15.05.07
The Road of The Dead
author: Kevin Brooks
I really enjoyed this book. It is the story of two brothers from London, Cole and Ruben, who travel down to Devon to find out who had murdered their sister Rachel, found dead on the moor a few days earlier, so that her body can be released for burial. Ruben is the narrator and has a gift which allows him to see in other people’s hearts, and this allows us to know what is happening to Cole even when he is not Ruben.
As they arrive in the village, they are met with an unusual amount of unfriendliness and resistance, with the exception of Jess, who is from the nearby gypsy camps (the brothers are themselves half-gypsy). Everybody seems to be hiding something, even Vince and Abbie who welcome them into their home (Abbie was Rachel’s friend). As the story unravels we start to understand why. And I am not going to say anymore, I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you, would I?
This is a really absorbing teen thriller, which keeps you going to the very end with a heart-thumping climax. There is some graphic violence, but it is never gratuitous violence. However, this aspect of the story definitely makes it a book for 14 year-olds and above (and this icludes adults!)
26.02.07
The Rights of the Reader
(Comme un roman - Folio Gallimard)
author: Daniel Pennac
French bookworms will know Pennac - he is an institution in France, and yet his books have not been readily available in the UK. Thanks to translator Sarah Adams, this is at last being rectified with the translation of some of his children's titles (Eye of the Wolf and Dog for instance both published by Walker Books) and The Rights of the Reader (beautifully illustrated by the fantastic Quentin Blake).
Comme un roman, as it is known in France, has sold over a million copies there. Pennac drew from his experience as a teacher in challenging secondary schools in France to write this fascinating book on children's rights when it comes to reading: the right to read what you want, the right to read when you want, and sometimes even, the right not to read at all (you can have a closer look at the 10 rights of the readers here). Pennac's argument is that reading has been turned into a chore by many including parents and teachers, and this is what is making a lot of children give up on books.
It really is a fascinating, thought-provoking read.
In my opinion, any parent who is serious about helping their children to become life-long readers should read it.