Violet Ink
by Rebecca Westcott
This is Rebecca's second novel - the first was the very moving Dandelion Clocks which dealt with a girl's struggle to cope with her mother's illness.
This book is not so melancholic, and I loved it more for that reason. I rushed through it chapter after chapter, unable to put it down, and as soon as I finished it, I thrust it into the hands of my 11 yr-old daughter gushing 'Read this one next!'
Izzy is such a wonderful character, and she has this fantastic obsession with a mood ring she wears which her older sister Alex bought her. It changes colour according to how Izzy is feeling and what is going on around her. I must look into whether they actually exist because I'd LOVE one! I loved the way that the chapter headings linked to colours to fit in with the mood ring. The colour theme also continues with Alex loving to write letters in violet ink. Izzy has a perfect relationship with Alex. Izzy is the quiet one and Alex is the extrovert, they talk openly about everything and hardly ever argue. Things change though when Alex starts going out with Charley. Alex starts to turn into a different person, she snaps at Izzy and hardly ever wants to talk to her or her mum. Then she runs away to Switzerland with Charley, taking a secret with her. Izzy is desperate for the old Alex to return - in more ways than one - but will life ever return to normal if she does?
A moving story of sisterhood, with emotions changing from love to hate to jealousy and then full circle again. Izzy is having to grow up fast learning the ways of the world quicker than she would have liked.
Suitable for 11+.
Only Remembered
edited by Michael Morpurgo
This is a wonderful collection of memories, letters, poems and stories from well known celebrities to mark the centenary of the First World War. I received an e-proof version of the book which unfortunately has neither the full collection of stories, nor the illustrations by the marvelous Ian Beck, but the stories it did contain were moving and thoughtful. Contributors include Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall, Sir Andrew Motion, Miranda Hart, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Anthony Horowitz, Eoin Colfer, Antony Beevor, Emma Thompson, David Almond, Dr Rowan Williams, Richard Curtis, Joanna Lumley, Raymond Briggs, Shami Chakrabarti and Sir Tony Robinson. Royalties from the publication will be split between the Royal British Legion and projects for soldiers' children and families at SSAFA.
The Rain
by Virginia Bergin
Ruby is at a friend's house having a party and getting along rather nicely with Caspar in their hot tub outside. Her friend's parents suddenly call them inside sounding very panicky and worried. They've been hearing warnings on the radio of something terrible in the rain - and there are stormclouds up above. Sure enough, the rain comes hammering down, and it's only then that Caspar realises he's left something outside. He makes a quick dash for it and then races back in. Within seconds he is clawing at his face and body and there is blood everywhere. The mother decides to drive him to the hospital - the car has been safely parked under cover. Ruby goes with them only to find the roads jam packed with other afflicted people in cars either trying to escape or going to the hospital. Ruby is taken back to her house where she is quarantined by her mother and her stepdad, Simon. They don't want any harm to come to Ruby's baby brother, Henry. Over the next couple of days, the worst things imaginable happen to Ruby and she decides to somehow get to London to find her real dad - if he is still alive. On her journey, Ruby has to grow up fast, prove herself brave and determined, but above all, she has to survive.
I really loved this book. Once the action starts - which it does very quickly - it is very hard to put down. The panic and thoughts and feelings of Ruby seem very realistic. I liked all the characters, especially the geeky Darius Spratt, and the connection between the two at the pool and one of the camps was quite moving. Usually, when I've finished a book, it's a case of 'That was good - next!' but with this one, well let's just say, it stays with you.
Close to the Wind
by Jon Walter
Malik and his grandfather (Papa) are trying to flee their war-torn home country. They plan to catch the next boat out to a safer place as refugees. They hide in an abandoned house but soon have company. What takes place during that night will affect Malik's and Papa's future.
A wonderful story of escape and adventure, seen through the eyes of an innocent young boy. New friendships and a new life beckon, but will Malik be able to let go of the past?
This is a lovely story told in a very simple way, reminiscent I think of John Boyne and Sarah Moore Fitzgerald. The story is split into 3 parts, my favourites being part 2 which takes place on the boat and part 3 where Malik discovers what his new life is going to entail.
Recommended for 9-12yr olds.
Summer's Shadow
by Anna Wilson
Summer is living with her best friend Jess and Jess's mum. Summer's mum was hit by a car and is in hospital. One night, just before midnight, Summer's mobile phone rings even though it is switched off. When Summer answers it, she hears her mum's faint voice "Bye love". The next morning comes the news that everyone was dreading - Summer's mum died - at just before midnight.
At her mum's request in her will, Summer is sent to live with a distant uncle, who lives in Penzance in Cornwall with his wife and son. Summer has never met this uncle, in fact it is the first she has ever heard about an uncle in Penzance. When she arrives, she gets a frosty reception from the son, and the wife does not even make an appearance. Why has Summer's arrival met with such anger? What are the strange noises she hears in their large and draughty house near the shore? Is it true that the house is haunted?
Summer takes comfort by seeking out the small private beach nearby, where she meets and befriends Zach. But although he offers a friendly face and time away from her hostile cousin, he is not able to provide answers to her questions about what is going on in the house and why she keeps seeing the ghost of her mother. She must seek out the truth on her own.
I quite enjoyed this book, even though I was very frustrated with the uncle - he never wanted to answer any of Summer's questions, and Summer never seemed to push the matter. She was also always quite rude to Zach and he seemed to put with it - any normal person would've just walked away.
Apart from these small matters, the book has lovely descriptions of the small nearby cove, and you can just imagine the large, dusty mansion with its unused rooms and dark attic. The kind of place I'd love to live in!
Because of the small mention of a swear word, I would recommend this for children 12+.
Blue
by Lisa Glass
Like surfing? Like chilling out on the beach? Like reading about teen summer romance? Well this book is PERFECT for you. Even if you've never surfed in your life, I promise you that after reading this book you will be itching to give it a go. It's set on Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall (a beautiful part of the world - but I'm biased because I live there myself!) and follows 16 year-old Iris who meets Zeke at a yoga class. Iris isn't aware that Zeke is actually a champion surfer, but as she starts to fall for him she wonders whether the relationship is for real, whether she is just 'one of the many', and how the relationship would last when Zeke has to travel round the world taking part in competitions.
Iris has to confront family crises, jealousy, cheating, and horrific accidents - all in the name of love. But a final tragedy could upset all her dreams...
This book is full of surf lingo and slang, and you really get to understand how competitive surfing is amongst those who take it seriously. There are so many rules about the waves and who can ride them - I never realised! One thing's for sure - if ever I want to take up surfing (I'm just a lowly bodyboarder) I now know to make sure I have a proper surf instructor teaching me!
A great book which makes you want to dash to the beach and jump into the waves. A perfect summer read. It's the first in a series - the next 'Air' is out June 2015.
The Paying Guests
by Sarah Waters
I've never read anything by Sarah Waters before, even though she is an international bestselling author and has had her books dramatised on the television. Then I read a precis of her new novel, The Paying Guests, and fancied the sound of it and decided to give it a read.
It was fantastic. At the moment The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt is my favourite book of the past year, but this gives it a run for its money! I was utterly absorbed in every word, you can picture every single scene as it's described, the story is compelling, all the characters are wonderfully realistic, the story is dramatic, horrific, heartbreaking. On some of the pages I had to cover up the facing page with my hand so my eye didn't 'accidentally' wander over to prematurely discover what had happened. I didn't want it to end, and when it did I wanted to read it again.
The year is 1922. Frances Wray and her mother live in a big house in South London. Frances has lost her 2 brothers and her father in the First World War, and she and her mother are trying to get their lives back together. Frances has never married, though she was very much in love once, but it had to come to an end. They have no money and so have to rely on renting out rooms in order to pay the bills and feed themselves. The first paying guests are Mr and Mrs Barber - Len and Lilian. What starts as a new and rather uncomfortable relationship with them both as tenants, then blossoms into a close and loving friendship - at least for two of the party. But something absolutely awful happens which changes and upsets the dynamics of everything and everyone in the household.
A completely engrossing read. I will definitely seek out Sarah's other books to read.
