rgz

readergirlz is a literacy and social media project for teens, awarded the National Book Foundation's Innovations in Reading Prize. The rgz blog serves as a depot for news and YA reviews from industry professionals and teens. As volunteers return full force to their own YA writing, the organization continues to hold one initiative a year to impact teen literacy. All are welcome to "like" us on Facebook!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Rgz Salon: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, Reviewed by René Kirkpatrick



René Kirkpatrick has been a bookseller and book buyer, specializing in children's and teen literature, for many years.She has a degree in elementary education and reads widely across all genres. She is currently a buyer at Third Place Books.

We're honored to have her here as part of the rgz SALON, a feature where four of the top kidlit experts clue us in to the best YA novels they've read recently. Here's René, discussing Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater.

"This was, hands down, the Children’s Book Department’s favorite book this year. How can you not keep reading when the first line in a book is, 'It is the first day of November, and so, today, someone will die'.

"On a small island wreathed in fog and mist, two people prepare to race their horses for a massive pot of money. Sean and Puck have very different reasons for wanting to win the race but they are both determined to do it, only Puck is the first girl to ever sign up, and she wants to race her pony, and Sean has never lost a race on his water horse. As the two of them begin to get to know each other, we learn more and more about the lives they live on the island and how they are all entwined with the water horses that come out of the icy sea searching for flesh.

"So deliciously fabulous, so atmospheric and romantic in all the definitions of the word, it is a book for breathing in and reading slowly. I read it in one long draught and carried it with me everywhere I went after I was done. It is a definite re-read and should be on every horse lover’s shelf. But, please, even if horses aren’t your favorite animal, pick it up and read it just so you can enjoy the way Maggie writes."  14 and up. $17.99. Scholastic.

3 comments:

Laura BurgandyIce said...

I agree - great book for everyone!! :-) Here's my revew:

http://burgandyice.blogspot.com/2011/11/scorpio-races-by-maggie-stiefvater.html

Melissa Walker said...

How great does this one sound?!

Unknown said...

If you're a fan of Maggie Stiefvater then I definitely recommend this story to you. But if you're also a fan of something new & interesting with an amazing story, this is the book for you.
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