What drew me in? Great cover (Brett Helquist of Lemony Snicket fame), have read another book by Whelan (Homeless Bird), setting in Africa, plucky orphan main character. How was it? Loved the first 2 of 3 parts, thought the last part was too predictable. Also, Rachel/Valerie (why 2 names? read it to find out) was older in the last part and less interesting in some ways. I wish there had been maps to show where in Africa she was, most young readers would not know. And there was a little glossary of the swahili terms used, but it was at the back, so I didn't see it at first. Some reviewers have compared it to A Little Princess or A Secret Garden, and it has some of those overtones. But Whelan seems to make a point of showing her female characters bumping up against direct discrimination beacause of the time or place the live, and then having them overcome it.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan
What drew me in? Great cover (Brett Helquist of Lemony Snicket fame), have read another book by Whelan (Homeless Bird), setting in Africa, plucky orphan main character. How was it? Loved the first 2 of 3 parts, thought the last part was too predictable. Also, Rachel/Valerie (why 2 names? read it to find out) was older in the last part and less interesting in some ways. I wish there had been maps to show where in Africa she was, most young readers would not know. And there was a little glossary of the swahili terms used, but it was at the back, so I didn't see it at first. Some reviewers have compared it to A Little Princess or A Secret Garden, and it has some of those overtones. But Whelan seems to make a point of showing her female characters bumping up against direct discrimination beacause of the time or place the live, and then having them overcome it.
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