Monthly Archives: May 2017

Girls Can’t Hit

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Girls Can’t Hit by T.S. Easton

Book of the Week: 21 May 2017

T.S. Easton has to be given credit: how many authors have books with titles that rhyme? His very funny 2014 book was …

This is not a sequel, but it does explore the same theme of why should people be put off doing something that is traditionally associated with the opposite sex? Fleur is sixteen and has two friends: feisty Blossom, keen on historical re-enactments and feminism; and Pip, a slow but dangerous driver, who is also keen on historical re-enactments, but only the peaceful parts. If there’s any actual fighting, he runs off and hides in the woods. When Fleur accompanies Blossom to complain about what Blossom sees as a sexist flyer for Bosford Boxing Club, she’s persuaded to join the club on the understanding that it’s just about the fitness and no actual sparring will be involved. But will it stay that way?

Mixed in with all the humour, rivalry and friendships are lots of fascinating details about boxing that might make the reader view it afresh. This is definitely for you if you liked Boys Don’t Knit and its sequel, or if you enjoy funny books such as Socks Are Not Enough by Mark Lowery or books by Tom Ellen and Lucy Iveson.

T.S. Easton also writes science fiction and thrillers under the name Tom Easton. You can find those in the Library too.

The Goldfish Boy

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The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson

Book of the Week: 14 May 2017

Matthew’s dad is a whizz at pub quizzes and has an answer for everything.

“Dad, who was on the throne during the Black Death?”

“Edward the third.”

“What is the capital of Latvia?”

“Riga.”

“What is the chemical symbol for copper?”

“Cu.”

“What is wrong with your eldest and only son?”

“He’s crazy.”

Matthew is far from crazy. He is clever, kind and observant but he does have OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) which means, amongst other things, that he likes staying safely in his bedroom and keeping everything clean. One of his favourite occupations is looking out of his window to see what his neighbours are up to. There’s Mr Charles, who is fond of gardening but who doesn’t seem quite so fond of his grandchildren; Old Nina, who ventures out of doors almost as infrequently as Matthew himself; Penny and Gordon who are never seen apart; Jake, who hangs around on his bike bullying people; not to mention the very annoying Melody Bird who seems intent on being Matthew’s best friend.

When Mr Charles’ grandson Teddy goes missing one day, Matthew thinks he knows who the culprit might be and where Teddy can be found. But is he going to be able to follow up the clues when he can’t bring himself to leave the house?

This engrossing mystery is a kind of ‘Rear Window’* for younger readers but has the added advantage of being a sympathetic exploration of what it might be like to live with OCD. It is a compelling who-done-it told with warmth and wit.

Lisa Thompson’s website is here.

*Rear Window is a 1954 film and one of Alfred Hitchcock’s best thrillers.

Knights of the Borrowed Dark

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Knights of the Borrowed Dark by Dave Rudden

Book of the Week: 7 May 2017

We get an idea of what kind of place Crosscaper Orphanage is straightaway as its Director, Mr Ackerby, stares out of his office window at children standing in line to get in the library. He despairs. His own bookcases are full of untouched, leather-bound works, whereas the children are queuing for books that are full of magic and imagination and which have been read to pieces.

Denizen Hardwick is one of these book-loving orphans who is amazed to discover, as the story opens, that he has an aunt who wants her to come and live with him. The only downside, in Denizen’s view, is that he will miss his best friend Simon, who has shared his dormitory for the last ten years. At least, this is what Denizen believes is the only disadvantage. But when the charismatic Graham McCarron arrives to take him to his aunt’s house and they encounter a fearsome and fantastical creature on the way, he realizes his life is about to change in all kinds of dangerous ways.

This is a magical debut novel from Dave Rudden which has been compared to books by J.K. Rowling, Rick Riordan, Derek Landy and Eoin Colfer. The sequel, The Forever Court, is also available to borrow from the School Library.