Thirteen-year-old David Eliot is the son of a wheel-chair bound father who is abusive towards him and his mother. When David is expelled from his boarding school, his father is furious and considers his son a complete failure. Then a letter mysteriously arrives from another private school, Groosham Grange, offering David an instant placement, and his father doesn't hesitate to pack him up and send him off. On the train ride to the school, David meets two other students, who also received a similar letter. They share their feelings about attending this boarding school and vow to stick together. David soon realizes that something sinister and evil is happening at Groosham Grange. Cult-like meetings in the middle of the night, and secretive behavior by teachers and students lead him to believe that something horrible is happening. But what is really going on? It is up to David and his two friends to discover the truth, before they are forced to make a difficult decision.
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Monday, March 23, 2009
A dark and sinister tale...
Horowitz, Anthony (2008). Groosham Grange. Grades 5-8.
Thirteen-year-old David Eliot is the son of a wheel-chair bound father who is abusive towards him and his mother. When David is expelled from his boarding school, his father is furious and considers his son a complete failure. Then a letter mysteriously arrives from another private school, Groosham Grange, offering David an instant placement, and his father doesn't hesitate to pack him up and send him off. On the train ride to the school, David meets two other students, who also received a similar letter. They share their feelings about attending this boarding school and vow to stick together. David soon realizes that something sinister and evil is happening at Groosham Grange. Cult-like meetings in the middle of the night, and secretive behavior by teachers and students lead him to believe that something horrible is happening. But what is really going on? It is up to David and his two friends to discover the truth, before they are forced to make a difficult decision.
Thirteen-year-old David Eliot is the son of a wheel-chair bound father who is abusive towards him and his mother. When David is expelled from his boarding school, his father is furious and considers his son a complete failure. Then a letter mysteriously arrives from another private school, Groosham Grange, offering David an instant placement, and his father doesn't hesitate to pack him up and send him off. On the train ride to the school, David meets two other students, who also received a similar letter. They share their feelings about attending this boarding school and vow to stick together. David soon realizes that something sinister and evil is happening at Groosham Grange. Cult-like meetings in the middle of the night, and secretive behavior by teachers and students lead him to believe that something horrible is happening. But what is really going on? It is up to David and his two friends to discover the truth, before they are forced to make a difficult decision.
Monday, July 7, 2008
A friendship that spans generations
Newbery, Linda (2007). At the Firefly Gate. 152 pages. Grades 5-7.
At the end of his Sixth year in school, Henry and his parents move to an English town near a former World War II airfield. As soon as they move in, Henry begins to see a shadowy man standing by the orchard gate surrounded by fireflies. He begins to learn more about the man, without realizing it, after he meets Dottie, his neighbor's great-aunt. She tells him that he reminds her of Henry, her fiancé, who was a Royal Air Force navigator. Unfortunately, he never returned from his 13th mission. Henry begins to wonder if the man at the gate might be Henry, the navigator's ghost! In addition to these stories from Dottie, Henry begins experiencing strange sensations, including feeling as if he is in someone else's body, and hearing old planes flying over head. Dottie never found out what happened on her fiancé's final mission, but Henry may receive more clues that will help him figure out the entire story.
At the end of his Sixth year in school, Henry and his parents move to an English town near a former World War II airfield. As soon as they move in, Henry begins to see a shadowy man standing by the orchard gate surrounded by fireflies. He begins to learn more about the man, without realizing it, after he meets Dottie, his neighbor's great-aunt. She tells him that he reminds her of Henry, her fiancé, who was a Royal Air Force navigator. Unfortunately, he never returned from his 13th mission. Henry begins to wonder if the man at the gate might be Henry, the navigator's ghost! In addition to these stories from Dottie, Henry begins experiencing strange sensations, including feeling as if he is in someone else's body, and hearing old planes flying over head. Dottie never found out what happened on her fiancé's final mission, but Henry may receive more clues that will help him figure out the entire story.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
If you enjoy reading about magic and adventure then try Jenny Nimmo's first book in the Charlie Bone Series Midnight for Charlie Bone.
In the first book the reader will become familiar with Charlie Bone who lives with his mother and two grandmothers, Grandma Jones and Grandma Bone. Charlie leads an ordinary life until one day he discovers that he can hear voices in photographs. Grandma Bone, a descendent of the ancient Yewbeam family has been waiting for the day that Charlie discovers that he is“endowed.” Each member of the Yewbeam family is“endowed,” which means that they have a specific magical power. After Charlie’s realization, Grandma Bone contacts her sisters and they agree that Charlie does have a special power and therefore should attend Bloor’s Academy for gifted children. Unhappily, Charlie agrees to attend Bloor’s Academy and discovers that there are other children who also have mysterious powers. Soon Charlie becomes involved in uncovering the mysterious past of a girl who disappeared ten years ago.
In the first book the reader will become familiar with Charlie Bone who lives with his mother and two grandmothers, Grandma Jones and Grandma Bone. Charlie leads an ordinary life until one day he discovers that he can hear voices in photographs. Grandma Bone, a descendent of the ancient Yewbeam family has been waiting for the day that Charlie discovers that he is“endowed.” Each member of the Yewbeam family is“endowed,” which means that they have a specific magical power. After Charlie’s realization, Grandma Bone contacts her sisters and they agree that Charlie does have a special power and therefore should attend Bloor’s Academy for gifted children. Unhappily, Charlie agrees to attend Bloor’s Academy and discovers that there are other children who also have mysterious powers. Soon Charlie becomes involved in uncovering the mysterious past of a girl who disappeared ten years ago.
This is a great fantasy full of adventure and mysterious occurrences, similar to the Harry Potter series, but not as complex. A great book for children in grades 4-6, but also as a read aloud for younger children who may not be ready for Harry Potter. 401 pp.
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