What Would Harry Read?

Hermione #9 - The Secret Garden

The lovely and talented melrose plant contributes this wonderful review. High fives all around!

A classic novel, a beautiful and mystical world; a girl who lives far away from her parents and chums around with two very different boys, who likes to get into mischief, go where she is restricted and dapple in mystical arts...sound familiar? Hermione Granger of Hogwarts will have certainly enjoyed poking her nose into The Secret Garden and will certainly have found a mirror to hold up to herself in the equally engaging Mary Lennox.

“Mistress Mary quite contrary; How does your garden grow?” taunts Mary’s spiteful cousins at the beginning of The Secret Garden. Hermione who, let’s face it, has a sometimes a prickly manner herself, could also be teased with the same age-old rhyme by spiteful Draco Malfoy and his contingent of thugs who have no time for Hermione’s brainy persistence.

When Mary moves to the gothic, crumbling Misselthwaite Manor, she befriends a poor, out-going boy named Dickon who has a large family living nearby in a ramshackle cottage.  When Hermione moves to gothic, crumbling Hogwarts, she befriends a poor, out-going boy named Ron who has a large family living in a ramshackle burrow.  Further, deep in Mary’s mansion is a special boy who has lost his mother.  Hermione’s friendship with the motherless “Chosen One,” Harry Potter, is as interesting and complicated as Mary’s with her cousin Colin. 

The similarities continue:  Hermione’s love of sneaking into the Restricted Section of the library is not unlike Mary’s joy in sneaking into an ancient, locked-up garden. A capable horticulturist (she has done quite well with mandrakes, has she not?), Hermione would find herself at home with Mary whose “bit of earth” provides her with countless hours of exploration and delight.

Think magic is lost in this Edwardian period story?  Mary teaches her friends Colin and Dickon all about magic she has learned in India: magic that calls to her uncle Archibald and eventually secures a happy ending for herself and her friends. She really is, as Lupin says of Hermione, “the cleverest witch of her age.”

Hermione and Mary have a lot in common.  They are both intelligent, sometimes hard-to-please, resourceful and curious. They are not afraid of going after what they want.  What is more, they are exceedingly loyal to their family and to their friends. Time will tell what the last pages of Hermione’s story will reveal but of one thing I am certain: she will remain, as Mary, as a smart and curious role model for female readers everywhere.

Are you curious about Mary's secret garden? If so, there's a chapter excerpt here.

Hermione #8 - Warriors: The New Prophecy – Moonrise

Super props to Kailana for the review.

My cats are back and ready to win the hearts of readers young and old.  It is no wonder the Warriors series is so popular, Hunter does a wonderful job capturing cats.  When you read her books you can actually picture your cats getting up to the same adventures as the ones in her books. It will make you look at your cats and hear them talking; it will put words into their meows.  If you start striking up conversations with them, though, you better be careful as people might think you are a bit crazy otherwise. 

Regardless, we all know that Hermione lives in a fantasy world of magic.  Animals are a part of her magical training, but in that context they serve a purpose, but here, when she reads about the cats in Moonrise, she can have fun.

The story follows the same cats that were in Midnight, which is a problem, because it can be hard to talk about a sequel without giving away too much about the preceding book. However, it doesn't spoil the story to say that in this book, the cats are still on their quest.  When they first set off, they did it in secret and without anyone fully aware of the trouble that was brewing. Now, moons have passed, and things have changed. There is another prophecy to be fulfilled in this book, and the hero/ines from the last book find themselves caught up in it. 

(That means more cat names to remember!).

Meanwhile, Thunderclan needs its wayward wanderers to come back and it is another one of those instances where they might not make it in time to save the destruction that occurs while they are away.  And, for those readers whose memories are not as great as Hermione's, Hunter has included a few pages to index where all the cats fit in to the clans.  It is very helpful because there are a lot of names presented, and sometimes you just need something to jog your memory.

This book is also about girl power, if you are a female cat nursing or expecting kittens, you are called a queen. And who wouldn't want to be a queen? Especially Hermione, remember how she felt in that dress? You know, from that ball?

Exactly.

For more on Warriors: The New Prophecy - Moonrise, read the chapter excerpt here.

Hermione #7 - Swordbird

Shout out to Kailana for the guest blog post!

After enjoying Erin Hunter's Warrior series, well, the first book anyways, my imaginary Hermione decided that she would give another book centered around animals a try. In the Warriors series, we have a book about talking cats, in this series we get inside the minds of their prey: birds. Essentially, Swordbird tells the story about the battle between good and evil. The blue jays and cardinals once lived in peace, but now each suspects the other of treachery.  The resulting war turns a peaceful neck of the woods into a battleground. 

Little do our fluttery heroes know that their problems are not with each other but with another flock of birds that has moved into the area. They capture other birds and put them to work as slaves, and it is these feathered anti-friends that have started the trouble between the cardinals and the blue jays.  The cardinals and blue jays are just too busy fighting amongst themselves to notice right away.

Hermione is caught in a world where she is constantly battling against evil. There is a new threat every year at school it seems, and sometimes it is nice for her to be able to read about other peoples problems and watch them play out without having to be a part of them.  Nancy Yi Fan was actually only 12 when she wrote this book, and I can picture a young Hermione relating to the world that Nancy creates.  Hermione has seen a lot of death and destruction in her young life, so it is always nice when she can sit down with a book that has readers rooting for the under...bird. Aska, a young blue jay, would probably be Hermione's favourite because she underestimates even herself until she is tested.  And, then there is the mystery.  Does Swordbird in fact exist, and will he arrive in time to save the forest from destruction? 

I guess you will just have to join Hermione in reading it in order to find out. If you're keen to know more about Swordbird, check out the chapter excerpt or read a note from the author.

Hermione #6 - Startled by His Furry Shorts

This week's review from guest reviewer Emma Sakamoto!

Hermione’s school year is spent reading dry history text books and complicated magical theory. Not exactly what you’d call light reading (no matter what Hermione says). In between reading about magical politics and evil wizards, Startled by His Furry Shorts would be something she’d pick up for a fun summer read.

In the seventh Georgia Nicolson book, Georgia is struggling to deal with her confusing feelings for Dave the Laugh and Masimo the Italian Stallion. On the one hand, Dave openly admits to liking her. On the other hand, Masimo needs a week to make up his mind about her. Georgia is on the rack of romance. Again.

On top of her love troubles, Georgia has to deal with her crazy friends’ relationships. (Vikings are involved.) Her best friend is so caught up with her own boyfriend that she doesn’t have time to listen to Georgia complaining. There is also a chaotic school production of Macbeth (AKA MacUseless, AKA MacPants) in which Georgia is MacDuff.

Georgia’s usual ridiculousness keeps Startled by His Furry Shorts light and funny. She is melodramatic, outrageous and completely relatable. This probably isn’t a book that Hermione would admit to reading. It’s not educational enough (although there is a wealth of British slang and made up words to enrich your vocabulary) and it has nothing to do with the wizarding world. However, that would be why Hermione would like it. Georgia and her world are completely different from Hermione’s day to day life. To her, this would be the ultimate escape read.

Hermione #5 - Warriors: The New Prophecy #1: Midnight

This week's entry for Hermione was written by the delightful and talented book blogger, Kaliana, of The Written World and Twisted Kingdom.

Cat lovers everywhere rejoice in the wonder that is the Warriors series by Erin Hunter.  Midnight is part of The New Prophecy series that follows on the success of the original Warrior series.  In the beginning, there are a lot of cats, as Hunter goes very far to assure that all the members of the cat clan are mentioned, but as the story progresses the main characters take the forefront.  This is a story of Brambleclaw and his clan, the Thunderclan.   

One night in a dream a deceased wildcat comes to him to say that the wildcats are in danger, and that it is up to him and three other cats to save all the clan cats.  Brambleclaw writes it off as just a dream, though, until he learns that three other cats from the other three clans, ShadowClan, WindClan and RiverClan, had the same dream.  Clans live in relative peace with one another, but to be called on to work together so closely is a rare thing, especially when the four chosen ones are just regular members of the Clans and not the leaders that they believe should be receiving the prophecies.

In this book, readers get the chance to join Brambleclaw and the clan chief's daughter, Squirrelpaw, from ThunderClan.  Squirrelpaw was not one of the chosen ones, but you try and tell her that.  Joined by Tawnypelt, Brambleclaw's sister from another clan, Crowpaw, and Feathertail, as well as Stormfur, Feathertail's brother, who refuses to be left behind.  These six cats set on an adventure to reach a place that they are not even sure exists and they believe that when they get there, midnight will reveal the truth behind the prophecies.

If the adventure aspect of this young adult book are not enough for you, you also get to look forward to seeing the world through the eyes of a cat.  I believe that Hunter does a very good job thinking like a cat does, and the words that the cats use to describe the human world are comical and fitting. It's one of those books that will have you waiting impatiently to read book two in order to find out what happens to these cats next.

Why would Hermione read this book?  That's simple: Squirrelpaw.  Squirrelpaw may be a cat, but as I was reading the book I found that she strongly reminded me of the Hermione we all know and love.  They are both very strong female characters, and both good at finding trouble.  Hermione might have the persona that breaking the rules is a bad thing, while Squirrelpaw seems to welcome it, but they still act very similar to each other.  Squirrelpaw is also bold and sassy and she does not take any trouble from the male members of the group; she is her own boss.  Quite like Hermione, I think.

Hermione #4 - Dramacon

A weekend at the Lakeside comic book convention is in many ways like a trip on the fictional Love Boat of the 1970s. You arrive with great expectations, meet an interesting cast of characters, have some wacky mishaps, perhaps fall in love, grow a little as a person and a couple days later with some tacky souvenirs you return to your regular life.

In Dramacon, by Canadian author Svetlana Chmakova, Christie, a comic book writer, is nervous about her first comic-con. She arrives with her hot-headed boyfriend, Derek, to promote their comic, Wary City. Christie’s personality is very different than that of her boyfriend and their convention roommates; she's more timid and less confrontational. Her instinct is to flee not to fight.

So it isn’t a big surprise when finally fed up by her lecherous boyfriend’s overtures towards other women, Christie takes off into the chaos of the con. In the crowd she crashes into the tall, dark and  mysterious Matt, who never removes his sunglasses. Without thinking Christie throws herself into his arms and cries over all her problems with her boyfriend. Matt gives advice–challenging Christie to stand up for herself. 

When Christie is with Matt she behaves like a different person—she’s witty, sarcastic and confident. She acts as though she is comfortable being herself and isn’t trying to be please others. Matt isn’t portrayed as perfect: he’s too pushy sometimes and asks very direct questions. But it is clear to the reader that his intentions are good and that he sees something in Christie that she has buried and hidden from others. Unfortunately for Matt when he does push Christie too far with his comments she rips his sunglasses off him in anger (assuming he’s just a pretentious fashion dude) and finds out why he wears them. Oops.

The convention starts looking up for Christie on day two when she gets an opportunity to meet one of her manga idols and makes friends with other convention attendees. But that evening, at a crowded dance, Christie and Matt get a little too close for Derek’s liking and he ends up very angry. After consuming some of their older friends’ alcohol, Derek’s actions get out of control and Christie flees to her new friends. On the bright side (this is a comedy!) Christie finally stands up to Derek and shows she has a backbone after all!

Will Christie and Matt get together? Does Christie have a future as a writer? Will she find a new artist to replace Derek? You'll have to stay tuned for Dramacon #2 to find out!

Why would Hermione like Dramacon? As someone who roots for the underdog, who fights injustice at every opportunity, who wants girls to be treated as equals to boys yet has a romantic side, this is the perfect book for Hermione. She’d delight in Christie’s transformation and would be as in love with Matt as the rest of us.

Want to see Dramacon for yourself? Check out a preview here.

 

Herminone #3 - Flyte

In Flyte, the second book in Angie Sage's trilogy, we return to the world of Septimus Heap one year after he discovers his true identity as the seventh son of a seventh son. With his bright green wizard eyes and deceptively handy Apprentice belt, Septimus has made the most of his year working alongside the Extra Ordinary Wizard, Marcia Overstrand.

When he’s not gathering materials so Marcia can build the perfect ShadowSafe, he’s learning all kinds of new spells, charms and tricks—all part of the captivating world of Magyk. When an evil Shadow, a remnant of the epic battle that took place in the last book between Marcia and DomDaniel, lurks around their apartment in Wizard Tower and refuses to leave, the pair certainly have their work cut out for them as they try to make it go away. Wait! Is it growing stronger? And is the shadow really what it seems?  Well, I’m not going to spoil that surprise…but the answers to all of these questions and more are, of course, in the book.

And on top of all the problems leftover from DomDaniel's reign, Septimus has to deal with his eldest brother Simon Heap causing all kinds of trouble. To start, he kidnaps Jenna, his own adopted sister and Queen-to-be, and then he refuses to bring her back. He’s also discovered the Flyte charm, so now Septimus has that to contend with as well. How do you battle a brother who's now up in the air? There's all kinds of new challenges for Septimus, not the least of which is a pet—a baby dragon!

Now, why would Hermione read this? Well, I think she’d love the character of Jenna. The whole Queenling thing aside, she’s smart, powerful and sassy in her own right. And even if Jenna isn’t a wizard, she certainly has some very cool skills, like the ability to talk to the living, breathing Dragon Boat, which make her stand out in a family of all-too fascinating characters. And I think she’d see a bit of herself in Septimus, as his talents when it comes to Magyk are not unlike her own. Oh, and I'd bet she knows how to handle a dragon or two...

And if you're not convinced, you can always read a chapter excerpt here and see what I mean!

Hermione #2 - Magyk

The world of Septimus Heap is not as it seems. First of all, everyone thinks he died when he was a baby, which means life for Septimus Heap is certainly not on the up and up. Second of all, he’s the seventh son of a seventh son, which in the world of Angie Sage’s Magyk usually means you’re super special, a brilliant wizard in a place where green-eyed wizards are everyday occurrences.

Now when Stepimus went missing (I refused to believe he was actually dead), another baby came into the already bursting Heap household: Jenna. Silas, the eldest of the Heap clan and father to all seven boys, finds the baby in the snow, and she’s beautiful, with lovely violet eyes.  Eyes that never turn wizard green like those of all her brothers.

So who is Jenna? Well, it turns out she’s a long-lost princess, and one that the evil Darke Magyk wizard DomDaniel wants dead so he can claim all the power of the Castle. Well, the reigning ExtraOrdinary Wizard Marcia Overstrand will have none of it, and she whisks Jenna away to safety. Forced out of their home and split into two groups, the Heaps struggle to keep their sister, the new-found princess, safe.

And that's not all! Just as they are about to flee the Castle, Jenna discovers a Young Army soldier almost frozen in the snow. He's called Boy 412, and as luck would have it, he too gets caught up in all of their adventures. And when he starts showing all kinds of special powers…well, you can just imagine what happens next, can’t you?

Why would Hermione read this book? It’s full of magic, mystery and lots of dangerous situations, spells that save lives, baddies that get their just desserts, and a lot of really cool characters, from extra-special wizards to wood-living witches and even heroic rat messengers. All in all, a lot to keep the interest of a girl attending her very own wizard school.

Want to see for yourself? Read a chapter excerpt here.

Hermione #1 - Silverwing

There are so many things to love in Silverwing, Kenneth Oppel’s wonderful story about Shade, a small Silverwing bat, and Marina, a Brightwing he meets during his journey. Would a list be better? Probably. So in order to be as efficient as possible, here are all the reasons why this book is almost better then a candy cart on a fast-moving train:

1. The Main Characters Are Bats!

You’d think that would be cringe-worthy, but it’s not. In fact, the whole magical setting, which includes delicious places like Tree Haven (where echoes tell stories) and Hibernaculum (the Silverwing’s winter colony), adds an entirely new dimension to the wonders of the natural world.

2. There’s Drama!

When Shade is blown off-course during his first migration and gets lost over the ocean, your fingertips turn white with worry as you turn the pages. Even after he teams up with Marina, the two of them run into trouble in the form of an evil jungle bat called Goth, almost get eaten by owls, are trapped by rats, and escape more times than you can wave a wand. They do meet a few friends on the way, including a wise albino bat called Zepyhr.

3. He’s a Hero!

After Shade gets blown off course during his first migration, the adversity he overcomes is really quite something. After all, he is a runt, and with such a short wingspan, it’s amazing he finds his way back to land at all, and never once does he falter, even if he is afraid.

4. Brains Over Brawn!

On more than one occasion, Shade and Marina use their wits to get them out of sticky situations. They’ve got this cool echo vision and they use sound maps to navigate. It’s all pretty amazing for mammals that are stereotyped in scary stories set in the darkest hours of the night.

5. Marina is Smart, Sensible and a Girl!

Oh, and she’s also loyal. Enough said.