Dissecting James Patterson's Latest Commercial

Have you seen James Patterson's tandem commercial for Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life and Now You See Her? If not, watch below.

If you're like me, you appreciate the genius of the idea, but are slightly creeped out. I am not sure what creeps me out...I know that I am not impressed by the generic elementary-photo-day background behind James. I am impressed by the animated character, whose name I didn't catch during the few times I have seen the commercial.

The idea of the commercial is rather brilliant and I suspect many parents will buy Middle School for their children, especially for boys, as they head out to purchase Now You See Her. I am rather judgmental when it comes to the quality of Patterson's novels (Witch and Wizard anybody?) And I think what bothers me the most is that each kidlit story Patterson has published has had so much potential, but the stories were not allowed to grow and flourish. Witch and Wizard felt contained and clinical, not developed and deep. I lament what the novel could have been and I have yet to pick up the sequel.

I will give Middle School a shot, not because of the commercial, but because I know it will be a best seller and I want to have an informed opinion on the novel. I think it's obvious what my expectations are, but as always, I am remaining open-minded.

A Wonderful Story Found in Nightshade City by Hilary Wagner

It took me a long time to get my hands on Hilary Wagner's Nightshade City, which bust onto the middle grade scene last fall. It's a shame, really, because so much of my own writing has improved since finishing the book last month. And my imagination has started spitting out so many ideas!

The novel, which starts out with a cryptic prologue, is full of nontraditional plot twists and schemes. Wagner is proficient in many areas of writing that make Nightshade City a joy to read. She has a flowery, yet purposeful way with words - never did I feel she spent too much or too little time on the details. Each character was well-developed and vivid. Likewise, the settings are magnificently described. 

The eponymously named setting is one of the three places the novel takes place and is home to the rebel rats with whom the reader is sure to empathize. Nightshade City is created in response to the oppressive government of The Catacombs. The third setting is called Trillium or Topside, and this is where the humans live. Wagner gives the rats a believable point of view regarding our world. From the way she describes the lower layers of the human world, The Catacombs and Nightshade City could easily take place beneath the streets of London, Washington D.C., or Chicago.

Despite the dynamic settings, the best of the Nightshade City can be found in the characters. From the sinister military leader named Billycan, to the artfully adroit Mother Gallo, the non-child characters of this middle grade novel are exquisitely drawn in both word and pen. Between those two plot pillars, many characters stand for and against the old ways of the rats including several "teens" who play a vital role in the outcome of the plot.

We meet many rats who are caught in the middle and several more who are proponents for one way of life or the other. Wagner creatively taps the shoulder of each character as she moves along the story. This allows us to meet a large number of characters without ever getting confused. Also, the descriptions of the rats' coat colors, fur patterns, and body stench provide another way to keep track of each rat as well as getting a feel for how the they interact. Even earthworms make an appearance in the novel! The annelid species play an imperative role in the plot and the success of Wagner's endearing story.

The ending surprised me, not because of the outcome, but because of the sequence of events it took to get there. And I don't mean to say Nightshade City is anti-climactic, it's quite the opposite. I cannot describe it without giving anything away and if I have done my job correctly, you're already sold on Nightshade City. And the reassuring news is that a sequel, titled The White Assassin, comes out this fall. I am excited to see new stories begin and old ones wrap up.

Next week, I will be sharing an excerpt from Nightshade City to highlight Wagner's skills and to show the type of writing that connects with me most.

As always, I get nervous about posting reviews. Please give me feedback on what does and does not work.

Craptastic

So...I joined Google+ just to do it and see what it's all about. I like it and the simplicity of the site is magnificent.

One bad thing though: I deleted the photos that were automatically posted there via my blog and Picasa. Doing so has removed the photos from my blog. I am very unhappy about this, but Google+ did tell me that would happen. I think I thought it was kidding...

I suppose I'll be restoring the photos over the next few weeks, but only the really good ones. This will be fun! 

Yay.

Not.

Posts on Deck

I've had several posts waiting in the wings because I have not had time to complete them. The list includes full reviews of Nightshade City and The Dust of 100 Dogs, both of which skyrocketed toward the top of my favorite books ever. 

Other posts include pictures from my recent beach excursions and a video recording capturing the "barking" sound the sand makes when you walk on it (I cannot get the sound to work on the video, which defeats the purpose of the whole thing. Raise your hand if you want to see a ten second video of my swishing my hand through the sand. BORING.)

I have been sick, sick, sick, and I HATE it. I am never sick and I am not sure what is going on with my nose, throat, and sinuses, but I hope they sort themselves out soon. I even left work early which I haven't done in six years and I need to get back to the beach! Enough with the self-pity though because I have so much work to do.

Homework, writing, and volunteering are on the list. I need to find some discipline.

Speaking of discipline, Heather Kelly kicked off the Second Annual Tour de Writing! Check it out and challenge yourself to shoot for one of the jerseys. There are prizes to be had at the end of the month (I helped pick them out and trust me, you want in!)

So, stay tuned, I'll give some real updates and reviews in the next week.

Friday Five <---I thought I railed against these...

1. I had a fun post planned in which I shared the barking sound the sand at the beach makes when you walk on it, but the video has no sound...

2. Work has been kicking my butt, but it has been a lot of fun! I am feeling less guilty about skipping my workouts and sleeping in.

3. I am on day two of three days off! Woohoo.

4. Beer.

5. I need a new phone and would love a white iPhone, but I am going to wait until the end of the summer and buy a phone with the money I have leftover after paying tuition for the fall. It's boring, but smart.

5.5 One of my favorite writing songs: