Foiled
By Jane Yolen
Illustrated By Mike Cavallaro
Aliera Carstairs doesn't really belong in her high school. She doesn't fit in with any of the cliques - jocks, nerds, goths... She just blends into the background. The only place she does stand out is as fencing. There she's more than good - she's the best.
When Aliera's mom finds a new practice foil for her at a tag sale, Aliera accepts it without thought. Her mom is always buying used stuff and even though someone glued a jewel on the end, Aliera thinks it just might work for her. After all, fencing is an expensive sport. Who is she to turn down a $2 foil.
Aliera's time is devoted to school and fencing during the week and fending and her cousin Caroline on the weekends. Caroline has debilitating rheumatoid arthritis. Every Saturday Aliera and Caroline play a role-playing game where Caroline is the queen and Aliera is her defender. Aliera never misses their games unless she's sick or has a tournament....until her date with Avery.
Avery is beyond gorgeous. Certainly Aliera never thought he would be interested in her. Sure they had some laughs in Biology...and he always seems interested in what she has to say... Still, something about him is off. When he asked her on a date, however, she can't say no, even though it will mean missing some of fencing and her gaming date with Caroline.
When Avery is late, Aliera finds herself alone in Grand Central Station. Soon she finds herself in the middle of a battle between forces from another world - and finds out that Avery is far from perfect.
I found this book pretty entertaining. It wasn't on the best graphic novels list, but I was interested to read it when I saw that Jane Yolen was the author. This is her only graphic novel, but I wouldn't be surprised to see more, specifically additions to Foiled. The storyline was interesting and Aliera speech and behavior were spot on teenager. I also really liked all referenences to fencing. I knew a little about the sport before reading, but I learned a lot from the story itself. Each of the chapters is named after a fencing term and the entire book is set up to mirror a fencing match.
If I had any criticism it would be that I felt that the story was a little underdeveloped. I don't know if this is typical of graphic novels, as this is the first one I've read. There was a lot a allusion to both Caroline and Caroline's cat being connected to this other world and a lot of story elements, such as Aliera's distant relation to the person who previously owned the practice foil and Avery's debt her her, are unresolved at the end. This leads me to believe that Yolen intends to add to the story. The copyright of Foiled is 2010, so this seems likely. Overall I would definitly recommend this book. There is nothing scandalous except for some vague references to a part of a man's anatomy and some dark humor on the part of Avery. I would put this in any middle school library and would recommend it for grades 5 and up. I think some high schoolers would enjoy it (the characters are in high school), but it would be a very short read. I think it took me a grand total of 45 minutes to an hour to finish it. Still, I will be on the lookout for new additions to the story.
Book Talk Hook
Have you ever felt like you didn't fit in?
Like there was nowhere in this world that you truly belonged?
What if you didn't belong in this world?
What if you were meant to belong somewhere completely different?
Caryn, you said, "If I had any criticism it would be that I felt that the story was a little underdeveloped." I felt that way about "my" graphic novel too. I'm wondering if this is because, as avid readers, we have an expectation of a well-developed plot. I don't know that fans of graphic novels have the same expectations.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right regarding the "underdeveloped plot". However, that also may be part of the appeal. Many of these graphic novels are starting to run together for me. However, back to the "reader appeal" - you have to know your audience and meet their needs by offering a selection of appropriate titles. I am interested to see an author such as Jane Yolen make a contribution to this format of story telling.
ReplyDeleteWow! I didn't know Yolen had a graphic novel out. Just the author's name will get some readers to pick up the book. She is still very popular at my library especially with the 7-10 graders. The plot for Foiled sounds interesting, even if it is not as well developed as Yolen's ususal novels. I will need to check out this title.
ReplyDeleteI liked your book talk hook. I think students who view themselves as outkasts would relate to this book very well, even if they don't enjoy fencing. I think they could still relate the story to their own lives.
ReplyDeleteI like your book talk hook. I think a lot of potential YA readers can identify with not fitting in concerning at least some aspects of their lives. Additionally, the book has the ability to attract both male and female readers due to the protagonist and the fencing content and plot. I have to admit that after reading several of our graphic novel blogs, I am much more willing to expand our library's collection.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you read this book Caryn. Many big name authors have had their books adapted and published in the graphic novel format but this is perhaps unique?? in that a major fantasy writer wrote it for this format. Graphic reads are quick reads generally and that is probably part of their appeal. There will be further development in sequels I imagine.
ReplyDelete