Children

The Watermill recommendations for eleven year-olds – September 2008

The Road of Bones by Anne Fine

An evocative and convincing tale of a revolutionary against the State, set in a fictitious Soviet-type setting. with a Dr Zhivago feel to it, without quite the heady romance. Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal

Holes by Louis Sachar

How to explain this one! Every child who’s read it has raved enthusiastically. A multi-layered tale, set in Texas, with two interweaving plots, with many clues set along the path. Very amusing, a bit surreal, with lots of wise stuff to say about friendship and tricky adults.

The King of the Copper Mountains by Paul Biegel

A feel-good, but not too cutesy,‘accumulative’ tale, with animals vying for the love and approval of a very wise old king. A modern Aesops, in many ways – with lots of moral lessons, delivered gently and amusingly. I read it in one sitting, gripped with a needing to know what happens next. The book was written and first published in the early 1950’s, then translated from Dutch to English in latter years. The language is pitched at a sophisticated junior reader.

Red Sky in the Morning by Elizabeth Laird

Deals with daughter/parent relationships, set against the difficult but poignant context of the arrival of a disabled brother into the family. Highly recommended for the Carnegie Prize

Abela by Berlie Doherty

This very accomplished author tackles the complex issues around the experiences of a Nigerian girl who arrives in London, against her wishes. An important read, without being preachy.

Noughts & Crosses trilogy by Malorie Blackman

Eleven year olds who are fairly worldly in their understanding will be just about ready for reading the Noughts and Crosses trilogy, which inverts black/white power relationships. Some sex and violence, but sensitively handled. A literary page-turner, which is often used by enlightened language teachers in High Schools.

Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech

A parent, perhaps fairly, suggested I was stuck with heavy, issues-based teenage books. I made a determined effort to seek out some more cheerful, lighter novels. This one has a great happy ending, based on two mischievous orphans who finally pal up with some interesting adoptive parents.