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REVIEW: Children's books
Robert Swindells and World War Two are once again a powerful, dramatic combination. It's a setting which fires his imagination – a setting he brings thrillingly alive.
Shrapnel (Corgi Childrens, 5.99) is his latest foray into the war, and it's another cracker, directly, engagingly written, with plenty of pace and consistently intriguing.
Britain is being ravaged by bombs and most young men are off fighting. Gordon wishes he was too. Maybe then he wouldn't get bullied for having a cowardly family . . . Gordon's dad didn't serve in World War One, and now his older brother Raymond isn't serving in World War Two - he's gone missing.
When Gordon finds a revolver hidden in his house, he tracks Raymond down, but ends up involved in more than he'd bargined for. Raymond enlists Gordon's help to deliver and collect some 'packages'. But is the work actually for the government? And will it have terrible consequences?
Once again, Swindells' trick is his child's eye perspective on events beyond a child's comprehension. The narrator doesn't know how the war ends, but we do – and it's all part of the tension (9-11 year-olds).
For those slightly older (12 year and up), it's a red-letter month with the publication of
Heroes Of The Valley by Jonathan Stroud (Doubleday Childrens, 12.99) – another work from an author who can rightly be dubbed a master storyteller.
Stroud is also a master writer, more elegant, more literary perhaps than Swindells, and with this latest book, he builds strongly on the success of his wonderful Bartimaeus trilogy – three books children read and read again, gripped by his vivid evocation of a strange, strange world.
Heroes Of The Valley is in a similar mould – epic, vibrant and colourful.
Halli loves the old stories from when the valley was a wild and dangerous place – when the twelve legendary heroes stood together to defeat the ancient enemy, the bloodthirsty Trows.
Halli longs for adventure but these days the most dangerous thing in the valley is boredom. He tries to liven things up by playing practical jokes. But when one of his jokes goes too far, he reawakens an old blood feud and finds himself on a hero's quest after all. Along the way he meets a ruthless thief, a murderous rival, and a girl who may just be as fearless as he is . . .
Another series always worth a look is The Lady Grace Mysteries (Red Fox, 4.99).
When the Court clockmaker, Mr Urseau, is found dead in his workshop - a dagger in his chest and a key clutched in his hand - rumours start flying. Was the murderer his young assistant? Or maybe his wife? Both could be after Urseau's private treasure. And where is the key from? What is it for?
Lady Grace, Queen Elizabeth's own Lady Pursuiviant, is determined to get to the bottom of all these questions. But things get even more complicated when Grace discovers that a mysterious clock was delivered to the palace on the day Urseau was killed.
Yes, there are bodies, but this is crime for nine-11 year-olds. It's just a little bit chilling, but more often it's fun, complete with a ready wit and a challenge young readers will rise to.
Back with the seven to nine year-olds, Witch Baby And Me At School by Debi Gliori (Corgi Childrens, 4.99) just about sparks in its tale of Lily's baby sister Daisy. Somehow, when she was born, something went rather wrong... and now Daisy is a Witch Baby. All of which gives Daisy some fairly useful powers when it comes to having adventures.
It's fine and mostly it's funny, but never quite totally grabs.
Trying to make an impact over here is the Magic Tree House series by US writer Mary Pope Osborne. It's massively popular in the States where in fact our very own Joe Harmston (a theatre director who lives just outside Chichester) is touring a musical version. But the series hasn't taken off over here yet – a slight surprise given its abundant charms.
Magic Tree House 9: Diving with Dolphins (Red Fox 3.99) and Magic Tree House: A Wild West Ride (Red Fox 3.99) are the latest titles to have a go, tales of a contrasting boy and girl who manage to challenge a few sexual stereotypes as they launch into all manner of adventures. There are plenty of sweet moments; and the books are well-crafted; but they don't quite shout "read me!". Slightly ho-hum, but again fine while they last (aimed at five to seven year-olds).
More successful is Bali Rai's latest Soccer Squad book, Stars! (Red Fox, 4.99).
Dal, Chris, Abs and Jason have made the squad for the local youth club under-11s football team. And after their first match (not as successful as they'd have liked), they are determined to prove that they've got what it takes to be winners.
Jason, Dal, Abs and Chris are about to be famous. A TV documentary is being made about their team and everyone wants the chance to shine in front of the cameras. But what is more important – looking like a star, or playing well as part of the team? When Abs takes his posing a bit too far, is he getting too big for his boots?
Football is the driving force, of course, but there's also plenty about friendship, about having what it takes and being part of a team. Pacy, bright and breezy, it's aimed at seven to nine year-olds, as is the latest instalment in the Astrosaurs phenomenon, this time The Carnivore Curse (Red Fox, 4.99).
Captain Teggs is no ordinary dinosaur - he's an astrosaur! Yes, author Steve Cole had a truly inspired moment when he combined space travel and extinct ancient beasties, two things sure to fire up the boys.
On his incredible spaceship DSS Sauropod, along with his faithful crew, Gypsy, Arx and Iggy, Teggs rights wrongs, Captain Teggs fights evil and eats a lot of grass. Say no more. It's great.
A couple of picture books to finish with Dewdrop Fairies: Up, Up and Away by Patricia MacCarthy (Picture Corgi, 5.99) and Dandylion by Lizzie Finlay (Red Fox, 5.99) – both sweet, imaginative and appealing, just right for the tinies.
Phil Hewitt
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Weather for Chichester
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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