Books about Boys:

I don't think I read enough books for boys, or about boys, so I'm trying to rectify that. Here are a couple that I've just had a look at.

Keith Gray's newest title is already a strong contender for various book awards. Ostrich Boys is the story of four friends, Blake, Sim, Kenny and Ross. They're best friends. Or at least, only three of them are still best friends because Ross is dead. After Ross's accident, the others decide to kidnap him (well, the urn with his ashes in) and set off for the village of Ross in Scotland. The story is both road-trip adventure, and humourously emotional as the boys gradually realise that what happened to Ross may not have been an accident, and that they may have been at least partly responsible for his death. It's an entertaining book, but thought provoking at the same time, which I think can be lacking in books with all male characters. Definitely suitable for teenagers, but nothing that would offend / disturb younger readers either.

I'm now reading Hurricane Wills by Sally Grindley, which is another 'all-boy' story, this time about brothers rather than friends. Chris's big brother Wills has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and as Chris tries to cope the mayhem Will creates, their relationship becomes more and more difficult. I haven't finished it yet, but so far I would say it's a read suitable for age 11+ (or even a couple of years younger). If the subject matter is of interest there is also a fabulously funny series of books published a few years ago, also about a boy with ADHD. Take a look at the Joey Pigza books by Jack Gantos.

The Casson Family

Sadly they're not real, but I wish I knew them. I'm re-reading Hilary McKay's fabulous series and loving it all over again. There are five books, chronicling the everyday lives of a very eccentric family. Saffy's Angel starts the series off, and we meet Saffron Casson, her parents and siblings. Eldest sister Caddy has failed all her exams, is in love with her driving instructor and keeps far too many pet guinea pigs. Saffy is next in line, and is setting out to solve a family mystery. Then comes Indigo, the only boy, who spends lots of his time on the roof, trying to cure himself of his fear of heights. And lastly Rose, the baby of the family, whose artistic talents are satisfied by drawing on walls.

Hilary McKay's writing is distinctive in style - lots of dialogue telling the story rather than description. I also love the fact that even the minor characters are well drawn and rounded. As the series progresses we meet Sarah, who crashed into Saffy with her wheelchair and becomes her best friend, American Tom the talented guitarist with a family secret, dippy David who starts off as a bully and becomes a friend, and Caddy's series of boyfriends.

The books are funny without being slapstick, but the humour is always off-set by poignant moments - the reader can see that Rose misses her dad who lives a lot of the time in London, we know that Caddy is about to marry the wrong mad and we hope for a Happy Ending for everyone in the last book of the series. It would be great to have more in the series, but I have just discovered Rose's blog on the author's website!

Catching Up!

I haven't updated this for far too long, so here's a very rapid update of what I've been reading and a few other bits and bobs. Since the end of the summer I've read and enjoyed the Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom. Apparently there's going to be a TV adaptation starring Kenneth Branagh.

Kids' book I've read include The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. I'd read it a long time ago and enjoyed it, but wanted to read the two sequels. I'm not enjoying them quite as much but if you like fairy-tale style fantasy stories they're certainly worth a read.

Chicken Dance was a good read, though I'd never come across the author Jacques Couvillon before. It's funny story, but quite sad at the same time, as the reader knows from the start that there's something strange about Don's family. It's set in 1960s America so some of the turns of phrase that are used are a bit unusual to a UK reader.

I'm currently reading Gervase Phinn's books about his life as a school inspector in Yokshire, having picked up the first three as a boxed set in Oxfam the other day. I love charity shop books. I get my book fix and do a bit of good into the bargain.

The only one I've read and not really enjoyed was The Luxe by Anna Godberson. It's a historical book set at the end of the 1800s in upper-class New York. It could have been a really fun book with romance and intrigue, and that was the intention I'm sure, but I thought all the characters were rather one-dimensional and generally not nice people, so I didn't really care whether any of them lived happily ever after or not. The Book Book Bloggers agree with me.