This week's best books for children
This is a no-holds-barred story based on the emergence of the Black Death in 1348. Youngsters Adam and Will make their way to London to deliver an important message to their father’s landlord.
What seemed to be an adventure soon became a nightmare as they have to evade the clutches of robbers, suffer from appalling starvation, and worst of all witness the death and desolation wrought by the Black Death.
Soon, returning home empty-handed becomes a welcome alternative. The story captures the atmosphere of a vibrant, exciting city brought to its knees by the terrible plague. Through the eyes of the youngsters we witness the growing fear and despair of the citizens, but also the kindness that some few show the two boys.
The introduction points out that the horrific virus has never been completely defeated — a salutary footnote to the many deaths from the recent ebola outbreak. Suitable for age 10 and upwards.
This is an enthralling collection which retains the elements of the fairy tale, complemented by 21st century ideas.
Variety is the keynote, and to choose two at random, in Eleanor by John Boyne, and Badness, Madness and Trickery by Malachy Doyle, we see contrasting approaches to the genre.
Eleanor bewails the inefficiency and utter ineptitude of her three sons, none of whom would be suitable to succeed her on her throne. Eventually Eleanor’s daughter emerges in true feminist fashion as a natural to become queen.
In Malachy, Doyle’s more traditional story, a human child, as we would expect, is no match for a leprechaun. The tiny man that Michael McCarthy meets, seems as normal and chatty as any human. But humans must be very careful not to hurt a fairy’s feelings.
Luckily for Michael, he only loses his dignity, and his prize possession — his pen-knife. Suitable for age 10 and up.
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