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Bondoux, Anne-Laure
4 Reviews
(1)
YA
Translated by Y. Maudet.
This beautifully written novel about a young refugee boy, Koumail, and his guardian, Gloria, who, in the mid-1990s, leave their war-torn home in the Caucasus and head for France, is full of harsh yet tender moments. As Koumail grows older, the mystery of his origins and of Gloria's past deepen. Bondoux evokes their journey in prose that is both exquisitely poetic and unsparing.
Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2011
(4)
YA
Translated by Y. Maudet.
After their parents' death, Mado becomes the ward of her heedless older sister, Patty. When Patty gets pregnant, Mado gains even more responsibilities and learns to accept Patty as she is. The translation from the French is adept if not always idiomatic, and implausible plot points--a whirlwind romance, Patty's utter flakiness, the problem-free home birth--are eased by vividly portrayed emotions.
Reviewer: Norah Piehl
(4)
YA
Translated by Anthea Bell.
Princess Malva, seeking adventure and freedom over forced marriage, escapes to sea. Unexpected betrayal lands her in an endless onslaught of dangerous situations, in which she is joined by would-be rescuer and pirate's son Orpheus. Many characters (e.g., the ever-loyal maid, the scheming advisor) are overly familiar, but Malva has more depth than your average rebellious royal, and Bondoux avoids tidy resolution.
Reviewer: Claire E. Gross
(3)
4-6
Translated by Catherine Temerson.
In a future dystopia, a computer test at age fourteen separates those destined for easy lives in Realm One from everyone else. On the eve of his exam, Linus Hoppe begins to question the system and decides to switch his score with a less fortunate friend. This thought-provoking French import reflects on such topics as standardized tests, privilege, free will, and our computerized society.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
4 reviews
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