Hello!
I'm a 24 year old teacher who enjoys her reading and films. Quite a few of my reviews will ...
Hello!
I'm a 24 year old teacher who enjoys her reading and films. Quite a few of my reviews will centre around school and class books and readers so look out for them and for me to be as honest as I can. ^_^
Member since:18.11.2007
Reviews:14
Hello, it's another review of a class reader that I have taught. This book that I did with Year 9 (ages 13-14) although it would be suitable for advanced 11 year old readers and upwards - including adults.
Noughts and Crosses is a compelling story written by respected black author Malorie Blackman and takes a unique look at racism in an alternate world. Visually, it is an appealing novel with a simple cover of black and white and an easy to read typeface that doesn't have you squinting. The chapter sections are eaisly indentifiable and the book is sufficiently thick enough to challenge young readers, although it may scare reluctant readers away due to the thickness.
Sephy and Callum are childhood friends who have grown up together. The only problem stopping this relationship progressing is that Sephy is a Cross and a member of one of the highest ranking Cross families and Callum is a Nought, a second class citizen in an increasingly segregated society. The story follows their relationship, set against the backdrop of dissatisfied Noughts wanting equal rights and Crosses seeking to maintain dominance and this is brought home to the two teens when they are forbidden to see each other over something which happened in the past which no-one speaks about.
The book itself is sepearted by short sections which alternate narration by either the idealistic Sephy or the gentle Callum and the narratiive styles are very different which is a refreshing change. This makes it easier on readers who cannot read for long stretches at a time but may annoy those who prefer meatier chapters.
Malorie Blackman has written a very powerful novel and it shows through the sheer passion and emotion in the book. Having taken the traditional idea of racism and turned it on its head in that Crosses are Black and Noughts are White. However, Blackman also takes the view that there are no baddies and goodies. The author brings home a powerful message which many of my class were deeply moved by. The ending to the novel is devastatingly powerful and the whole class of thirty were in total silence for the last three chapters and there were even tears.
My misgivings about the book are mainly over some of the events which happen in the book such as death, fighting, assualts and sex (although the sex is incredibly mild it still does happen). These may disturb younger readers and many teenage readers may miss some of these messages all together. However, on one level there is a compelling plot and older or more advanced readers will pick up on the deeper meanings.
However, the plot devices are sometimes a little cliched and expected, although I am saying this as an adult reader who has been trained to spot such things. Additionally the story telling itself is good enough to cover most things but at times became a little bit long and drawn out. However this was made up for by the ending and even I found myself choking up at that
This is definately a thinking novel and will make readers assess their own thoughts on racism and prejudice. The only downside is that it is marketed at younger readers when I - and many others - feel it should have had a dual adult and young readers release, because just as many adults as well as children need to learn about prejudice and racism.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Malorie Blackman is a fine, award-winning author whose work is always inclined to provoke ... more
debate amongst her readers, and indeed her peers. With Noughts and Crosses she surpasses expectation not only with her subject matter, but with the execution of a...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Malorie Blackman is a fine, award-winning author whose work is always inclined to provoke ... more
debate amongst her readers, and indeed her peers. WithNoughts and Crossesshe surpasses expectation not only with her subject matter, but with the execution of a s...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Malorie Blackman is a fine, award-winning author whose work is always inclined to provoke ... more
debate amongst her readers, and indeed her peers. With Noughts and Crosses she surpasses expectation not only with her subject matter, but with the execution of a...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Tragedy, Romance, Hope, Politics and Action all rolled into one something for everyone Disadvantages: short, points brought across a little too soon
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