Archives

Dreadnought by Robin Bennett

Oct16

Many Layers Within

Dreadnought by Robin Bennett is a gripping novel set in the near future but with its’ roots firmly in the past.

The world is on the brink of World War III as a family move from London to the North Yorkshire coast, near Whitby, as they stay in the family home on Dreadnought.

Here, the veil between the past and present draws thin. Seven-year-old Cass is in touch with those whom the adults cannot see. The whole area has a dark and brooding presence. Three generations of the family inhabit Dreadnought.

Dreadnought seems to be a place of secrets. Ancient voices from the past, call out as the fog rolls in.

Cass is amazingly brave. She faces her fears in order to free her friend.

There are elements of the Gothic horror tradition found within the novel – strange creatures lurking in dark corners; sea mists; caves; and of course, the folk lore of Dracula surrounding Whitby Abbey.

Continue reading →

Fun & Games At Malory Towers by Pamela Cox

Oct1

Rolling Back The Years

Fun & Games At Malory Towers by Pamela Cox is the tenth book in the Malory Towers series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading the books in numerical order for character development and timeline progression. Originally penned by Enid Blyton, Pamela Cox continues the stories in the same style. The swap-over is seamlessly achieved.

In this book Felicity Rivers and her friends are in the fifth form (year 11). They have to set an example to the younger girls but June still has a sense of fun.

We drop in on the girls as they are preparing for a tennis tournament and also a music competition. Everyone is working hard. We see the importance of praise. “It wouldn’t be so bad if we got a word of praise now and again… Millicent should take a leaf out of June’s book… she encourages them [the girls playing tennis] with plenty of praise.” People work better when shown the carrot rather than the stick.

It is not all about winning. “I shall do my very best to make sure that we win”… “but even if you don’t, I hope that everyone who takes part will learn something of value from the experience.” It is good to be a part of a team and not a lone wolf.

Continue reading →

Five Go To Mystery Moor by Enid Blyton

Oct1

Foiled Again!

Five Go To Mystery Moor by Enid Blyton is the thirteenth book in the Famous Five series.

Though the books were penned in the 1940’s and 1950’s they still appeal to children today.

Once more, a little holiday turns into an adventure as the children stumble into crimes happening on the moor.

Timmy the dog is the hero of the day, again. His love for owner George means there is nothing he won’t do for her. The baddies are foiled again.

Continue reading →

Baby Love by Jacqueline Wilson

Sep24

Nothing Wrong

Baby Love by Jacqueline Wilson is a powerful and heart-wrenching YA historical novel that I just could not put down. I greedily devoured it and was emotionally invested in the lead character.

The novel is set in 1959 and moves into 1960. It surrounds lead character fourteen-year-old Laura. We see all the action through her eyes and in the first person.

Laura is incredibly likable. She has a huge heart, looking out for those who are marginalised as she has walked in their shoes.

Laura earnt a scholarship to the Grammar School. Her parents, though poor and living in a prefab, are also proud and don’t want hand-outs. They like to try to pay their way.

Laura has struggled to fit in, and recognises herself in eleven-year-old Moira, who has just started at the Grammar School. Moira has a kind heart too. Her friendship is pure, and contrasts sharply with Nina, the local G.P’s daughter who uses her ‘power’ in a ‘friendship’ with Laura. As she dangles the carrot of friendship, Nina can also be rather cruel.

Laura’s innocence is taken advantage of by an older French exchange student. All the blame lies firmly at the feet of Laura. She is not the only girl to end up in a mother and baby home for young girls, after males in authority have abused their positions. It is always the girls who are cast off. The men get away scot-free.

Attitudes to single girls and their babies in 1960 were appalling. The girls were shamed and their babies taken from them to be adopted into ‘good’ families. Identities of the babies were hidden, meaning there was no chance of re-unions in later life. A whole generation of babies never knew their mothers. The modern reader is horrified. We see the damage inflicted on those poor girls whose babies were ripped from their arms.

Continue reading →