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Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated Pigeon English in Books

Jul 2, 2019

Pigeon English

Stephen Kelman, Gbolahan Obisesan | 2015 | Children, Young Adult (YA)

6.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

It is funnt and tragic (0 more)

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This is a great first novel

This is a must read. Written in first person and from the point of view of Harry, an eleven year old boy (If my memory serves me well) is the most intelligent and convincing narration I have come across. The novel is funny yet disturbing and the reader is told of the young boys own world but through the innocence of a (not quite mature enough to understand the world) boy. Present tense with analepsis allows the reader into the distance between his old life and his new life. Kelman's terrific talent of show not tell, and the young protagonists inexperience creates a sense of irony, as the adult reader see's what the child is too young to notice himself.
I am not going to go into the plot as I feel that this is something I do not want to spoil but believe me, Kelman's characters are fully fleshed out and the world they live in as real as any run down council estate in the UK. This novel surprised me, made me laugh and brought me to tears and has left a tiny book shaped hole in my heart. Well done Stephen Kelman

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Jake (52 KP) rated Sky Raiders (Five Kingdoms, #1) in Books

Jul 25, 2019

Really fun kids adventure book. I had a hard time explaining it to my wife but ultimately I realized it reminded me a lot of Harry Potter in that:

1. The main character is basically a kid (although a mature one so that he can be relatable to more age groups)
2. There is magic
3. A lot of the story focuses on Friendship during some kind of trial
4. Set in a fantastical, sometimes quirky world with fun, interesting, and sometimes spooky characters
5. Interesting story and fun premise

I really enjoy the aspects of friendship and worldbuilding: Brandon Mull did a great job of interweaving different characters and their personalities into a complex world with an interesting plotline.

Rarely does the book get boring or slow and rarely could I put it down. Sure, maybe the book was in the 12-year old section of the library but to be honest I haven't had this much fun in a series for a long time. If you're into those 5 bullet points I mentioned above and you enjoyed Harry Potter, I would strongly recommend this series. Still waiting for the 5th book to come out in late 2017 so that will definitely be a book I pick up! Enjoy!