56: The BFG, Roald Dahl

Date Finished: 08/10/2012

My Rating: 4/5

There is something really magical about Roald Dahl books, and I’m not sure if it’s because I enjoyed them so much as a child, or whether I would love them even if I was reading them for the first time as an adult. They’re funny, ridiculous, a little bit sad in places, have characters to hate and fear and characters to love.

There’s not much to say about the BFG, as I would be surprised if anyone didn’t know the story already… a Big Friendly Giant who takes a little girl from an orphanage because she sees him blowing dreams into someone’s bedroom window, 9 other 54 foot human bean guzzling giants, the Queen, the army and a bear pit.

So, who should read this book? Everyone!

Next book: A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth

57: Swallows and Amazons, Arthur Ransome

Date Finished: 04/10/2012

My Rating: 5/5

I have made absolutely no secret that I really enjoy kids books, and it has been an absolute pleasure to have the excuse to read some of them either for the first time, as is the case with Swallows and Amazons, or for the hundredth time, as will be the case when I get to Anne of Green Gables.

I cannot believe that I had never read Swallows as a child. I actually feel like I missed out on something, as it truly is a magical book. Ransome has captured exactly how the imagination works, and how exciting and fun it can be to play make-believe. In fact, it made me at almost 33 years old, just want to go and play.

It is the story of four siblings, John, Susan, Titty (yes, you read that right) and Roger who are on holiday with their mother and baby sister and have asked permission to camp on a small island in the middle of the lake. They receive a telegram from their dad, who is on a Navy ship somewhere, and so set sail the next morning, and the rest of the book is about the adventures that they have. John, as the eldest, is the captain of the ship Swallow, with Susan as the mate, Titty as able-seaman and Roger is the ship's boy.

This isn't fantasy… the adventures don't really happen in the strictest sense, but with their imaginations they have the most wonderful time. Pitching their tents as explorers, conversing with natives and savages, at war with the Amazon pirates, joining forces against retired pirate Captain Flint. It is exciting and innocent and all those wonderful things about childhood that we sometimes forget nowadays in the midst of videogames and the fear of letting your children out of your sight.

Swallows and Amazons has placed itself firmly as one of my all-time favourite books. It made me so happy when I was reading, and I was really sorry when it came to an end. Not because it has a sad ending, but I was reminded of the feeling I got as a kid at having to go home at the end of a holiday, or of going back to school after the summer break. I just wanted more fun, and the subsequent books have definitely gone on my 'must-read' books for when I have finished this challenge.

So, who should read this book? Well, this is another great book for girls and boys of all ages. If you have, or ever have had, a sense of adventure, then put some time aside and pick this book up. It's really beautiful.

Next book: The BFG, Roald Dahl

58: Black Beauty, Anna Sewell

Date Finished: 25/09/2012
My Rating: 4.5/5

An entirely gorgeous book. If you've never read Black Beauty, then shame on you. Written in the first person (or perhaps the first horse, I'm not sure of the terminology when animals are concerned), Black Beauty tells the life story of a horse. Beginning in the field with his mother, this book covers the training that allows Beauty to become the trusted, well-mannered horse later in the book. It tells of how his first owners looked after him and his horsey friends well, and how the horses therefore respected their owners.

It then shows the differences between stables, owners, types of work. It is a lesson in treating all animals (and each other) well, as any nasty character is abusive and/or drunk. There is something in there about social standing, politics and religion. Sewell writes with such compassion for the good characters in her book that you can't help but find yourself completely absorbed in the story.

There are bits that will make you laugh and bits that will make you cry. Black Beauty is, I think, one of my all time favourite books.

So, who should read this book? Girls and boys of all ages should read this book, that's who. Anyone who loves (or even just likes) animals. Anyone whoever pretended to be a horse and galloped around the garden or up and down the street. It's just lovely.

Next book: Swallows and Amazons, Arthur Ransome

59: Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer

Date Finished: 21/09/2012
My Rating: 4/5

I tell you what, fellow bookworm, reading a kids' book after Crime and Punishment was really lovely, and especially one that is as much fun as Artemis Fowl.

Artemis is a 12-year-old evil genius, who embarks on a mission to steal some fairy gold, holding a LEPrecon (see what he did there?) officer hostage in the process and almost waging a war on the little people. It was a real pleasure to read, well written, pretty exciting... like an action film for children in a readable format I guess.

I loved the humour... that rare balance of writing something that children will love, but adults will enjoy for a subtly different reason. I enjoyed the descriptions of life underground, the small side-steps from reality that make science fiction and fantasy so enjoyable, as opposed to completely unbelievable. The characters, both human and otherwise, were well developed and you even saw a slightly more humane side of young Artemis towards the end.

So, who should read this book? Well, young boys will love it I think. Most of the children's books on the list seem to appeal more to girls than boys, but this would probably bridge the gap. There's a strong female character (albeit a fairy), but that would be nice for the tomboys amongst us.

Next book: Black Beauty, Anna Sewell