Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya

          

Title:  Fruits Basket, volume 1    Author:  Natsuki Takaya

ISBN:  9781591826033   Pages:   206
Publisher:  Tokyopop, Inc, Los Angeles, 2004

Readers Annotation:
Tohru Honda is alone in the world, with no place to stay until the Sohmu family takes her in. Tohru soon learns that the kind and generous Sohmu's are not exactly who she thought they were. 

Author Information:

Natsuki Takaya has worked for the Japanese publisher Hakusensha since the early 90's, writing short stories and series. Before she wrote the Fruits Basket series, she wrote Tsubasa O Motsu Mono and Geneimusou.  Fruits Basket quickly gained notoriety, becoming a bestselling manga. As such, Takaya won the highest manga honor by receiving the Kodansha Manga Award. Subsequently, Fruits Basket was turned into a 26 episode anime series in 2001. By 2002, the anime was released in English, and eventually the manga was translated into English as well.  Her Fruits Basket series is the second best-selling shojo manga ever in Japan, and the top selling shojo manga in North America.

'Natsuki Takaya'' is actually a pen name for Naka Hatake. Takaya was born July 7, 1973 in Shizuoka, Japan, and was raised in Tokyo. She enjoys video games and working on her various manga series.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natsuki_Takaya

Plot Summary:

Tohru has not had an easy youth. Her father died when she was three, and after being orphaned by the death of her mother, she was forced to live with her distant and apathetic grandfather. He temporarily kicks Tohru out of his house so he can do some remodeling, giving her no alternative place to stay. But, Tohru is a strong girl, and builds a tent for herself in a nearby forest. She also works for a local diner to make some money. Not long after, Tohru's living arrangements are discovered by the owners of the land, the Sohma family.

The Sohma family are sympathetic to Tohru's plight, and although they are a household of three unmarried males, they offer her a place at their home. In return for their kindness, Tohru gratefully offers to cook and clean, something that was desperately needed in the Sohma home. While living there, Tohru learns a lot about the Sohma family, including their unusual infatuation with the signs of the Zodiac and their secret family curse.

Critical Evaluation:
This lighthearted but intelligently written manga focuses on a story of interpersonal relationships. The characterization is done beautifully, making the story relatable to the audience. Tohru Honda is depicted as somewhat naive, but in truth, she is a pure-hearted and caring person with courage and a positive attitude. Yuki Sohma is intelligent and handsome, but friendless and reserved. Kyo Sohma is volatile and headstrong, with a sensitive streak. Lastly, Shigure Sohma is gentle and kind with a sense of humor, which adds a layer of comic relief to the story.  The action, romance, and dramatic elements of the manga, make the series entertaining and somewhat addicting. The historical aspect of Chinese mythology adds another level of interest and intrigue to the appropriately best selling manga series.

Genre:  Manga/ Romance-Comedy

Curriculum Ties: English - World Literature, World culture - Chinese zodiac

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  Tohru Honda's grandfather temporarily kicks her out, and she bravely puts on a smile and learns to fend for herself. Do you think you could be that courageous and take care of yourself without any outside support?
     2.  The Sohmu's take in Tohru Honda as a favor, and she insists on returning their kindness by helping with the housework. Would you offer to repay another's kindness with a kindness of your own, or just accept their charity as it is?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+

Challenge Issue: none

Why I chose this item:  Due to the popularity of manga and graphic novels, and because this book format is great for reluctant readers, I felt it was important to include in my collection.

Further Reading:  Fruits Basket, Volumes 2 - 23

 
Fruits Basket book trailer

Oddly Enough: Stories by Bruce Coville

          

Title:  Oddly Enough: Stories   Author:  Bruce Coville  
ISBN: 015000933  Pages:  122
Publisher:  Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, 1994

Readers Annotation:
A collection of nine horror stories including angels, unicorns, werewolves, vampires, brownies, ghosts, monsters, and elves. 

Author Information:

Bruce Coville has written a copious amounts of children's and young adult novels. His debut novel was The Foolish Giant, although Coville is most well-known for his Unicorn Chronicles, My Teacher is an Alien, and Magic Shop series. Additionally, Bruce has collaborated on many works with his wife Kathy, including The Foolish Giant, Sarah's Unicorn, and The Monster's Ring.

Bruce was born on May 16, 1950, in Syracuse, New York. He is married to Katherine Dietz, and together they have three children.  After spending about twenty years in New York City, Bruce has returned to his city of birth, presently living in Syracuse with his wife and kids.

http://www.brucecoville.com/bio.asp

Content/Audience:

These stories are a compilation of works that are both thrilling and humorous. Each story is mysterious and entertaining, appealing to tweens and teens alike. The Box: After receiving a box from an angel,  a young boy strives to keep it safe, waiting for the angel to return. Duffy's Jacket: Forgetful Duffy is given the surprise of his life after a monster delivers his forgotten jacket unexpectedly. Homeward Bound : A young boy's curiosity over a unicorn horn found in his uncle's home, drives him to the point where he becomes a unicorn himself. With His Head Tucked Underneath His Arm : A ghost is tired of the fighting between kingdoms and forces his king to stop the wars. Clean as a Whistle : A happily disorganized young girl is assigned a cleaning brownie, who  must serve her to prevent himself from withering away. The Language of the Blood : The Seers are actually vampires who use blood to see the future and save their village. Old Glory : A boy's great-grandfather gives his life to contest his stolen freedoms. The Passing of the Pack : A dying werewolf asks his human son to take over as leader of the pack. A Blaze of Glory : A young boy's Grandmother spins a tale of helping the elves, an unlikely story which turns out to be true.

Genre: Horror, Short Story

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  In The passing of the pack, a boy's estranged and dying father asks him to take over as leader of the pack. Would you ever feel like you would need to honor a dying parent's request, especially if they've never had anything to do with you?
     2.  The ghost in With his head tucked underneath his arm is determined to stop the kings from fighting and killing more innocent civilians, even if it means staying on earth until the job is done. Have you ever felt so committed to something that you were willing to make a big sacrifice for it?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 11+

Challenge Issue:  Supernatural themes

Why I chose this item: This was suggested  reading material for the horror genre in the YA librarian's guide.

Further Series Reading: Odder Than Ever, Odds Are Good, Oddest of All

Daughter of Xanadu by Dori Jones Yang

        

Title:  Daughter of Xanadu   Author:  Dori Jones Yang
ISBN:  9780385739238   Pages:  336
Publisher:  Delacorte  Press, New York, 2011

Readers Annotation:
Princess Emmajin, is the granddaughter of the Great Kahn of the Mongol Empire, and has the dream of joining the great army. In turn, Emmajin's grandfather entrusts her with the task of befriending and spying on the foreigner Marco Polo, whose strange ideas and ways take root and dare to question Emmajin's resolve to be a true Mongol warrior. 

Author Information:

Dori Jones Yang conducted research for Daughter of Xanadu by visiting Mongolia and studying its culture. Yang is originally from Ohio and has a keen interest in the Orient. She studied Mandarin Chinese in Singapore, and explored Asia as a foreign correspondent for eight years when she worked for Business Week in Hong Kong. She has written two other books and received high praise for both. 

Yang is married to Chinese born Paul, and together they have a daughter, Emily, who was born in Hong Kong. Currently, she lives near Seattle, Washington. Daughter of Xanadu has been recently nominated for ALA's Best Fiction for Young Adults.

www.dorijonesyang.com

Plot Summary: 
Princess Emmajin, a member of the Golden Family, is the oldest granddaughter of the oldest son of the Great Khublai, ruler of the Mongolian Empire. Her sixteenth birthday is around the corner, and her official adult life will soon begin. Emmajin is best friends with her half-brother Suren, and together they have practiced archery, wrestling, and other male oriented pastimes, an unusual desire of a Mongolian woman. Emmajin has turned down several suitors in the hope of becoming a warrior. Her wish is to truly make a difference in her Empire, instead of living a passive life like most women in her country. When Suren's younger brother challenges all the male cousins to an archery contest, Emmajin is adamant to join and compete. She almost wins, and after observing her skill and bravery, her grandfather entrusts her with a special task.

Emmajin is to befriend and spy on the three foreigners from Christendom. In the process, one of these men, Marco Polo, shows her the world in a different light. After many adventures together, Emmajin starts to doubt some of her previous convictions, surprising herself most of all.

Critical Evaluation:
This historical fiction piece stays true to the time period of the fifth Kahn, subsequent to Genghis Khan's conquest of Mongolia and parts of China. Although some of main characters are fictional, such as Emmajin, Emmajin's sister, and Emmajin's cousin Suren, all other characters are based on real people. The story takes place in 13th century Mongolia, when surrounding countries were still being conquered by the huge empire. Despite the fictional aspects, the Mongolian culture is portrayed truthfully and respectfully.  The story line is realistic, and the emotions of characters are depicted truthfully. Emmajin's character relates her point of view throughout the narrative, thereby allowing the reader to understand the conflict between her previously held beliefs and her new yet foreign ideals. Daughter of Xanadu is truly a spellbinding adventure of an adolescent girl trying to break free of the bonds set by her time and culture.

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties:  World History - Ghengis Kahn and his dynasty, Chinese and Mongolian History, Marco Polo

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  Emmajin wants to fight as a soldier for her grandfather and for Mongolia, but is a female and not readily accepted as a fighter. How would you feel if you lived in a time where women were considered second class or weak?
     2.  Marco Polo and his relatives left their home and country for years at a time. How would you feel leaving your home and everything familiar for that long, without the ability to return even for a short visit?

Reading Level/Interest Age:  13+

Challenge Issue:  none

Why I chose this item: I wanted to include a book with Oriental ethnicity, and thought that its historical accuracy would serve as an asset to my collection.

  
Daughter of Xanadu book trailer