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The Secret Of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange

Apr16

Of Love, Hope & Family

The Secret Of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange is a powerful children’s historical debut novel that is perfect for ages ten years and over.

The novel is set in 1919. World War I is over but its effects are far reaching. A generation of sons never came home.

This is a book about grief, loss and hope. There are two mothers who are drowning in grief. One mother has removed herself from society. The other is being treated by quacks masquerading as concerned doctors. We see that women have little rights in a male dominated society.

Fear of the asylum was very real. Patients were treated as guinea pigs. “You see only the symptoms. You do not see people, and you do not see the damage you do to them.”

A sister, only twelve -years-old, but remarkably mature for her years, never gives up on her family, even though she is grieving her brother. “I feel like half a double act.”

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The Ghost Of Thomas Kempe by Penelope Lively

Mar23

Entertaining

The Ghost Of Thomas Kempe by Penelope Lively is a children’s adventure for ages ten years and over. Though written in 1973, it still entertains audiences today.

Penelope Lively has a young boy, James, as the central character. Having moved into a new house, things go bump in the day and night – and James gets the blame. It is only James who recognizes this for what it is, and sets about trying to help a spirit lay to rest. Few people believe James, except a carpenter.

James is a very likable lead character. He is very plucky and able to save the day on more than one occasion.

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The House In Norham Gardens by Penelope Lively

Mar22

Highly Entertaining

The House In Norham Gardens by Penelope Lively is an entertaining novel for children aged ten years and over. It was penned in 1974 but is still reaching audiences today.

The action is set in Oxford as we follow a young girl, living with her aunts. She has the most amazing experiences as she sleeps – could this be real? Or imagined?

Having found artefacts from New Guinea, the young girl has vivid dreams about the tribes. Penelope Lively brings the exotic landscapes to life, with her magnificent descriptions. The book springs to life in glorious technicolour.

The leading lady is very kind, having empathy for those around her. Her elderly aunts are taken care of as the teen anticipates their needs.

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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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