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133 pp.
| Viking
| August, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-425-29151-1$13.99
(3)
4-6
Witches of Benevento series.
Illustrated by
Sophie Blackall.
Ten-year-old Rosa resists being restricted to nineteenth-century domestic duties and secretly trains to compete with the boys in Benevento's annual wild boar hunt. Conversely, her twin brother Emilio refuses to participate in this display of bravery and secretly learns to read. This new volume, tidily illustrated by Blackall, continues the gentle adventures and community spirit of an ancient Italian village shaped in equal parts by magic and tradition. Historical notes are appended.
302 pp.
| Viking
| October, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-101-99784-0$17.99
(2)
4-6
What do you do when Santa leaves coal in your stocking? If you're the No-Good Nine--a ragtag group of kids with the nicknames Liar, Hooligan, Thief, Cruel, Vainglorious, etc.--you take to the North Pole in order to confront Santa (and play with some toys). Set during the Great Depression, Marciano's freewheeling tale will appeal to readers who prefer their holiday spirit to be side-splitting rather than heart-tugging.
135 pp.
| Viking
| April, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-451-47183-3$13.99
(3)
4-6
Witches of Benevento series.
Illustrated by
Sophie Blackall.
Nine-year-old Sergio jumps at the chance to resolve an ancient vendetta between two feuding household ghosts in hopes of placating his mother. Another adventure ensues as series characters Primo, Maria Beppina, and the twins join Sergio, bickering every step of the way. Humor and folk-magic power this series of amusing small novels set in nineteenth-century Benevento, an Italian village famous for its witches. Includes historical notes. Glos.
119 pp.
| Viking
| April, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-451-47181-9$13.99
(3)
4-6
Witches of Benevento series.
Illustrated by
Sophie Blackall.
Welcome to Benevento, a nineteenth-century Italian village that's home to five adventurous children and "more witches than anywhere else in the world." Each small-trim book provides a different character's view of a few tumultuous weeks one spring. Marciano's folkloric-style storytelling and Blackall's gorgeous illustrations (from marginalia to full spreads) are unusually symbiotic in creating a world that feels simultaneously fantastical and realistic. Review covers the following Witches of Benevento titles: The All-Powerful Ring and Mischief Season.
135 pp.
| Viking
| April, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-451-47180-2$13.99
(3)
4-6
Witches of Benevento series.
Illustrated by
Sophie Blackall.
Welcome to Benevento, a nineteenth-century Italian village that's home to five adventurous children and "more witches than anywhere else in the world." Each small-trim book provides a different character's view of a few tumultuous weeks one spring. Marciano's folkloric-style storytelling and Blackall's gorgeous illustrations (from marginalia to full spreads) are unusually symbiotic in creating a world that feels simultaneously fantastical and realistic. Review covers the following Witches of Benevento titles: The All-Powerful Ring and Mischief Season.
133 pp.
| Viking
| September, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-451-47182-6$13.99
(3)
4-6
Witches of Benevento series.
Illustrated by
Sophie Blackall.
Marciano's third short novel about the children in a nineteenth-century Italian village where supernatural beings outnumber other citizens features timid Maria Beppina. Maria envies her more courageous friends until curiosity drives her to face down "the Clopper," a witch famous for chasing children. Marciano's gentle tale, elevated by Blackall's charming illustrations, blends modest thrills with small adventures. Includes historical notes. Glos.
140 pp.
| Viking
| October, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-01406-4$16.99
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Sophie Blackall.
Thanks to a stem-cell transplant from a cat, Alexander has nine lives; he can jump off the Empire State Building, try his hand at bullfighting, etc. As in all cautionary tales, the magic gift has its problems. The plot is slow to get rolling, but sophisticated readers will enjoy the puns, anagrams, and good-natured satire. Blackall's illustrations are droll and cheerily gruesome.
Reviewer: Sarah Ellis
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2013
48 pp.
| Viking
| October, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-78485-1$17.99
(4)
K-3
Madeline and her friend Pepito find and return a telescope belonging to the ghost who lives in the school attic. The story offers much to fans: well-known characters, a mystery, a ghost, and recognizable illustrations and rhymes. The plot won't win converts to the original tales by the author-illustrator's grandfather, but this will satisfy those seeking familiarity.
32 pp.
| Viking
| January, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-01228-2$17.99
(4)
K-3
Madeline and her classmates visit the president's lonely daughter and get a tour of Washington, D.C., as a bonus. The story's logic is a stretch; the appearance of "Madeline's magician" disguised as a rabbit obscures the plot even more. Still, mention of the White House Easter Egg Roll and paintings of the national monuments give the book some appeal.
131 pp.
| Viking
| September, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-670-03660-9$$15.99
(3)
4-6
Harold is a happy squirrel living off the generosity of humans in a small park in New York City until, on a dare, he lets a rat shave off his tail fur. The new Harold, mistaken for a rat, spends a hard year learning to fend for himself. Marciano's illustrated rat tale has humor, a bit of adventure, and some quirky characters to keep young readers engaged.
48 pp.
| Viking
| October, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-670-03505-X$$11.99
(4)
K-3
Madeline purists may say "mon Dieu," but the etiquette lesson presented here is nevertheless a worthwhile one, the rhyming text is somewhat humorous, and Marciano does a fair job of copying his grandfather's famous illustrations. Still, Madeline and company are far more interesting when crying and carrying on about who gets to keep the dog in her bed or have her appendix out next.
112 pp.
| Scholastic/Levine
| October, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-590-03910-5$$19.95
(4)
K-3
Bemelmans's artist grandson completes the manuscript and sketches for "Madeline in America." Thoroughly American and almost kitschy (Madeline et al. travel to Texas--and Neiman Marcus), the story seems forced and, while entertaining, less appealing than its predecessors. Two other holiday stories, as well as Bemelmans's daughter's Christmas memories, round out a collection with appeal to Madeline fans.