Recent Read: The Unfortunate Son

Set in 16th century France, this story is about Luc, a boy born with only one ear. His father rejects him, as do many others who see his deformity. But when he meets a fisherman named Pons and his sister and niece, Luc is embraced and loved as part of the family. He's gifted at fishing and becomes an apprentice. But his happiness is short lived. At sea one day, a ship of pirates kidnap Luc and sell him as a slave in North Africa. Villagers think of the boy as terribly unlucky--one ear, a drunkard father, stolen by pirates--but Pons always called Luc his good-luck boy. Will Luc survive and overcome the misfortune that's befallen him, or will his life prove unlucky as the villagers say?

The Unfortunate Son by Constance Leeds was wonderful. The writing is top-notch. The historical setting is meticulously researched, and Leeds gives the reader an interesting look into 16th century France. But it's not an exciting swashbuckling tale, as the kidnapped-by-pirates part might suggest. He doesn't even get kidnapped until almost 100 pages in. That's not to say that it's boring. There's a little bit of a mystery involving Luc's parentage, there's the hope/effort to reunite Luc with his adopted fisherman family, there's the quest for survival in a new place as a slave, etc. Leeds creates meaningful relationships with fully fleshed-out characters. I became invested in these people and their stories--I didn't want to say goodbye. I also loved the themes Leeds delved into (and how she addressed them)--destiny, luck, attitude, perception, as well as forgiveness. Does Luc's ear make him lucky or unlucky? Is Luc's fortune determined by exterior circumstances or his own attitudes and decisions?

(There is a mention of eunuchs--it's for a purpose, but I would imagine that some parents would not want to explain the what and why to their children.)

Picture This: The Day Louis Got Eaten

The Day Louis Got Eaten by John Fardell

Louis and his sister Sarah are in the woods when Louis is eaten by a Gulper! Sarah goes after the Gulper to save her brother, but as soon as she's reached the Gulper, it's eaten up by a Grabular. We soon learn that there are many hungry creatures around. Will Sarah ever be able to get her brother back?

This was a fun one. The Gulper swallows Louis, a Grabular swallows the Gulper, an Undersnatch eats the Grabular, a Spiney-backed Guzzler downs the Grabular, etc. until there's a bit of a Russian doll situation. Each creature is distinct--one comes from the sky, one from the sea, one from the desert, another from the mountains, and they all look goofy rather than scary, adding to the humor. Readers can watch as Sarah turns her bike and some sticks into the various vehicles she needs to traverse these landscapes, including an underwater bike with a breathing tube that goes to the surface. Fardell uses repetition effectively, increasing the humor. The conclusion (rescue) is funny and unexpected. On a second reading, you can see that each monster is slightly visible in its approach before it's revealed. Funny, entertaining, creative, and plenty of details make for a lovable book.

from The Day Louis Got Eaten by John Fardell

from The Day Louis Got Eaten by John Fardell

from The Day Louis Got Eaten by John Fardell

Picture This: Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert

Martín de Porres: The Rose in the Desert

by Gary D. Schmidt, illustrated by David Diaz

Martin de Porres grew up in the barrios of Lima, Peru. With an African slave for a mother, and a Spanish conqueror for a father, he was often disapproved of. But at the age of 8, his father retrieved Martin and his sister to be educated in Ecuador. Disapproval followed him to Ecuador and in Lima as he became apprentice to a doctor. When Martin wanted to join the Dominican Order, he was told he could never be a priest because of his impure blood. So instead, Martin offered to work as a servant. Despite the condemnation of so many, he became known for his healing abilities, his kindness, and his humility. People and animals came to be cared for by him. He was eventually welcomed into the Dominican Order, and he became known as the rose in the desert.

This book was beautiful in story, message, prose, and  illustration. It's no wonder it won the Pura Belpre Illustrator award. The story is incredible--a mulatto boy overcoming racism, class, and poverty through humility, service and goodness--all in the 1600s. Gary Schmidt has written a beautiful, poetic text to convey this story. I knew I was in for something special with the personification of hunger and illness ("Hunger lived in their home. Illness was their companion") The repetition also has a very poetic feel to it (frowning, disapproving people, the phrase "who is this strange boy"). And yet despite whatever troubles may have ailed Martin, Schmidt maintains a tone of peace and optimism.

Then there are the illustrations. So beautiful. They're rich and saturated with color. With dark outlines, and sometimes panel-like shapes, many of the illustrations have a stained-glass quality to them. A number of pages feature motifs reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts. The backgrounds are textured and weathered like frescoes or the stone walls of a church. The renditions of Martin himself depict his sensitivity and a harmony with his surroundings. Highly recommended.

I'll be adding this to my list of the best picture books of 2012.

Illustration by David Diaz, from Martin de Pores: A Rose in the Dessert

Illustration by David Diaz, from Martin de Pores: A Rose in the Dessert

Illustration by David Diaz, from Martin de Pores: A Rose in the Dessert