Book Review on Velvet by Mary Hooper

I got this book when I went to the English Literature Festival in Bath with some friends. When we were there we saw 2 historical fiction writers, one was Celia Rees, the other was Mary Hooper (author of Velvet).

Velvet is a book about mediums in the 18 or 1900's. The story starts with Velvet working long, backbreaking hours in a steam laundary, but after she grabs the attention of spirtualist Madam Savoya, she cannot belive her good fortune. Now working as a lady maid for Madam Savoya, Velvet is given beautiful, elegant clothes
to wear and is living in a very posh house in the center of London. But soon Velvet realises Madam might not be what she first seemed, and the longer Velvet works for Madam, the more Velvet learns, and she knows that this knowledge could put her very life in danger.

When I first started to read this book I was a bit concerned that Mary Hooper would make it more of a horror ghost story, but in fact she makes it very obvious to the reader exactly whats going on and it is very interesting to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I think you will too. A lot of my friends from school have also read Velvet and they all loved it too. The only other thing that might be worth warning you about is the bit about baby farms. It made my skin crawl!

B :0)

Book Review - Someday Angeline by Louis Sachar

This book was given to me by a friend from a charity shop. You may have heard or even read a book called Holes (popular teenage book) by Louis Sachar, and it may surprise you to know that Louis Sachar also writes some wonderful children's books as well, Someday Angeline is just one of them. 

The book Someday Angeline is about a girl who is young but exceedingly clever. Her mother died when Angeline was very little and her father is really at a loss with what to do with her. Her father, Abel, thinks of himself as stupid and dumb and is quite afraid of his genius-of-a-daughter. The story is about how Angeline has to cope with being taught with the older children but still acting her age, (sucking her thumb, crying over 'silly little things' etc.) and being laughed at because of it. It is a funny but heart-warming story with a great ending. 

It is aimed at younger readers but is still a great read for anyone who enjoys quick, entertaining books,

I really enjoyed it and I hope you will too.

B

Book Review - Yankee Girl by Mary Ann Rodman

I think I was first introduced to Mary Ann Rodman at a book sale in my primary school. The first book I read by her was Jimmy Stars-a story of a girl named Ellie whose brother Jimmy goes to war, and leaves Ellie counting the days, minutes, seconds that he is gone. I thoroughly enjoyed Jimmy Stars which is probobly what made me want to read Yankee Girl. 

Yankee Girl is set in Mississippi, 1964. It is all about two girls, Alice, a girl who moved from Chicago to come and live in Mississippi. Her Dad is a member of the FBI. She is desperate to make a friend but is rejected by the 'popular girls' and feels awkward trying to befriend Valerie, because Valerie is black. Valerie is a daughter of a friend of Martin Luther King. She is sent to a school of white kids who tease and torment her. 

There is an uproar when Valerie is chosen to be the angel for the school nativity play because they don't want a black angel. Meanwhile Alice's family are being tracked and followed by the Ku Klux Klan. 

This story is about fighting against rascism and doing whats right. I could recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a drama-filled yet brilliantly inspiring book. 

If you read or have read this book could you leave some comments for me to look at. Thankyou.

B 

First Post

This blog is somewhere where I will write down ideas, daydreams, book reviews etc. and give you the chance to comment on them. I spend as much time as possible reading and daydreaming, I have read some amazing books and my favourite author is probably Cathy Cassidy. At the moment I am reading Broken Soup by Jenny Valantine. It is about a girl whose brother is dead and has to cope with a younger sister, a mum who doesn't do anything and a dad who would rather be somewhere else. On top of that she is falling for 18 year old Harper Greene and discovering her best friend Bee knows something Rowan (the main character) doesn't. It is a great book (although there is quite a bit of swearing!) and I am enjoying it so far.


Other things about ME!


My favourite animal is a sheep


As well as reading I love to draw


I have 1 sister


I often talk to myself without even noticing!


I am a bit mad but not as mad as my sister (but don't tell her that!)


I hope you like my blog


B