The Knife of Never Letting Go

The Knife of Never Letting Go: Chaos Walking Trilogy, Bk 1
by Patrick Ness, narrated by Nick Podehl
Candlewick, 2008. 496 pgs
Young Adult
Hardcover: $18.99

Annotation: Todd will soon be a man on New World, but when he finds out the truth about his town, will he survive the chaos to reach his 13th birthday?

Summary: Todd Hewitt is just a month shy of his 13th birthday, the age when he will be proclaimed a "man" on New World. He and his guardians (Bed and Cillian) live in Prentisstown, in a futuristic society on a planet where everyone's thoughts--including the animals--can be heard just as plain as if you were thinking them aloud. Dubbed "the noise" this overwhelming cacophany rules the lives of the men in Prentisstown, and only the men, because the germ which caused men's thoughts to become audible managed to kill all the women, including Todd's mother. But, one day Todd hears something in the swamp that causes him to panic--silence. Silence is unheard of in Prentisstown and when Todd finds out what is causing the silence it's anyone's guess who is more frightened, him or the teenage girl looking back at him. But when he rushes off to tell Ben and Cillian, chaos breaks out and before Todd knows what's happening, the sheriff is calling for an accounting of what happened in the swamp and his guardians have thrust a backpack with his mother's journal into Todd's arms and urge him back to the swamp, telling him that he must read the book, the accompanying map and make his way to Haven--a town he never knew existed. Confused, Todd runs, taking his dog Manchee into the swamp with him where he encounters the girl again and the two soon realize they must stay together in order to save their lives because Aaron, the town holy man, seems intent on killing them both. Todd and Viola form a tentative companionship as they strive to stay one step ahead of Aaron and the men of Prentisstown, who, for whatever reason, want to ensure Todd never reaches Haven. It's a treacherous, painful journey for them both and along the way Todd learns that everything he's been told about Prentisstown and New World has been nothing but a lie. And whether or not he will be forced to use the knife Ben gifted him to defend himself or to make himself into a man is the most important decision Todd might have to make.

Evaluation: Patrick Ness creates a fascinating society on New World and Todd and Viola are fragile, sympathetic protagonists. The idea of "the noise" is a clever implement and the fact that Todd is just as much in the dark about the true nature of New World as the reader creates an exciting tension as we desire to know the real state of affairs just as much as he does. The pacing is excellent and the non-stop action as the teens struggle to make it to Haven is riveting. But, it is the narrator who makes the book come to life. Podehl is a genius at vocal personification and each character has substance. He does spot-on accents and every human, animal and alien has a different rhythm and different quality. I especially loved the Podehl's singing voice: strong, tantalizing and nostalgic as he gives voice to the folksong, "Early One Morning...on don't deceive me, oh never leave me", that Todd's mother and guardian used to sing to him. He does lovely immitations of the "spackle", the alien life forms native to New World and does an excellent Manchee impersonation. Overall a delightful book and a superb narrator made this a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I was only disappointed in the swearing, which was too harsh for my tastes. But the ending! I was absolutely stunned and heartbroken when the book ended as I hadn't realized it was the 1st in a trilogy. It's such a cliffhanger and I am waiting for the second book with great anticipation.

Significance: "The Knife of Never Letting Go" addresses several relevant themes for a teenage audience. First, the author uses "the noise" as a means to discuss the overwhelming and nonstop proliferation of constant information we currently contend with. Another major theme is the issue of when a child becomes a man and what is it that makes him a man--is it simply reaching a birthday or is it through choice, decision and action? Then there is the pain of losing one's parents, learning to trust someone new and trying to survive when all the cards seem stacked against you. The grandest argument Ness puts forth is the idea that we all 'fall' and what makes the difference is whether we get back up again. Using biblical themes of the fall and a possible atonement give this book more depth and catapult it into award-winning territory.

Personal Choice: I love, love, LOVE great audio books and when I saw this had won the Odyssey Honor, as well as several other awards I was immediately enticed.

Awards: Odyssey Honor, 2011 / Booktrust Teenage Prize / Guardian Award / James Tiptree, Jr. Award, 2008

Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken

Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken
by Kate DiCamillo
pictures by Harry Bliss
narration by Barbara Rosenblat
Harper Collins, 2008. 56 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 4-8
Hardcover: $17.99 / Audio: $50.00

Annotation: Louise is no ordinary chicken and her many adventures involve pirates, the circus and even a tall, dark stranger.

Summary: Louise longs for adventure and so without further ado she leaves the henhouse and sets out for the high seas. But sailing is no picnic and soon the sailors spy pirates in the distance. Being captured by pirates is certainly an adventure, espcially when the pirates begin arguing about how best to cook her. Luckily though, before matters can progress much further, a storm brews and the ship capsizes. Fortunately, Louise manages to cling to a piece of timber and after seven days at sea, finds herself on land again and walks all the way back to the henhouse. Louise is content for awhile, until the urge to adventure seizes her again and she follows the bright lights to the circus. Louise is content to be a tightrope walker, but after awhile it loses it's thrill and it's only when a lion escapes that she finds true adventure. She narrowly escapes the lion's jaws and decides to head home, before the ringmaster can use her in his unique and death defying act. Her next adventure involves a strange, foreign land where she is imprisoned by a tall, dark stranger in a room full of other chickens. Picking the lock is no problem for Louise and she helps free the rest of the birds. Finding her way home again, Louise is met by the rest of the chickens who beg her to tell them of her adventures and Louise happily obliges.

Evaluation: Talking animals are always charming and Louise is no exception. But, it's Barbara Rosenblat's vivid narration which makes this book an Odyssey award favorite. With page turn signals and Rosenblat's upper-crust accent, Louise the french chicken comes to life. Appropriate music plays in the background for each adventure and the sounds of the sea, the circus and the market fill the air and make the adventures authentic. I was very impressed with Rosenblatt's pirate voices and thought there must be multiple narrators for sure. But no, it's simply Rosenblatt's broad range and exceptional skill that make this story a wonderful pick for young readers. Additionally, because the CD comes packaged with the book, it's a fun way to teach reading and should be a sure hit for girls and boys.

Significance: Having adventures is great and we all crave some excitement once in a while, but it's always nice to come home again to your family, your friends and your very own bed / henhouse.

Personal Choice: Louise is my middle name. I never liked it growing up, but came to appreciate it later on when I learned it was French, just like Louise.

Awards: Odyssey Honor Award, 2010