Alice-Miranda at School Jacqueline Harvey (Random House)Alice-Miranda is starting school, although a little younger than other students, at the prestigious Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies that her mother attended as did her mother. Of course the academy has changed a little since her parents went but still Alice Miranda (or is it Alic-Matilda) just loves being there. There are lots of problems at the academy - all of which are solved with a friendly hand from ALice-Miranda. The principal has not seen a student for ten year but that doesn't stop her seeing Alice-Miranda, and when Alice Miranda finds there are no flowers in the gardens a simple call to father solves that. There is of course the obnoxious, meanest, most spoilt older student that Alice-Miranda must contend with and of course Alice-Miranda shines through.
Great for young readers who want a solid strong and fun chapter book to read. I can't wait to read more about Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones.
Letters to Leonardo Dee White (Walker Books)On Matt's fifteenth birthday he really wants art lessons but his dad gives him a motorcycle book instead. He also opens a bundle of cards - and one is from his mother who has been dead for ten years. Matt is confused and angry. Who is his mother? How did she find him? Where is she? Why has she been 'dead' for most of Matt's life and why did his father lie to him about his mother?
These are questions that start flooding into Matt's mind and soon he sets about on a twisted course that will eventually lead him to a family discovery and a traumatic conclusion.
Thoughout, Matt has a school project to deliver and he finds some similarities with Leonardo da Vinci, his project subject. Through the project, the discovery of his living mother, his investigations and the outcomes he chooses revealing the truth, Matt confronts the emotional journey that is entwined in his life.
Investigating themes of mental illness (specifically Bipolar disorder), friendship, family, identity and loss this wonderfully written book for mature readers, which I couldn't put down, has a surprising and tense conclusion.
Thoughout, Matt has a school project to deliver and he finds some similarities with Leonardo da Vinci, his project subject. Through the project, the discovery of his living mother, his investigations and the outcomes he chooses revealing the truth, Matt confronts the emotional journey that is entwined in his life.
Investigating themes of mental illness (specifically Bipolar disorder), friendship, family, identity and loss this wonderfully written book for mature readers, which I couldn't put down, has a surprising and tense conclusion.
