story in Australian author Emma J Homes’ wildlife series about Ruthie, a young
wildlife ambassador and her commitment to helping save wildlife in Australia.
Ruthie, her younger sister, Bel, and younger brother, Liam, travel around
Australia with their parents (Kate and Tom) who are scientists, involved in
wildlife research and animal projects. The family travels in a green and yellow
bus, while the kids study via ‘lessons of the air,’ as well as learning from
life experience about the wildlife in their home country. This time a new
adventure beckons since Kate and Tom will be looking after a friend’s wildlife
centre, The Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo Recovery Program, for a year while he is
away. This will mean living in a house instead of a bus, and going to a real
school. Will Ruthie and her siblings adapt? Even more importantly, given that
the Red-Tails’ habitat is increasingly threatened by farming and encroachment
upon their feeding and nesting environment, their numbers are dwindling fast.
Does the Red-Tail have a chance of survival and will Ruthie and her family make
any difference?
Beautiful, clear descriptions
will transport young readers into Ruthie’s new life in the small town of Bailey’s
Lake (pop. 1,400). They will also learn a lot about wildlife and the
precautions taken to protect their habitats. Facts are cleverly inserted into
the dialogue so eager wildlife enthusiasts will learn while they are enjoying
the story, and appreciating Ruthie’s adaptation to her new environment. After
all, haven’t we all been the new kid at school? Ruthie makes a new friend,
Linsey, and gets involved in school sports and other fun stuff. Readers also
read about wildlife smuggling, which seems like an odd thing for people to
target, but it exists and that’s another danger young enthusiasts will learn
about. Fans of Ruthie’s previous adventures will be happy to catch up on news
about Womble, Ruthie’s pet wombat now living as a wild wombat, who was instrumental
in solving a mystery causing frogs to die, and in solving the problem of mange
in wild wombats (clever Womble!). Ruthie has a new pet in this story, a skink
called Lulu!
Wildlife research is not
armchair work and Ruthie and her family and Linsey get stuck in, another
revelation for readers who think that being a wildlife scientist is easy. One
does not study an animal or bird without going outdoors for fieldwork, the best
way to study their habitat, their food, and the activities that the creatures
engage in. The vocabulary and reading levels are good for all types of readers
and the events of the story soon draw young readers into Ruthie’s world, her
new experiences, and her reactions to the changes in their lifestyle.
Ruthie is such a lovely young
role model for readers to emulate, and I really like how author Emma Homes
manages to teach while creating a great and new adventure for many kids, who
may never have had any close encounters with the animals and birds of their own
country. The story shows very clearly how all of life is entwined, from
destruction of trees to changes in environment, and how all this affects the
cycle of wildlife; how each creature has its role to play in the ecological
chain. I also liked the forward thinking that the story demonstrates, and how
Bel’s idea of planting trees will help create a safe environment for the birds
to flourish. As Ruthie realises, “Even a small step in the right direction was
a difference they could all be proud of.” A small endnote gives readers more
details about the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo. The perfect gift for readers who
love adventure and the outdoors, and young wildlife and bird enthusiasts.
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