Other World Wednesday: Silbrica (the Darwen Arkwright series)

Darwen Arkwright is an eleven-year-old boy who is orphaned in modern-day England and is sent to live with his aunt in Atlanta (perhaps the least-magical city I’ve ever visited.). But he finds that the mirror in his closet is an entryway to a magical land called Silbrica where dangerous creatures ride motorbikes and try to capture children.  Forces within Silbrica are searching for something in our world, though, and only Darwen and his friends can stop them.

I first read this book when I was on the committee for a state-wide literature award.  The book can feel a little forced at points, but by the end it had totally evolved into its own unique story and I was cheering the characters. I also especially applaud the author’s handling of Darwen’s parents and their participation in his current story.  See, it’s because they… but I won’t tell you that.  You’ll have to read it for yourself.

How to Commemorate

• Buy a mirror.
• Drink cold tea with a huge soggy teabag in it.
• Go to the mall and look for magical creatures.

Works Cited    

Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact by A.J. Hartley

Amazon         Barnes & Noble        Public Libraries

Other World Wednesday: Narnia

This month we’ll feature some places that don’t fit onto a normal calendar, or atlas for that matter. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis are a classic set of books about the adventures that a number of kids have traveling from England to Narnia, where animals can speak and magic is all over the place. These books are so pivotal to a number of our childhoods (or adulthoods in one case) that we’re not entirely sure what to say, so here is a list of things we would do in Narnia if/when we get there.

• Participate in the snow dance that dwarves and dryads have on the night of the first snowfall of the season (and not get hit by a snowball).
• Listen to the crashing waterfall at Cauldron Pool.
• Walk the southern pass from Narnia into bordering Archenland.
• Stop by the lamppost in Lantern Waste.
• Sail out to Ramandu's Island (if there's time).

How to Commemorate:

• Make/Eat Turkish Delight.
• Play hide and seek.
• Talk to your pets.  You know, just so they have the chance to say something back if they can speak.

Works Cited    

The Chronicles of Narnia

Amazon         Barnes & Noble        Public Libraries

*A small rant about formats.  The books are amazing.  The audiobooks (especially the ones narrated by the likes of Patrick Stewart, Lynn Redgrave, Derek Jacobi, and Kenneth Branagh) are also amazing. The BBC movies are not bad (think 1970’s Doctor Who special effects). The first movie from Disney is great.  The second is okay.  The third is sort of an abomination.  I say this out of love for the stories.