Archive | February 2025

Last Stop Auschwitz by Eddy de Wind

Feb26

The Powerful Spirit

Last Stop Auschwitz by Eddy de Wind is a powerful account of the author’s time in Auschwitz until the end of the war.

The book was actually penned whilst the author was in Auschwitz. We get a first-hand account of daily life in which Eddy de Wind pulls no punches. All his memories were still in tact as he was still in the camp.

We witness the cruelty of the Nazi war machine. Like most bullies, the guards fled as the Soviets approached. Those who valued their lives were “keeping hope alive.” Without hope the people will perish.

In Auschwitz, morals were abandoned due to starvation and desperation. There were those who worked for the good of others but they are overshadowed by those who looked out for themselves.

As well as needing hope, luck was needed too. People needed to keep their wits about them and try hard not to be noticed, as the guards needed no excuse to end a life.

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The House Of Second Chances by Lauren Westwood

Feb24

Coming Home

The House Of Second Chances by Lauren Westwood is a compelling contemporary novel that consumed me from the start.

The action is set is in present day and also dipping into 1952 via notes and letters. Everything comes alive due to the comprehensive descriptions from the author.

An old house, crumbling and decrepit takes centre stage. It needs someone to lovingly restore it, and not a local developer to tear it down. Can anyone rescue it from the developer’s clutches?

Within the walls lie secrets. The past echoes all around. Hearts that have hardened need awakening to new possibilities.

All the characters were well drawn and believable. A young estate agent’s passion for literature and the stories of old houses, was enthusiastic and infectious.

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The Best Sleep-Over In The World by Jacqueline Wilson

Feb22

True Characters Shine Through

The Best Sleepover In The World by Jacqueline Wilson is a wonderful read for girls aged eight years and over. It follows on from Sleep-Overs but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the first book first as this one follows on swiftly where that one finished.

Once more we join the five familiar faces as playground politics continue. There is still the character who bullies and is sneakily mean.

The characters do face moral dilemmas. Do they do the right thing? Or do they follow the crowd?

We witness the difference a good school that caters for special needs makes as we once more meet Daisy’s sister, Lily, who has, possibly, cerebral palsy (from the sounds of it). Her love still shines brightly as we see the sisterly bond. How Lily is treated by Daisy’s friends says a lot about their individual characters. Young readers learn that we are all different, and all valued.

The action is told in the first person through the voice of Daisy. She is believable, likable and easy to empathise with.

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Sleep-Overs by Jacqueline Wilson

Feb22

Examining The Minefield Of The Playground

Sleep-Overs by Jacqueline Wilson is a contemporary tale for girls aged eight years and over.

The novel explores the world of friendships in school. It is a minefield, negotiating the politics of the school playground, even though the girls are young.

We meet the school bully who can be very cruel and spiteful. Girls are friends with her out of fear.

There are five friends who have five very different sleep-overs. It is in the final one that true characters emerge, and personalities shine. We see that when a character has a chance to be mean or be kind, she chooses the route of kindness.

The action is seen through the eyes of Daisy and is in the first person.

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