Review: TAKESHITA DEMONS, by Christy Burne

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books (UK)
Author: Christy Burne
Illustrator: Siku
Pub Date: 2010

Age Rage: 8 - 12

Summary from Publisher:

Miku Takeshita and her family have moved from Japan to live in the UK, but unfortunately the family's enemy demons have followed them… Miku knows she's in trouble when her new supply teacher turns out to be a Nukekubi - a bloodthirsty demon who can turn into a flying head and whose favourite snack is children. That night, in a raging snowstorm, Miku's little brother Kazu is kidnapped by the demons, and then it's up to Miku and her friend Cait to get him back. The girls break into their snow-locked school, confronting the dragon-like Woman of the Wet, and outwitting the faceless Nopera-bo. At last they come face to face with the Nukekubi itself - but will they be in time to save Kazu?

My Thoughts:

This book was a lightning fast read and will appeal to kids who like anything creepy or Manga. The line at the top of the cover, SOMETHING HAS FOLLOWED YOU HOME, to the last line of the book we'll keep you'll be pulled in. They great thing about this book, kids will learn from it! There is lots of history on the Japanese Yokai (demons) and even a little history and glossary in the back of the book, provided by Cristy Burne, the author. The stylish illustrations by Siku are sure to draw kids in, along with the text, which is straight forward and easy to understand, even with the wealth of Japanese mythology within.

This book is also about two girls who kick demon backside, which is awesome! So, this is also a great way to dispel the myth that girls need boys to protect them! Not in this book!

Given how quick this book reads, this is highly recommended for the reluctant reader set. It's something they can read in a few sittings and not get bored! They may even want to pick it up without you bugging them, though they might want to hug their teddy bear...just a little anyway.

Also, look for the sequel, Takeshita Demons, THE FILTH LICKER, available now, but only in the UK! 

Project Mayhem Review of A CRACK IN THE SKY, by Mark Peter Hughes



A CRACK IN THE SKY
by Mark Peter Hughes
Delacorte, Aug. 2010

Partial book blub:Thirteen-year-old Eli Papadopoulos is worried. Even though he’s a member of the most powerful family in the world. Even though his grandfather founded InfiniCorp, the massive corporation that runs everything in the bustling dome-cities. Even though InfiniCorp ads and billboards are plastered everywhere, proclaiming: DON'T WORRY! INFINICORP IS TAKING CARE OF EVERYTHING!

Recently, Eli noticed that there’s something wrong with the artificial sky. It keeps shorting out, displaying strange colors and random images. And though the Department of Cool and Comfortable Air is working overtime, the dome-city is hotter than it’s ever been.

Eli has been raised to believe that the dome-cities are safe, that the important thing is to keep working and consuming, and that everyone is secure and comfortable in InfiniCorp’s capable hands. But now he begins asking questions.

What’s Cool About this Book:

The Genre: A Crack in the Sky covers a lot genres. This book has something for everyone! First off, it’s pure middle-grade. It doesn’t carry over into YA as far as content/violence, though any teenager would be completely in love with this book. It’s dystopian, urban fantasy, sci-fi, and even has a very clever mongoose, so a bit of animal fantasy as well.

The Main Character: After the first few page, you already start caring about Eli. He’s this young, smart guy, who can’t understand why nobody is interested in what’s happening with the sky dome. I liked him from page one. I’m so disappointed when I read a book I’m excited about and can’t connect with the main character at any point in the book.  

World Building: Hughes creates a believable world of the future…and an incredibly cool one! People can die the whites of their eyes and have pink flashing hair (I've seriously always wanted pink hair!), not to mention the Sky-Net, don’t get me started on that. It’s vegging out in front of the TV to the extreme!

Style: Hughes writes this in a down-to-earth style, that today’s middle-grader will love, but at the same time dumbs nothing down. He kept it smart, yet attainable.

Overall: I really enjoyed this book, the first in the Greenhouse Chronicles. Eli’s odd journey is rich with imagination, but scarily believable, with a strange new world’s domed cities and mutant animals that live in the new America, which is a dry desert with red seas that reek of sulfur. I’m not going to give any spoilers, but I loved Marilyn, you will too!