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sgall75's review against another edition
5.0
I can't fault this novel at all. It's a stunning feat. Definitely one I will read aloud to a class.
elisabeth_tarvin1_1's review against another edition
2.0
It was good at the very start but by page 100 is got really slow and I was slugging along to finish.
laurenknapton's review against another edition
5.0
Wow.. what a book! Extremely moving. Just adored!
rzanfy's review against another edition
5.0
I’m a blubbering wreck. No one talk to me for a while, okay?
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Blitz-set animal-boy story of anger, loss and friendship.
I do like Phil Earle, he chooses some wonderful protagonists to show readers differing perspectives on childhood and experiences.
Here there is the historical aspect as well, which will endear this book to teachers in KS2 - it's a World War II setting, right in the middle of the Blitz. And there's an animal welfare story wrapped inside it, as well as a fostering relationship, some bullying, and an uneasy parent-child backstory that gives the main character his emotional drive.
Joseph is 'evacuated' to London in the middle the Blitz, with nobody willing or able to look after him at home, an old family friend takes responsibility. Joseph is angry, a lasher-out, and not at all prepared to be polite or accommodating. Probably just as well that Mrs F doesn't take nonsense and has her own busy life to manage.
The obvious signs of dyslexia soon become apparent to the reader as Joseph reluctantly attends school and finds himself looked on sternly by his new teacher and with mocking scorn by other pupils. Still, there's a new friend to be had. And Mrs F keeps him busy at the zoo she looks after. Now abandoned by most but with animals still in need of care and food, the mourning male gorilla interests the angry boy. Adonis.
With bombs dropping nightly and humiliation and anger boiling up inside Joseph all day, the life he finds himself in might need him to look outside his own problems and look at the needs of those around him.
A slight tendency towards 'telling not showing' jarred slightly for me, but other than that, I loved the characters, the context and the sadness of this story. There are battles within and without, bombs of anger and bombs of war. Everyone has their own internal battles raging, sorrows and emotions, and the reader will pick up on this. Adonis is central to the story and the heart of what becomes a dark tale.
It is very visual, the pairing of Joseph and Mrs F as strong-willed but suffering antagonists works, both with clear good hearts. Readers will find themselves hoping for a happy ending.
I expect teachers to use this novel for multiple purposes in schools, it's a wonderful bringing together of different themes within the setting.
For ages 9-13.
I do like Phil Earle, he chooses some wonderful protagonists to show readers differing perspectives on childhood and experiences.
Here there is the historical aspect as well, which will endear this book to teachers in KS2 - it's a World War II setting, right in the middle of the Blitz. And there's an animal welfare story wrapped inside it, as well as a fostering relationship, some bullying, and an uneasy parent-child backstory that gives the main character his emotional drive.
Joseph is 'evacuated' to London in the middle the Blitz, with nobody willing or able to look after him at home, an old family friend takes responsibility. Joseph is angry, a lasher-out, and not at all prepared to be polite or accommodating. Probably just as well that Mrs F doesn't take nonsense and has her own busy life to manage.
The obvious signs of dyslexia soon become apparent to the reader as Joseph reluctantly attends school and finds himself looked on sternly by his new teacher and with mocking scorn by other pupils. Still, there's a new friend to be had. And Mrs F keeps him busy at the zoo she looks after. Now abandoned by most but with animals still in need of care and food, the mourning male gorilla interests the angry boy. Adonis.
With bombs dropping nightly and humiliation and anger boiling up inside Joseph all day, the life he finds himself in might need him to look outside his own problems and look at the needs of those around him.
A slight tendency towards 'telling not showing' jarred slightly for me, but other than that, I loved the characters, the context and the sadness of this story. There are battles within and without, bombs of anger and bombs of war. Everyone has their own internal battles raging, sorrows and emotions, and the reader will pick up on this. Adonis is central to the story and the heart of what becomes a dark tale.
It is very visual, the pairing of Joseph and Mrs F as strong-willed but suffering antagonists works, both with clear good hearts. Readers will find themselves hoping for a happy ending.
I expect teachers to use this novel for multiple purposes in schools, it's a wonderful bringing together of different themes within the setting.
For ages 9-13.
pencilboxman's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A brilliant and breezy story, with some cliche prose that dragged it town a little.
dmchesher's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
telly_in_town's review against another edition
4.0
This book was great! The story was very well written and I really enjoyed the writing style. The dyslexia representation is superb and the characters are very well grounded. The idea that Joseph’s anger issues are not resolved straight away and not even completely is a great way of showing that he’s not just a Mary Sue. One thing I would comment on is that the book seemed to end very abruptly.l which kind of ruined it a tad for me :(
oliviaalbion's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I just can't finish this book. The character is very unlikable, and I can't get my head around his background and personality. The anger and negativity is too much from the get go. What child from the country during this time period isn't respectful of animals?! I imagine it's a very good book to introduce children to the concept of animals during the Blitz and can see how it would support education.