The House on the Edge - Alex Cotter
Faith lives on the edge of the town, on a cliff top that is crumbling, meaning that their house is in danger of being pulled off the edge in the not too distant future. Her dad has gone missing, which has resulted in her mum retreating to her bedroom, leaving Faith to look after herself, her younger brother Noah, their home as well as her mum. Juggling all of this is difficult enough but Noah insists that there are sea ghosts in the basement of their home. Faith also has to cope with her Uncle, who firmly believes that their family home should come to him now their father is missing, believing that long lost pirate treasure is hidden there. It falls to Faith to keep everything together but then how will she cope when Noah goes missing? Can she find him, save their house, bring her dad home and work out where the treasure is hidden?
I'd heard good things about this book so I was looking forward to it and I wasn't disappointed. There's a mysterious feel to the plot that builds from the beginning: the old house, with strange noises during the night; Noah's talk about ghosts and their mum's behaviour all contribute to the atmosphere.
Faith is a strong character who is obviously managing a lot for anyone, least of all somebody her age. She is terrified to ask for help, for fear of the police coming to take them away from the house of which she is incredibly protective. I feel there is a metaphor there: she is clinging to the house like she is clinging to her family as it used to be. She is terrified of change.
The setting is also rather spectacular, with a rugged coast-line, an ancient house full of history and the lure of the sea just itching to lay claim to the house; you will find yourself transported there, feeling the tug of the wind on your hair.
With pirates, smugglers tunnels and ghosts, this book tingles with mystery and adventure that will have you gripped throughout.
Due for release on 1st July, I know that my Year 6 Book Group will be clamouring over themselves to get to read this book first!
How To Be Me - Cath Howe
Lucas has an entire summer ahead of him with nothing to do, and since his mum died three years ago, his father has been too busy at work, and more recently with his new fiancée. Lucas has an au pair to look after him and his two cats to keep him company, but his father likes him to be productive - piano and French lessons; summer clubs when they go abroad and now, drama club. The thought of drama club fills Lucas with fear and he is determined to find a way to get out of it. That is until he meets Keely during the first session. A force to be reckoned with, she worms her way into his life and won't leave him alone. The question is, can he use his new-found friendship to help him become the person he wants to be instead of the boy his father feels he should be?
I had this on my to be read pile thanks to Nosy Crow and I was looking forward to it as I've loved Cath's previous books; however, it jumped to the top of the pile on Sunday as it's May's book of the month for the Primary School Book Club, and I'm so very pleased I promoted it! I gobbled it up in an afternoon, utterly gripped by Lucas and his story.
Lucas is a truly wonderful character but someone I constantly wanted to reach into the book to hug him. It is so clear that he is in pain: still mourning the death of his mother, his father is in denial about the whole thing, choosing to bury himself in his work and his new relationship instead of facing up to his fatherly duties. He chooses to communicate with his son via texts or quick calls rather than ever really sitting talking or listening to him, and I was forever frustrated to the point of wanting to reach into the pages and give him a good shake! Lucas is torn between not disappointing his father and being himself, and this is clearly taking its toll on him. He longs to play the piano freely but is constantly reminded that he should simply be practising for his grade 7 exam. His dad reminds him that he should be out kicking a ball and doing other things boys are doing, when Lucas clearly enjoys and wants to embrace other things. My heart ached for him at times and I definitely shed tears!
Keely; however, is a breath of fresh air! The opposite to Lucas, with her free-spirit, her messy ways and her slightly chaotic but warm and welcoming family to support her, she is exactly what Lucas needs, if he allows her in.
Cath has a way of writing stories that tackle some difficult issues in a way that children will be able to relate to and this book is no exception: grief, loneliness, family dynamics and being yourself are all tackled superbly in this joyous book.
A word of warning though: this book may very well make you cry; it will almost certainly make you want to hug the book at the end, and it will most definitely make you want to visit Bakewell's to have cake and lemonade!
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Having devoured both of these books and adored them both, I had to choose my next books carefully! I'm now thoroughly engrossed in The Strangeworlds Travel Agency The Edge of The Ocean and, as soon as I've posted this blog, I'm heading back to the high seas to be with Flick, Jonathan and Avery.
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