Summer Term At Malory Towers by Pamela Cox

Aug23

Teamwork Makes The Dreamwork

Summer Term At Malory Towers by Pamela Cox is the eighth book in the Malory Towers series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading the books in order, for timeline progression. And continuity of characters.

Malory Towers was originally penned by Enid Blyton in the 1940’s. Pamela Cox has taken up the reins from book seven onwards. It is a seamless transition as the flow and style is the same as the originals. The books are perfect for the over ten girls.

We rejoin Malory Towers for the summer term, seeing familiar faces, and meeting new ones.

We see the importance of friendship, and learn the value of sharing problems. “Sometimes it helps to confide in someone.” What can be a burden for one, becomes lighter if carried by more.

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Five Have A Wonderful Time by Enid Blyton

Aug19

More Than They Bargained For!

Five Have A Wonderful Time by Enid Blyton is the eleventh book in the Famous Five series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Familiar faces are off on an adventure again – as a caravanning holiday leads to more than the children bargained for.

Staying in two traditional traveller’s caravans, the five are looking forward to a peaceful time in the countryside.

First, they meet some hostile circus folk, then a face from the past returns, and finally there is a face-off with the bad men! No such thing as a quiet time for the five!

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The Accidental Stowaway by Judith Eagle

Aug18

Heroes & Villains

The Accidental Stowaway by Judith Eagle is an entertaining children’s historical novel that I loved. It is perfect for the over tens.

The reader joins the lead character, twelve-year-old Patch as she accidentally becomes a stowaway! We recognize her dilemma – she didn’t mean to leave Liverpool for America but she was being chased, and she was also doing the chasing. With New York beckoning, it feels like she could have a fresh start.

As Patch walks around the ship, she interacts with others. Not everyone is as they first seem. Many wish Patch well, but there are some who are menacing.

As Patch becomes involved in an adventure, and with the clock ticking down to docking – will Patch be able to out-wit the villains?

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The Floating Copenhagen Cafe by Annabel French

Aug18

Embracing The Hygge Life

The Floating Copenhagen Café by Annabel French is the most delightful contemporary novel that will warm your heart and make you smile. I never wanted it to end.

As the title suggests, the novel is set in Copenhagen. It is a pretty city with a vibrant food scene, and a network of canals. All this comes to life under the author’s descriptive pen. It is easy to picture the colourful buildings, peaceful waterways and delicious food. A real wealth of treasure for the senses.

The leading character travels from Milton Keynes to Copenhagen on a sabbatical to help revive a café. The greyness of England contrasts with the colourful Denmark. A staid 9 to 5 job in England and a life lived in shades of grey, opens up to pure technicolour in Denmark.

The Danes are a relaxed nation as they believe in, and adopt, the hygge life. “It’s about finding happiness in the everyday things in life we take for granted, enjoying every precious moment and making ourselves happy, even in the tough times.” There is always something to be joyful about, we just need to look for it. Life is for living, not just existing.

We learn about the treasures of life. “Life isn’t about things and possessions. It’s about feelings and experiences.” It is people who are the most important.

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