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Socks by Beverly Clearly

Mar7

For Cat Lovers Everywhere

Socks by Beverly Clearly is a delightful children’s novel for ages five years and older. More confident readers will be able to read the book themselves. Younger children will enjoy listening to the story.

The story is told from the point of view of Socks, a young kitten in need of a home. As a crazy cat lady, I found the tale particularly charming.

There were a few hair-raising moments for Socks, which as a life-long cat owner, I found easy to empathise with.

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Where The River Takes Us by Lesley Parr

Jan10

Friendship & Adventure

Where The River Takes Us by Lesley Parr is a very engaging children’s novel set in the Welsh valleys in 1974.

1974 was a time of unrest in Britain with three day working weeks and regular power cuts. Times were hard for many but even harder for the leading character and his brother who had been orphaned after a car crash.

The story is told in the first person and we become intimately acquainted with the young boy. He is kind and caring, wise beyond his years. We see the need for identity, to be seen as an individual and not just the village orphan. Labels are constrictive, not giving the full picture.

There is a beautiful bond between the brothers. The older brother is trying to keep the pair of them together. At nineteen, he was forced to grow up quickly, resulting in abandonment by his mates. In order to survive, he has made some bad choices. In contrast, the lead character’s friends have drawn closer to him and are very protective.

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The Victory Dogs by Megan Rix

Jan2

Inspirational

The Victory Dogs by Megan Rix is an inspiring children’s historical novel and just perfect for ages ten years and over. It is a fictional tale but has its roots in facts.

The story is set in London during World War II and follows two pups, a cat and an old soldier. The camaraderie between them is beautiful to witness. The love and loyalty will bring a tear to your eye on more than one occasion.

The old soldier is not old in terms of years but he is a veteran of Dunkirk and he has seen things that have aged him. He clearly has, as yet, undiagnosed PTSD. He does not believe he is worthy of living amongst people and so hides in the shadows of the underground tube station. He exists in the dark but his heart is full of light. He is kind, good and compassionate to animals.

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Number The Stars by Lois Lowry

Jan2

Such Bravery

Number The Stars by Lois Lowry is a powerful historical children’s novel that is suitable for ages ten years and over.

The story is set in Denmark in 1942 during the Nazi occupation. It blends fact and fiction as the reader becomes intimately acquainted with lesser-known facts in Danish history.

The Danes were a brave nation who openly opposed the Nazis. The resistance was strong. Ordinary men and women committed extraordinary acts of bravery as they defied the Nazis.

Under the occupation, the Jewish population needed to be hidden and then smuggled out of Denmark. During the course of the war, 7,000 Jewish people were smuggled to safety in Sweden.

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