The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
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
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.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
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.
Girl Online by Zoe Sugg (Zoella)
I read this book quite a while ago and I must say my expectations were not too high. I knew I would probably enjoy it because I really like Zoella, and the videos on YouTube she makes (the link to her channels will be at the bottom of this post). However, I did find out just before I read it that it had been ghost written. To my understanding, Zoe came up with the general story line, characters and had a hand in some of the writing, however someone else did write almost all of the book. Many of her fans were outraged at this and refused to read the book, others said they did not care. I suppose I am in between. Whilst I am slightly disappointed that she didn't write the book herself and whoever did hasn't received any credit, I do understand that her talents must end somewhere. She is clearly an imaginative, creative person, but I do not believe she could also be a talented writer whose English is sophisticated enough to write a novel. That takes skill and practise, and considering most writers' first novels are never published because they do not meet the high standards of other books, her fans could not really believe that she is any exception.
The book is recognisable as something which is clearly close to Zoe's heart, containing many things she likes. Set in Brighton, where Zoe lives, the book is fictional and although allegedly not based on Zoe, does resemble parts of her personality and talents. The main character, Penny, is good at photography, writes a blog, and her tastes in fashion are very similar to Zoe's.
I stated earlier that my expectations were not too high but that I knew I would enjoy the book. However, by about chapter five, the book started to really improve and the quality of writing was a lot better. I know this is not down to Zoe, but I'm only judging the book by what I felt when I read it, and that was pure pride and pleasure that Zoe had helped put together a really uplifting and inspiring book. It shows readers that nobody is perfect and you don't need to change for someone to love you. Penny meets a boy when she travels with her family to New York in order to organise a wedding (her parents own a wedding-planning business) and despite her embarrassing quirks and imperfections, the boy, Noah, seems to really like her. I think this is one of the most important lessons to teach teenage girls; that they don't need to pretend to be someone else around boys, because the person who is right for them will love them as they are.I would recommend this book to an age range of about 9-16 as it is not written in a sophisticated way and there is nothing inappropriate, but it does have a theme of teenage romance which younger children may not understand.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book as a bit of easy-reading with a happy ending.
Zoe's channels:
Thank You, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
This book is both ridiculous and humorous. It makes you look stupid when you laugh out loud in a public place at what appears to be nothing, yet gives you a boost if your day isn't going quite to plan. Definitely a fine bit of bedtime reading, the plot is certainly original, if not just plain odd. At times it can be quite frustrating (watch Mr Bean's Holiday and you'll see what I mean) but I think that is what kept me reading.The basis of the story is that Bertram Wooster moves to the English countryside because his neighbours and butler hate his banjolele playing. (I didn't know what it was either until I looked back at the front cover and realised how stupid I was being). So Bertie, after receiving notice from his butler Jeeves, retires to a home far away from anyone who can discourage his musicality.
However, his new butler is a loon and after a series of improbably unfortunate events, his banjolele is burnt up along with his new house. Bertie turns to Jeeves for a helping hand and luckily, Jeeves has no hard feelings and suggests he goes back to being his butler.The novel ends much the same as it started, the only difference being Jeeves who has replaced the banjolele.
An adult with a sense of humour and a love for annoying posh people would be the most suitable reader for this book. But any grown up would do.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
I watched the film adaptation of The Help quite a while ago and after seeing it on my bookshelves recently, I decided to give it a go.It was written by Kathryn Stockett and is set in Jackson, Mississippi during 1962. The chapters have varying narrators throughout, the first being Aibileen. She is black and works for a white woman called Miss Leefolt, raising her child, cooking and cleaning.
Chapter three is told from the point of view of Minny who is quite like Aibileen in the sense that she also earns money from working for richer white families, yet Minny has more of an outspoken nature and is no stranger to being fired. In the beginning, she works for Miss Walters - an old lady who is either deaf or pretends not to notice Minny's rudeness. However, when Miss Hilly (Miss Walter's awful daughter) annoys Minny, she does something terrible to Miss Hilly which causes her to be fired. After this, Minny goes to find another job and the only woman who will take her is the desperate Celia Rae Foote.
Miss Skeeter tells chapter five and we learn that she is a white lady trying to fit in with the others, yet failing because she disagrees with the shocking way black people are treated. She still lives with her parents and their maid is called Pascagoula. Previously, a lady named Constantine was their maid, but for a reason unknown to Miss Skeeter, Pascagoula took her place whilst Skeeter was away at university.
For the whole book, these are the only narrators. However, when all of the characters go to 'The Jackson Junior League Annual Ball and Benefit' in chapter 25, narration is in the third person, which means you only receive the story from an onlooker's perspective. 'The Benefit' as it is more concisely known is a night of fundraising for starving children in Africa.The key theme in the story is the horrible way black people (maids in particular) are treated by white people. Miss Skeeter seems to be the only white person to want to do something about this and persuades many of the maids to tell her their stories so she can write a book about it. The book is eventually published anonymously and causes a commotion in not only Jackson, but all over America.
I would recommend this book to ages 16+ as it has adult themes such as racism and abuse. However, I wouldn't say the style of writing was too complex for younger teenage readers.
Overall, I think this is my favourite book so far! If you are thinking of reading any of the books I have reviewed, definitely try this one first.
One Million Lovely Letters by Jodi Ann Bickley
After watching one of Carrie Hope Fletcher's YouTube videos on the channel ItsWayPastMyBedtime, I added the book One Million Lovely Letters to my reading list. It sounded like an intriguing idea which I hadn't ever heard of before, so, trusting Carrie's recommendation, I got round to reading it.
The author is Jodi Ann Bickley whose life was turned upside down after contracting what her GP at the time thought was meningoencephalitis from a tick bite. This illness severely affected what she could do and made her feel upset quite a bit of the time.
So, in 2013 she set up onemillionlovelyletters.com. People from all over the world could now email her with their address and why they would like a letter. Jodi would send them a "hug in an envelope" to cheer them up and make them feel loved.
Jodi seems like one of those people who genuinely prefers giving to receiving. When people are asked whether they prefer to give or to receive, most people try to respond 'correctly' with, "Giving, definitely." Even though deep down, they prefer receiving. Yet, Jodi explains in her book how writing the lovely letters gave her as much joy as it did the people who received them. I think it is a beautiful thought that helping others can often give you more pleasure than anything else in the world.
Her book tells the story of her life before and after onemillionlovelyletters.com. It shows how, by small acts of kindness, you can brighten your own day and other's at the same time.
I wanted to give this book a five star review to show how much I appreciated what Jodi was doing after what she had gone through, yet I'm only marking the books on the quality of writing, general concept and whether they would stick in my mind long after I had read them. I can't say that Jodi is the best writer I have ever come across, or that I will always remember her book. What I can promise though, is that I will never forget her remarkable story and even more amazing personality.
I would recommend this book to an age range of 16+, as I think its audience is supposed to be adults, but you don't need to be 18 to read it.
Overall, this book tells an inspiring story and compels its readers to do good.
My Name is Mina by David Almond
I read the book My Name is Mina quite a few years ago and really loved it. So I recently decided to read it again because I'd forgotten what happens and I want to read its sequel, Skellig soon.I think of this book as David Almond's secret masterpiece. Skellig is so well-known that it almost overshadows this one. Yet, I can't understand why, as I like My Name is Mina just a little more. It's one of those books that leaves you feeling a bit dazed after you've read it; like you're not quite back in the real world yet.
I'm not going to write my usual plot summary, as that would spoil the creativity and spontaneity of this book. Instead, I will give you a feel for the book by showing you my favourite parts.
Here are some of Mina's thoughts:
"When I was at school - at St Bede's Middle - I was told by my teacher Mrs Scullery that I should not write anything until I had planned what I would write. What nonsense!"
"Why is there anything? Why is there something rather than nothing? ... And before there was something was there just nothing? And did that nothing turn into something? And if that nothing turned into something how did it do it, and why? Why? Why? Why?""A few weeks later, we were reading an encyclopaedia. It said that if you counted all the people who had ever lived ... until about fifty years ago, there wouldn't be as many as the people who are alive today ... 'So that means,' I said, 'that Heaven only needs to be about as big as the earth.'"
"Ms Palaver ... was wearing a black suit with a white blouse an silver earrings. Mr Trench was also in black and white. I was about to ask them if they were off to a funeral but I thought perhaps not."
I would recommend this book to an age range of 9-13 because the language used is quite simple and Mina is a young girl. However, I definitely appreciated the humour and thoughtfulness of this book more the second time I read it, when I was older.
Overall, if you want to read something that will take you out of reality for a little while, be sure to pick up 'My Name is Mina'.
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
I have just finished reading War Horse by Michael Morpurgo and what a tale it was. Told from the point of view of Joey the horse, it was definitely different to any book I'd ever read before. To give you a feel for it, I will summarise the plot.
The story begins with the sale of a horse called Joey to a farm; consequently separating him from his mum. Luckily, Albert (the son of the drunken farm owner) cares for Joey to protect him from his father and later trains him as a farm horse alongside Zoey, the stoic farm pony.
Joey is sold on to a soldier named Captain Nicholls not long later by Albert's father because he "needs the money bad". Albert tries to stop the sale but does not succeed, yet all is not lost, as Captain Nicholls promises to take good care of Joey and says that when Albert is old enough, he could join the cavalry and maybe find his horse again.
However, Joey doesn't have an easy time of it in army training as he is ridden by the harsh Corporal Samuel Perkins who isn't as kind as Captain Nicholls. Fortunately, after training the Captain spends hours talking to Joey whilst drawing him which comforts the horse and makes his time in training decidedly more bearable.
Joey's luck seems to continue when he meets a new friend, Topthorn, the magnificent black stallion. They are competitors as well as companions and keep each other on their toes. Yet, sadness returns when Captain Nicholls is killed in their first battle. Joey is given Trooper Warren to be his new rider, but Warren is a lot less experienced and doesn't have as light a touch as Nicholls did.
A little after their meeting, Trooper Warren is separated from Joey when he and Captain Stewart are taken as prisoners of war. Joey and Topthorn are lead away and meet Herr Hauptmann who orders his men to give the horses the best treatment possible. However, both horses are needed to carry wounded soldiers away from the battlefields and are stabled elsewhere on a farm owned by a little girl named Emilie and her grandfather.
Although the work is punishing, Joey and Topthorn look forward to seeing Emilie at the end of every day because she cleans, feeds and chats for hours on end to them.
After a blissfully peaceful time working on Emilie's farm, the horses are taken away by soldiers to pull a gun alongside four others known as Heinie, Coco and the two golden Haflingers. After a while, Coco and Heinie both die and the others are left to pull the gun in worsening conditions.
After surviving the long winter, the spring comes and the horses are put under the care of a nicer man named Friedrich. However, Topthorn is still suffering and he dies just before an attack in which Friedrich is also killed by an explosion. Joey is so bereft that he stands guard over the bodies of Friedrich and Topthorn all night until he is frightened by a tank and runs as fast as he can in an effort to escape the war. He is eventually forced to stop running as his injuries and fatigue overcome him. With confusion and panic, he then realises that he is in no man's land.
Yet, Joey is still fatally ill and requires twenty four hour attention in order to recover from his tetanus. It takes the whole team of workers at the hospital to pull Joey through, but they succeed and all seems well again.
However, when David is killed, Albert falls into a state of depression. Even when the war finally ends, there is little celebration, merely relief for the remaining men that they are still alive.
The horses are auctioned off and just when it seems that Joey will be sold to a French butcher, Emilie's grandfather makes the final bid and buys Joey. He then sells Joey back to Albert for one penny on the condition that Albert will love Joey as much as Emilie did.
Albert takes Joey home with him to meet Maisie, his future wife. The story ends happily, with Zoey and Joey working alongside each other again, just like in the beginning.
I would recommend this book to an age range of 11-15 as the topic might be harder to handle for younger children, but the language used isn't challenging enough for very advanced readers.
I liked the fact that it had a happy ending and all the loose ends were tied up, but if you prefer books which mirror real life (which doesn't have an ending), the end to War Horse may seem too idyllic or unrealistic.
Overall, it's a very original and thoughtful book which could be used to educate children and teenagers on World War One.
The Fault in our Stars by John Green
After recently reading the tear-jerker which is 'The Fault in our Stars', I decided to do a book review. For those of you who haven't read it, here is a brief summary.A seventeen year old girl called Hazel Grace Lancaster meets a boy of the same age, Augustus Waters, at her cancer patients' support group. She has lung cancer and he had one of his legs amputated due to his illness.
They give each other their favourite books to try out which triggers both of their interest in 'An Imperial Affliction' - the book Hazel gives Gus. It has an unfinished ending which torments them both and consequently, Augustus decides to spend his wish from the genies on a trip to Amsterdam. (All children who have cancer get one wish from the charity). Whilst in Amsterdam, they hope that the author, Peter Van Houten will answer their questions.
However, when they arrive, they realise he is an alcoholic who can't be bothered with their questions. They don't let this fact spoil their trip and fall deeper in love which is only tainted at the start by Hazel's reluctance as she doesn't want to hurt Augustus when she dies.
At this point, there is a plot twist which reveals that Augustus had a scan before the trip showing the cancer has returned to his body and spread all over. After they return to America from their trip, his condition worsens until he organises a pre-funeral for himself, in which Isaac (Augustus' friend who also goes to the
support group) and Hazel say a few words.
Eight days later, Augustus dies. Peter Van Houten turns up unexpectedly at his funeral and tries to explain to Hazel what happens at the end of 'An Imperial Affliction' but Hazel doesn't want to know and turns him away. It is later revealed that Van Houten and Augustus were corresponding with each other so that Peter could write a eulogy for Hazel. The book ends when Hazel reads one of the messages Gus wrote to Van Houten. "I like my choices, I hope she likes hers." Hazel speaks aloud to Gus, "I do, Augustus. I do."I would recommend this book to an age range of 10-18 but anyone could enjoy reading it.
Whatever you like, The Fault in our Stars definitely has a bit of your genre:
- Tragedy - Augustus dies and leaves Hazel heartbroken, "Augustus Waters died eight days after his pre-funeral."
- Comedy - Jokes are interspersed throughout, cleverly balancing out the tough main topic
- Romance - Hazel and Augustus fall in love, "I fell in love [with him] the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once."
Overall, I think this is one of the best books I've ever read and I hope you enjoy it just as much as I did.
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