Children's Books > S Children's Books > Noel Streatfeild

Advantages: makes the war be seen in a different light
Disadvantages: only small writing in most of the editions, get a modern one with bigger writing.

Set in pre war britain, the main charactors are evacuee's who are sent to live in the countyside to get away from London. The author keeps you wanting to read on so well, I have read this book twice in the month I have owned it! I suppose the disadvantages of the book are that the cover on all the editions in my opinion would not attract the younger generation. At first when they start living at this manor house, the man of the house is very popus ...
...girl in his house and for a while persists the girl (who happens to be the oldest) goes. Eventually then all learn to get on very well as a family and then when the end of the war comes, bothe families can't bring themselves to say goodbye, not even the man who was grumpy at the start. Would make very good reading for 9-12yr olds who are just starting to get affected by the true horror of the war as it can give a peace of mind and make you feel ... Read review

Advantages: Lovely nostalgic novel for children and adults, gentle pace, encouraging ending
Disadvantages: A little idealistic, slight caricatures in some of the characters

...a rambling old house called Apple Bough, and the four children still remember it with nostalgia. Myra, the oldest, is twelve when this story starts: a sensible, motherly child who adores her younger siblings and worries about the future. She deeply misses her dog Wag, who had to be left in England with a friend when the family started touring the world. The reason for the touring is that Sebastian, next in age to Myra, is a child prodigy violinist. ...
...'Apple Bough' is no exception. Sebastian was discovered at the age of eight by a famous Russian conductor, and was contracted to tour initially for six months, but this gradually extended until the family seem to spend their entire lives travelling. There are 'rest periods', but they're usually in European or American cities where Sebastian can study with great teachers. David and Polly, the parents, both love travelling. They're musicians and artists ... Read review

Advantages: Pleasant children's book, satisfactory ending, covers friendship and contented family life
Disadvantages: Could seem old-fashioned and a bit slow-moving

I do like mid-20th century children's books. They have a lot more content to them than the majority of books written for children these days, and they're so gentle by comparison. No battles of good or evil here, no superheroes against the forces of darkness. More prosaically, there's no bad language, no bullying, no abuse, no marriage breakdown... just simple family scenarios and mild escapism. The story in 'White Boots' is a basic one set in post-war ...
...unspecified lengthy illness. This has left her very thin, with her legs feeling 'cotton-woolish', and she has almost no energy. She's bored, but isn't allowed to return to school until she regains her strength. Her father owns a small shop, but as he relies on his erratic brother for produce to sell, the family struggle financially. This means that they cannot possibly afford to send Harriet on holiday or take her to a private gym. So she spends ... Read review

Advantages: complex characters; interesting city; interesting ideas
Disadvantages: events slightly too signposted in advance

The second book in the 'Wind on Fire' series starts from a less familiar perspective and situation than its predecessor, 'The Wind Singer', which may be why I didn't feel as immediately engaged in the plot. Five years have passed since Kestrel and Bowman Hath rescued the city of Aramanth from the power of the Morah and although life has become more equal, the city is weaker and its citizens less focused. This leaves them ripe for plunder by Ortiz ...
...is only equaled by his pride in his skills. His brisk and merciless attack on the city means the Manth people are enslaved once more and begin the long trek to reach the Mastery, a strange world that revolves around the Master, who, like many despots, believes that he enslaves people for their own good. In the haste, Kestrel is left behind in the dying city, but soon embarks upon a quest to find her people and avenge them by destroying their captor. ... Read review

Advantages: A gripping tale
Disadvantages: it's literally gripping, you'll hate being disturbed

...and down comes the word GOLEM and they are tossed into a game. They go separate ways, Mr. Mullins tries the left doors when Majid chooses the right, now they both are in the adventure but before they get too far the game uninstalls and then they resume their chat and lives. But Majid's class mate, Aisha, has recently seen blue smoke filling out of the cracks in Majid's front door, and when Majid is forced down to the basement, there is this massive ...
...Mr. Mullins get his dream golem (Natasha) to come through the computer and will Majid notice that Mr. Mullins is staring at Natasha weirdly? And what is this mysterious blue smoke? These are the questions that are still in my head and I'll never find these things out until I've finished the second book. As soon as you start reading this book you can't loosen your grip on the book, you can't stand up as you are literally glued to the seat, if dinner's ... Read review