http://www.pixiepalace.com Talking about children\'s books and gender issues in stories and media Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:26:22 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Eldest Christopher Paolini 2005 (Alfred A. Knopf/Random House) Eldest continues the story begun in Eragon and follows the adventures of Eragon the dragon rider and Saphira the dragon, Roran (Eragon's cousin) and the Varden (a group of rebels fighting to free the kingdom from the evil dragon rider who rules with an iron ... http://www.pixiepalace.com/2008/07/02/book-eldest/ I really enjoyed this quiz. I'm not sure that I entirely agree with the results (my husband thinks I'm a little more like Batman than the quiz thinks I am), but I was happy with my result and happy to see that I scored so close to Robin and ... http://www.pixiepalace.com/2008/06/21/what-superhero-are-you-quiz/ My husband gets the Pathfinder modules in the mail from Paizo and usually I at least glance at the character on the cover when they arrive, but I somehow missed this one! When I finally came across it I was wowed (and annoyed that he hadn't shown it to ... http://www.pixiepalace.com/2008/04/24/i-want-to-play-her-champion/ A Natural History of the Senses Diane Ackerman 1990 (Vintage/Random House) General knowledge is that we as humans experience the world through five distinct senses - hearing, smell, touch, taste and sight. Ackerman explores each of these senses in her book in varying eclectic ways. She discusses historical, biological, psychological, artistic ... http://www.pixiepalace.com/2008/04/17/book-a-natural-history-of-the-senses/ Ali Baba: Fooling the Forty Thieves Marie P. Croall illustrated by Clint Hilinski 2008 (Graphic Universe/Lerner) I wouldn't have expected it, but the graphic novel format lends itself well to the story of "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" from the Arabian Nights. The tale follows Ali Baba as he discovers the secret ... http://www.pixiepalace.com/2008/03/29/book-ali-baba-fooling-the-forty-thieves/ Skater Girl Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm 2007 (Random House) Babymouse stares longingly at the trophies in the school trophy case, none of which bear her name, remembering all of her less-than-thrilling "honorable mentions" and wishing that she could get a trophy of her own. Chances for glory come in unexpected ... http://www.pixiepalace.com/2008/03/28/book-skater-girl/ Sisters of the Sword Maya Snow 2008 (Working Partners/HarperCollins) Sisters of the Sword is the first in a series about two sisters, the daughters of a great Samurai leader, who become great samurai themselves. The sisters, Kimi and Hana, watch as their father and older brothers are brutally murdered by their uncle ... http://www.pixiepalace.com/2008/03/27/book-sisters-of-the-sword/ I know that it's been a really long time since I've posted any pixel dolls, but I have some new ones today. Some have been sitting on my computer waiting to be posted for a really long time while a few are pretty recent creations. Madam Mim is ... http://www.pixiepalace.com/2008/03/20/new-pixel-dolls-shackled-city-and-book-characters/ Just Listen Sarah Dessen 2006 (Viking/Penguin) Annabel is the sort of girl who hates confrontation. She is quiet and generally keeps her head down. Her family is full of drama and her social life has fallen apart because her best friend has dropped her because of events from a few months ... http://www.pixiepalace.com/2008/03/15/book-just-listen/ I'm thrilled that the winners have been announced, but I can't say I'm entirely thrilled with all the choices. I adored The Professor's Daughter, which won the Teen Graphic Novel award, but I actually really disliked Artemis Fowl. I'm not saying it was a bad book, it wasn't. ... http://www.pixiepalace.com/2008/02/18/thoughts-on-the-cybils-winners/