Tender-hearted and compelling, this novels depicts Will's beautiful life on a farm in Zimbabwe and her subsequent uprooting to England. Will loves plaTender-hearted and compelling, this novels depicts Will's beautiful life on a farm in Zimbabwe and her subsequent uprooting to England. Will loves playing with animals and riding her horse, and her best friend is Simon, a boy who works with the horses on the farm. Together they go riding and running and climb tress, and live a life without any constraints. When Will is ripped away from everything and sent to a strict boarding school in England, she has no idea how to make sense of this new world, and finds herself hated for things she can't understand. This novel is immersive, especially in its descriptions of the landscape and of animals, but the plot is very clunky, and the arrival of an evil stepmother feels like a cliche too far. However, it's a very pleasant way to spend a few hours. ...more
Griffin Silk lives with many sisters in the Australian countryside. But his life has changed a lot: his Mum and his little sister are no longer at homGriffin Silk lives with many sisters in the Australian countryside. But his life has changed a lot: his Mum and his little sister are no longer at home, and he's begun school after being educated at home. Things begin to get better when he meets a new friend, Layla. This is sweet story set in the Australian countryside, that explores grief and change, and the joy of imagination. ...more
A funny, sensitive and fresh graphic novel, Cross My Heart and Never Lie is written from the perspective of Tuva, a Norwegian girl on the cusp of adolA funny, sensitive and fresh graphic novel, Cross My Heart and Never Lie is written from the perspective of Tuva, a Norwegian girl on the cusp of adolescence. Tuva's class has become divided between girls who are embracing becoming teenagers, by wearing make-up and talking about boys, and girls who don't care about clothes and just want to play. Tuva feels caught in the middle, especially when she begins to develop confusing feelings for a new girl, Mariam. Told in fun, colourful drawings and diary entries, this book is light and warm without glossing over the difficulties of being young. It's also great to read something from a European, rather than US, perspective. ...more
People kept telling me to read this in approximately 2009. I've finally got around to it! It's interesting: the two main characters consist of a youngPeople kept telling me to read this in approximately 2009. I've finally got around to it! It's interesting: the two main characters consist of a young boy, Nathaniel, and the djinn he summons, Bartimaeus. But the sympathetic character here is Bartimaeus: enslaved by different magicians through eternity, he retains a sense of humour and even a sense of justice. Nathaniel has been sold by his parents to the state in order to be apprenticed to a magician. But he is unlucky: the wizard who takes him on is mediocre, and doesn't care about Nathaniel's education. Nathaniel is highly ambitious, and summons Bartimaeus in order to play a trick on another magician. And of course, his plans go array. I enjoyed the set-up to this story, and I found Bartimaeus entertaining, but this book consists of many, many chase and fight scenes, interspersed with patches of dialogue, and this came to wear on me. I didn't care about the darting demons or the myriad of explosive spells. I also wasn't convinced by the portrayal of Nathaniel: he wasn't quite nasty enough for his actions to be entirely convincing, and neither was he quite honourable enough for his few moments of good intentions to be believable. But the background to this story is interesting, and I like that the magicians are the nasty ones and the demons are the sympathetic characters. Overall, a mixed bag....more
Every year a town drops lanterns into a river as part of its harvest festival. A group of boys decide to cycle after the lanterns in search of the lanEvery year a town drops lanterns into a river as part of its harvest festival. A group of boys decide to cycle after the lanterns in search of the lantern's ultimate destination. This is their pact: they will not turn back. This is a charming, imaginative story, that includes a talking bear, flying fish, and lots of cycling. Its atmosphere reminded me a lot of a Studio Ghibli film, which is not to say it isn't imaginative in its own right. Taking place over one night, it explores a friendship between two boys, and their quest for adventure. The blue and black illustrations are very effective, and the talking bear is a brilliant wise and not-so-wise character. Recommended. ...more
I listened to this as an audio-book, and then I immediately read it in hard copy. Both were exquisite experiences. This is a beautiful book: an immersI listened to this as an audio-book, and then I immediately read it in hard copy. Both were exquisite experiences. This is a beautiful book: an immersive, expansive fantasy novel, that is full of wisdom and joy. Mal lives on the Archipelago, a cluster of hidden islands in the Atlantic ocean, where all the creatures of myth live and thrive. Christopher lives in England, is beloved by animals, and is catapulted into the Archipelago when he rescues a baby griffin. There, he and Mal must escape a murderer, and find themselves on a quest to rescue the Archipelago from almost certain destruction. Rundell's prose is clear and precise, and her depictions of animals, both magical and real, are beautiful and believable. The story is funny, sad, warm and unbelievably alive. A huge stand-out for me. ...more
Claidi is kidnapped on her wedding day, and taken on a long journey to a strange fortress across the sea. Deep in the jungle, the fortress is home to Claidi is kidnapped on her wedding day, and taken on a long journey to a strange fortress across the sea. Deep in the jungle, the fortress is home to Venn, and his collection of half-robot servants. It is a beautiful and enormous house, that moves of its own accord, and is fully of dangerous half-wild creatures. Much of the book is given over to Claidi's explorations of this strange house, and her relationship with the elusive and difficult Venn. Overall, it's an enjoyable book, held together by Claidi's narrative voice, but this was always my least favourite of the Claidi novels, and I think that remains true: it lacks drive, and the relationship with Venn isn't very compelling. Still, I enjoyed revisiting it. ...more
Claidi is a servant in the House, a huge house and garden in a dangerous desert. Claidi believes there is nothing good outside the walls of this HouseClaidi is a servant in the House, a huge house and garden in a dangerous desert. Claidi believes there is nothing good outside the walls of this House, even though within it, she is a slave. But when a strange man in a hot air balloon is shot down by the guards of the House, her whole life changes. Written in the form of a journal, Claidi revels herself to be a brave and likeable central character, whose struggles to make sense of a hostile world are very believable. I first read this book when I was twelve or so, borrowed from the school library: it had been taken out so many times that it was very tattered. Rereading it is definitely nostalgic: I remember how much I loved Claidi, and how involved I was in this story, and how disturbed I was by the treacherous Wolf Tower. I'm probably giving it an extra star on account of nostalgia, because the ending is very rushed, but I enjoyed it a lot and am glad I reread it. ...more
A classic children's story that I never encountered in my old childhood, Half Magic introduces four siblings, Jane, Mark, Katherine and Martha, who liA classic children's story that I never encountered in my old childhood, Half Magic introduces four siblings, Jane, Mark, Katherine and Martha, who live in Toledo, Ohio, sometime in the 1920s, and encounter a magic coin during a hot, dull summer. The coin grants their wishes, but only by halves: wishing for the cat to talk creates a cat than can half-talk, and wishing to be at home sends the character half-way there. This results in a series of chaotic encounters with magical predicaments: ending up in the court of King Arthur, being kidnapped in a desert, accidentally starting a riot. The story is often very funny, and is held together by Eager's skilful and zany prose, although it sometimes careens out of his control. ...more
It took me a long a time to seek out this book because the reviews I'd read were not always positive, but I was surprised and delighted by how clever It took me a long a time to seek out this book because the reviews I'd read were not always positive, but I was surprised and delighted by how clever and moving this book is. We meet Harriet M. Welsch once more: this time she's staying at a summer house by the beach, near Beth Ellen. In Harriet the Spy, Beth Ellen is a side character, one who rarely speaks, but she is the central character of this story. Like Harriet the Spy, The Long Secret introduces us to a child who is materially very privileged, but is starved of love and attention by the adults around her. Beth Ellen lives with a very elderly grandmother, who spends most of her time in bed. Very shy, Beth Ellen is willing to follow Harriet around on her spying missions, and has not seen her own mother since she was a toddler. But during the summer of this book, Beth Ellen's mother returns from years spent partying in Europe, and Beth Ellen is so horrified by her that she finally has to stand up for herself. There are quite a few narrative threads going on here: occasionally they threaten to slip out of Fitzhugh's grasp, but most of the time she creates a deft and engaging story, while dealing with themes that feel remarkably modern for a children's book written in the 1960s. Harriet, Beth Ellen and her friends discuss religion, and whether it's an opium for the masses, careers, the role of women, menstruation, and loneliness, among other things. It's surprising and often moving, and has a timeless feel. Deserves to be much more widely read. ...more
This was wonderful to reread while I was sick. I love the conceit of this novel: grumpy Mrs Frankweiler narrating the story of Claudia and Jamie KincaThis was wonderful to reread while I was sick. I love the conceit of this novel: grumpy Mrs Frankweiler narrating the story of Claudia and Jamie Kincaid, who have run away from home. As urban kids, they hide in the Metropolitan Museum of Art rather than going into the countryside, and this is a great celebration of museums and art, as well as wonderful escapism for all nerdy people who would like to forget their problems and live in a museum for a while. Great fun. ...more
I've read a large proportion of DWJ's books at this stage, and I think I'm reaching the end of the good ones. Some people have told me that Archer's GI've read a large proportion of DWJ's books at this stage, and I think I'm reaching the end of the good ones. Some people have told me that Archer's Goon is their favourite DWJ, but I don't see the appeal myself. It's more science fiction than fantasy, and so far none of DWJ's more SF titles have really worked for me. I found myself skimming this one. ...more
Two middle-aged women are renting Green Knowe, and they invite Ida, a great-niece, and two children, Oskar and Hsu, from The Society for Promotion of Two middle-aged women are renting Green Knowe, and they invite Ida, a great-niece, and two children, Oskar and Hsu, from The Society for Promotion of Summer Holidays for Displaced Children. Oskar, Ida, and Hsu (called Ping), find a canoe, and begin a holiday of exploring the river outside Green Knowe. Written in the 1950s, this is a strange follow-on from the previous Green Knowe stories, as the disappearance of Tolly and Mrs Oldknow is not explained, and the sense of Green Knowe as a place is completely different. The previous descriptions of Green Knowe captured a strange and historic house, full of ghosts and beauty, whereas the Green Knowe here is a simply a place the children eat their meals before they begin their adventures along the river. The river is a very magical place, where children can change size, giants dwell, and horses grow wings. Boston's descriptions of the magical within the real, and of the beauty of the summer river, hold this book together, and create something very readable, strange and entertaining. However, part of what made the previous books work for me was the strong sense of Tolly's character, and the rootedness of place, both of which are lost here. I never really got a sense of Ida, Ping or Oskar, and that was a large part of why this book felt rather flat to me. ...more
A very charming story about a little girl who is so frustrated by her new baby brother that she decides to run away from home. Looking for new parentsA very charming story about a little girl who is so frustrated by her new baby brother that she decides to run away from home. Looking for new parents, she paints "Free Kid" on the side of a box, and sits in it, waiting for someone to choose her. She's joined by a turtle, a dog and a cat. The story is illustrated with bold, arresting black-and-white pictures, that look like ink-brush drawings. The unique style of the illustrations adds to the fun of the story. Originally published in Japan in 1991, this was reissued in English in 2022. It feels a little old-fashioned, but in an engaging and whimsical way. I liked it a lot -- and my wife, a librarian, says it is very popular with young patrons. ...more
Tolly returns to Green Knowe for the Easter holidays, but his beloved companions of the 16th century -- Alexander, Toby and Linnet -- have gone. The pTolly returns to Green Knowe for the Easter holidays, but his beloved companions of the 16th century -- Alexander, Toby and Linnet -- have gone. The painting of these children, now ghosts or "others", is on display as part of an exhibition, and they can't visit the house when it's not there. On top of this, Tolly's great-grandmother worries that she will have to sell the painting, because her house is in desperate need of repair. Tolly is devastated, but all is not hopeless: he sets out on a quest to find the lost treasures of late 18th century Green Knowe, and in doing so, meets other children who once loved this house.
The children Tolly learns about are Susan and Jacob: Susan is a blind girl, born in the later 18th century, and Jacob is her companion, a young Black boy, who was brought back to England by Susan's father. I was a little worried about how a book written in 1958 would handle themes of race and disability, but Boston gives a very positive portrayal, within the constraints of the language of her time, and an accurate depiction of the 18th century. She explores Susan's world -- its limitations and its possibilities -- and demonstrates Susan's need for independence and autonomy. Boston's descriptions of the beauty of Green Knowe are given depth by Susan's experience of the place. Susan's father is a sea captain, and he meets 9-year-old Jacob in Barbados, and purchases him with the intention of bringing him back to England where he can grow up to be a free man. Within this context, it's hard to know whether Jacob will ever be entirely free or have the autonomy he deserves, but Boston's depiction of him as an intelligent, quick-witted and free-spirited boy, who helps Susan to explore the countryside and become independent, is compelling and respectful, and this works as both a children's story of its time, and a timeless edition to children's literature. The most unfortunate element are the drawings, in which Jacob is very much a caricature.
Overall, The Chimneys of Green Knowe is a good example of how, if authors approach subjects with openness and respect, their work can stand the test of time, even if it has dated features. This the opposite of Elizabeth Goudge's 1964 Linnets and Valerians, which is heedless of the autonomy of Black or disabled people. This is a lovely book, which I'd recommend. ...more
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