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This month The Edge of the Forest reviews Middle-grade novels with a
touch of magic. The misfit protagonists of Pond Scum and Clair-de-Lune invite a little magic and a lot of
self-initiative into their lives to change their worlds for the better.
Pond Scum
by Alan Silberberg
Reviewed by Jen Robinson, Jen Robinson's Book Page
I must admit, I was a bit put off by Pond Scum at the beginning. Specifically, I took exception to the introduction
of Oliver, a boy who pulls the wings off flies. What bothered me wasn't so much that Oliver was a boy pulling the wings
off flies (though this is hardly a pleasant attribute). No, what bothered me was this sentence: "He wasn't a bad
kid—just a lonely boy who felt compelled to snatch the flies that kept him company." I mean, shouldn't the author show
this, instead of telling us that Oliver isn't a bad kid? Perhaps because I was irritated by this, it took me a while to get
into the book.
But Pond Scum grew on me (so to speak). It's a quirky story about a family that moves into an isolated,
long-abandoned house, located next to a small pond. The pond and surrounding woods are positively teeming with wildlife.
The various birds, animals, and insects make up much of the cast of the book. There are various conflicts occurring between
different interest groups: between Oliver and his father; between Oliver and kids at school; between the pond creatures and
the humans (especially the real estate agent); between the "kid" pond creatures and the adults; and between the "adult"
leaders of the affiliation of creatures. These conflicts swirl about and intersect throughout the book.
But where things really get out of hand (and this is not much of a spoiler, because it's on the back of the book) is when
Oliver discovers a way to turn himself into one of the creatures, and interacts with them directly.
On the one hand, this is a fairly simple story, about animals relating to one another, and a boy who has trouble fitting in.
But Silberberg manages to address a remarkable number of larger issues, as well as environmental concerns, all with a very
light hand. Kids will find Pond Scum an enjoyable read, somewhat reminiscent of Hoot. And it might make
them think twice about stepping on insects, and certainly about pulling the wings off pf flies.
Clair-de-Lune
by Cassandra Golds
Reviewed by Kelly Herold, Big A little a
On the face of it, Clair-de-Lune is a ballet story for the middle-grade reader. That being said,
Clair-de-Lune is a completely different ballet story, one that includes a touch of fantasy and much on the perils
of The Dance.
Clair-de-Lune is a student of The Dance. Her grandmother, with whom she lives in an unnamed city, in an unnamed
time, was also a Great Dancer. Her mother, La Lune, died performing a beautiful dance and was considered the best dancer of
her generation.
Clair-de-Lune studies The Dance at Monsieur Dupoint's Select Dancing Academy for the Children of Artistes who Aspire to
Enter their Parent's Profession. She is considered the best dancer of her class, but is roundly disliked by her fellow
students because she can not speak. They call her a snob.
One day, Clair-de-Lune meets a mouse, Bonaventure, who is concerned about her sadness. He takes her to a monastery on the
sea to address her affliction with Brother Inchmahome. At the same time, Bonaventure founds his own, long-desired school of dance for
mice. Through her conversations with Brother Inchmahome, observing Bonaventure's pure love of and dedication to The Dance,
and hearing "something subversive in Church," Clair-de-Lune learns that there may be something more important than The Dance.
And, that something is Love. Clair-de-Lune vows to smile at people, and when they smile back in surprise, Clair-de-Lune begins to heal.
There are a series of cataclysmic events towards the end of the novel that derail Clair-de-Lune's healing, but in the end
she learns the truth about herself, her mother's tragic death, love, and The Dance. Clair-de-Lune is a beautiful
novel and the fantasy elements work well without being overly sentimental or cute. Golds' prose is gorgeous and straightforward.
I highly recommend this novel to perceptive, sensitive readers, adult and middle grade alike.
Clair-de-Lune, by Cassandra Golds. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2006. ISBN: 0-3758-3395-1.
Pond Scum, by Alan Silberberg. Hyperion, 2005. ISBN: 0-7868-5634-3.
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