Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan

Who's ready for some fun? Have I got the book for you:

Talking water buffalo? Check.

A tiny visitor who lives in your pantry? Check.

Backyards filled with brightly colored missiles painted like lawn furniture? Check.

If you ever want to take a break from reality and float among the clouds, imagining the impossible and enjoying the view, Shaun Tan's Tales from Outer Suburbia is the book for you. A collection of short stories that are set in the suburbs of an Australian town, these delightful snapshots start anchored in reality but quickly veer off into the fanciful – and delightfully so. From tales of sea creatures appearing in landlocked front lawns to magical reindeer to secret rooms to deep-sea divers, this collection is both weird and wonderful.

The author's choice to set each of these short stories in his native Australian suburbs works beautifully – the juxtaposition of the ordinary with the fantastical allows the more impossible elements to really shine. While there is no continuity or relationship between stories, each has its own message hidden within: the importance of treating animals kindly, learning to find the good in whatever situation life gives you, or that relationships are more about hard work than finding “the one.” School Library Journal agrees: “Tan works his magic with a few well-chosen words and a vibrant and expansive artistic vision, inviting readers to observe and explore familiar landscapes and look for untold stories beyond the obvious” (Davey 2009).

While the writing is clear and precise, Tales from Outer Suburbia really shines in its illustrations. Horn Book Magazine even goes so far as to say “the real story here is the pictures. Some display the somber polish of the Arrival vignettes, others are full-color, full-page fantasies; each one has more than enough power to seduce the browser into looking closely into its mysteries” (Horn Book Magazine 2009). The author/illustrator adjusts both his style and his choice of media to fit each short story, with illustrations ranging from highly detailed, graphite drawings to oil paintings with a more abstract feel. In some stories, the illustrations do almost all of the storytelling, with several stories that have 4-page spreads of wordless illustrations that tell the tale through art. The juxtaposition of reality and fantasy is particularly apparent in the artwork. For example, the title page shows a woman in a rowboat, rowing down an otherwise ordinary suburban street (without any water, I might add).

When sharing this story with children, the author's website (http://www.shauntan.net/about.html) has wonderful descriptions of the backstory and inspiration behind each tale in the collection, told by the author himself. A good companion piece to this book is another of Shaun Tan's works, The Arrival. This book without words is a migrant story that won the 2008 ALA Notable Books for Children, 2008 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winner, and the 2008 ALA Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

Though somewhat disjointed, the sheer beauty of the illustrations and strange wonderfulness of the stories makes Tales from Outer Suburbia a welcome opportunity to suspend reality and enjoy asking “What if...?” I give this short story collection two paws up!

Wags & Woofs,

Charlie Brown

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References

Davey, Douglas D. “Tales from Outer Suburbia.” School Library Journal 55 (2009).

“Tales from Outer Suburbia.” Horn Book Magazine 85, no. 2: 205-206.

Tan, Shaun. 2009. Tales from Outer Suburbia. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books.

Bone Gap by Laura Ruby

When I heard the title of our next book to review – Bone Gap – I got quite excited. After all, dogs love bones! However, this story has more to it than bones (which, I was sad to discover, is just the name of the town where the story takes place.) I listened to the audiobook of Bone Gap by Laura Ruby, and I was riveted to my seat every second of the story.

The story starts in the middle of a stressful scenario: teenaged Finn and his older brother and guardian Sean have just lost Roza, the beautiful, kindhearted young woman who seems to have flitted out of their lives just as quickly and mysteriously as she entered them. While the town is sure she has simply moved on to the next town, Finn is certain she was abducted – though his inability to describe the perpetrator leaves his brother frustrated and angry. While the tension between the two brothers mounts, the reader learns that Roza has, in fact, been kidnapped, and her captor keeps her locked away in a series of magical prisons, locking her away unless she agrees to marry him. Fortunately, Finn does manage to rescue Roza, and the story ends in a satisfying way. With a story that is part contemporary fiction, part fantasy, part fairy tale, there's no wonder Bone Gap won the American Library Association's 2016 Michael L. Printz Award for its contribution to young adult literature.

Ruby combines ordinary reality and magic so subtly that I wasn't sure if the story was realistic fiction or fantasy until about halfway through the book. While this may frustrate some readers, it adds an element of mystery and forces the reader to think critically about the storyline: did the horse show up magically or was she a gift from a neighbor who doesn't want the credit? Is Roza imprisoned in an enchanted house, or just a creepy house? And why does Finn see reality so differently from the rest of the residents – does he have special powers? Most of these questions are answered by the end of the book, giving the reader some resolution, but these elements of magical realism give the story a feeling of being between two worlds. Horn Book Magazine explains it well: “Kidnapped young women are not a new trope in YA fiction, but such books often read like mysteries or thrillers, while this one reads more like a fable, with the matter-of-fact inclusion of magical realism. Finn does find Roza, he does fall in love with Petey, and everybody—for the most part—does live happily ever after, but afterward the reader is left to ponder the strange events, quirky characters, and resonant themes” (Hunt 2015).

I was quite taken by the characters in this story. Ruby colors each of her characters by showing them going about their days within the small town, rather than merely telling the reader about them. Whether it's the crotchety old man next door who has a deep love for his chickens or the fiery love interest who rolls her eyes at her mother, Ruby's characters are simultaneously lovable and deeply human. They are the perfect complement to the small-town setting, in which everyone knows everyone else's business, yet people come and go “through the cracks” of the town. 

One feature that I appreciated about this book is that the author doesn't shy away from heavy subjects. Several men sexually assault the female protagonists (both Roza and Petey at different times in the story), and Roza is kidnapped. Including such sensitive topics in young adult literature offers opportunities for discussion, and the magical element in the story “softens the blow” of how real sexual assault is for many readers. Booklist explains how Laura Ruby “...imbues all of it with captivating, snowballing magic realism, which has the dual effect of making the hard parts of the story more palatable to read while subtly emphasizing how purely wicked and dehumanizing assault can be...Even then, after she reveals many secrets, magic still seems to linger in the real parts of Bone Gap, and the magical elements retain their frightening reality. Wonder, beauty, imperfection, cruelty, love, and pain are all inextricably linked but bewitchingly so” (Hunter 2015).

While the unabridged audiobook version of the book was done quite well, a few features of this recording made it harder to follow the story. Although there are multiple characters of different ages, genders, and backgrounds, the audiobook has only one voice actor. While he makes some minor attempts to differentiate the voices of each character, it was often difficult to distinguish which characters were talking, especially with dialogue between more than two people. One of the unique aspects of the book is that each chapter is told from a different character's perspective, which is listed with the title at the beginning of each chapter. When listening to the audiobook read aloud, it is easy to miss which character's point-of-view is being used, which can lead to confusion, especially early in the story. This story lacks any interlude between chapters; a short snippet of music would have provided some needed breaks in the story.

While the murkiness of the line between reality and fantasy my be off-putting to some readers, there is no denying the beauty of Ruby's writing or the depth of her characters. For readers who enjoy questioning what is real and what isn't, this novel will be a delight.

Wags and Woofs,

Charlie Brown

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References

Hunt, Jonathan. 2015. “Bone Gap.” Horn Book Magazine 91, no. 5: 115.

Hunter, Sarah. 2015. “On the Surface.” Booklist 111, no. 9/10: 86.

Ruby, Laura. 2015. Bone Gap.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

I might seem on the outside like a big, brave basset hound, but...you want to know a secret? I'm a little scared of the dark. Oh - and vacuums. Definitely vacuums. So I was a little hesitant when I heard we were reviewing a book about ghosts. It turns out I had nothing to worry about – The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is an adventure-filled story with very little to fear – at least, not from the ghosts.

For this review, we listened to the audiobook version of The Graveyard Book. When a mysterious assassin kills his whole family, a little boy is taken in by a family of ghosts who live in the local graveyard. They name him Nobody (Bod for short) and care for him as their own, until the fateful day that the assassin finally finds him. While the basic plot might sound like one of a scary story, much of the storyline is devoted to Bod's adventures in growing up and the development of his tender relationships with the ghosts of the graveyard – and a few other characters who are not quite human...or not quite dead. There is irony in the fact that the creatures usually most feared in stories (ghosts, ghouls, vampires, and werewolves) are the “good guys” in this story, whereas the one creature that should be truly feared is a human.

While the storyline itself is unique and artfully told, the unabridged audiobook version truly brings the characters to life. School Library Journal exclaims, “The full cast, including Gaiman, skillfully depicts each character's unique traits and idiosyncrasies...A must-have for fans of the original novel and anyone who enjoys engaging fantasy” (Spino 2014). Audio quality was excellent. While there were no sound effects or background music, the recording did include a brief musical interlude between chapters, which was more than sufficient for ambience. Gaiman describes the scenery in such detail that you can feel the damp, cool stone of the mausoleum and picture the gravestones slowly giving way to nature as the vines and brambles overtake the cemetery. Booklist had high marks for the storytelling as well, praising the “...narration [which] smoothly elicits every nuance of emotion in the complex plot and blends seamlessly with the dialogue performed by a gifted ensemble who bring each character fully to life, including the dead ones...This is a thoroughly enjoyable listen for all ages” (Rockman 2014).

Gaiman does a wonderful job developing the characters. As young Bod grows, he tackles many of the challenges that all young people face, such as making friends and learning to follow rules. The actor voicing Bod even adjusts his voice as the child grows to reflect his journey from little boy to teenager. Perhaps the richest character in the story is the enigmatic Silas, the tall, dark, and broody creature who is allowed to journey between the living and the dead, unlike the ghosts of the graveyard, who cannot proceed out of the bounds of the church grounds. Gaiman slowly gives the reader hints about his true nature, never stating explicitly what type of creature Silas may be, but providing a “breadcrumb trail” leading the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. The character whose voice acting had the greatest impact in the audiobook was the voicing of the Sleer, a shadowy creature guarding a tomb deep within the hillside of the oldest part of the burial grounds. Every one of the Sleer's lines of dialogue was chilling. His voice was a combination of a whisper and a threat, and even I had goosebumps listening to him speak.

This story is written eloquently, was voiced superbly, and will be enjoyed wholeheartedly for years to come. There's no question why this title has won so many awards, including the Newbery Award and the ALA Best Book for Young Adults award. While the easy-to-follow dialogue and inventive plot may be appealing to younger audiences, I would advise parents to make sure their child is ready for some of the darker elements of the story, especially if this book is read around bedtime. The first paragraphs open with imagery of blood dripping from the knife as the assassin murders an entire family in their sleep, and Gaiman does not shy away from the horror of the scene or from describing the cold-hearted ruthlessness required to commit such an act. Furthermore, a few scenes sprinkled throughout the story also have potentially scary elements, like facing the Sleer in the dark or trying to escape a kidnapping. Some children will take it all in stride as part of a big adventure, but knowing each child's emotional maturity will ensure this story is enjoyed to its full potential.

One book that would complement The Graveyard Book nicely is Rudyard Kipling's classic The Jungle Book, as the two coming-of-age tales closely parallel each other. Another resource to help children extend their learning is librarian Maryska Connelly-Brown's Website about The Graveyard Book, complete with a video tour of the actual graveyard that inspired Neil Gaiman while writing the book, writing prompts, a map-making exercise, and a template for creating a comic strip about the book. This website has a little bit of everything for the curious reader!

While this book definitely made my fur stand on end at times, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I give this one two paws up – way up!

Wags and Woofs,

Charlie Brown

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References

Gaiman, Neil. 2014. The Graveyard Book. New York: Harper Audio. ISBN: 9780062364463

Rockman, Connie. 2014. “The Graveyard Book.” Booklist 111, no. 8: 64.

Spino, Amanda. 2014. “The Graveyard Book.” School Library Journal 60, no. 12: 78.

The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman

Note from the editor: This week we have a special guest reviewer stepping in for Charlie Brown. I told him the book up for review is titled The Midwife's Apprentice, and he mumbled something about “I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' babies” and wandered out of the room. So here this week is his younger sister, Penny the Plott hound mix.

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Hello, everyone! I had a wonderful time immersing myself in the world of The Midwife's Apprentice, an historical fiction novel for middle grade readers, set in Medieval Europe. I never thought I would be able to relate to a character from so far in the past, but the young girl telling the story, who goes by Beetle (and later Alyce) is very relatable for me: we both started out as homeless, starving, nameless little things, until a kind woman took us in. For Alyce, it was the short-tempered midwife of the village who brought her into her home and took her under her wing. While under her tutelage, Alyce learns about perseverance, patience, and grace under pressure as she grows up and gains her own sense of identity.

Cushman does a magnificent job of making her story come alive on the page, breathing life into a village from long ago. Publisher's Weekly exclaims, “Cushman has an almost unrivaled ability to build atmosphere, and her evocation of a medieval village...is supremely colorful and pungent” (Publisher's Weekly 1995). While the story revolves around timeless themes – the trials and tribulations of learning independence, negotiating relationships, and making choices – the details of life in Medieval Europe shine through as integral aspects of the setting. Whether it's her semiannual bath in the pond or the various period-specific medicines and herbs she gathers for the midwife, Cushman cleverly weaves in a plethora of facts about life in the 1400s. The book also includes an author's note in the end pages providing background information, in which she mentions the herbs, superstitions, and general practices of a medieval midwife.

Cushman's writing style allows for easy reading while still giving the text a medieval flair, helping immerse you even further into the story. School Library Journal calls Cushman's style “compelling and witty” (Jones & Toth 1995). While the dialogue has been modernized to facilitate reading for a younger audience, the author still includes some language from that time period: “'The devil take you, cat,' she cried. 'I be sore afraid to open that sack, but I can't just let you be'” (Cushman 1995, 9). Her carefully crafted paragraphs reflect a care and respect for her audience, balancing authenticity with readability to ensure the text is accessible to the early teenage reader.

Here in the greater Houston area, The Midwife's Apprentice would pair perfectly with a field trip to the Renaissance Festival, less than an hour from the city and full of hands-on experiences from the medieval time period. For a less time-intensive activity, students could try their hands at some medieval activities within the library or classroom, such as making soap or baking bread. For more stories about life in medieval times, readers may also enjoy Cushman's other novel about a medieval young woman, Catherine, Called Birdy. This story tells of a wealthy lord's daughter and the problems she faces as a noblewoman, which provides a nice contrast to The Midwife's Apprentice. Another option is to compare medieval life in Europe (with The Midwife's Apprentice) to medieval life in Korea with A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park.

All in all, The Midwife's Apprentice was a tale full of excitement, humor, and grit. It was ajoy to watch Alyce grow up as the story progressed, and it's one I would wholeheartedly recommend. Two paws up!

Wags & Woofs,

Penny

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References

Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife's Apprentice. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 978-0-547-72217-7

Jones, Trevelyn E. & Luann Toth. 1995. “SLJ's Best Books 1995: The Midwife's Apprentice.” School Library Journal 21, no. 12: 21.

Publisher's Weekly. “The Midwife's Apprentice.” Publisher's Weekly. Reviewed on March 27, 1995. https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-395-69229-5.

White Sands, Red Menace by Ellen Klages

I'll be honest, we basset hounds don't know a lot about history. I don't think about the past much farther back than breakfast. So to get me engaged in a story, it has to feel like a story about real people, not about dates or historical figures or any of those things you humans are so preoccupied with. However, I was intrigued by the title White Sands, Red Menace, so I decided to give it a try.

Following the death of her father, young Dewey is taken under the protective wing of her father's friend and colleague Dr. Gordon, and she moves in with the family, including a daughter named Suze, who is about Dewey's age, and her mother Terry. Much of the story focuses on Dewey's relationships as she finds her place, both in larger social circles and within the family. Things only get more complicated when a mysterious stranger from Dewey's childhood appears and threatens to shatter the family she has built. Though a little slow to start, the story starts to pick up steam about halfway through the novel, finishing with a resolution that is both satisfying and heartwarming.

Klages' writing style is precise and inventive, much like the scientists about whom she writes. Each chapter alternates perspectives, sharing insights from Dewey, then from Suze. This could be confusing for readers on its own, but then Klages also tells the tale from a third person point of view. This unconventional perspective works perfectly for the story, allowing readers to see both girls' perspectives without losing the continuity of the story. Furthermore, the story encapsulates life in post-World-War-II America without turning the time period into the central plot. Kirkus Review explains her style well: “Told in the third person, the point-of-view subtly switches by chapter between the two girls. Although alluding to issues of the atomic age, that is not a focus of this story, which sensitively portrays the early coming-of-age of two likable characters in a unique setting” (Kirkus Review 2010).

I particularly enjoyed the characters in this story. Klages took care to create two independent and intelligent young women, and through their encounters with the people of Alamogordo, New Mexico, she exposes the racial and gender inequalities of the times. However, the author approaches these subjects in a subtle and nuanced way, thus avoiding a feeling that Klages is trying to overemphasize the inequalities of the times. Instead, it's presented as simply a part of the setting, which lends authenticity to the story (though both heroines question the unfairness of these injustices, and Suze even confronts the topic through her artwork).

The spotlight remains squarely on the characters and their interactions, with the issues and complexities of the late 1940s serving to provide a rich backdrop for a story about Dewey and Suze's struggle with the insecurities and challenges of teenage life. Klages does an amazing job of focusing on the timeless themes of sisterhood, friendships, and families, which makes the story truly come alive. School Library Journal”s Elizabeth Bird notes that “[w]hen a historical novel feels contemporary because the emotions and characters feel like they exist in the here and now, that’s the mark of a great book, my friend. One of Klages’ real talents is the balance of the past and the present. She takes great pains to remain historically accurate” (Bird 2008). And historically accurate it is: no matter how much I tried to immerse myself in the historical context, I couldn't help but wince every time a pregnant Mrs. Gordon lit a cigarette.

Because this novel falls between two great eras in American history, there are a plethora of options for extension activities. Having students collect and compare ads from today's magazines with a book or digital resource of ads from the 1940's and 1950's would give students perspective into what has changed in American culture - and what hasn't. Seventeen magazine in particular would be an interesting comparative study, as it is still in publication and was mentioned several times throughout the book. White Sands, Red Menace is actually the sequel to its sister novel, The Green Glass Sea, which would be a great companion book for any student wanting more of the Dewey and Suze duo. 

If you are looking for an interesting read that touches on all the feelings of "teenagerhood" through relatable and intelligent characters, you'll definitely enjoy White Sands, Red Menace. This story does things a little differently, and it works beautifully.

Wags & Woofs,

Charlie Brown

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References

Bird, Elizabeth. 2008. “Review of the Day: White Sands, Red Menace by Ellen Klages.” A Fuse 8 Production. Posted September 6, 2008. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2008/09/06/review-of-the-day-white-sands-red-menace-by-ellen-klages/.

Kirkus Review. “White Sands, Red Menace.” Kirkus Reviews. Posted May 20, 2010. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-klages/white-sands-red-menace/.

Klages, Ellen. 2008. White Sands, Red Menace. New York: Viking. ISBN: 978-0-670-06235-5

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm

This week, I got to go on vacation to the Florida Keys! Well, only through my powers of imagination, but still, it was a great trip. I read Jennifer Holm's Turtle in Paradise, a heartwarming and insightful work of historical fiction about a young girl's escapades on the keys of southern Florida during the Great Depression.

Holm weaves in the details of living in the Great Depression seamlessly, keeping the emphasis on the storyline and the characters that populate Key West. This kept me enthralled in the story and allowed me to feel the sticky heat of a Floridian summer and taste the salt of the ocean. It's clear why Turtle in Paradise was a Newbery Honor Book: Holm creates an overarching feeling of community, as every character seems to know everyone else in town, demonstrating how families got through the overwhelming hardships of the Depression by holding tight to each other and helping others.

Told from the first-person point of view of the main character, the voice of an eleven-year-old shines through so clearly: Turtle never worries about adult concerns like where her next meal will come from or whether they will be able to pay rent. Rather, she worries about the things children are concerned with: ice cream money, her cat's welfare, and fitting in with her relatives in Key West. Kirkus Review concurs that “Holm’s voice for Turtle is winning and authentic—that of a practical, clear-eyed observer—and her nimble way with dialogue creates laugh-out-loud moments” and calls the story “[s]weet, funny and superb” (Kirkus Review 2010). However, the careful reader will notice that Turtle has also had to grow up quickly as she and her mother move often, trying to find work. Compounding matters is her mother Sadiebelle's tendency to flit from boyfriend to boyfriend, getting her heart broken time and time again, and leaving young Turtle to pick up the pieces. It's clear this has had an impact on Turtle, making her more guarded in her interactions and more sensible than the average eleven-year-old would otherwise be.

Holm clearly did a significant amount of research in order to ensure the book's authenticity, as is evidenced by the author's note in the backmatter. The author's note discusses both the real people and events depicted in the book and includes some historic photographs from 1930's Key West, Florida.

Horn Book Magazine also found that “...Turtle's narrative is peppered with references from the time, as she compares herself to Little Orphan Annie and gladly avoids going to a Shirley Temple movie. Modern-day readers will have no trouble relating to Turtle, though, and the fast-moving plot will keep them interested to the end” (Lempke 2010).

Turtle in Paradise offers plenty of opportunities to bring history to life. Teachingbooks.net offers video and audio clips of interviews with the author and snippets from the audiobook to share with children (https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?a=1&tid=20495&s=n). To give students more context, teachers can play portions of the “Good Ship Lollipop” song mentioned throughout the book and the Little Orphan Annie radio show Turtle enjoys, both of which can easily be found online. Another useful tie-in would be to make “cut-up,” a Depression-era fruit concoction the children made a few times throughout the story, and discuss how the children would have scrounged up ingredients rather than making a trip to the grocery store.

I found Turtle in Paradise to be the perfect blend of sun and sand, lightness and poignancy, and joy and adversity. Holm spins a mighty fine tale for her readers, and I'd wholeheartedly give it two paws up!

Wags and Woofs,

Charlie Brown

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References

Holm, Jennifer. 2010. Turtle in Paradise. New York: Random House. ISBN: 978-0-375-83688-6

Kirkus Review. 2010. “Turtle in Paradise.” Kirkus Review, posted December 22, 2010. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jennifer-l-holm/turtle-in-paradise/.

Lempke, Susan Dove. 2010. “Turtle in Paradise.” Horn Book Magazine 86, no. 3: 81-82.

Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin

I was a little hesitant when I found out we would be listening to an audio recording about some guy from the history books. I thought, “here we go again – another dry story listing facts from the life of some boring dead white guy.” I was partly right – the story is about a white guy – but on the other points I was very wrong. And boy, was I glad to be mistaken!

My owner checked out the mp3 recording of Steve Sheinkin's biography Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War in its full, unabridged format from our local library. As I listened and learned from the book, I realized it was filling a gap in my education: throughout my schooling, my history teachers all wrapped up the year with a fleeting mention of a war in Vietnam that was somehow controversial. Sheinkin managed to bridge that gap exquisitely with a carefully crafted history, told as a compelling story. School Library Journal praises Sheinkin for his storytelling as well as his accuracy: “In Sheinkin’s careful hands, Ellsberg and others, including Richard Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and Robert McNamara, are fully realized characters with strengths, flaws, and motivations that grow more clear as the story unfolds” (Kopple 2016). His writing is clear and easy to follow without being dry; he peppers the telling of the story of the Vietnam war with beautifully detailed anecdotes to develop a connection to the people in the story. I hesitate to call them “characters,” as the term implies that they are fictitious, although Sheinkin manages to paint them as vividly as any storybook character. Kirkus Reviews raves that “[a]s always, Sheinkin knows how to put the “story” in history with lively, detailed prose rooted in a tremendous amount of research, fully documented” (Kirkus Reviews 2015).

The recording for this book is done superbly, with just short of eight hours of crisp, clear narration by professional narrator Ray Porter. While only one narrator was used, Porter effectively created a unique voice for each person in the book by modifying his tone, accent, and pitch of speech. I was most impressed by his Lyndon Johnson impersonation – as a native Texan, I could tell he did his homework in replicating an accurate Texas accent. The narrator clearly delineated each section by reading the chapter titles with appropriate pauses. There was very little extra information at the beginning and end of the recording: the only data of note was bibliographic and recording information read aloud at the conclusion of the book. However, the physical book contains extensive documentation, including a bibliography, source notes, and an index (Kirkus Reviews 2015).

Sheinkin's writing style, coupled with Porter's knack for pacing and voices, kept me on the edge of my seat as a listener. The story begins with a cut to a scene of men of questionable motives breaking into a building in search of something. This setup is a clever way to hook the audience and provide a bit of foreshadowing about what might happen as the story unfolds. He then proceeds with the telling of how the Vietnam War came into existence, with Ellsberg's experiences interwoven. While there is some dialogue, it is factually accurate rather than something Sheinkin invented to further the story. Winner of the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, Sheinkin has crafted a story that is both riveting and eye-opening.

One of the features I most appreciated about this book was the way Sheinkin weaves in open-ended questions. He asks questions of morality (should Ellsberg have taken the Pentagon Papers from the office?) and tactfully leaves the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. These questions serve as perfect conversation points for small group or class discussions. Furthermore, the book finishes with an epilogue about the more recent news of Edward Snowden and his leaks, including Ellsberg's take on these events. This too offers a perfect jumping-off point for discussions about ethics, morality, and the truth, and opens the door for research into other modern-day whistleblowers. In an era of alternative facts, Sheinkin cuts straight to the heart of truth. I give this book two paws up!

Wags & Woofs,

Charlie Brown

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References:

Kirkus Review. 2015. “Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War.” Kirkus Review, posted June 23, 2015. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/steve-sheinkin/most-dangerous-sheinkin/.

Kopple, Jody. 2016. “Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War.” School Library Journal 62, no. 12: 75.

Sheinkin, Steve. 2015. Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War. New York: Roaring Brook Press. ISBN: 978-1-59643-952-8