The Observer | Review | Burnt offerings
'Pre-Teen' Fiction reviews from The Observer...
Reviews: May 2005 Archives
Children's book of the week - Sunday Times - Times Online
Sunday Times Children's Book Of The Week
Lobster Boy by Rodman Philbrick
This book demonstrates Philbrick’s skill as an award-winning thriller writer for adults and, like his acclaimed Freak the Mighty, it is also emotionally affecting.
NICOLETTE JONES
Guardian Unlimited Books | Review | Review: The Unrivalled Spangles by Karen Wallace
Nicola Morgan doesn't find Karen Wallace writing at her best in The Unrivalled Spangles...
the main characters seem imperfectly nailed down. I found myself having to re-read sections to understand why a character said something. Ellen's "But Edward's a gentleman! I can't possibly meet him on my own," contradicts her determination on the previous page to do just that. Her "So I'm a circus girl with ideas above her station?" is a non sequitur. Lucy's endearing contrition and fragility on one occasion near the beginning feel incongruous against her relentless fury and strength during the rest of her story. And some characters' reactions to the shocking incident in the middle of the book simply didn't ring true for me. Effort spent trying to decipher dissonant behaviour or dialogue spoil the smoothness of an otherwise well-oiled ride.
Since I haven't read this book yet, I can't comment on this review, other than to observe, in Wallace's defence, that characters behave inconsistently all the time in real life and I imagine her response to the observations above would be, "So... ...?"
Children's book of the week - Sunday Times - Times Online
Sunday Times Children's Book Of The Week
Face Value by Catherine Johnson
an intelligent murder mystery with a realistic sense of how exploitative the fashion industry can be... This is a book about friendship, falling in love, corrupt old men who mistreat young girls and, memorably, London: it is full of detail of real places — street markets, trendy watering holes, gangland haunts, Thameside beaches and arts venues... NICOLETTE JONES
ACHUKA is delighted that this excellent novel has received the ST Book of the Week endorsement. Look out for an ACHUKA interview with the author very shortly.
Guardian Unlimited Books | Review | Review: Riding Tycho by Jan Mark
Adele Geras gives Jan Mark's Riding Tycho a rave review:
What is remarkable about this story is the way Mark achieves her effects. By the time we reach the end, we feel we've lived on High Island all our lives. There are no long descriptions. The language is plain and strong, full of relishable words and images, and the characterisation is very skilfully done. You are never told. You are shown, and in the most economical way possible. Similarly, emotions and feelings are understated but somehow become more powerful because of this restraint. There are no histrionics. We are taught, but in the most subtle way possible. We identify with Demetria completely.
The ghostly and the ghastly - Books - Times Online
Missed at the weekend, and therefore also excluded from the latest Update, was this page of reviews in The Times, which included a half-page profile of Eva Ibbotson. So it was a good weekend for Macmillan's star octogenarian. Children's Book Of The Week in the Sunday Times, and fulsome praise from Amanda Craig here in Saturday's Times.
Children's book of the week - Sunday Times - Times Online
Sunday Times Children's Book Of The Week
The Beasts Of Clawstone Castle by Eva Ibbotson
Ibbotson is dextrous with pace and suspense, accessible, always amusing, and a treat to read aloud, and the book is both joyously light-hearted and profoundly good-hearted. NICOLETTE JONES
Guardian Unlimited Books | Review | Red rebellion
Philip Ardagh reviews Eleanor Updale's latest Montmorency adventure, Montomorency And The Assassins
Montmorency and the Assassins is a thumping good story told with consummate skill. There's pace, action, excitement and humour, with characters you really care about. PHILIP ARDAGH
Children's book of the week - Sunday Times - Times Online
Sunday Times Children's Book Of The Week
Meggie Moon by Elizabeth Baguley
Without being inaccessible or complicated, this book is clever and subtle, and, like Meggie, it promotes girl power without being boring for boys. NICOLETTE JONES
Guardian Unlimited Books | Review | Review: When I Was a Soldier by Valerie Zenatti
Diane Samuels reviews <em>When I was A Soldier by Valerie Zenatti:
...paints an illuminating portrait of what it is to be a young woman maturing in a society where violent conflict is as much a feature of "normal" life as longing for love, loud music and trips to the beach.
Children's book of the week - Sunday Times - Times Online
Sunday Times Children's Book Of The Week
A fat book set in a magical world in which children grow up unaware of their real identities may not sound like anything new, but picturebook veteran Sage’s first full-length novel makes this old territory fresh. She has a light touch and a sense of humour, and her yarn scoots along like a dragon-boat with the wind in its sails. NICOLETTE JONES
