By Piranha T.

As World War II progresses and bombs are dropped on London every night, thirteen-year-old Kenneth Sparks’ home become a war zone. Before long, he’s glad to leave on the SS City of Benares, a luxury ship chartered to bring ninety English children to Canada to escape the war. To Ken, the ship is like paradise. He has plenty to eat, a comfy bed to sleep in, and a room of toys to play with.

But when the City of Benares is torpedoed by German U-Boats, Ken and forty-five other children, passengers and sailors escape on Lifeboat 12. They have limited rations and even less water. As the days drag by and no land or rescue boat appears, Ken begins to wonder if they will simply die at sea.

Lifeboat 12 was historical fiction, but it was about real people and real events (and don’t worry—it does have a happy ending!). All the characters actually lived, and narrator Ken Sparks really was on Lifeboat 12. Parliament’s decision to send children to the British colonies is a little-known piece of history which I found quite interesting. Of course, Lifeboat 12 is fictionalized, but was firmly based in the accounts of survivors and newspapers.

When I first picked up Lifeboat 12, I didn’t know if I’d like it. I’m not usually a fan of historical fiction. However, this book pulled me in, and I think it would be a great book for fans of little-known history, like World War II’s Fly Girls. In the back of the book, Susan Hood also provides historical context which was quite interesting. At the same time, the book was written as fiction—in free verse poetry—so unlike many similar books, it was quite engaging. I recommend Lifeboat 12 to lovers of historical fiction ages ten and up. 

By Super Kitty

Morgon, prince of the small island of Hed, is known for asking questions, and is skilled at unraveling puzzles. Now that his parents have died, though, he has no wish to become a Riddle-Master, content to be land-ruler of Hed and live in peace with his brother and sister. Hed is a quiet land, protected by the elusive High One, who rules the realm from the remote Erlenstar Mountain.

Peace, however, is not long in lasting. The three stars on Morgon’s forehead, unexplained in the strictures of riddle-mastery, mark his future as far from ordinary, and an ancient riddle leads him onto a path which winds across the realm. He finds himself on a journey which leads him to land-rulers and wraiths, wizards and forgotten wars, propelled by a destiny no one fully understands. As the trilogy continues, Morgon gains the help of Deth, the High One’s Harpist; Raederle, who has a way with magic which has eluded generations; Lyra, a fiery, determined warrior; and many others.

But asking questions can be dangerous. And the stars on Morgon’s forehead pull him into a web of riddles which, if answered, could reignite a conflict which would tear the realm apart.

I’ve read a lot of fantasy books, and the Riddle-Master Trilogy (beginning with The Riddle-Master of Hed) is truly outstanding. The characters are powerful, multi-layered, and original (both Morgon and Raederle narrate the story), and I loved the world itself as well—each kingdom is distinct, with its own history and traditions. It’s worth noting that the beginning is a little confusing, but keep reading—it makes sense quickly! The copy I read had all three books in one volume, and I read them all at once, which I would highly recommend doing. Each component of the story builds on each other, coming together in a brilliant trilogy climax, and it’s worth fully immersing yourself in the stories. McKillip’s writing is stunning as well, beautiful and vivid.

Most fantasy stories share similar elements and characters, but while the Riddle-Master books do have many components of classic fantasies, the story itself is remarkably unique. Twists and secrets keep the full story hidden until the very end, and weave a pattern of riddles and discoveries which make them impossible to put down. Lyrical, absorbing, and complex, I would highly recommend the Riddle-Master Trilogy to readers ages 11 and up, especially for fans of the Lord of the Rings and the Earthsea Cycle.
 

Note from Piranha T: I love this trilogy, too! If you like it, Patricia A. McKillip has written many other amazing books, including The Forgotten Beasts of Eld and Ombria in Shadow, both of which won the World Fantasy Award. 

By Piranha T.

Many years ago, Mayka was carved by a great stonemason out of mountain granite, and brought to life by the marks etched into her body. Now, many years after the stonemason’s death, she and the other creatures he carved live on the slopes of a remote mountain. Mayka is the only stone girl, forever twelve years old, her age carved into her as part of her story which brings all stone beings to life. Her life there seems permanent, as none of the stone creatures can die of age.

But one day, one of her friends stops moving. The years have eroded his stone, and the marks that brought him to life are worn away. Mayka knows that if no one recarves their marks, one by one, each of them will meet the same fate.

So Mayka sets off to Skye, a city in the center of the valley where there are said to be many stonemasons. She expects her mission to be simple, but instead, she discovers a place of complicated history and dangerous secrets. Not only that, but those secrets could put not just Mayka, but all her friends, in peril.

The Stone Girl’s Story is a fantasy book which reads almost like a fairytale. Sarah Beth Durst crafts a complex world with unusual magic, and Mayka’s narrative feels completely authentic for someone made of stone! The complexity of the world and magic reminds me of Spark and City of Islands, both of which I’d recommend if you enjoy this book. Mayka is an interesting and unique main character, and she also tells stories, something I love, being a reader and writer myself. I would highly recommend The Stone Girl’s Story to readers ages ten and up. 

Note: Check out our interview with Sarah Beth Durst, author of The Stone Girl's Story! 

Interview by Piranha T. and Super Kitty
 
Jasmine Warga is the author of three acclaimed novels, as well as the upcoming novel The Shape of Thunder. Other Words for Home (one of our favorites from 2020), which centers around Jude’s journey to finding a new home in an unfamiliar country, is the recipient of many starred reviews and awards, including the John Newbery Honor. We were thrilled to interview her for this month’s post!
 
 
RapunzelReads: Other Words for Home is written in (gorgeous!) free verse—what made you choose that style of writing?
 
Jasmine Warga: Thank you! Initially, the book was written in prose, but I didn't feel like Jude's voice felt right. Verse helped me to capture the immediacy and rawness that I wanted her narration to have.
 
 
RR: Jude is both inspiring and deeply relatable—what inspired her character?
 
JW: She is loosely based upon my own cousin who is also named Jude! I borrowed my cousin's love of American movies, specifically, and her large heart. That said, Jude is an entirely fictional character, and I built her the way I build all my characters--through lots of brainstorming and daydreaming. 
 
 
RR: Who is your favorite character in Other Words for Home, and why?