Summer holidays are halfway through, but there is still time to check a good book. And because we have 5 weeks to go, maybe one book is not enough. In this blog post, I will recommend 2 series (not only) for pre-teenage girls, that we read together with my daughter. Me of course in Slovak, but the Finnish editions are available too.
Tanya Stewner’s series on Alea Aquarius is recommended for readers of 9-12 years. In the original German language are currently available 9 books, from which 8 were translated into Slovak, while in Finnish you can find the first 3 books.
Alea’s story begins in Hamburg where she lives with her ageing foster parent who was taken to the hospital. Alea has a rare allergy to water. At least this is what she believes.
When she was a small baby, her mother with a desperate look in her eyes, asked a strange woman to take care of Alea as she was dying. The only information she provided was, that Alea couldn’t get wet because she would die. But the water calls her and when her nanny ends up in the hospital, Alea’s steps subconsciously lead her to the harbour, where the adventure begins.
I will not say more 🙂 Only that Alea does not have an allergy to water. Instead, she is one of the disappearing tribes of the Sea people. Specifically, she is a whale shepherdess. Through the series, you will read about the hidden world of Sea people, their different tribes, their skills and their magics. You will also read why there are many more children in foster care with a rare allergy to water and how is the whole story connected with the oceans’ pollution and the betrail of one of the Sea People.
In the book is everything to catch your pre-teenage girl’s attention: adventure, ecology, deep friendship, love, fight against the badasses, good diversity of characters in terms of race, nationality or sexual orientation. When reading the book with my adult mindset, I would have something against the “love story” in the book. Specifically, how the love is framed in the book.
You have probably heard about the love myths. In literature (movies) for girls, these love myths have been perpetuated all over again. It was proved, how these myths are connected with the violence against women, so I would expect everyone to write about love and relationships differently. The book describes the romantic relationship between Alea and Lennox through many of the love myths: the myth of the better half, and the myth of omnipotence to name a few. It also describes a strong dependency of Alea on Lennox and his masculinity through physical strength, rebellious style etc. BUT it does not mean the book is bad. In my opinion, it provides a good opportunity to discuss romantic relationships with your teenage girl. What does she like about the relationship between Alea and Lennox? What she does not like? How does she picture the relationships?
I guess this is how you can discuss such sensitive topics with ease. Not putting too much stress on your child, because you are still talking about the story. Believe me, she will remember the message. Alea Aquarius is a good series, with an interesting storyline and a good opportunity to discuss topics such as eco-awareness, friendship and romantic relationships.
Another series that took our attention is Amari from B. B. Alson. There are 2 books available in Finnish and Slovak. In the original English language will the 3rd book be published this summer.
Amari is a black girl with a disadvantaged socio-economic background. She and her older brother are being raised by a single mother. Amari has been bullied in school as he does not fit. It is a private school, where her brother had a scholarship because of his scientific successes. Amari was given the scholarship too, but she was always remembered by her schoolmates that she did not belong.
One night everything changes. Amari receives the suitcase from her missing brother and becomes a student at the Supernatural Affairs Academy. During the welcoming selection of students, scandalous information is revealed, that she had no clue about. Amari is a witch! And all witches are undesirable at the office. Amari cannot use her superpowers and magic, she cannot even train them in the Academy. In the first book, she discovers that she is not the only witch at the Academy. But the witches are always tempted to use black magic. Her paths will be crossed with such witches as well. She will also learn that other magical creatures want all the witches to disappear.
Amari is a well-built story, maybe a bit too slow in the first book to my taste. There is magic, there is crime, friendship and bravery. In the book is a nicely described relationship between the siblings and additionally the fear of failure.
In the beginning, there are some similarities with Harry Potter, but it does not mean the book doesn’t stand on its’ own. It does. We have here another brave teenage girl as a main character and for this a thumbs up.