Bob's Best

Oranges in No Man's Land by Elizabeth Laird, Published Macmillan Children’s Books 2006.

This excellent book deals with the effects of war on children during Lebanon’s civil war.

In the ruins of Beirut, and along with her grandmother and younger brother, Ayesha is trying to survive the air strikes and fighting. When her grandmother urgently needs medical supplies, Ayesha must cross the "green belt" into enemy territory for help. There she witnesses the brutality and senselessness of war but also encounters humanity and understanding from those she knows as the enemy. An excellent novel written by a knowledgeable and masterful storyteller. Aimed at children in years 5/6 upwards.

Soul Eater by Michelle Paver, Published by Orion Childrens books, 2006.

The third part of the six novels in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, continues the saga of Torak, Renn and Wolf.

Six thousand years ago just after the last Ice Age a world exists where humans are integrally bound with their natural environment. But it’s also a time when evil forces are attempting to destroy this natural balance. Torak is a "spirit walker" able to enter the soul of an animal. When the evil Soul Eaters capture his wolf companion he sets out after them into the frozen land of the north with his female companion Renn. A tale of adventure and survival, author Michelle Paver handles the complicated subject matter brilliantly and maintains the storytelling at just right level for children. I can't wait for part four. Suitable for children years 7/8 upwards, and of course adults!

Bob's Bests

As promised here’s the next installment of Bob’s Bests - so grab a copy and that’s your week’s reading sorted. Love the stunning cover to Day of Tears…

Day of Tears by Julius Lester. Pub. Hyperion Books for Children, New York. 2005

Highly emotive, thought provoking and dramatic, Day of Tears sits the reader down ringside to the biggest (and last) American Southern states slave auction before the Civil War, circa 1859. Relayed entirely through dialogue, each character brings a different perspective to the event, - and to slavery. This also extends post auction as each character reflects some years later on the events that transpired since that fateful day.

This book won the Coretta Scott King Award in 2005 and although it can be read in a few hours it is both unforgettable and extraordinary. Aimed at intermediate/secondary level readers, Days of Tears could also be adapted for the stage to brilliant effect.

The End or Book Thirteen by Lemony Snicket. Pub. Harper Collins, New York, 2006.

Many will say, thank heavens it’s over, (the Unfortunate Events series that is) and, well I have to agree. Again it’s the usual suspect’s, a scheming Count Olaf and the three Baudelaire orphans. This time they’re adrift a boat in the middle of the ocean when a storm deposits them on an island ruled by the weird mystic, Ishmael. Initially a strength of the series, Snicket’s word games here appear tedious and irksome. And while it has nowhere near the power or impact of the first three in the series I did finish the book just to see what happens, as no doubt thousands will (and also be sorry to see the last of the plucky orphans). Try it and see. Aimed at primary and intermediate children.

Two New Reviews

Michael Morpurgo is a wonderful writer – currently the Children’s Laureate in the UK in fact. He's not afraid to tackle life’s big themes (war, grief, prejudice, social class etc) with a mix of directness and sensitivity. Here are two of Morpurgo’s recent novels reviewed by Janet McFadden.



The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips
Set in a rural village in the South coast of England during World War 2, this story is told by Lilly in diary form. Lilly’s family has to evacuate when the village becomes a training area for troops using live ammunition, in preparation for the invasion of France.

When Lily’s beloved cat, Tips, goes missing, Lilly creeps under the barbed wire to search for her. She is caught, twice, and warned, but only when the firing starts realises how dangerous her mission is.

Her family is joined on her uncle’s farm by a child evacuee from London. Two Black American soldiers from Atlanta, in the deep South, get to know Lily and her family – and for the first time are treated as equals by the English. One is Adolphus, after whom Lily renames her cat.

The novel has moments of poignancy and sadness, but ends happily. A great book for Years 4-8.




Private Peaceful
Another wartime story, but this time World War 1. Thomas Peaceful reflects back on his childhood, the innocent pleasures of growing up in the country, the dependence on the relationship with the landowner (a most unpleasant Colonel), the strength of family, and the warmth of care for his intellectually handicapped brother, Big Joe.
With the call-up to fight, everything changes. Along with other village lads, and his beloved brother Charlie, Tommo endures the tortures of training under a bullying sergeant, before facing the terrifying horror of trench warfare in Belgium and France. I finished reading this book in the train with tears running down my face – hoping that nobody across the aisle would notice! A powerful and moving read.

Bob's Best

It’s a big, warm welcome to Bob Docherty who will be kicking off Bob’s Best, a fortnightly Friday review of two selected young adult fiction for Creating Readers. Over to you Bob...

Losing It by Sandy McKay. Pub. Longacre Press, Dunedin, 2007.

The cover describes this New Zealand novel as... "profound, heartfelt: a landmark novel," and that’s exactly what it is.

Fifteen-year-old Jo is in hospital when her anorexic condition reaches crisis point. At the time she is writing to her friend Issy who (in poignant contrast) is living the life Jo should be leading.

Jo's mother went missing presumed dead when Jo was 11, and she still refuses to see her father. And while she corresponds with her younger brother she is unable to see the effects her anorexia is having on herself, family and friends. But it is Issy that provides the outlet for Jo's point of view and through their correspondence the reader finally begins to understand the cause of Jo’s anorexia.

Sandy McKay not only has a real understanding of anorexia nervosa, but she’s acutely aware of the tensions and stress it plays on families. But this is also a hopeful novel, one that reaches an optimistic conclusion.

I discussed this book with a class of year 7/8 girls and it was the story that they most wanted to share, the book is appropriate for female secondary school students.






Flashpoint by Frances Cherry. Pub. Scholastic, Auckland 2006.

I could be harsh about this book because the plot is so contrived, but I won’t, for two reasons, the book is both positive and hopeful, and we know a book without hope is, well, a hopeless waste of time.

Charlotte's life is happy, and privileged as the opening chapter reveals through Charlotte’s birthday – one full of smulchy suburban contentment. But the next day things change… for the worse. Dad leaves, declaring there is no one else (but we know there is). Charlotte’s mother is utterly distraught and the family begins to face the inevitable agonies of the separation. We meet Dad’s new girlfriend, Charlotte’s bother gives everyone the silent treatment, Mum turns to drink, there’s an opportunist land agent and an erratic family dog. Oh the agony!

But somehow it works and works out in the end - even though it is hard to understand why Charlotte’s father would call on his ex wife for support over his girlfriends’ difficulty pregnancy! Oh dear, oh dear. Will there be reconciliation? Does Charlotte live happily ever after? Read it and find out.

Suitable for secondary students.