Cary FaganCritiques

Thank you to Tundra Books and Library Thing for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I read this in one sitting. It's a fairly short book and it only took me about an hour to read but I had not intended to read it all at once. I was just really enjoying it. I loved Rafe's character and liked seeing the way he tried different things and some of them worked and some of them didn't. We get to read sections of a book that Rafe was reading which was kind of fun. He had a few interactions with other people that were interesting.
I loved the blue that the cover and all the illustrations were in and I really like that there was a blue page between every chapter, it was visually very appealing.
My only complaint about the book was that it was too short. I wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen and I would have also liked to know what caused the flooding as that wasn't really addressed although we get one hint, but I guess maybe he would have never found out what happened.
This book is recommended for children 10 and up but I think younger children would enjoy it as a read aloud.
There was no profanity or blasphemy.
Overall a very enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend this book.
Watch for a review coming soon to the Literary Club Podcast
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1984185

Thank you to Tundra Books and Library Thing for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I read this in one sitting. It's a fairly short book and it only took me about an hour to read but I had not intended to read it all at once. I was just really enjoying it. I loved Rafe's character and liked seeing the way he tried different things and some of them worked and some of them didn't. We get to read sections of a book that Rafe was reading which was kind of fun. He had a few interactions with other people that were interesting.
I loved the blue that the cover and all the illustrations were in and I really like that there was a blue page between every chapter, it was visually very appealing.
My only complaint about the book was that it was too short. I wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen and I would have also liked to know what caused the flooding as that wasn't really addressed although we get one hint, but I guess maybe he would have never found out what happened.
This book is recommended for children 10 and up but I think younger children would enjoy it as a read aloud.
There was no profanity or blasphemy.
Overall a very enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend this book.
Watch for a review coming soon to the Literary Club Podcast
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1984185

A wonderful story that is both dystopian and hopeful in turn. While the plot is simple, the reader is swept away with Rafe in his floating bedroom and feel for him as he navigates his new world with determination and courage. Very accessible for younger readers, but I think there is something to be discovered for everyone. The illustrations are lovely, and the unique color palette and style make them as haunting and delightful as the writing and certainly add to the whole.

Andie is sweet and quirky, but she has few friends and is constantly bullied by a girl in her neighbourhood. When a mysterious new neighbour moves in next door, she suspects that he is actually Hans Christian Andersen, sharing her poems with him. This is a quick read with cute messages about friendship and poetry.½

**Received from the publisher via LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program

Considering that I just moved into a new house (my very own!), I figured that it was perfect timing to pick up this novel, which follows imaginative Andie, who thinks that her new next door neighbour is the famous author Hans Christian Andersen. I doubt that any of my new neighbours think that I’m anyone famous, but you never know what a kid’s mind can convince themselves of! Andie and her parents moved to the small town of Meaford to live a quiet life away from the hustle and stress of the big city, but raising crickets (her parents’ found-passion and business) and shelling peas aren’t enough to keep Andie occupied. She takes up reading as a way to keep busy and to distract herself from the schoolyard bully, and she finds herself inspired to write poems based on Andersen’s famous literary short stories that reflect her own life and experiences. And then, a miracle happens - a new neighbour moves in next door, and she convinces herself that he is the famous author himself, even going so far as to parade the poor man to school for Career Day and showing him off to her class. Andie might need a bit of a reality cheque, and her let down is pretty harsh when the truth comes out, but the story was a pretty fun read with carefully played narration and petty real world conflicts painting a realistic picture of elementary school life. I definitely bought in to the façade of Andie’s delusion (even if we know from the beginning how the story would play out), and it brought a unique twist to what otherwise would have been a rather shallow depiction of school drama in a small town. Was it the best exploration of childhood imagination: no - I can think of a dozen books with far more complex concepts and better imagery - but I still enjoyed the story well enough to finish it.

This is the story of one refugee family’s harrowing journey, based on author Cary Fagan’s own family history. The graphic novel follows a young Jewish boy, Maurice, and his family as they flee their home in Belgium during the Second World War. They travel by train to Paris, through Spain to Portugal, and finally across the ocean to Jamaica, where they settle in an internment camp.All the while, Maurice is intent on continuing his education and growing up to be a lawyer. He overcomes obstacles to find a professor to study with, works toward a high school diploma while in the camp, and is ultimately accepted to university in Canada. His English dictionary becomes a beloved tool and beacon of hope through the danger and turmoil of the family’s migration.Moments of lightness and humor balance the darkness in this powerful story of one refugee family’s courage and resilience, and of the dictionary that came to represent their freedom.

A pleasant and readable story about a girl with no friends who is being bullied. I loved the illustrations and how they juxtaposed the different layers of the plot. The drawings were better than the story, imo, because it all felt a bit thin and too easily resolved. I liked the characters so more interaction/conflict would have been nice.

I received a free copy for review from Tundra Books (who are always so great about sending books out promptly).

A cute book with a big (but fun) lesson. A quick read, a great length for young/middle reader.

It's been a few years since I've read a book that could very easily qualify for the prestigious Caldecott Award, but Cary Fagan's Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next Door is just such a book.

Andie Gladman is the new girl in a school in a small Canadian town of Meaford, Ontario. She'd like to think that she's pretty normal, even if her parents aren't. Formally of Toronto, they left their big city jobs and are now cricket farmers - raising the insects as food supply for pet stores, individuals, or anyone needing to feed reptiles.

Being the new kid is hard enough, but with parents who raise crickets, it's next to impossible to stay out of sight of the school bully, Myrtle Klinghoffer. Myrtle, the biggest and loudest kid in class seems to want nothing more than to terrorize Andie every day. No one wants to be friends with Andie because no one wants to draw Myrtle's wrath.

But two people come into Andie's life. There's the new boy in school, Newton, who is just as much an outcast as Andie, except that he doesn't seem to notice or care, and the new neighbor who looks strikingly like the photos she's seen of her favorite author, Hans Christian Andersen. She's convinced it's him when, instead of a name, he places his initials on his mailbox ... HCA.

Andie loves writing poems - it's maybe the only thing that helps her escape the torments of Myrtle - and she's been writing poems that summarize or reinterpret Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales. She's convinced he's the author, despite his objections, and only a devastating, embarrassing incident will help her find the truth.

There's a lot going on in this short novel - HCA, the fairy tales, Myrtle and the bullying, Newton and his steadfastness, the understanding parents, and a lesson learned when she's pushed too far. Yet somehow, author Fagan keeps it simple, let's the story flow, and doesn't overcomplicate any of it.

There are plenty of lessons to be learned here (that's part of the makeup of award quality books) but 'be yourself' is probably at the top.

The character of Newton is fun, and while it gives Andie a friend her own age and he gives the reader some unusual, fun facts (generally about Australia), there's really no reason for him to be in the book. While his refusal to let Myrtle get him upset could be an impetus for Andie to stand up for herself, the connection really isn't that strong and we might have gotten a stronger connection with Myrtle if he hadn't shown up.

There are a few black and white drawings by Chelsea O'Byrne scattered through the book. I really like having books like this lightly illustrated and O'Byrne's drawings are just right for the targeted audience.

There is a part of me that wishes this didn't end so abruptly with all the storylines coming to such a neat conclusion all at once, but then I step back to recognize that I am not the intended reader and that the middle grade students who pick this up will probably really relish it.

Looking for a good book? Cary Fagan has written a delightful, warm, upbeat story for middle grade readers with Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next Door.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through LibraryThing.com, in exchange for an honest review.

A cute book about a girl with an over active imagination. This book is a quick read. I enjoyed the different take on the Fairy Tales and the actual lessons learned as the story progresses.

A beautiful and heartfelt story. Well worth the read as an adult and to recommend to kids. I especially loved the included poetry.

Poetic and heartwarming, 'Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next Door' weaves a delightful story of creativity, friendship, and self-discovery. With the arrival of a mysterious neighbor who may be Hans Christian Andersen, Andie's journey into poetry is both humorous and unforgettable. Cary Fagan's storytelling shines in this middle-grade novel, making it a 5-star read that captivates young and old alike!

Adorable! This is perfect for my grade 4/5 library patrons. It's sweet and relatable. It's promoted as middle grade, but I'd recommend it to my younger students. I like how it not only encompasses misconceptions, but also deals with bullying, new neighbors and friends, and (of course, my favorite), poetry.

What a cute little story! It is perfect for an elementary school level reader. Andie is very relatable for little girls (and other little kids!) The messages in the book are perfect for kids.½

When Librarything announced their September list of giveaways, I was intrigued by the title Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next Door and was lucky to receive the book in exchange for my honest review.

When a tall man with a large nose moves in next door, Andie Gladman knows she has seen a picture of a guy that looks like that. Sure enough, she finds a photograph of the author Hans Christian Anderson in some of her favorite picture books. When Andie remembers the initials on her neighbor’s mailbox are HCA, that clinches it: she convinces herself that Hans Christian Anderson is the mysterious newcomer. Not really remembering Andersen’s stories, she seeks out the book of fairy tales that her uncle gave her years ago and rereads them. She discovers she loves the tales and is inspired not only to write poems based on his stories but also to share them with HCA. The poetry is believably the product of a tween, not so polished as to go beyond what the character would be capable of but definitely clever.

Andie is not exactly a popular girl, but she does befriend Newton, who is a willing listener and goes along with her story of HCA next door. All year long, Andie has been at the receiving end of taunts from Myrtle Klinghoffer, and when Myrtle confronts her with facts - that Hans Christian Andersen lived in Denmark and has been dead for 150 years, Andie reaches a breaking point, blows off steam, and has to suffer consequences.

Some middle-grade books are well-crafted masterpieces to be enjoyed by anyone of any age. Others, like this one, are strictly for kids, ages 8-11. The plot moves along at a pace that keeps the reader involved. The characters, by and large, are likeable and relatable. Author, Cary Fagan offers a clever opening chapter, in which the narrator openly admits that readers might figure out something long before she did and might, therefore, think Andie a bit of a dimwit. The reader may indeed think Andie isn’t as smart as she thinks she is. If she could look up the Andersen photo and admit it looked old, why wasn’t she putting two and two together to realize he’s not the guy next door?

Then again, kids are gullible (maybe we’re all gullible and want to believe what we want to believe), so the middle grade audience might just relish that they figured something out before the narrator. Myrtle is a bit of a stereotypical bully and her turn-around at the end doesn’t quite feel earned. But kid readers love happy endings tied up in little bows, so will find this one satisfying. It is likely, as well, that Andie’s poems will jumpstart readers to produce their own poems based on stories.½

This is a delightful story told in the first person by Andie Gladman. A new neighbor moves in next door to Andie, and he places his initials, HCA, on his mailbox. Andie believes he is the famous author, Hans Christian Anderson, and the neighbor plays along with the ruse. Andie writes a number of poems based upon Anderson’s stories, and even convinces her new neighbor to go to school with her on Career Day, and she presents him as the famous author, Hans Christian Anderson.

All year long, Andie has been picked on and bullied by a classmate, Myrtle. Myrtle confronts Andie and tells her that her neighbor is not the real Hans Christian Anderson, which results in a brief scuffle between the two of them, resulting in a three day suspension for Andie.

I won’t divulge any additional details as they would spoil the ending, but it is a very satisfying ending.

This is a short book, about 145 pages and I read it quickly in one sitting. The prose is engaging, and the illustrations are gorgeous and enhance the narrative nicely. This is a great book for a middle school age student or upper elementary school student. (Or even an older adult who just enjoys reading a great story).

Schoolgirl Andie Gladman has unusual parents. Tired of working for other people, they left their jobs in Toronto for a fresh start and a simpler, more independent life in Meaford, Ontario near Georgian Bay. After unsuccessful attempts at soap-making and wedding-cake baking, they chanced upon a third idea that would prove to be the charm. Their daughter Andie’s pet gecko, Zilla, required a diet of crickets, but pet shops in the region had an ongoing problem sourcing the insects. The Gladmans decided to create a soundproof cricket hatchery in their basement and distribute their product to many regional pet shops, eventually sidelining into high-fibre, high-protein “choco-cricks.”

Andie doesn’t dare tell classmates what her mum and dad do for a living. If asked, she says that they “farm.” Andie, an imaginative and slightly eccentric girl, has an arch-nemesis: Myrtle Klinghoffer. Myrtle is big: she has a big head, big hands, big feet, and an exceptionally big mouth. Her very loud voice is used to belittle others, and Andie is the preferred target. Myrtle never harasses Andie directly; rather, she addresses the other students as though they are in on the joke with her. Intimidated, they comply with mean Myrtle’s unspoken rules and avoid Andie.

Life changes for the main character when a new neighbour moves into the house next door. He’s a very thin, very tall man who leans forward like a stork when he walks. He also looks remarkably familiar. When he puts the sticky letters H, C, A on his mailbox, Andie convinces herself that he is none other than Hans Christian Andersen. In the book’s opening pages, Andie assures the reader she’s not “a dimwit” most of the time. The question this novel answers is how she could have believed something that is patently untrue.

Author Cary Fagan charms his young readers by providing Andie with a wonderfully neurotic friend, the orange-haired, freckle-faced, and very allergic Newton Newsom, a new boy at school so preoccupied with recording his future life plans in a little notebook that the existence of Myrtle Klinghoffer barely registers. The reader also gets to enjoy Andie’s often hilarious poems, inspired by Andersen’s tales—among them: The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Princess and the Pea, The Ugly Duckling, The Nightingale, and The Steadfast Tin Soldier. Andie gets to know her new neighbour, HCA, by reading her verses to him. Interestingly, he plays along with her, accepting her “persistent” friendship, assuming the role of the famous Danish writer of fairytales, and absorbing Andie’s ire about his having written such a grim and heartbreaking tale as The Little Matchgirl.

Things come to a head, however, when Andie brings HCA—the famous writer!—to school as a career-day guest. As one might imagine, Myrtle Klinghoffer has a great deal to say about this. Andie retaliates in an uncharacteristically aggressive way, ends up suspended, and is forced to confront the reasons why she has been so willing to deceive herself by falling into fantasy.

With Chelsea O’Byrne’s attractive ink drawings (reminiscent of Edward Gorey’s) and an accessible text, this is a very nice little middle-grade novel. Needless to say, I think it would be most appreciated by kids already familiar with Andersen’s stories. It might, however, prompt a few to seek them out.

You really can’t go wrong with Cary Fagan.

Rating: 3.5 rounded down.½

Maurice and his Dictionary is a haunting yet intriguing non-fiction, historical tale.

Maurice's family is fleeing from Belgium during World War 2. This story is their journey about how they escaped and how they settled in Jamaica. Maurice wants to be a lawyer and is working really hard to try to not only do well in school but to make sure his own life is safe.

The tale is tough to read as an adult, but I think it's a good introduction to history for younger readers. If you're teaching about the war, this could be used as an educational source. This is a graphic novel, but I could see this being used for middle schoolers and high schoolers to see a different version of the events from someone else's eyes instead of just their textbooks.

The back of the book has a picture of Maurice's family (the author's Father is Maurice) and has some wonderful pictures and documents to put a face to this story. It's really cool to read and really sad at the same time.

The illustrations and their dull colours give some really interesting effects to the story. This book is not meant to be the happiest book (it's based during war time), so the dull colours in certain pictures really hit home with the tone. It's nice to see colour theory being used in this story, even if it's for sad effects.

Overall, I think this is a very powerful and moving story! If you like non-fiction, historical books or graphic novels, this is a unique read!

Five out of five stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and OwlKids for sending me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

This book held SO much promise. The graphite drawings are stunning and they are what immediately drew me into this forest world. And to have animals playing instruments, it's bound to be fun.

But I don't know if this book is trying to embrace individuality. If it's trying to be funny. Because honestly, I felt like the book encouraged pouting when you don't get your way. The bear leaves. Just leaves the forest. Just. leaves the forest to float down the river because no one liked his song (which literally was "I'm a bear" over and over and over again.)

The drawings and text did not line up. So honestly, the only reason this is rated so high is for the illustrations.

The Animals by Cary Fagan is a highly recommended literary modern fable.

Dorn lives in a curious tourist village and makes miniature scale models which are displayed in the local shops. He pines for schoolteacher Ravenna, dutifully visits his elderly father who treats him callously, and has a younger brother who treats him as an afterthought. His life is quiet, predictable, and unassuming. As he makes his way through his unobtrusive daily routine he notices neighbors participating in the government-sponsored "Wild Home Project" which has wild animals, like wolves, rats, minks, otters, and bear, move into the villagers homes.

The pages will fly by in this compact novel. The writing is excellent and the narrative resembles an allegorical fairy tale. The moral or lesson is conceivably along the lines of one must be their own advocate and make their own way through the world, and that wild animals are just that, wild and unpredictable, much like many people. Dorn is a sympathetic character and readers will support him as he goes through his days encountering various characters. The final denouement, or perhaps an alternate moral to the story, may be that life requires you to be brave, take chances, and embrace change.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Book*hug Press via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/10/the-animals.html

I love this charming book! The tale of a little chair that travels around the world, moving on as one person's need for it ends, only to arrive at the family it started with, just in time for a new generation. The illustrations and writing and lovely, both grounded and fantastic, and it doesn't hurt for us to imagine our things finding value beyond the back of the garage.

Mentioned in a blog post at https://booksbeyondbinaries.blog/2019/12/23/2019-in-review/