A ghost story with a difference. Not your normal ghost story, and not your ‘normal’ hero. Instead a confused, bruised, overweight boy is dragged to a holiday park with his borderline alcoholic father, and meets a girl. Not your typical love story, but Daniel is attracted to this slip of a girl whose body is covered in cuts and bruises that get worse over time rather than better. Strange huh? Well worth reading to find out why.
Sophia’s father suddenly arrives back from oversees and her life of freedom is over, instead she has to rebel against her cruel father who wants her married off as soon as possible. I would have been content if this story had followed this theme, of her trials and how she overcame the restrictions placed upon a “lady”, I even liked her nighttime adventures. But no the author has to twist in a spy plot, treason, and gunpowder. This, and the unsatisfactory ending, in my opinion, spoilt the main storyline.
I told you I was on a roll! Here is my next review this time it is
The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce.
This book is a nice easy read, and since it is set in Year 6 will appeal to Primary age readers. The story is presented as if it was typed into a notebook with snapshots stuck in. The story is basically about two new students from Mongolia, they are a little bit different and adopt the main character is adopted as their “Good Guide”. They seem to be really superstitious and think they are being hunted by demons, and it is this story which leads to the emotional twist at the end. It is billed as “laugh out loud funny” but I’d have to disagree. I found the authors afterword to be thought provoking and I’d hope that students will go onto read this, as this provides the worthy inspiration for the story.
A simple read with a subtle political message.