Katherine Paterson served as the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature 2010-2011. Her international fame rests not only on her widely acclaimed novels but also on her efforts to promote literacy in the United States and abroad. She is a two-time winner of the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award, and she has received many other accolades for her works, including the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, given by her home state of Vermont. Katherine Paterson was also named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress in 2000. She lives in Barre, Vermont. John Paterson (1932-2013) collaborated with wife, Katherine, on Consider the Lilies Plants of the Bible, Images of God, and Blueberries for the Queen. Ralph Lister is a UK-trained stage, film, and voice actor. His film credits include Mr. Woodcock, A Lot Like Love, and Alleged. Ralph's voice can be heard in the anim� hit Hellsing, in Walt Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean, and in the anniversary edition of Jean Reno's The Professional.Further info: www.RalphLister.com
A full century after the publication of Eden Philpotts's The Flint Heart (Dutton, 1910) the story resurfaces in the capable hands of the Patersons (Blueberries for the Queen), who stay true to the language and story line of the original, preserving the book's humor, whimsy, and enchanting storytelling. In both versions, a Stone Age power grab leads to the creation of the eponymous Flint Heart, which hardens the heart of its bearer and results in a lust for absolute control and few qualms about cruelty. The Flint Heart remains buried for thousands of years until unearthed by a kind farmer, where it soon wreaks havoc over his family and a memorable cast of pixies, fairies, imps, and even a German-made hot water bottle in early 20th-century England. Much of what makes the book so delightful can be found in its original incarnation, but the Patersons have done a stellar job of maintaining the book's period feel while creating a fresher, tighter story that feels tailor-made for family reading, just before bed, one chapter per night. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 7-12. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
The husband-and-wife team of the Patersons has created what they term a "freely abridged" version of Eden Phillpott's 1910 fantasy about an ancient, heart-shaped amulet whose power reaches down through the ages to harden the bearer's heart. When their mild-mannered father transforms into a tyrant after finding the amulet, 12-year-old Charlie enlists the aid of his younger sister, their dog, and some unusual partners, including a fairy king and a German hot water bottle to return Billy Jago to his loving self. The updated text is well served by Lister's avuncular narrative style with its comfortable pacing and spot-on voicing of characters both human and magical. Common Core Standard:CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.9 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics. (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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