Other World Wednesday: United Isles (The Rithmatist)

The Rithmatist (by Brandon Sanderson) sets out a whole new re-imagining of the United States where instead of being joined by land, the states make up an archipelago with island names like Rhodes, Milwauk, Zona Arida, and Tennessee.  This isn’t nearly the most interesting thing about the world though.  On the central island of Nebrask, there is a race of two-dimensional wild chalk creatures that can devour people.  Select children are chosen to attend Armedius Academy where they learn to magically duel in chalk to keep these monsters at bay, preventing them from overrunning the entire country. When students at the academy begin to disappear, only non-magical teen Joel has the grit and persistence to find the students and protect the school.

Seriously, does Brandon Sanderson ever sleep?  This guy gives us loads of great high-fantasy books of such stellar quality that he was chosen to write the final book in Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series.

How to Commemorate

• Create chalk drawings. (Bonus points if you duel!)
• Make yourself a course roster if you were to attend a magical academy.
• Rename places near you.

Share your celebrations to our twitter or Facebook pages.

Works Cited    

The Rithmatist

Amazon         Barnes & Noble        Public Libraries

Otherworld Wednesday: Kingkiller

Ok, so here's the thing about Patrick Rothfuss--he has off-the-charts world-building powers.  I mean, seriously, all of his countries have histories and languages and folk heroes, and his laws of magic--don't even get me started.  I have never read a series with a more explainable means of magic.  And hey, the archive doesn't hurt either.  The books are told in epic flashbacks from gifted young magician Kvothe as he grows from an idyllic life traveling the roads with his artistic parents to a time in the future where he becomes infamous by ...well, I don't want to ruin it for you.

So, start with the first book The Name of the Wind where you get to know Kvothe, and go from there.  But be warned in case you're a Westeros fan--if you're angry with George RR for making you wait for more GoT books, you may be similarly upset with Rothfuss.  Word is, he auctions off his writing time for fundraisers.


How to Commemorate

• Keep iron on-hand.
• Sing a song, play an instrument, or act out a story.
• Climb onto a rooftop (bonus points for being barefoot).

Works Cited    

The Name of the Wind

Amazon         Barnes & Noble        Public Libraries

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.