Mockingbird

Posted on April 9, 2011 by Mrs.N


Mockingbird by Kathryn Eskine

I love this book.  I know you’re supposed to say that sort of thing about books that have won the National Book Award, but I am not one to love a book just because someone smacked an award on it (ask me sometime how I feel about What I Saw And How I Lied).  This one earned my love. I want everyone to read it. I want to press it into the hands of strangers on the street.  On Tuesday I told the school psychologist to read it, by Thursday she’d cornered me in the office to tell me it was incredible.

Caitlin has Asperger’s Syndrome. Her brother Devon who is her advocate, her only friend, has just been shot and killed in a school shooting.  Coping with a tragedy on that scale would be difficult for anyone, but Caitlin has to process it in her own way and without the only person she thinks could help her through.

Erskine’s description of Caitlin’s world is both heart-breaking and heartwarming.  We are there with Caitlin seeing the world through her eyes: the overwhelming nature of the noise and light and motion that is recess, the way sucking her sleeve is comforting, the trick she does with her eyes to make things go blurry when the world is too sharp and bright, the aggravation she experiences when people’s emotions do not match the facial expressions she’s trained herself to recognize from a chart, the comforting nature of books which she knows will not change.

Caitlin finds her own way toward closure, a concept she’s heard about and decided she desperately needs. As she tries to get there Caitlin has many setbacks but in the end she is not the only one she helps through this tragedy.

Despite its mature theme, I would absolutely give this to any child who I felt could emotionally handle the topic. School shootings are real and terrifying.  Mockingbird does not make light of that, but the book is not focused on the tragedy, rather the healing that must occur in its aftermath. My recommendation would be for readers in grades 5 and up. Although the main character is in elementary school, this book has enough depth and interest that I believe older students would enjoy it as well. In addition to Caitlin’s story, Erskine has woven references to To Kill a Mockingbird throughout.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – Devon has died in a school shooting. The police caught his shooter and killed him. We learn that they tried to save Devon at the hospital but that they couldn’t because his heart was hanging out and they couldn’t close his chest up. Caitlin flashes back to at the hospital where the doctors tell her father that they tried to fix Devon’s heart but there was nothing left. One shooter is in custody but smiles and gives a thumbs up as he’s taken to the courthouse. The news reports on another school shooting, one in Maryland and warns that the footage they will show contains some very disturbing content. An older child pushes a child with autism. Caitlin and Devon’s mother died of cancer when they were younger.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – Devon was cremated which means burned up into ashes. Caitlin engages in some speculation about where the burned up bits might be. Caitlin has Tantrum Rage Meltdowns, in one she has cut herself and tries to erase the blood from the wood and will not stop. Caitlin tells about how she and Devon watched Bambi and Devon thought that Bambi’s mother wouldn’t die and Caitlin ended up shouting at him that she was dead and never coming back. They talk about the content of To Kill a Mockingbird including how the father had to kill a dog. At a later point in the book Caitlin bloodies her finger as she tried repeatedly to do something that is difficult.

Posted in Middle Grades, Teen, Tween | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

My Brother Charlie

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Mrs.N

My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete (and Ryan Elizabeth Peete)

Holly Robinson Peete wrote this book with her daughter Ryan. It’s about their family’s experience when Ryan’s twin brother was diagnosed with autism. With brightly colored pictures and simple text, it is a good introduction for younger children, particularly those who may have an autistic family member or classmate.

The positives are many: it can be hard to find books about autism that feature people of color, just as it can be hard to find books about autism that feature girls (although I have those too, stay tuned). Because autism is mainly found in white males, other groups are sometimes overlooked. While the book does tend to focus on the positive aspects of the sibling relationship, it also shares how hard things can be. There’s a nice section in the back where Holly explains how she’s gotten involved to help and Ryan lays out some things kids can do to help peers with autism. Her ideas are full of kindness, although won’t be possible or true for all people with autism.

Things to be careful about: If you’re familiar with autism spectrum disorders, you know that each and every child is different. Although Charlie is able to eventually say the words “I love you” to his family, this is simply not going to be the case for EVERY child with autism. The book does put a reasonable amount of focus on Charlie showing his love in nonverbal ways though. There are exactly two areas with vaguely religious undertones. One where Callie mentions her “Charlie Blessings” list where she keeps count of how she’s blessed to be Charlie’s sister and another where she says that her family watches over Charlie with the might of angels. One final caveat, at the end of her suggestions for children, Ryan states “People with autism are exceptionally smart, but their brains are wired differently. It can take them longer to process information. Please be patient.” While this is certainly true of some children it is not true of all children that have been diagnosed with a spectrum disorder. Just like all children, children with spectrum disorders have a wide range of mental abilities from very gifted to those who would be considered mentally retarded.  The advice to be patient however, is certainly helpful for children to remember.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – None.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.

Posted in Little Ones, Primary Grades | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

April – Autism Awareness Month

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Mrs.N

April is Autism Awareness Month.  As we see more and more children who have been diagnosed with these spectrum disorders I’m thrilled to see that there are fiction books out there that address the topic, whether it be writing from the perspective of someone who has a spectrum disorder or about how other people cope when someone they love is diagnosed as autistic.  This month I’ll be reviewing some of those selections.  Not every book is clear about what the character’s diagnosis is, so in some cases I’m using my best judgment.  I can promise that there are some great books though and I’m eager to share them with you.  Below is some more information about these spectrum disorders and some links you may want to check out if you’re interested in learning more, or even if you want donate to make a difference.

NB: The designations listed below have changed since this blog post was written.

Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that individuals diagnosed with autism can have very different symptoms and abilities.  It is a developmental disorder characterized by delays in communication, socialization, and behavior.  The autism spectrum is composed of three diagnoses:  Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD – NOS) and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Asperger’s Syndrome is what many people think of as high-functioning autism.  It is diagnosed when there is no language delay in early childhood but there are difficulties in social interaction and behavior.  People diagnosed with Asperger’s can sometimes show an increased interest in one or two subject areas and want to mainly speak about those things.

PDD-NOS is diagnosed when someone has delays in the three areas named above, but doesn’t meet the criteria for Autism or Asperger’s. People diagnosed as PDD-NOS can have more mild or severe delays that people with autism.

NYU Child Study Center is a great resource with lots of information.  They also have a resources and links page.

Autism Speaks will be especially helpful to families who believe they are facing an autism diagnosis or have just received one. Especially noteworthy are their downloadable, free toolkits for families that are in the first 100 days after receiving a diagnosis. It’s a time that can be very stressful and gut wrenching, so having information at your fingertips from a reputable source can help people cope.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a fact page that includes which type of specialist your doctor should refer you to if there are concerns, as well as contact information for early intervention (who provides free evaluation and assistance for children under age three) and who to contact if your child is over three and you’re in need of help.

I cannot stress enough how much it helps children to be receiving assistance as soon as possible.

Yale School of Medicine has a great questions and answers page.  It includes:  your risk of having a second child with autism if one has been diagnosed, how to help your child communicate if their verbal development is behind and their official stand on the drug secretin.  I will say that as of checking this site 4/15, Yale still has the outdated diagnoses of PDD and Asperger’s Syndrome listed on their site.

If you want to help out further by donating:

Autism Society has a link (check out their stories section while you’re there to get a sense for how widely differing the lives of people with autism can be depending on severity).   The Autism Society tends to be focused on improving the lives of those with autism.

Autism Speaks has many ways for you to get involved.  Autism Speaks tends to be focused on research and treatment.

The Autism Science Foundation also funds research projects.

I would like to thank two of my friends (you know who you are) that are far more well-versed in these issues than I am.  They have helped me find the information I’m passing along to you.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 3 Comments

Goddess Girls GIVEAWAY – WINNER!

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Mrs.N

The winner of Athena the Brain is….

Commenter #2 – JMLC

I’ll be in touch soon so that I can send you your copy!

Congratulations!

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Goddess Girls GIVEAWAY – Athena the Brain

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Mrs.N

For our very last Mythical March entry, I have a giveaway for you – a brand new copy of Athena the Brain.  It is one hundred percent mythological fluff.  It’s also highly endorsed by a fourth-grader former student of mine who caught sight of it on my desk and said “oooh, those are goooood.” Not her most eloquent moment, but she got the point across.

Not being a fourth grade girl, I would rate my enjoyment in the “it was fine” range.   There were parts I thought were cute, things that irritated me, but overall, I’d wager that this would be a bigger hit with young girls than the Pandora book I reviewed earlier this month.

This is a rather fanciful take on Athena’s role in turning Medusa from girl into nasty snake-headed creature.  Athena receives a message that her father is Zeus.  She is summoned to Mount Olympus to attend school with the other goddessgirls and godboys (file under: lingo that sets my teeth on edge).  She must leave her dear friend Pallas (plus for accuracy – Pallas was Athena’s dear friend, minus for depressing – anyone who is familiar with the myths knows that Athena accidentally kills Pallas – although NOT in this book, I promise!)  Athena quickly acclimates to her new life of bonding with Aphrodite, Artemis and Persephone and messing with the lives of mortals (one of my favorite parts – the students are assigned heroes and move them on a game board actually creating the Trojan War).  In a rather weird twist Poseidon is the school hottie, this is weird of course, since Poseidon should be Zeus’s age, but I got over it.  Also in my fun column was the character of Pandora who endlessly questions the other girls.  And while Athena does want to fit in and tries out for the Goddessgirl Squad (think cheerleading), she still enters the invention competition and is secure enough to knit at the lunch tables.  Extra bonus points for when she stops thinking Poseidon is cute because he asks her to be his assistant for the inventions contest.  She’s got ideas of her own and is nobody’s sidekick.

Other things that vaguely annoyed me: why is their team called the Titans?  The Titans are their enemies?  Why are the lunch ladies random octopus like ladies and froggy looking ladies when a teacher is a cyclops and a hydra works in the office (teachers, quick poll – how many of you have a hydra in your office.)

How to Win: Leave a comment naming your favorite myth, god or goddess.  The contest will be open until Monday, April 4th at 12:00am (that’s the middle of Sunday night folks). I will gladly mail the book to you in the US or Canada.  I will pick the winner using a random number generator.  Good luck!
Sex, Nudity, Dating – Pallas thinks Poseidon’s sculpture is cute. There’s much talk of crushing on people.
Profanity – “dumb,” “stink,”
Death, Violence and Gore – The heroes are at war, but it’s really not scary, violent or much talked about.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.

Posted in Middle Grades, Tween | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Beautiful Stories of Life: Six Greek Myths, Retold

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Mrs.N

When I discovered this slim volume I thought that perhaps it would be intended for younger children. After all, it’s only 77 pages and a cute little square shape. I was a bit mistaken in that.  Shame on me for  judging books by their covers! I should know better by now.
Edited to add Cynthia Rylant’s name alone is enough to sucker many teachers and parents into thinking this is a good call for young readers. Between her Henry and Mudge series, Poppleton series and her stories about her own childhood, she’s largely established herself as an author of picture books and early readers. It should also be noted that all my concerns and complaints (mostly outlined below) aside, the writing in this is beautiful.

Rylant is not messing around with vocabulary so younger readers may want a dictionary at the ready as they face down:  shrewd, blatant, subtle, concoct, depravity, turbulence, integrity, inevitably, multitude, pallid and more.  Then again, you may not want your younger readers around this one at all, because while never explicitly described, there is quite a bit of sex in here.  I’m not sure younger kids need to know about hungering for a woman or feeling Eros’s touch in the night, euphemistic as it may be…

And then there is the depiction of women.  Despite the old-fashioned illustrations, this book was published in 2009.  So I can’t think of any decent excuse for women being written the way they are.  Maybe it won’t bother you, but the standard of women being subservient and made only to please men is one that definitely bothers me.

Check out the following quotes:

“Pandora was the essence of femininity and she instinctively gave her heart and soul to her husband…She loved being a woman and wanted nothing more than to give her husband anything that might make him happy.”

“Persephone bent herself to Hades’ will, did what he asked, accepted what he offered, became what he needed.”

The qualities Pygmalion is looking for in a wife: “someone who would bring him fruit and cheese when he was hungry…someone who would smile at him and admire his craft, someone who might lovingly apply oil to his aching hands.”

Let’s not even talk about the tasks Psyche must undertake to win back Eros after she DARES to lay eyes on him.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – Epimetheus hungers for the love of a woman. The vision of Persephone moves Hades and “he wanted her.” Orpheus gets married. Pygmalion is admired by girls and wants a bride. A naked sculpture of a woman is shown in an illustration. Pygmalion’s wife bore him a son. In the story of Narcissus we are told that “there are those who fall in love with someone or something and are destroyed by the experience.” Zeus’s philandering (yep, that’s the word that’s used) is mentioned. Eros falls in love with Psyche. When he gets her to come to his palace, she is told to retire, for love will only come to her in darkness. THEN, in the dark of night, Eros comes to her; she feels his touch and finds peace in his arms.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – Hades grabs Persephone by the hair and removes her to the underworld. She feels life draining out of her. The bride of Orpheus is bitten by a viper and dies. Orpheus is torn into pieces by drunken nymphs and thrown into a river. Narcissus dies looking at his own reflection. Echo crawls into a cave and dies.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – There are drunken nymphs.
Frightening or Intense Things – We’re told that Zeus’s wrath could destroy the world. The list of sufferings Pandora releases includes: disease, war, starvation, depravity and insanity. Everything about Demeter is both great and terrible, she tears at her hair when her daughter is gone. The dead look upon Persephone as they enter the underworld. Orpheus is insane before he is murdered by nymphs. Psyche’s parents are told that she is destined to wed a giant serpent.

Posted in Teen | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Zeus: King of the Gods

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Mrs.N

Zeus actually comes before Athena in George O’Connor’s Olympians series.  It makes sense, as O’Connor takes us back to the very beginning of creation and tells the story of Zeus up to where he claims Mount Olympus and the Gods rule.

It’s very action heavy, with a lengthy focus on the battle for power between the Olympians and the Titans.  Personally, that’s not my mythological cup of tea, but I assume there are quite a few teenagers who will enjoy the the pages of battle sequences.

I’m appreciating O’Connor’s artwork more and more. He continues to depict female characters as powerful and though they are often drawn in a sexy manner, they seem to serve more of a purpose than just being set decoration.

Can you tell, I really think O’Connor is kind of awesome?  Zeus comes with all the same perks as Athena: trading card type illustrations at the end, Greek notes, his great website, a bibliography and discussion questions.  Have I told you how much I love the discussion questions?  The first one is:  “Zeus’s dad tries to eat him.  Has your dad ever tried to eat you?”  The third question draws a parallel between Zeus’s battling Kronos and Luke Skywalker battling Darth Vader.  What kid wouldn’t want to talk about that kind of thing?

Don’t miss:  Athena: Grey Eyed Goddess – the next book in the series.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – The Earth and Sky wed. Gaea (the Earth) becomes pregnant. Their children are the titans, cyclops and hekatonchieres. Kronos takes his sister Rhea as wife, they have daughter. Zeus is drawn shirtless throughout as are some other Olympians. Zeus asks Metis for a kiss. Some of the girls are pretty scantily clad and some cleavage is visible.
Profanity – “damned.”
Death, Violence and Gore – Kronos uses his sickle to cut his father the sky. Kronos is still eating his children. Metis slaps Zeus. The titans battle the gods, Zeus’s battle with Kronos in particular lasts for pages and pages. . Zeus battles Kampe and Kampe ends up blowing up. The cyclopes shock Zeus with electricity.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – Monsters abound – Cyclops and Hekatonchieres (which have 50 heads and 100 hands). Hestia having spent the most time in Kronos’ stomach is mostly digested so she just flickers like a flame.

Posted in Teen | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Athena: Grey Eyed Goddess

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Mrs.N

It’s about time I reviewed a graphic novel.  Honestly though, I know next to nothing about graphic novels.  This one was a finalist for the 2010 Cybils though so it’s fair to say I’m starting at the top.  Being a graphic novel novice, I did find it a bit hard to follow at first.  I wonder if it seems more natural to people who are used to reading the format.

George O’Connor is working on a set of graphic novels about the Greek gods.  It’s a perfect fit for the format I think since the gods in many ways are the original superheros.  How better to introduce comic lovers to the world of mythology?  This edition focuses on Athena, goddess and warrior.  Several of her stories are told by the Fates.

Cool: The front cover is equipped with a handy-dandy family tree, the back pages feature an author’s note, some very thorough Greek Notes (the r is rather adorably careted in allowing us to realize that these notes are very much for geeks) about various characters and choices the author has made in his retelling.  Additionally, there are some cool trading card looking pages that feature an illustration of a major character along with information like: roman name, sacred plant, symbols, modern legacy.  Finally there’s a discussion guide, a bibliography and hey, a cool website too (no really, it makes me think O’Connor is completely fabulous, check it out)!!

Great for: Reluctant readers.  Many readers who are loathe to pick up a chapter book are more than willing to take a peek at a graphic novel.  It’s a great way to get them interested in the stories without having to fight their way through a lengthy book.

Athena is also a pretty fabulous heroine.  At the end of the book, O’Connor makes  point of clarifying that Athena was more of an exception to the rule in Greek culture than the expected and tips his hat to modern girls and all their accomplishments.  The book is great for showing both girls and boys that women can kick butt.  Big points for making Andromeda black as well!  It’s nice to see people of color in mythology.

I also think this is a pretty good match for fans of Percy Jackson.  It was legitimately exciting and definitely modern.

Don’t miss:  Zeus: King of the Gods which is the first book in this series.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – Men are often bare chested in the illustrations.  Zeus is shown flirting with women while married to Metis.  After swallowing Metis, Zeus married Hera.  In a frame a small amount of cleavage is visible. Gestation is mentioned.  The book states that “Zeus has had many lovers.”  Medusa and Poseidon are lovers in Athena’s temple. Danae is visited in her tower by Zeus in the form of a golden rain.  He “was with her there and she became pregnant.”
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore –  If you weren’t aware yet that Kronos eats his children then you haven’t been with me all month.  The battle with the Titans is referenced, Kronos is depicted carrying his scythe.  Zeus swallows his pregnant bride. Hephaestus cleaves Zeus’s skull with a hammer and spike to get Athena out (Zeus is shown held down with the spike placed on his forehead).  There is swordplay and spear play and a character is impaled.  There’s an illustration of skulls and skeletons.  The battle of the gigantes happens and the gigantes are these large teethed giant things “born of the mingling of mother earth and the spilled blood of…the sky.”  There are a two beheadings (one occurs off screen, the other is illustrated).  People are turned to stone (or into spiders).
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things –  Three witches share an eyeball and a tooth.  There is a seamonster.

Posted in Teen | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Medusa Jones

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Mrs.N

In the world of Greek mythology retelling, I’m having to get used to the idea that authors will take liberties with the stories.  In principle, I’m not even opposed to hearing from the other side, hey some retellings from the baddie’s point of view turn out fabulous.

The inconsistency nettles me though, while famously bad dog Cerberus is Medusa’s puppy, Cassandra is one of the mean Champions who tease and bully Medusa.  I’m not sure where Collins is getting his information, but in every version I know Cassandra is cursed, an outcast and treated as though she is crazy.  Not exactly the girl I’d cast in the mean girl part (Helen, anyone?)  The Minotaur (also evil) is Medusa’s friend, but so is Chiron (generally represented on the side of good).

While this book is set up to look like a beginning chapter book, with illustrations throughout, the vocabulary and background knowledge aren’t necessarily in line with this.  With words like pulsating, terrain, petrified, harrowing and disembodied, I think you’d need a fairly advanced primary grades student to understand.  An entire joke about how the Minotaur lives in a house like a labyrinth will be lost on most readers because they won’t know the story of the Minotaur and plus, Collins never even says it’s a maze, just describes it.  Great if you want parents chuckling, not so much if you want kids to laugh.

And of course, then there’s the ending (which from what I can tell annoyed more than a few reviewers).  It’s pat.  It goes against the whole rest of the book.  And it’s done in pictures not words.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – A peck on the cheek.
Profanity – Made their lives a living “Hades” rather than hell, “Shut up,” “horse’s bum,” “carnies” which is a kind of unfortunate slur of carnival folk.  There’s somewhat relentless name calling on both sides.  It seems to be the characters’ main way of expressing that they don’t get along.  Since the name calling is done both by the protagonists and their enemies, it’s hard to say anyone is choosing the higher ground, or more deserving of your respect.
Death, Violence and Gore – Medusa can turn people to stone. The hairdresser snips off a snake head, blood is seen dripping from his scissors.  The snakes attack him biting his hands.  A teacher carries a pocketknife.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – Miss Medea can’t get Medusa’s name right and one of the names she calls her is Madeira.
Frightening or Intense Things – Some children will be scared of snake hair, although the illustrations definitely aim for humor not fear.  Medusa and friends hear screaming in the night.

Posted in Middle Grades | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Last Olympian

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Mrs.N

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan is the fifth book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.

For most of this school year I’ve been having an ongoing discussion about what is appropriate in books with a parent I have known for several years.  I taught her oldest five years ago and now am on her youngest.  She’s someone I trust and whose judgment I value.  She has several times mentioned how the later Percy Jackson books have some inappropriate content.  I’m not sure whether she’s read them herself or if she’s relying on reports from her children.  Needless to say, I was pretty curious as to what was going to happen in this book.  Was Percy going to drop the f-bomb?  Would a budding romance get graphic and even result in s-e-x?  Could there possibly be more battling/fighting/violence? Would Dionysus drive the impressionable young demigods to drink? The anticipation was killing me.

The result: while the book itself certainly kept me interested and turning the pages, there wasn’t anything particularly racy, shocking or vulgar.  While the characters are more mature than in the prior books, I believe it’s still handled in a tasteful manner (although judge for yourself below).  The question is whether or not younger kids will remain interested during the sections that veer away from the violent and towards the romantic side of things.  Like I said, the romance is tame, but I’m thinking that readers would need to have at least a passing interest in the opposite sex or they’re going to be saying “ew” over the feelings.  Seeing as I’ve marked it as tween/teen I don’t think you’ll get too much complaint from those audiences, but I know plenty of third graders who have read the series and I can’t see them liking (or even really understanding) those bits at all.

In this one, I missed the quest aspect that had been present in the prior books, instead The Last Olympian takes place almost entirely in New York.  It also ramped up the intensity of violence and death as would befit a great battle for power.  Although The Last Olympian is currently the final book in the series, Riordan leaves the door open for future related books.  Also here we officially veered into too many characters territory. Just about everyone you’ve ever met in any of the books is back and it can be really difficult remembering who’s who.  A handy guide at the beginning or end would be a great addition if it’s reprinted (are you listening publishers?)

Sex, Nudity, Dating –Since the characters are teenagers in this book, there is a certain amount of love and relationship based content.  In particular, characters are called upon to act based on who they most care about.  There is definitely noticing of the opposite sex, but in a “she looks pretty” kind of way, not a “look at her hot bod” kind of way.  There are 3 or 4 kisses and a reference to a kiss in a prior book as well as some hugging and handholding.  None of the kisses is graphic (no tongue or bodies touching or anything).  Various campers date.  There is a bit of an explanation of how demigods can date and it’s not gross because they’re not really related on their godly side.  The wives of various gods (Poseidon, Hades) are peevish when forced to talk to their husbands’ illegitimate children or about their husbands’ mistresses.
Profanity – “hell”hounds again, “darn”, “sux”, “Gods”,
Death, Violence and Gore – This is a book recounting an epic battle between good and evil.  There are soldiers and the soldiers are armed, guns, swords, knives, bow and arrows, explosives, you name it.  As this is the climax of the series, we can no longer expect everyone to make it through safely, so if you need to know exactly who is okay and who’s not, drop me an e-mail.  Humans and demigods suffer injuries including bleeding, burns (one girl’s face is pretty much burn off) and death.  The bad guys tend to explode into dust (much like the vampires on Buffy the Vampire Slayer) so at least we’re spared some gore there.  There are of course more monsters (some good, some bad) including an evil pig (who is destroyed by lions) and a drakon who kills/poisons/otherwise injures many campers.  The Minotaur’s axe is decorated with necklaces from half-bloods he has defeated.  We are told that there are hundreds, maybe thousands, dead in the war between the titans and the gods.  Finally, Hades and all his underworld buddies fight, so expect more skeleton warriors and some zombies.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – Percy is transported to a bar for a meeting with Dionysus.
Frightening or Intense Things –  The war is causing natural disasters like floods, tornados, storms.    Possessed by visions.  Lots of close calls.

Posted in Teen, Tween | Tagged , | 3 Comments