If there is a black hole in publishing for young adults, it is good fiction books for middle readers.  Those average readers in grades four through six are neglected.  It is hard to find something well written and interesting, but not too hard for them.  “Paint the Wind” is the perfect book for this age:  the plot is interesting but not complicated; the characters are believable and realistic; the conflict is realistic but dramatic enough for the middle reader; and the setting and story details are unique but not overly exotic.

At 316 pages this is no “baby book”, but chapters are short, the font is not tiny, and best of all, the white space is more than adequate, making this accessible to average readers and a fast read for a good reader.  Occasionally the narrator changes from the main human character, Maya, to the main horse character, Artemisia.  This can be difficult for young novel readers but Ryan has Artemisia’s words/chapters always appear in italics, again, making this an accessible book.  I considered it a bonus, too, that the chapters in Aretmisia’s voice were kept to a minimum.  (It made it more credible…who really knows what a horse thinks anyway?)  Pam Muñoz Ryan balanced it perfectly.

The book finishes with a terrific glossary and two pages of information for further reading.  I always wish they put the glossary at the front of a book, however, since I think young readers discover it too late.  But perhaps putting it in the front would discourage readers…

Horse girls are going to love this book.  Librarians know who I mean… every few years we have a student (always a girl) who won’t read anything but books and novels about horses.  (I never withdraw horse novels, no matter how tattered, because the horse girls will read anything and everything.)  There is plenty of satisfying detail about riding and caring for horses included in the narrative.  And of course the wonderful glossary is there for non-horse people in case they care what a currycomb is!  Another bonus is the names of artists woven throughout the narrative.  The reader can ignore this extra detail or appreciate it further.  This again makes ”Paint the Wind” a great book for the varied reading abilities found in middle grades.

Readers may want to visit Ryan’s website:  http://www.pammunozryan.com/paint.html

The name Maya, according to the novel, means ‘a journey about to begin’.  “Paint the Wind” is a journey worth taking.  I recommend it for grades 4-7 especially.

Despite the popularity of Cornelia Funke’s other titles such as The Thief Lord, Dragon Rider, and Inkheart – this is the first of this author’s titles I have read.  And it was delightful.  (The other titles shall remain in my ‘to be read’ stack!) 

Igraine is a wonderful fantasy for young readers.  It contains satisfying adventures and all the magical elements you could wish for – yet it remains uncomplicated.  I challenge those who claim, “I don’t like Fantasy,” to try this title! 

Magical royal parents, a talking cat (when in the mood), and an enchanted castle are all classical elements, but Funke makes it all fresh!  Pimpernel Castle is guarded by gargoyles who make horrible faces at strangers and eat cannon balls and crunch burning arrows when necessary.  Stone lions guard as well; like fierce stone doorbells they roar and bare their teeth for strangers but purr like cats for family.  Giants, dragons, all make their appearances yet the story remains unique with imaginative and original elements such as the Singing Books of Magic. 

One of the strengths of science fiction and fantasy are the clear definitions of good and evil.  Funke introduces very satisfying villains in the persons of Osmund the Greedy and Rowan the Heartless.  Obviously our heroine Igraine is one of the good guys, but her help comes from a very unlikely hero, The Sorrowful Knight of the Mount of Tears (or Sir Urban of Wintergreen).  Goodness and fair play triumph, of course; yet another reason to recommend fantasy to young readers.  Fantasy and science fiction can explore many moral themes without seeming didactic.

Igraine the Brave is a top notch fantasy – fresh and funky!  or should that be Funke-y!