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In Ireland, March 17th
is a Holy Day, celebrated with a special Mass and city parades. This
day usually falls during Lent, and drinking is minimal during this time. But, the moment Lent is over...
St. Patrick changed the history of Ireland back in the 400s AD. Through his understanding and compassion for the Irish people, Patrick converted the culture of druid pagan to Christianity. Here is a web site about St. Patrick: Just Who Was ST. Patrick?
This post is in praise of an ingenious series of books by Eoin Colfer: Artemis Fowl. What is so great about this series?
The setting is Ireland, and the main
character is the human evil genius child Artemis Fowl. The son of a
wealthy family, the twelve-year old Artemis has turned his brilliance to
capturing a leprechaun, one Holly Short, captain of an elite squad of
LEPs.
The Fey world is alive and kicking in this
series. The leprechauns are not naughty little mischievous gold
stealers/hoarders. Oh, no. The leprechauns are an elite squad of
top-notch covert operators whose missions are all directed at keeping
the humans away from their world.
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| A message written in Gnomish |
There are other members of the Fey world, some very unsavory and some cooperative assistants.
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| This is a student rendering of the world beneath Ireland... |
The list of Eion Colfer’s books in this
series is long and delightful. There is a marvelous web site where young readers will truly enjoy themselves.
Go to this site when you have time to spare!
Go to this site when you have time to spare!
This series delighted me, as an Irish
person, but mainly as a teacher.
It is difficult or even nigh impossible to
find titles like these that will engage reluctant readers. Boys
especially are reluctant to venture into books at that middle-school
age. The Artemis Fowl series was a hit. Each page has a line of ‘gnomish’ symbols that can be interpreted to give a message to the reader.
While this is not a typical St.Pat's Day post, this is a book series that captured many readers.
I think I have a kindle copy of Artemis Fowl on a thumb drive with 1700 books on it. I shall check later.
ReplyDeleteWow. good for you!
DeleteI’d heard of the series but knew nothing about it. Thank you for featuring it, I’ll keep it in mind when I run into reluctant reader boys of that age group.
ReplyDeleteI hope they will enjoy these books as much as my own students did.
DeleteAll news to me, sounds good though.. I learn so many things I never knew on others blog posts.. like I had no idea I could put kindle books on a thumb drive. will check into that.
ReplyDeleteI have not done that so I must give it a try.
DeleteWhen I taught middle school I read adolescent literature all the time so I could help kids find something that might capture them. Artemis Fowl came out after I was in the classroom, but would have been perfect! I love the graphic novels that are now available as well. My grandkids love them!
ReplyDeleteFinding new books that engage is sometimes a challenge. Do you remember Captain Underpants?
DeleteThanks for letting us know about Artemis Fowl, Susan. I had heard of it, but never even thought to check it out. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteIt is a charming book (for adults) that has ongoing plot of good vs. evil,.
DeleteI have heard of the books, but I have not read them. It's good when a book sucks in reluctant readers.
ReplyDeleteI had some very very smart 5th graders; they were not eager to try this book. Oh my. they snagged that book and took off running.
DeleteI'll have to look it up. Sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteIt is, and it is a quick read. Lots of things happening, in Ireland, and the Irish accent is great.
DeleteSounds neat. And I was just wondering if I had any green underwear to put on outside my jeans tomorrow...
ReplyDeleteGreen underwear with shamrocks are frequent offerings.
DeleteI've not read any Artemis Fowl books.
ReplyDeleteI do like your first photograph here ...
All the best Jan
there are several books in one series. I thought there was a movie in the works but not yet.
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