story time books

Delilah Darling is back, this time in the classroom instead of the library. Jeanne Willis and Rosie Reeve have created another very zany book about the fiesty Delilah whose imaginings are very real, at least for her. She lives in a world where she is queen, with at least eleventy rhinoceroos. Gigi the “old pear” from France walks her to school and appreciates her art when she comes to collect her. For Delilah that’s only right: “They know a lot about art, the French.” The teacher, on the other hand mistakes her rhinoceroos for guinea pigs, which makes Delilah wonder if she needs glasses. Gently amusing, and many parents will recognise the imaginings of children here. Very good fun.

Veronica Bennett has apparently written novels based on the lives of Mary Shelley and Jane Austen, and here she takes a sideways glance at Will Shakespeare. The story is really about Sam Gilburne, a farmer’s son who has come to London to learn to be an actor. He is an apprentice in Shakespeare’s company, and there’s a lot of information (as part of the story) about acting and politics in the Elizabethan era. Sam falls in love with the niece of Lord Essex, a favourite of the Queen, but with the chasm between their social strata it’s Romeo and Juliet with complications. The story gives a good sense of the political machinations of the time, and you’ll need to read it to find out if it is a tragedy or comedy. Great characters and dialogue which will be enjoyed even more by those who have a sense of the time and the plays.

Alan Durant has written an unusual book which works very well. Liam’s father is attempting to recreate a face from a skull found by archaeologists. But Liam is drawn into the mystery of how the monk died and finds himself living two lives: his own and that of the monk himself. The world he finds himself in is one of politics and power as much as faith. The story is beautifully told and the characters well drawn, and the ancient and modern stories are both engaging. Murder and necromancy are part of the story so it carries a warning: Not Suitable for Young Readers.

K.M Peyton has been writing for children and young adults for a long time now. This is definitely young adult territory, with a school leaver during the Second World War in Britain falling in love. In the author’s note at the beginning of the book she talks about how writers including herself now write about places they’ve never been and imagine all sorts of things. In this case she writes about a world she knew herself and it feels very true. This is a great book for getting the feel of what it must have been like to live then and there. As well written as you would expect from someone who has been writing for as long as she has.

This is the twelfth Zac Power book, by H. I. Larry, and will be welcomed by fans of the boy secret agent. This time there’s a mole at GIB (the Government Investigation Bureau) and a lot at stake. The yearly global back-up of GIB computers is due, cannot be postponed, and will leave all the top-secret files vulnerable for five minutes. So Zac is called from his PE lesson and is off to save the world again, and be back in time to clean the pool for Mum. The usual illustrations of gadgets to keep readers interested. If you haven’t yet come across Zac Power, he’s selling more books that Captain Underpants in the 6-9 year-old market, and many readers come back for more. They’re deliberately targeted at reluctant readers, especially boys, and are doing a good job of getting some of them reading again.

Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins won the Newbery Medal in 2006, so it’s not new, though this is a new edition. It’s a very quirky, illustrated novel about childhood friends growing up. The American Library Association Booklist review quoted in the book says: “Best of all are the understated moments, often private and piercing in their authenticity, that capture intelligent, likable teens searching for signs of who they are, and who they’ll become.” That says it quite well. It’s charming, amusing, and well written, and not just for teenagers. Readers from 11 up would enjoy. Joins a long list of worthy Newbery winners.

Richard Templar has apparently written other books of rules, including The Rules of Life, but in this one he tackles parenting, and claims that successful parents know, consciously or not, the rules of the game. I’ve read a lot of parenting books over the years of being a parent, grandparent, and bookseller, but I can’t remember any where I’ve agreed with as much as I do here. With the 100 rules divided into sections: “Rules for Staying Sane”, “Attitude Rules”, “Everyday Rules”, “Discipline Rules”, “Personality Rules”, “School Rules”, “Sibling Rules”, “Teenage Rules”, “Crisis Rules”, and even “Grown-up Rules”, Templar approaches parenting with sensible, wise, humorous and forgiving advice, accepting that all of us get it wrong and even gives advice on what to do when that happens. He tells stories against himself as well as others and there are many laughs in the book to keep it light. Highly recommended. If I were giving a parenting book, this is the one I’d choose.

Meg Harper’s novel is a twist on the classic story of the pied piper, several generations removed, and it’s difficult to tell too much of the plot without giving away things that will spoil the story for the reader. It’s one of those stories that requires the reader to be prepared to wait to work out what is going on, so it’s not for those who demand explanations at every step. It is beautifully written and the characters are superbly drawn. Quite a few novels have used the old story as a starting point, but this is one of the best I’ve read. A teenage read because of its sophistication, not because of any content, so it could be read by younger children who can cope with the complexities. And it’s another of the novels which use a female and male protagonist, so should appeal equally to girls or boys.