The cover illustration of Sea of Tears was just lovely. The wake of a boat curving into a big 'S', a little girl looking out at the sea ... It was a cover I could keep looking at. The book could have been better, though. I enjoyed much of it, but there were parts that left me cold. In many places, Jasmine's emotions were sudden and unexpected, leaving the reader far behind. I realise over and over again that the difference between fact and fiction is that fiction needs to be believable. Jasmine is a twelve-year-old whose parents decide to move from London to Barbados because they are increasingly alarmed at the things happening in London. Jasmine's cultural identity is beautifully portrayed as a mixture between her racial roots and upbringing, and London life around her. Jasmine's father speaks out of the pages of the book, emerging as a traditional father, who would not think of … [Read more...]

I picked up Berlin Olympics assuming it was about a real person. Sure, I expected historical fiction, but my knowledge of Olympic swimmers is not good enough to have known that Eleanor Rhys Davies is not a real person. In the beginning, I was disappointed. I don't know why; I don't know what I expected. Yet, as I read on, the story grew on me. What I enjoyed most of all is how natural the whole story feels, echoing classics like The Diary of a Young Girl. Eleanor, like Anne Frank, spoke to me through the pages of the book, making me believe in her and understand her. Written as a series of diary entries, Berlin Olympics is the story of a young swimmer growing up in the 1930s. With Mosley and Hitler rising to power, Eleanor almost feels guilty that she does not experience the fear and hardships her Jewish friend Sarah does. The 1936 Olympics make all her questions rise to the fore. … [Read more...]

No, I have not yet Pippi Longstocking. Maybe I should apologise. In my defence, I have wanted to read it for very long. When I read Pippi in the South Seas, I realised why it's so famous and why so many people love it so much. Pippi is a classic in a world of her own. She is not like Anne of Green Gables. She is not like Sara, the little princess; nor is she like Little Lord Fauntleroy. She is in a class of her own. During the very first chapter of Pippi in the South Seas, I was chuckling aloud. Yes, there were parts that I did not enjoy. Yes, I found some parts a little outdated. Yet, the story is so charming, and Pippi makes for such a vivacious protagonist, that all in all, I'm ready for more stories featuring Pippi Longstocking! From red hair that sticks out in two plaits to a fierce independence that marks Pippi's character, the book was a … [Read more...]

Dick King-Smith is an author I love. Whenever I pick up a book by him, I do so with complete faith in the story. As usual, I was not disappointed. Billy the Bird is the story of a little child who becomes weightless when the moon is full, but can remember nothing of his nightly flights when the next day dawns. Billy's sister is the one who witnesses his nocturnal flights, and keeps his secret - because no one will believe her if she tells them her brother can fly. The story of a girl, a boy, a cat, a cat-burglar, a guinea-pig, and many more, Billy the Bird is a charming illustrated tale for children. Title Billy the Bird Author Dick King-Smith Genre Children's Fiction/Fantasy/Animal Stories Rating (out of 5) 4 Age-group 7+ … [Read more...]

A book that promised to be exciting, I think the best thing I can say about Sovay is that the story made me curious enough to keep reading until I finished the book. As I turned page after page, though, I found myself skipping large sections of the book because I wanted to know how it would all end, and nothing else. Set in England in the late 18th century, Sovay had all the makings of a wonderful historical novel for children. I loved the atmosphere and choice of character, but the promise of the book remained unfulfilled. Sovay's character, which began with the power of a Georgette Heyeran heroine, was a little disappointing. Rather than emerging as a brave character, capable of saving the lives of ones she loved, Sovay emerged as a rather reckless character, whose plans somehow held together. Yet, there was something that made me want to read on. The atmosphere and setting were … [Read more...]