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THE HOTEL BALZAAR — Review

rosihollinbeck

Thought for the Day:

“Never forget that writing is as close as we get to keeping a hold on the thousand and one things—childhood, certainties, cities, doubts, dreams, instants, phrases, parents, loves—that go on slipping, like sand, through our fingers.”


~ Salman Rushdie ~

Gifts for My Writer Friends:

Many years ago, I was in a critique group of budding writers. One of the members said the only point of view we could use was close third person. When I suggested there were other PoVs that were acceptable, including omniscient, she practically laughed at the idea. I’ll admit, close third person is pretty popular, but there are other options. HERE is a great article from Doug Landsborough writing for Dabble about how to write third-person omniscient POV: The all-seeing narrator.

Endings are every bit as important as beginnings. The last thing you want is a disappointed reader. HERE James V. Smith Jr., writing for Writer’s Digest, has The Dos and Don’ts of Novel Endings for you.

HERE is a very long, but good, post from Bookfox with How to Write a Children’s Book in 12 Steps. This has a lot of good information, but know that it is more for beginning picture book writers. Still, I always get something out of any good writing article, and this is good.

It is baseball playoff time, and I have been very, very busy watching baseball this week. There have been some terrific games. It was particularly fun for me to see the Cleveland Guardians win their series against the Detroit Tigers. Not that I have anything against the Tigers, but Stephen Vogt, the Guardians’ manager, is a former Giant, and we loved him when he was here. Former catchers always make great managers because they see the entire game and have to know what’s happening everywhere all the time. And, of course, I am presently a big Mets fan as well, driven mostly that I am an ABD (anybody but Dodgers) fan. It’s always nice to see the biggest payroll beaten. The MLB needs to do something about the disparity in payrolls. It’s ridiculous for a team to spend a billion dollars a year on payroll while the teams competing with them only have a quarter of that to spend. The other thing that took a lot of mindshare for me this week was the storms in Florida. I have some wonderful friends who live in Sarasota, so I was very worried, but I did hear from them and they are okay. They said they were able to go outside and experience the eye. How amazing! I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to do that, but if you know what you’re doing, it would be quite an experience. Fortunately, the second storm wasn’t as bad as expected, but still the damage and loss of life has been awful. The government response has been timely and appropriate. I am really angry that certain people have promoted lies about the response in order to make political hay. Ugh. This election can’t be over fast enough to suit me.

I received an email recently from the publicist at Candlewick Press offering me review copies in exchange for reviews. When I saw a new Kate DiCamillo book on the list, I requested it immediately. It says on the cover it is a Norendy Tale. Hmmm. That sounded familiar, and then I thought back to THE PUPPETS OF SPELHORST, another DiCamillo book, also a Norendy Tale. You can see my review of that book HERE. I wouldn’t call THE HOTEL BALZAAR, her new book, a sequel. It’s more like a companion. They are both stories made up of smaller stories. When you pick up either of these books, you might think they are just for young readers since they have large print and illustrations, but they are so rich, that anyone from age 7 to 100 will enjoy them and be better for having read. And isn’t that cover inviting?

Marta and her mother have moved to the Hotel Balzaar. Marta’s father has not returned from the war, but Marta has not given up hope. Marta and her mother share a tiny room in the attic of the hotel. During the day, Mother, with her hair pinned up and a uniform on, cleans the guest rooms. She reminds Marta each day that she is to be invisible and quiet, but Marta can go anywhere in the hotel. Marta spends a good deal of time in the lobby looking at a painting that has one luminescent angel wing showing from clouds. Marta cannot figure out if the angel is coming or going. She also spends time watching a grandfather clock that has a cat chasing a mouse around the face, but it never seems to catch the mouse.

One day, an imperious countess with a beautiful parrot on her shoulder checks in. Marta hides behind a plant, but as the countess walks by, she speaks to Marta and tells her she is to come to the countess’s room as she has stories to tell Marta. The countess tells Marta that the parrot, Blitzkoff, had been a general before he became a parrot. The stories seem unresolved and unconnected, but magical enough to keep Marta coming back. She has a vision of her father, and she thinks the stories may tell her something about him, so she keeps coming back, even though the stories are frustrating. Will she ever find the answers she needs?

Kate DiCamillo

When I see a Kate DiCamillo book, like Marta, I keep coming back for more. Her writing is so gorgeous and her stories are absolutely enchanting. The characters are magical and yet somehow believable. THE HOTEL BALZAAR is every bit as compelling and charming as THE PUPPETS OF SPELHORST. This is a book for all readers, but youngsters especially will love it.

Please don’t forget to check for other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE.

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Published by rosihollinbeck

27 thoughts on “THE HOTEL BALZAAR — Review”

  1. Pingback: MMGM for October 14, 2024 | Always in the Middle…

    1. I always read any interview with her I can. She is such a great writer and very sharing. I think adults might like this book better than the kids will. Thanks for reading and commenting.

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  3. I’m glad you’re enjoying the baseball playoffs. We were sad that Detroit didn’t win. I’m a huge fan of Kate’s. I need to start this series after reading your review. Thanks.

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    1. Thinking about you today as I’m watching the Lions beat my beloved Vikings. It isn’t over yet! Detroit has great teams this year. I think you will enjoy this book. It’s a quick read. Thanks for the comment.

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  4. I keep hearing great things about this book. 🙂 Totally agree with what you said about POV. Adi Alsaid does a great job writing compelling young adult books with really interesting POV structure. I would have been more inclined to think that omniscient dates your book before reading some of his work. I’ve always got more to learn about writing! 🙂

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  5. I’ve seen this cover a few different places lately and really love it. I try to read all of Kate’s books too, so will definitely be looking for it at the library. Happy MMGM! Thank you for all the links about writing and POV’s.

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  7. This must be more of an elementary series, because I couldn’t think of a single middle schooler who would pick these up. I was a huge Rumer Godden fan back in the day, but I don’t think I’ll buy these for my library.

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  8. The plot and the fact it came from Kate DiCamillo has this high on my future read list. Great story and characters. Glad you are enjoying the playoffs, but those Dodgers are always getting in the way. We’ll hope for the best.

    The links were great this week, especially about point of view. Thanks for featuring your post on this week’s MMGM.

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    1. Dastardly Dodgers. There is still a slim chance they won’t make it to the series but it’s a very slim chance. I could become a Yankees fan yet this week. Glad you like the links. Thanks for the comment.

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  9. What an intriguing book! I’d love to read it. Thanks for the interesting review, Rosi. I enjoyed everything you wrote about and sincerely hope the voters of our country pay attention and vote wisely!

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  10. Have my advanced reading copy of Hotel Balzar — so will wait some to share my review. I wondered what the story was about, but still am not sure. I agree, I believe readers of all ages can appreciate this DiCamillion Norendy Tale series. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Absolutely going to read this one!

    And yeah, those writing group dictators sure are annoying.

    I’m glad your friends in Sarasota are okay. I’d probably run out to see the eye of a hurricane too, if I got the chance. (I hope I don’t!)

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  13. I read the first book in this series- but I haven’t read this one yet. I just saw the cover the other day and guessed it was part of the same group of books. So far I haven’t been able to get any of my students to pick up The Puppets of Spellhorst- even though they love Kate’s books (as do I). I am going to book talk it again soon and see what happens. I am definitely curious to read this companion. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I felt like the two books were related only in style. Interesting. I’m not surprised the kids aren’t picking these up so much. I almost think they are more for adults even if Kate didn’t mean for them to be. Thanks for the comment.

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