Book Review - The Book Thief

I have finally finished reading this masterpiece by Markus Zusak and it must be one of the best books I have ever read. You may have seen my book review of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, where I give it a similar praiseworthy response. Despite the fact that Mark Haddon's book remains fantastic, this far outstrips it from the way it is written to the emotions it evokes.

The novel is narrated by Death and when I first saw this on the blurb, I imagined the story could be quite depressing. Yet this is not the case at all and I found that Death developed a personality as the book progressed and although it sounds awful, he was almost likeable. He cared about the main character, Liesel Meminger, a feeling he made clear was a rare occurrence, and when all her hope and love was savagely destroyed, he saved her.

The story is set in the time of the Second World War and is mainly based in Molching, on Himmel Street, where Liesel lives. She and everyone else in the area is dreadfully poor, but they make the most of whatever they have and do not take anything for granted. This poverty does not give the novel a morose air, instead it leads to Liesel's first appearance as the Book Thief.

Something I noticed as I was reading the book was that a lot of the names of people and places had significant meanings. Liesel, for example, is similar to the German word leise which can mean soft and gentle - traits which she possessed. Himmel translates as Heaven, meaning Liesel lived on Heaven Street. I really liked these little touches that gave the book even more depth.

Markus Zusak is an extremely talented writer. His use of language and the way all of the pieces of the book come together in an astonishing jigsaw is just awe-inspiring. As I was reading it, I kept thinking that the way he had worded things was so perfectly accurate. His observation of how life makes us feel as light as air and as heavy as lead all at once, and the way he expresses this, is breathtaking. He manages to capture an emotion and effortlessly make it a piece of his puzzle.

It is impossible to understand how amazing this book is without reading it. Do not let the size of it put you off (it is quite long) because you will be so glad that it was not edited down any further, for each of its words are precious gems that once you have immersed yourself into the story, you will savour forever.

I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 13. I think everyone should get the chance to read it at least once in their lives and to fully appreciate its magnitude, it's best to be slightly more mature in your view of the world. It expresses the most difficult of topics in an eye-opening, engaging way and I urge you to drop whatever you are reading now and delve into the life of the Book Thief.

Poem - Pray for Paris

My heart goes out

To the many in doubt

About what their future may hold.

Nobody knows

Whether the awful blow

To this city's heart will heal.

Helpless people

Injured by the shrapnel

We must extend a loving hand.

Give out your heart

Pray for Paris

Pray for the children

Pray for the families

Pray for the injured

Pray for the deceased

Pray that one day, this whole world will be at peace.

Poem - Poorly

One minute, I'm frolicking in the meadows, 

The next I'm huddled in bed watching YouTube videos.

Sneezing and coughing into a mountain of tissues,

I will have missed so many issues

Of my favourite magazine.

Time seems to warp when I have a cold,

One day from another cannot be told.

"It's time for lunch!" I hear my mum call,

It takes too much energy to get up, so instead I fall

Out of bed.

Being ill is really no fun when I still have homework to do,

Yet I cannot escape - it must not be overdue.

I have exhausted the programmes on the telly,

And I have been lying on my belly

All day long.

The only consolation for being poorly is that everyone at school will have missed you sorely.

(Or so you like to think.)

Book Review - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

If a character has ever had such a strong voice, which sounds so real you start questioning whether they really are fictitious, it is Mark Haddon's Christopher Boone. An autistic boy with a love, and astonishing talent, for maths, he sets out to try and solve the mystery of who killed his neighbour's dog. The book is written as if Christopher has created it himself and the chapters go up in prime numbers, which I thought was a great idea that fit his mindset perfectly.

The way Christopher thinks about things is a real insight into how an autistic person's mind works. He does not do chit-chat, cannot understand social nuances and gives no regard to what other people may think of him. However, there is something immediately likeable about him and his naivety is quite endearing.

The end of the book was quite emotional because all of the people around Christopher seemed so self-absorbed and oblivious to his phenomenal mind. He did not realise what an amazing person he was

and no one was thoughtful enough to stop and tell him. They were all just wrapped up in their own worries, whilst pushing Christopher aside, blind to the fact that he was somebody very special.

I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 11 because it is easy to read and appropriate for almost all ages. However, very young children may not understand why Christopher is not like them and to fully appreciate the significance of this novel, the reader has to be able to grasp the concept of autism.

This has become one of my favourite books, which is not something I say very often. If my review was not glowing enough, let that fact be a sign that you NEED to read this book.

Bloglovin'

Hi everyone, this is just a very quick notice to say you can now follow me on Bloglovin', hooray! If you do, it will notify you whenever I write a blog post without you even having to do anything. Isn't that just fantastic?

Bye for now! :-)

Short Story - Amelie, Michelle and Gracie - Day Five

The day is finally here! All of the films were collected last night and a winner has been decided on. Before they tell us who it is, we get to watch all of them. I'm really excited to see everyone else's and try and gauge their reactions towards ours. We have all gathered in the hall where there is a projector and are sitting along benches, waiting nervously. Gracie managed to get us seats near the front so we will hopefully get a good view of everybody's creations.

"Girls! Quieten down please, the films are about to start." A camp leader is trying to gain control, but
I think we are all too nervous to settle down. My heart is going at a rate of knots and my palms are sweating. I wipe them off on my jeans just as Michelle comes and sits down next to me. "I'm not even going to ask." She laughs. The old Michelle would have made some smart comment to try and make me feel small, but she seems to be trying really hard to be nice.
"Are you nervous?" I ask.
Her smile fades, "Terrified. I'm trying not to think about it."
I'm taken aback by her response and try to reassure her, "You've got nothing to be afraid of, I bet our film is the best one here." As I say it I try to sound optimistic, but really I know that I have no idea whether ours is good enough. I really want it to succeed, not just for Michelle, but for Gracie and I too.

As the films start playing, everyone falls silent. At the start of each different groups' one, a little cheer will go up from somewhere in the hall and then everyone listens intently, seeing what they were up against. Although I enjoy watching all of the films, the wait to see ours is tortuous. They seem to have put it at the end and I really wish they hadn't; I don't think my nerves can take much more!

When we finally get to ours, Michelle is shaking so much I worry she might fall off her seat. As they
start playing it, I grab hold of Gracie and Michelle's arms for support. I really hope everyone likes it. It all seems to be going well until we get to a clip I don't remember seeing before. After watching it for a little longer, I realise it is the argument I had with Michelle. My mouth falls open in horror at the realisation that someone has sabotaged our film. They have filmed us arguing with each other and then edited it in. I turn to Michelle to see if she knows what is going on, but her eyes are welling up and she has pressed her lips tightly together. I have to find out who did this. They have ruined our whole film and embarrassed us in front of everybody. After the clip is over, there is another one, this time Michelle apologising to me and Gracie. I can't believe somebody has secretly filmed us, as if we were on some kind of reality TV show. They have kept all our other clips and edited their ones around them, so it looks like we meant it to be that way. Michelle has her head in her hands and is trying to hide her tears, but people have noticed that something is wrong and are starting to crane their necks for a better view. I give her a hug, but she mumbles something to me. "What did you say?" I try and pull her shoulders up so she will face me, but she keeps her hands in front of her face.
"You don't have to try and comfort me," she whispers through a sob,  "I know our film is ruined."
"No it isn't," I try to make the best of it, "our original clips are still there, we can tell them afterwards that those other ones shouldn't have been included."
"What's the point? They've already picked a winner and it isn't us." Michelle has given up and it breaks my heart to see her so defeated. I have got to put this right.

After our film has finished, Ms Varrelbass strides up to the front and shouts, "We will announce the winners once you all quieten down." I roll my eyes; only she could manage to make winning sound like a chore. Another camp leader walks up beside her and mutters something before saying, "The winners of the competition whose film will be shown on our website are ... Amelie, Michelle and Gracie!" I can't believe my ears. Surely this isn't right. Not after our film was quite plainly destroyed in front of everyone. There is a silence and the camp leader tries again, "Amelie, Michelle and Gracie, would you like to come up to the front?" I grin at Gracie and Michelle as we stand up, Michelle wiping tears from her eyes. "Do I look okay?" she mouths at me.
"Yes, you look great!" I nod back, smiling. We walk to the front and stand in front of a sea of faces, all as shocked as we are that we have won. "Well done girls." The camp leader pats us on the back, "A very good film which showcases that summer camp is not just about the games or activities, but learning the value of friendship and how to stick by each other, through thick and thin." If what I'm hearing is right, we won the competition because of those extra clips. The ones Michelle was sobbing over a minute ago. Life is really surprising sometimes.

"Thank you both for helping me achieve my dream and making this camp such a memorable one." Michelle engulfs me and Gracie in a massive hug as we say our goodbyes.
"And thank you for giving me confidence that people want to hear what I've got to say." Gracie smiles, picking up her suitcase.
"My turn to say thank you!" I grin, "Thank you for being the greatest friends I could ever wish for. This has been the best camp ever."

Short Story - Amelie, Michelle and Gracie - Day Four

It's our penultimate day at camp and we've got to finish the film today so they can announce the winners tomorrow. I think we've got a really good chance of winning, but I suppose it's easy for me to say that when I haven't seen any of the other girls' films. Michelle is a bit frantic because she wants it to be perfect, but I'm just trying to enjoy being here until we have to leave. It might have been helpful if there had been less arguing, because we lost valuable time yesterday, but at least we started work early today to try and make up for it.

"Amelie, I'm ready." Michelle peers into the dingy changing rooms, but it's too dark for her to see. "Just coming!" I shout to reassure her that I'm still here. There are no windows and the bulbs on the lights blew in here last year, but no one has ever got round to fixing them. It makes getting dressed a little tricky because I keep misplacing my clothes and then I am forced to feel around blindly on the floor looking for them. Finally, I locate my shoes and, slipping them on, I head out into the corridor. The contrast of light momentarily disables me and I squint around, trying to see Michelle. "For goodness' sake Amelie, I'm over here." I feel someone take hold of my shoulders and spin me around. My eyes have adjusted and I open them fully, to see Michelle standing in front of me looking confused as to what I was just doing. "Sorry," I start to explain, "it was dark and then light. You know what I mean? My eyes did the thing ..."
"I don't care what you were doing," Michelle cuts in, "let's just get on with it shall we?" I pull a face at her harsh tone.
"Oh, I did it again didn't I?" She says meekly. "I was rude. I'm sorry."
Wow! That's the first time she's apologised so quickly, I think we might be getting somewhere. "That's okay," I smile, "just consider what you're going to say before you say it next time."

Me, Michelle and Gracie spend all morning filming clips of people swimming, playing sports and
doing art. It's similar to what Gracie and I did originally, but this time we go up to the people and get them to talk to the camera. Michelle says it will make the film seem "more personal", whatever that means. At lunchtime, I interview the dinner ladies and then Michelle and Gracie get feedback from people eating the food. I try to tell Michelle that it isn't feedback if you tell the girls what to say, but she said we didn't want negative comments spoiling the film. So Gracie is put on the task of coming up with good things for everyone to say. She actually does a very good job for someone who doesn't usually know what to say herself.

"Ready Gracie?"
"Yep, let's go!" We're off to the campfire, but our work isn't quite over yet as Gracie suggested we film that too. For once Michelle was in agreement, so she is borrowing the camp's special camera which can film in the dark. I think it's the reason there isn't enough money to fix the bulbs in the changing rooms, but I would definitely rather have the camera than the lights.
"After this, the film will be finished and then we can go home!" Gracie looks relieved.
"Didn't you enjoy it?" I ask her.
"Some parts were fun, but others ... Slightly traumatic."
I laugh, "Don't you think you're being a tad over-dramatic?"
"Maybe." she smiles back, "I'll just be glad to get home to a quiet household."
"What I would give to have some peace and quiet at home! With a little brother and sister, there is always someone making a racket."
"Oh god, that sounds awful." Gracie looks genuinely horrified.
"I'm used to it, I don't really mind." It makes me smile that we are such different people, yet we get along so well. This is how friendship should be.

I spot Michelle standing by the side of the fire getting the camera set up. "Hi, how's it going?" I say as I wander over.
"Almost done, this camera is really complicated but I think I might have just about got it."
"What do you want us to do?"
"You can help me if you really want, but I think it would be better for you to just go and enjoy yourselves. It will give the film closure if you appear at the beginning and the end."
"Sure," I turn to Gracie, "I'm happy to join in if you are."
"Yeah, I vote for enjoying ourselves!" Gracie grins and I follow her over to a log where we perch, ready for the fun to begin. There isn't long to wait and, on Michelle's cue, a young camp leader gets everyone singing. It's a wonderful feeling to know you are part of something special. This will certainly make a great end to our film.

Short Story - Amelie, Michelle and Gracie - Day Three

Well yesterday was ... eventful. I haven't seen Michelle since our little altercation so I don't know what's going to happen about the film. Even though I do feel bad about what I said to her, I almost feel worse about Gracie. She keeps saying it was her fault and that she caused the argument, even though I've been trying to reassure her that she's done nothing wrong. Oh, why does everything involving Michelle always have to end in tears?

I'm heading over to the hall to get breakfast, but I'm trying to take as long as possible to get there because Michelle is on my table and I know it's going to be really awkward. "Amelie, wait for me!" I
turn around to see Gracie running towards me. "Hi! I thought you had already gone." I shout as I wait for her to catch up.
"No, I've been putting it off, but when I saw you going I thought I would come too because it might be easier if we go in together."
"Good idea." I say, just as we reach the entrance.
"Brace yourself!" Gracie gives me an anxious smile and we step into the hall. Silence falls and everyone turns to face us. I feel physically sick and want to turn out of the door, run back to my dorm and never come out. Until a voice behind me booms, "What are you staring at?" I spin around come eye to eye with the terrifying-looking camp leader. Only she doesn't look terrifying any more. Somebody has managed to shave off her eyebrows whilst she was asleep and now her face looks ridiculous. In one swift move, she has gone from having the bushiest eyebrows in the UK to none at all.  I can't believe it and, in my shock, I burst out laughing. Immediately, I slap my hand across my mouth because I certainly don't want to witness the wrath of Ms Varrelbass. I think I get away with it because she steps around me and marches down the aisle in between all of the gaping girls, towards the teachers' table at the back. I would feel sorry for her if she hadn't yelled at me the first time I came to camp for not making my bed properly.

I am so relieved that we weren't the ones everyone was staring at that I completely forget about Michelle and go to sit down at our table as normal. It all comes flooding back as I look up and catch her eye though. Without saying a word, she slides a folded piece of paper across the table towards me and then gets up to leave. "What's this?" I call after her, but she doesn't respond and hurries out of the hall. I give Gracie a questioning look, but she just shrugs her shoulders, so I open it up and, in Michelle's unmistakably neat handwriting, are the words "We need to talk. Meet me by the lake at 11am." Turning to Gracie, I say, "She should have just talked to us now, I don't know why we have to go to a special meeting place. This is stupid."
"Maybe she didn't want everyone else to hear." Gracie suggests.
"It's always got to be about her, hasn't it?" I say, tutting.
"Girls!" One of the camp leaders shouts. "Breakfast ends early today, finish eating and make sure you're out in ten minutes." I hurry to grab some food and wolf it down, before clearing my plate and hurrying away. I think I've seen enough of Ms Varrelbass for one day.

Now that breakfast has finished early, we have two hours until we are supposed to meet Michelle. "Let's go and see if she's in her dorm, we can just talk to her there." I propose to Gracie, but she doesn't seem too keen. "I don't think that's a very good idea, what if she gets all angry like last time?"
"Gracie, you can't let Michelle scare you. We don't even know what she's got to say yet, it could be a good thing."
"I doubt that very much, but if you really want to go, then I'll come too as long as I don't have to say anything. Can you promise to stand up for me?"
"Of course I will!" I smile. "Come on, just trust me with this."
"Okay, go on then." I give Gracie a hug, then turn her round to face the direction of Michelle's dorm. I can't believe I'm about to do this.

"Michelle, are you in there?" I call as I knock on the door. There's no answer, but I can hear somebody in the room. "I've come to talk. I know you said later, but breakfast closed early and we didn't want to wait for two hours." Still no answer. I'm on the verge of just opening the door myself,
until I hear someone sneeze in the room. It's definitely Michelle. "Your cover's blown Michelle, I heard you sneeze. We can have the conversation through the door if you want, but then everyone outside would be able to hear it. Just come out, this is petty." I wait quietly, listening for signs of movement inside the room and after what seems like an eternity, the door opens a crack and her freckled face pokes its way out. "I'll talk to you in a minute," she says, and I can hear the defeat in her voice, "just let me finish putting on my make-up." I chuckle to myself; only Michelle would bother with make-up at an all-girls camp where most activities were outside. "Fine." I sigh. "But at least let us wait inside the room." Relenting, she opens the door wider and walks over to a pocket mirror which has been balanced on one of the bunk beds. Next to it is a whole row of bottles which are all pristine, yet I know they have been well used. It is certainly awkward, to say the least, but I am glad we are talking now. I hate having to ignore people. "So what did you want to tell us?" I say, when she has finally finished smearing stuff on her face. "I have a proposition." She fishes around under her mattress, pulls out a laptop and brings it over to me and Gracie who are perched on one of the lower bunks. Opening the lid she shows us a movie editing programme, "I have added the clips you took to the film. I'm, well, I'm ... sorry" she winces with the effort it takes to apologise, "and I thought if we could both decide on how a little bit of the film should look, then everyone will be happy. This is your bit, so I did what you wanted with the music and everything. I hope you like it." She hits the space bar and plays our part of the film. Admittedly, it is only twenty seconds long, but I can tell she has really tried. "Thank you so much," I give her a hug, "I really appreciate this." Turning to Gracie, I give her a chance to thank Michelle, but she just smiles.

Short Story - Amelie, Michelle and Gracie - Day Two

It's day two on the 'film set' and things aren't exactly going to plan. Gracie has gone off with the other girls for a morning of arts and crafts because she says yesterday was too overwhelming for her. I think what she means is that Michelle was too overwhelming. This means we can't get started until the afternoon when I will have to try and persuade her to help us for just a little bit longer. Michelle has, inevitably, flounced off and I've been left to come up with ideas for today's clip. We have to show the camp off in its best light but it's a little difficult when everyone is either off making their own short films or arguing with each other. My only idea so far is that I could pretend to teach some French to a group of younger girls so that the camp is not only fun but educational too. The only problem with that is that I don't think I would get much further than "Bonjour" before they all got bored and moved on to something else.


"Amelie? Are you in here?" Gracie pops her head round the door to our dormitory.
"Yeah, over here. I thought you were doing arts and crafts?" I look quizzically at her but she isn't giving anything away. I'm usually good at reading people's facial expressions, but Gracie has the knack of hiding her feelings under layers of shyness and anxiety.
"I was," she ventures a little further into the room, "but then I felt bad for leaving you with Michelle, so I decided to come back and help with the film."
"Oh thank you Gracie! I really appreciate this. I know it must have taken a lot of courage to come back to Michelle's team."
"Yeah, well." She shifts from foot to foot, clearly apprehensive of what she has let herself in for.
"So, have you got any ideas for the next instalment of Michelle's Masterpiece?" I say with a grin. I'm trying to make her feel less nervous about the whole filming thing. Hopefully if she is allowed to choose what we do then she will be more prepared to take part.
"Actually I have." I'm taken quite by surprise with this confident remark and encourage her to go on. "Well," She begins, "I thought instead of having long clips which all have to be perfectly captured and directed by you-know-who, we could just walk around the campsite and take little videos of anything interesting or fun that is going on. They can be edited together later and with a bit of music over the top, it could make quite a good advertisement for 'prospective parents' as Michelle calls them." It's a great idea and I'm so pleased Gracie is finally coming out of her shell.
"Yes, what a fabulous idea!" I enthuse, "We could get some filming done now whilst Michelle is off in a huff so there will be less for her to interfere with." Gracie seems relieved that she won't have to see Michelle for a little while and truth be told, I'm quite glad too.

All morning Gracie and I walk around the camp, taking short videos here and there of people
chatting, playing and having fun. It's so much more relaxing when Michelle isn't around. We can just talk to each other normally, without having to shout or dismiss each other's ideas. If only Michelle could just learn to be a bit more tolerant of other people, she could be a great friend.


Just as I spot another place where we could get a good shot I hear the familiar cry of somebody I was
hoping we wouldn't see until this afternoon. "What are you doing with my camera?" Michelle flicks her hair over her shoulders as she walks towards us. She would make a good teacher I think. She has the right sort of accusatory attitude that seems to be necessary around children.
"We were just getting some clips for the film whilst you were away doing ... " I pause to allow Michelle to explain herself, but she ignores me and turns to face Gracie instead.
"I thought you were doing some other kind of morning activity. Colouring-in wasn't it?"
"Um, arts and crafts." Gracie has retreated back into her shell and all because of stupid Michelle. "Actually," I interject, "Gracie has been really helpful this morning and came up with a great idea for the film."
"What sort of idea?" Michelle practically barks at me. No wonder Gracie is afraid of her.
"We've been taking short clips of people enjoying themselves and we thought they could be edited together this afternoon with a bit of music put over them. It will be easier for us to film and nicer for the prospective parents to watch too." I try to smile at Michelle but she puts her hands on her hips and starts yelling at Gracie and I.
"This is my film and we will do what I say! I don't want short clips like in a movie trailer, we are going to have to start all over again tomorrow with films of people doing real activities. You two clearly can't be trusted." I am furious that Michelle has just dismissed a whole morning's work and I'm not going to stand for it.
"We have worked on this all morning for you and I will not let it be pushed aside once more because 'Michelle had other ideas'. For your information there are clips of people doing 'real activities', it just won't get boring because our clips aren't ten minutes long like yours. Our work is going into the film and if you don't like it, you're going to have to put in a separate entry of your own. But good luck with that because we're not helping." And with that, I take hold of Gracie's arm and pull her away towards the dormitories where I can get some time to think away from Michelle.

"Wow. You were amazing. Thanks for standing up for me." Gracie sounds truly grateful, if not a little shaken by the argument, but I am in too much of a rage to think clearly enough to say anything back. I can't believe Michelle would be so hurtful after all we've done for her. She keeps saying she wants to make her dad proud, but I don't think she realises that this is not what he would have wanted. It doesn't matter how good the film is. If you've got no friends because you were too horrible to them all then you haven't really succeeded. Even though I'm angry with her, I also feel a bit sad that she is so blind to the fact that she is chasing everyone away. Unless she apologises properly and tries to change her ways, I don't think we can be friends any more.

Short Story - Amelie, Michelle and Gracie - Day One

"Hi, my name is Amelie, I'm twelve years old and I like swimming, playing the flute and sending postcards to my grandparents in France. I live with my parents and little brother and sister. We-"
"No! You have to remember the people watching this film know nothing about you. Why are you called Amelie and not Amelia? Why do your grandparents live in France? Look INTO, not around the camera. Come on, this isn't difficult!" I give Michelle a withering look and try again.
"Hi! My name is Amelie, and before you ask 'why not Amelia?' I will explain. My parents are French and came to England for work which is why I was born here. They wanted to bring a bit of our family history with them, so what better way than to confuse every school teacher I will ever have by calling me, a girl who looks and sounds English, a French name? Anyway, I'm Amelie, I'm twelve years old and I like swimming, playing the flute and sending postcards to my grandparents in France. We visit them every Christmas, but they like to stay updated and they live too far out in the countryside to have a working phone. My little brother and sister draw pictures on the postcards because they can't write properly yet. Me, my parents and my siblings all live together in one happy household and I can't wait to tell them about all the fun I'm having at summer camp!" Michelle looks relieved, if not slightly annoyed that I didn't say that on the first take. "Yes, better." She forces a smile, "Just say it once more with a smile and look INTO THE CAMERA." Smoothing out her dress, she tries to compose herself but I can tell she is flustered. I don't know why I agreed to do this.

After about ten more tries, Michelle seems satisfied. I feel sorry for Gracie who is up next. She is quiet, shy and although the same age as me, everyone always thinks she is younger. We have become good friends since we came to camp this summer and I really hope Michelle gives her a bit of leeway. I don't think Gracie has it in her to stand up for herself.

"Off you go then Gracie, you only have to speak for half a minute, there's no need to be shy." Michelle is trying to be nice but she doesn't get it. Gracie doesn't choose to be timid, she just is. "Hello, I'm Gracie. Um, I'm twelve and I have three brothers. They're at university though, so I don't really see them that much. I live with my parents but my mum's away a lot for work and, er, she has to go and look after my Grandma. My dad's parents lived in Africa but I never met them. Mum says they would have liked my singing. I don't usually let anyone listen, only if they stand in another room, but I think she must have heard me when I thought no one was around. Yeah, so, that's it."

"Gracie, I'm afraid you're going to have to do that again." I can tell Michelle is really holding back from yelling at Gracie. "I'm really sorry, did I do something wrong?" Gracie looks so vulnerable stood up there, in front of the white paper which has been taped together to get as close to the 'professional background' as possible which Michelle wanted for her film. I know what is coming and I really wish it wasn't. "DID YOU DO SOMETHING WRONG?" Michelle screams, astounded that Gracie can't see what everyone else can. "You mumbled, stumbled and blundered your way through that like a blind man trying to find a coin in a fountain the size of North America. I don't know what you think you did RIGHT." I can see that Gracie is on the verge of tears and Michelle's analogies are only going to get worse. I think it's time for me to step in, "What Michelle means is that it would be great if you could cut out the ums and ers and just pause if you don't know what to say. We can always edit out the mistakes later, right Michelle?" I turn to face the now trembling Michelle and hope to God that she agrees with me for once. Luckily I think she is in too much of a state to retaliate and just points to the camera. I hit record once more and Gracie tries again. And again. And again. It must have taken just over an hour to get her section looking presentable, but somehow we managed it without either of them bursting into tears and storming out. At least that's the talking part over with. Now Gracie and I can just appear in the other clips without having to address the audience.

I realise I haven't explained what's going on. Our time at summer camp is almost over. In fact, we only have one week left. In this last week, we have all been set the challenge to create a film, showcasing the camp, so that it can be put on the website to attract new people for next year. However, obviously there can only be one film and it's not feasible for 100 girls to all work together, so it is a competition instead and the best film will be put on the website. Michelle is clearly desperate to win and as we are friends (ish) I agreed to help her.

Michelle did introduce herself for the film but I think my analysis of her might be slightly more enlightening and truthful. She is thirteen years old and won't let any of us younger girls forget it. According to her, because she is older, she has a bigger brain, and therefore gets to make any decisions which may arise. This is fine by Gracie seeing as she is so indecisive, but I have other ideas and we often lock horns over Michelle's mantra "I am the Director. What I say goes." This is not only a saying she uses for the film, but for life in general. Appearance-wise, she is tall and a little overweight, nothing much, but she is very self-conscious about it. She tries to compensate for her figure by straightening her extremely curly hair and pasting gooey liquid stuff over her freckles. She calls it 'foundation' but I've never used it. I think she looks nicer how she is naturally, but if it makes her feel confident then I suppose it's worth it.


Her and her mum live together in a little flat because her dad was killed a few years ago when he was reporting for the news in a war zone and a bomb went off. Everyone was so shocked and even now I don't think any of us can quite comprehend what has happened. It was just all too awful. Michelle tries to stay strong but she has only recently begun talking about her dad again. She says part of the reason she wants to win this competition is because he used to make short films for her to watch on the weekend and she wants to do him proud. I know that life must be very difficult for her and that's mainly why I'm helping out with the film. If this is her way to connect to her dad, then she should definitely get the chance to do it.

Poem - You

Like a flowing river or a drop of rain,
Not one piece of you is ever the same.

Like the roar of a lion or the call of a cuckoo,
Nobody could ever say that you

Had only one purpose.

People's love for you is infinite,
You bring such joy to the little bit we get

Of life. And those of us who embrace you in full,
Are probably the ones who see the world for how beautiful

It really is.

There is an abundance, a plethora
It would be impossible to count you in number.

And yet, people will keep insisting
On listening, playing and composing

You.

Music.

A Monologue - Inspired by 'The Woman in Black'

Recently I read 'The Woman in Black' and I decided to do a monologue from her point of view as if she was nine years old.

Today started so well. Alice and I were on the beach collecting shells like the sisters in story books do, but then the stupid sea mists came and spoiled the fun. We were forced inside and our Governess told me to “Play nicely Jennet” but I don’t want to be nice to Alice. She’s just jealous of me because she used to be the centre of attention until I came along. I can make anyone think that I’m a good girl and that Alice is naughty, sometimes it surprises me how much power I have over the grown-ups. Even when I tore the ruffles on the dress I wear to Sunday school, everyone believed me when I said Alice had done it.

We have never loved each other like true sisters. The only thing Alice has done to be like a big sister is to boss me about. When we were sent inside today, we decided to play with our dolls even though the Governess says girls of our age shouldn’t still be playing with children’s toys. I’m only nine; I wish people would stop forcing me to grow up. Alice said I wasn’t holding the doll in the right way, but I didn’t want her to think she could tell me what to do, so I held on tight to it. She tried to snatch it off me, but the doll’s head got ripped off instead and I was left holding the limp body. I didn’t want to, but I started crying and Alice said I would never make a good mother. When I grow up, I’ll show her, I’m going to have a child of my own and there will be nothing she can do about it.

But now, I am stuck in my bedroom until morning with no supper because my parents are fed up with Alice and I fighting. Sometimes when we go for a walk along the cliffs, Alice goes right up to the edge and looks over. Mummy says she mustn’t, but I dare her to. I wonder to myself what would happen if I just gave her a little push. No, I wouldn’t. But I like to think about it.

Book Review - The Diary of a Young Girl

This book, which is more commonly know as The Diary of Anne Frank, is something I think everyone should read at some point in their lives. Whether you love fiction or non-fiction, call yourself a bookworm, or prefer the telly really, you MUST read this book. It is not just the way it is written or the 'storyline', but the pure emotion and raw feelings which are so well captured.

For those of you who don't know, Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who lived at the time of World War Two. Her family were forced into hiding because of the Nazis' attitude towards Jewish people and her diary documents the time they spent, constantly in fear of what might happen to them, from 1942 to 1944. When they were eventually betrayed and found, they were taken to concentration camps and Anne died in 1945, just before the end of the war.

I have not given this book a rating because I think it would be disrespectful. It is most certainly one of the most touching and thought-provoking tales I have ever come across and it is even written very well for someone so young.

I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 10 because it is a story which would be too upsetting for young children, but I think everyone should know that when life seems hopeless, happiness can be found, even if it is just for a few moments.

Short Story - 'Earth 2' - Part Two

This is the second part of 'Earth 2'. If you missed part one, you can scroll down as it will be the post below this or click 'Older Posts'. 

“Daniel, switch to manual control. Adam, enter code 090800. Keaton, notify ground control, over.” In desperation I attempt to code a new route, but the system is malfunctioning. It has reset the password and none of us can access anything. Tears begin blurring my eyes, my whole body is shaking, rocking to and fro, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves, to save my daughter from a life without her mother. I start to scream, a piercing, blood-curdling scream. Please God, save me, I cannot die, plea-

On ‘Earth 2’, Lyra is showing her granddaughter the stars.

“Grandma, what’s that in the sky?” The little girl asks her in wonder.

“That, my dear, is an exploding star.”

“Wow, it’s amazing!”

Lyra’s eyes fill with tears as she remembers the night the failure of Earth 2’s mission was announced, and she wonders whether they have just seen her mother’s star.

Short Story - 'Earth 2' - Part One

Her eyes bore into me, innocent, searching for why I am crying, when in her mind everything is fine. I cradle her in my arms like I did when I first saw her two years ago, my beautiful daughter Lyra. Named after a constellation because I knew that she would do something far greater than any of us could imagine. Now I am leaving her, my husband and mother too, for this mission. This mission which could either save the world or leave a little girl without her mother forever. My heart cannot bear it, I am tearing apart inside and I know I must go now before I change my mind. Gently placing Lyra on the ground I try to convey my love for her, but it is just too great, and instead I kiss her and hug her and try to make her understand that she must cherish this moment in case I never come back. “I love you my darling with everything I have and one day we will see each other again, whether on earth or in Heaven I do not know.” Then it is time for me to go, and taking one last look at my family, I turn and board the spaceship.

As I press the final button on the switchboard in front of me, I fight the urge to turn back and run to my daughter, to hold her tight and never let go. Keaton, seeing me hesitate, catches my eye and gives me a reassuring smile. I cannot let everybody down. I strap myself into my seat and help the others prepare for take-off. We have done it in training many times before, but the feeling is different this time. The air crackles with tension.

“Five, four, three, two, one, lift off.” My throat tightens, my stomach churns and my heart pounds so loudly I am sure I can hear the reverberations around the spacecraft. Blackness fills my ears and shields my eyes but I try to resist it; I must not falter now. It feels as if I am floating above all human life and I feel strangely separate to them, as if- “Gaia do you read me?” Keaton’s voice jolts me out of my trance and I hasten to reply, “Yes, I am reading you, over.”

“Prepare for light speed, over and out.” I brace myself as the rocket lurches forward; we are now travelling faster than the speed of light.

The three other crew members and I are set to explore ‘Earth 2’ as Earth 1’s resources will eventually run out and people need somewhere to take refuge. Keaton, Daniel, Adam and I are the only ones who have been told the plan. Instead of saving everyone, only 10,000 of the most wealthy and educated people will be sent to ‘Earth 2’ and allowed to live. Our mission is to explore the planet and collect data which we can report back to the lucky survivors so they have the best chance in this new world.

Millions of stars fly past our window, most appear tiny because they are so far away; they look like pin pricks in a never-ending sheet of darkness. However, inside the spaceship time seems to stand still. We have so little to do and so far to go, I wonder whether my brain will shut down due to lack of use. I think of Lyra every day and wish that I could see her.

For five monotonous years we travel on through space until one day an automated voice shatters our hope of reaching ‘Earth 2’, “A star which is set to explode is in the flight path.”

“No!” My cry voices the thoughts of us all. Unless we can re-programme the flight in time, we are all going to be blown apart. 

Come back next week to find out what happens to Gaia ...

Another Reader's Poem

I received this poem from a reader which I'm sure you can relate to. It is about the time in life when there are so many happy memories in your head and yet all you can think of is that one hurtful remark somebody once made. Although you may feel saddened by this fact, know that you are in control of your own mind. You can choose to think pleasant thoughts. Try looking in a photo album of past holidays, listening to a song from your childhood or even reading some of the happy stories and poems which I post!

Here is the reader's poem:

Be careful what you say to others.
Like an email it cannot be retrieved once uttered.
A remark, once made, pops out of the deepest recess of the memory of the recipient at the most unlikely moment.
It is never diminished by the passage of time.
Why must the memory, so useful and essential for everyday life, have this wicked side to it?
A remark is just as hurtful fifty years later as it was on the day when it was first received.
The mind seems to wait until one is at rest from everyday occupation, and then from nowhere out slips this wicked barb.
The question for me that remains unanswered is: for what purpose does this happen?
Is the old person with dementia still subjected to the regurgitation of a past remark?
The mystery of life may be in the Universe, but what manipulating force controls the memory?
What happened to all those short lived memories of the young killed in their prime?
Is there something similar to The Cloud where all memory is collected and stored for ever?
Will we ever be able to
tap into this source? If it even exists ...

If you would like to write something for the blog, just send me an email at rapunzeltheblogger@gmail.com