Read: Monday 16th - Wednesday 18th August
Review: I really enjoyed this tale of an orphaned girl who is taken out of school to go and live with some obscure relatives who are rubber planters in Brazil. Maia expects the exciting world of the Amazon to open out before her, with all its plants and animals and its mixture of exciting cultures. But when she arrives, in the care of the upstanding governess Miss Minton, things are not entirely as she expects. And then, who is the mysterious lost boy that detectives from England are searching for? And is it possible to make friends with the local Indians? Although some of the villains are implausibly villainous, and everybody's love for the protagonist seems a little exaggerated, I had fun reading this story, which deals with issues of freedom, the responsibilities of adults and the rights of children.
Time: Two days. Begun on the flight from Sacramento to Gainesville; finished at Noah's house in between a lot of swimming, thwarted attempts at sleeping - and a trip to the mall!
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Book 74: The Box of Delights, by John Masefield
Read: Thursday 11th - Sunday 15th August
Review: Apparently I had read this book before (or had it read to me), but I don't remember that. I found it an engaging if at times implausible fantasy novel. I mean to say implausible even within the narrative framework, in the way of children going missing for several days (in 1950s Britain) without the matter attracting any apparent concern. But I enjoyed the book. It reminded me somewhat of Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising, partly I am sure on account of the snowy Christmas setting, the evil-threat-to-mankind theme, and the boy hero being entrusted by adult strangers with significant objects. I have to say that I think Susan Cooper better, but I did enjoy this tale, and it had some delightfully hilarious quotes - for example the following from Maria, a girl aged about eight: "Oh no... thanks. They know that I can look after myself. I've generally got a pistol or two on me and I'm a dead shot with both hands." Sadly Maria did not play a very major part in proceedings.
Time: Three days? In between all kinds of American gallivanting, including several over-large meals (of course), Taco Bell (!!!), swimming in the lake, and a visit to San Francisco.
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Book 73: Kensuke's Kingdom, by Michael Morpurgo
Read: Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th August
Review: Another island adventure story! A touching and heartfelt tale of eleven-year-old Michael and how his life changes completely when his parents, both made redundant from their jobs, suddenly decide to buy a yacht and sail around the world together. Life aboard Peggy Sue is different and has its challenges - but they are nothing compared to what comes afterwards for Michael. Classic Michael Morpurgo.
Time: A day, or maybe a bit less. In between playing on the Wii, losing at Scrabble (Noah beats me at EVERYTHING), a bit of sleeping and going out for real American pancakes.
Review: Another island adventure story! A touching and heartfelt tale of eleven-year-old Michael and how his life changes completely when his parents, both made redundant from their jobs, suddenly decide to buy a yacht and sail around the world together. Life aboard Peggy Sue is different and has its challenges - but they are nothing compared to what comes afterwards for Michael. Classic Michael Morpurgo.
Time: A day, or maybe a bit less. In between playing on the Wii, losing at Scrabble (Noah beats me at EVERYTHING), a bit of sleeping and going out for real American pancakes.
Book 72: The Thief Lord, by Cornelia Funke
Read: Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th August
Review: Brothers Prosper and Bo, aged 13 and 5, are on the run in Venice. Their somewhat mean aunt, Esther, wants to adopt Bo - but will have nothing to do with Prosper. She hires a private detective to search for the boys, who have become part of a small gang of street children living in an abandoned cinema under the protection of the Thief Lord. But when the mysterious Comte requests them to steal a peculiar item - and when Prosper and Bo are spotted by the detective - and when the Thief Lord's identity is revealed - things begin to get complicated. I enjoyed this story with its themes of childhood, adulthood, maturity and responsibility. The Venetian setting of the tale adds to the fun.
Time: About a day. Started on the plane; finished at Noah's mum's house in California. In between some much-needed sleeping and a drive through the beautiful Californian scenery. Oh, and a trip to a Mexican restaurant, where I had the hugest burrito I have ever seen. My tummy is still hurting. And I didn't even finish it!
Review: Brothers Prosper and Bo, aged 13 and 5, are on the run in Venice. Their somewhat mean aunt, Esther, wants to adopt Bo - but will have nothing to do with Prosper. She hires a private detective to search for the boys, who have become part of a small gang of street children living in an abandoned cinema under the protection of the Thief Lord. But when the mysterious Comte requests them to steal a peculiar item - and when Prosper and Bo are spotted by the detective - and when the Thief Lord's identity is revealed - things begin to get complicated. I enjoyed this story with its themes of childhood, adulthood, maturity and responsibility. The Venetian setting of the tale adds to the fun.
Time: About a day. Started on the plane; finished at Noah's mum's house in California. In between some much-needed sleeping and a drive through the beautiful Californian scenery. Oh, and a trip to a Mexican restaurant, where I had the hugest burrito I have ever seen. My tummy is still hurting. And I didn't even finish it!
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Book 71: Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe
Read: Started on a boat, continued in a tent, finished on a plane. Read between July 24th and August 9th.
Review: The classic tale of woe and shipwreck, shift and survival, disaster and disquisition. Robin Crusoe, a young man of Yorkshire, goes utterly against his family's counsel by going away to sea. A series of misadventures fails to dissuade him from further voyaging, and thus he finds himself so famously washed up alone on a remote and apparently deserted island. The book gives a detailed account of the practicalities of his survival, interwoven with the philosophical and theological reflections occasioned by such an exile.
Time: This took me ages! About three weeks I think. Summer is busy! I've read lying on a bunk aboard Lustre, by torchlight in my tent at Soul Survivor, in the loft at Claire's house in between tying bows for wedding-related items and finally on yesterday's (really rather luxurious) flight from Heathrow to Philadelphia. I find it appropriate that I began this adventursome tome aboard a boat and finished it high up in the sky.
Review: The classic tale of woe and shipwreck, shift and survival, disaster and disquisition. Robin Crusoe, a young man of Yorkshire, goes utterly against his family's counsel by going away to sea. A series of misadventures fails to dissuade him from further voyaging, and thus he finds himself so famously washed up alone on a remote and apparently deserted island. The book gives a detailed account of the practicalities of his survival, interwoven with the philosophical and theological reflections occasioned by such an exile.
Time: This took me ages! About three weeks I think. Summer is busy! I've read lying on a bunk aboard Lustre, by torchlight in my tent at Soul Survivor, in the loft at Claire's house in between tying bows for wedding-related items and finally on yesterday's (really rather luxurious) flight from Heathrow to Philadelphia. I find it appropriate that I began this adventursome tome aboard a boat and finished it high up in the sky.
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Book 70: The Machine Gunners, by Robert Westall
Read: During July really. I can't remember exactly when I started, but I think I finished it on July 31st. It was read mainly in the car and on the train.
Review: Chas, just like everyone else in his class, is keen to collect 'war souvenirs': bullets, helmets, bits of aeroplane - especially anything with writing or symbols on. But when he finds an entire German plane crashed in the woods, with the machine gun still attached, things begin to get a little out of hand. I didn't entirely enjoy the beginning of this book, but the story drew me in and by the end I would agree with the comments on the back, which describe it as an interesting exploration of wartime themes for both adults and children.
Time: I guess this one took me a couple of weeks, but only cos I was so busy in between! I read it on the way down south, even reading in the car a bit, until we stopped for a surprise birthday youth hostelling trip! (I was surprised! And it was fun). Then I had a break during Harriers (I started Robinson Crusoe instead - it felt more appropriate to read that on a boat) and finished it in my tent on the first night I was at Soul Survivor (whilst the others danced the night away in Mr Boogies - or, in Noah's case, fell asleep in the cinema).
Review: Chas, just like everyone else in his class, is keen to collect 'war souvenirs': bullets, helmets, bits of aeroplane - especially anything with writing or symbols on. But when he finds an entire German plane crashed in the woods, with the machine gun still attached, things begin to get a little out of hand. I didn't entirely enjoy the beginning of this book, but the story drew me in and by the end I would agree with the comments on the back, which describe it as an interesting exploration of wartime themes for both adults and children.
Time: I guess this one took me a couple of weeks, but only cos I was so busy in between! I read it on the way down south, even reading in the car a bit, until we stopped for a surprise birthday youth hostelling trip! (I was surprised! And it was fun). Then I had a break during Harriers (I started Robinson Crusoe instead - it felt more appropriate to read that on a boat) and finished it in my tent on the first night I was at Soul Survivor (whilst the others danced the night away in Mr Boogies - or, in Noah's case, fell asleep in the cinema).
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