Before you read any further, please note that this review may contain spoilers.
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.
Very cute! This is the story of 17yo Anton, a teen who just doesn't quite fit in. Preferring books and music over sport, and keeping his hair longish to cover his elf like ears, Anton was always the target for bullies.
After one such bullying incident at Summer camp, Anton finds himself in a strange place, Vreeland, surrounded by 5 beautiful girls, each with a tiny waist, pointed ears, dainty wings and incredible beauty...
Journeying through Vreeland, Anton meets all sorts of strange and wonderful Vrees, various other creatures, and some not so wonderful Weets.
This book is beautifully written, easy to read, even with the odd Vreeland spelling/pronunciation (it's pretty easy to follow along with once you figure it out). The story itself is relaxed, while still captivating and entertaining. The images and extra detail to the text formatting of various parts was cute and enjoyable.
I had 2 small 'problems' with the book... One, I found it quite predictable, from very early on I guessed the location of Vreeland, and secondly, Anton's lack of concern for finding his parents and returning home. Given that the target audience is tween/teen, neither of these things would have crossed their minds (for the most part). Nor do these 'problems' detract from the story in any way. For these reasons I have not removed stars from my review.
This is one I'll be encouraging my 11yo reluctant reader to pick up, I think it's a story she'll enjoy as much as I did, and can definitely see my 9yo and 17yo book worms devouring this very quickly.
I gave Vreeland 5/5 stars, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done Mr Strump, great work, and thank you for the opportunity to read your book.
Wednesday 20 May 2015
Tuesday 12 May 2015
Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank
Before you read any further, please note that this review may contain spoilers.
I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book. It wasn't my usual choice of reading material, as you could tell just by looking at my bookshelf, but it was one I felt I needed to read.
We're taught at school of the horrors the Nazi's inflicted on the Jewish people, but the first hand account of the Frank family sheds some light on the lengths people went to just to survive, an the people who put their own lives on the line to protect them.
This incredible account has such eloquence, one I'd never expect from a child, let alone one living in close quarters, hiding, with 7 other people. As an adult, I would never have handled the situation with the poise and maturity that Anne showed during the ordeal.
Anne's young age (13-15) is very easy to forget when you read her diary. I was blown away with her writing abilities. She writes with maturity beyond her years, making even the mundane chores of their daily life seem more than they were.
It's sad to know that her father was the only survivor of the group, but he was gracious in allowing his daughters story to be told. He gave his daughter her wish, though she has never been able to witness the impact her writing has had on the world, she fulfilled her dream. Anne's own wishes aside, the historical significance of this journal alone is enough to give it a high rating.
I gave the chronicle of Anne's life in hiding 5 stars out of 5.
Further reading suggestion: Anne's diary ends when her family is discovered and they are sent to various camps, including Auschwitz-Birkenau. To get an idea of what life was like inside the camp, and the death march that killed Peter, I suggest reading Night by Elie Wiesel, Wiesel's own account of his time during the Nazi occupation.
I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book. It wasn't my usual choice of reading material, as you could tell just by looking at my bookshelf, but it was one I felt I needed to read.
We're taught at school of the horrors the Nazi's inflicted on the Jewish people, but the first hand account of the Frank family sheds some light on the lengths people went to just to survive, an the people who put their own lives on the line to protect them.
This incredible account has such eloquence, one I'd never expect from a child, let alone one living in close quarters, hiding, with 7 other people. As an adult, I would never have handled the situation with the poise and maturity that Anne showed during the ordeal.
Anne's young age (13-15) is very easy to forget when you read her diary. I was blown away with her writing abilities. She writes with maturity beyond her years, making even the mundane chores of their daily life seem more than they were.
It's sad to know that her father was the only survivor of the group, but he was gracious in allowing his daughters story to be told. He gave his daughter her wish, though she has never been able to witness the impact her writing has had on the world, she fulfilled her dream. Anne's own wishes aside, the historical significance of this journal alone is enough to give it a high rating.
I gave the chronicle of Anne's life in hiding 5 stars out of 5.
Further reading suggestion: Anne's diary ends when her family is discovered and they are sent to various camps, including Auschwitz-Birkenau. To get an idea of what life was like inside the camp, and the death march that killed Peter, I suggest reading Night by Elie Wiesel, Wiesel's own account of his time during the Nazi occupation.
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