From the journal
Great "Koolura" Books -- Delightful for Children!
Let me introduce an outstanding deaf author, Michael Thal of Los Angeles!
Check out his outreach newsletter at: http://michaelthal.com/blog/
http://www.examiner.com/academic-success-in-los-angeles/michael-thal (and subscribe to get fascinating articles!)
Here are my previous reviews, which I am re-posting for my followers:
BOOK ONE: THE LEGEND OF KOOLURA
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RT4O7NPQJGE60
4.0 out of 5 stars Kind, Caring Girl Takes Center Stage ByFuture Boy on April 24, 2014 Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase Koolura is a great role model for the age range for readers of this book. She always goes out of her way to help others, no matter how they may have treated her in the past. Early on, there's a bully girl, but quickly they become friends when Koolura turns the other cheek. In a way, you could say that her magic is more from her empathy and understanding, rather than from her super powers.
The book is a relaxing read. You know that the author won't startle you or flip a character through an extreme makeover. Even with a stalker in this book, we don't really fear for Koolura's health or well-being. We all know she's going to be okay. Although a bit of a drag at times, the back story on a teacher handling a class (11-year-olds) and these students interacting with each other added some nice context to this novel.
The only minor suggestions I have for this book are; 1) tighten the pacing a bit more, 2) perhaps have the "bad guy" find some other long-term adventure (or critical need personally important to him) for the first eleven years of Koolura's life, so it makes sense when he does appear when he does in this book, and 3) get a smashing new cover.
Bravo, Mr. Thal!
BOOK TWO: KOOLURA AND THE MYSTERY AT CAMP SADDLEBACK
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R8R308S3TN9Q0
4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet, Spunky Girls' Adventure ByFuture Boy on February 10, 2014 Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase How nice to have a sweet, wise, meaningful book without any bad-mouthed or kick-ass girls. We don't need attitude, we need a good story. This is it. Koolura is a pre-teen with magical powers that she uses sparingly depending on the danger. All the danger is not scary for pre-teens to read and is imagined or threatened rather than actual harm.
I hesitated between three and four stars for this. The three stars would have been for the rough edges that needed smoothing, for example when Koolura uses her magic powers, I would have liked some more measure of fascination -- assume the reader will be fascinated by the magic trick being performed and a more enchanted, breathless recount of what happened and perhaps more transitioning. Sometimes I wasn't sure if a magic trick was performed or not and had to read some passages twice to know if it was magic or not. For example Koolura would disappear and re-appear into a different place. Sometimes I wasn't sure if she just ran fast, or she actually teleported. Sometimes the magic seemed too casual, as if she was trying on a shirt or brushing her teeth or something. I'm a firm believer in the voice of "awe" when there is fantasy involved. There's something that tells us, yes, this is unique to us, and we should treasure it when we read.
But ultimately, I decided to give it four stars, because of the positive approach the author had, and having all the characters forgive each other. I find it a relief from the catty, vengeful, and suspenseful young adult books that seem to be prevalent these days. The plot is solid, it just needs more sophisticated writing to bring out the "voice" of the author and the magic of this story. Would be great to have some unique wordcraft in this novel, which at times seems a tiny bit plodding.
Check out his outreach newsletter at: http://michaelthal.com/blog/
http://www.examiner.com/academic-success-in-los-angeles/michael-thal (and subscribe to get fascinating articles!)
Here are my previous reviews, which I am re-posting for my followers:
BOOK ONE: THE LEGEND OF KOOLURA
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RT4O7NPQJGE60
4.0 out of 5 stars Kind, Caring Girl Takes Center Stage ByFuture Boy on April 24, 2014 Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase Koolura is a great role model for the age range for readers of this book. She always goes out of her way to help others, no matter how they may have treated her in the past. Early on, there's a bully girl, but quickly they become friends when Koolura turns the other cheek. In a way, you could say that her magic is more from her empathy and understanding, rather than from her super powers.
The book is a relaxing read. You know that the author won't startle you or flip a character through an extreme makeover. Even with a stalker in this book, we don't really fear for Koolura's health or well-being. We all know she's going to be okay. Although a bit of a drag at times, the back story on a teacher handling a class (11-year-olds) and these students interacting with each other added some nice context to this novel.
The only minor suggestions I have for this book are; 1) tighten the pacing a bit more, 2) perhaps have the "bad guy" find some other long-term adventure (or critical need personally important to him) for the first eleven years of Koolura's life, so it makes sense when he does appear when he does in this book, and 3) get a smashing new cover.
Bravo, Mr. Thal!
BOOK TWO: KOOLURA AND THE MYSTERY AT CAMP SADDLEBACK
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R8R308S3TN9Q0
4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet, Spunky Girls' Adventure ByFuture Boy on February 10, 2014 Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase How nice to have a sweet, wise, meaningful book without any bad-mouthed or kick-ass girls. We don't need attitude, we need a good story. This is it. Koolura is a pre-teen with magical powers that she uses sparingly depending on the danger. All the danger is not scary for pre-teens to read and is imagined or threatened rather than actual harm.
I hesitated between three and four stars for this. The three stars would have been for the rough edges that needed smoothing, for example when Koolura uses her magic powers, I would have liked some more measure of fascination -- assume the reader will be fascinated by the magic trick being performed and a more enchanted, breathless recount of what happened and perhaps more transitioning. Sometimes I wasn't sure if a magic trick was performed or not and had to read some passages twice to know if it was magic or not. For example Koolura would disappear and re-appear into a different place. Sometimes I wasn't sure if she just ran fast, or she actually teleported. Sometimes the magic seemed too casual, as if she was trying on a shirt or brushing her teeth or something. I'm a firm believer in the voice of "awe" when there is fantasy involved. There's something that tells us, yes, this is unique to us, and we should treasure it when we read.
But ultimately, I decided to give it four stars, because of the positive approach the author had, and having all the characters forgive each other. I find it a relief from the catty, vengeful, and suspenseful young adult books that seem to be prevalent these days. The plot is solid, it just needs more sophisticated writing to bring out the "voice" of the author and the magic of this story. Would be great to have some unique wordcraft in this novel, which at times seems a tiny bit plodding.