The Grey King

The Grey King - Susan Cooper
Newbury Award Winner
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0-7011-5071-8

My rating: 2.5 out of 5

When I started reading this, I did not realize it was a part of a series. However, as I read it, it became apparent. I quickly became confused as to what exactly was going on and why things happened the way they did. I really wish the author would have included a short summary of the series so far, or at least explained things as the story went on. I found it very hard to continue reading this book because I had no idea what was going on. This was really my main reason for rating this book so low.

One thing that I think may turn kids away from this book is the large number of Welsh names and words. Although expanding vocabulary with foreign words can be good, the words are so alien looking and I am very certain children will have no idea how to pronounce them, especially without any sort of pronunciation key being provided.

I would like to think that, in context within the entire series, this book is pretty good. However, standing alone, "The Grey King" falls short and I doubt I would recommend it for students to read.

A Wrinkle In Time

A Wrinkle In Time - Madeleine L'Engle
Newbery Award Winner
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux
ISBN: 0-374-38613-7

My rating: 3 out of 5

This is a book that I remember reading as a child, but as I read it now, it does not seem as exciting as it once was. The story focuses on three children on a cosmic quest to rescue their father from IT. One thing that surprised me is that, unlike most science-fiction/fantasy stories, this book contains references to God and Christianity. I thought this was an interesting thing for the author to include, even though the story does not revolve around those ideas.

My only hesitation in recommending this book to young readers is the pacing of the story. To me, it felt like the story was either moving too slowly or too fast. Because of this, it oftentimes felt like a chore to finish the book.

All in all, "A Wrinkle In Time" is just an OK book that has trouble finding an adequate pace, but still has a decent story.