I first came across this book in my english lessons as a first year at secondary school back in 1970. I was so enthralled by the book that I dragged my mum to the bookshop and got her to buy me a copy, which I then read in one marathon stint within a day, not stopping for food or sleep - it really was that good. Nearly 40 years on I still go back to it at least once a year and enjoy it as much now as I did then.
Set in a gentler, rural Cheshire (it was written in 1960) the setting now appears a little dated, as you would expect, but for those who were born close to this time, the nostalgia is very pleasant.
Weaving a story drawn from several celtic and norse tales as well as the legend of Alderley itself, and placing ... Read More:
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In The Ruby in the Smoke, Phillip Pullman combines three of my favorite things: young adult fiction, a good mystery and a Victorian era setting.
Sixteen-year-old Sally Lockhart has recently lost her father in a shipwreck. After receiving a mysterious note warning her to "beware of the Seven Blessings", she visits her late father's shipping firm in the hope that someone there can make sense of the note. When she asks one of her father's employees about the Seven Blessings, the man is so terrified that he dies of a heart attack right in front of Sally. And so begins a chain of events that will have Sally questioning the circumstances of her father's death as well as her connection to a priceless Indian ruby. All the while Sally is pursued ... Read More:
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In The Ruby in the Smoke, Phillip Pullman combines three of my favorite things: young adult fiction, a good mystery and a Victorian era setting.
Sixteen-year-old Sally Lockhart has recently lost her father in a shipwreck. After receiving a mysterious note warning her to "beware of the Seven Blessings", she visits her late father's shipping firm in the hope that someone there can make sense of the note. When she asks one of her father's employees about the Seven Blessings, the man is so terrified that he dies of a heart attack right in front of Sally. And so begins a chain of events that will have Sally questioning the circumstances of her father's death as well as her connection to a priceless Indian ruby. All the while Sally is pursued ... Read More:
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In this book, the Ingalls meets some Native Indians, Mr Edwards and Mrs Scott. The whole family catch `Fever n' 'angue' which now is called Malaria. While Pa is out, some Indians come and take tobacco and some food. They do this a second time while Pa is out about a few months after. At the end, Laura and her family leave again searching for a new home in Minnesota. This book is so imaginative that it feels like a fiction where you are experiencing everything. I really enjoyed `The Little House in the Prairie' and I think this book is really good. I really recommend it to everyone who reads this review. I rate this book 9/ 10.
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This is just about the worst book I have ever read. The characters to me were about as lifless as rag dolls, The story line is about the most feeble out of any book I have ever read and over all I think it was very badly written and not worth purchasing.
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This is just about the worst book I have ever read. The characters to me were about as lifless as rag dolls, The story line is about the most feeble out of any book I have ever read and over all I think it was very badly written and not worth purchasing.
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this book is good however i feel it is for older children/ teenagers as it can be a little upsetting at times... overall though good book read all the way through without putting it down =)
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I actualy love this book, even thought its over 30 years since its been writen, the issues in the book havn't chanaged. I can completely relate to what Kath goes through.
I so wanted it to work out between them, and it all be okay, but thats not how real life works, and its not how the book is.
But, saying that , its not like the book had one of them horrible soppy ending , its just how real life is.
A definite read for anyone 12 upwards, and i only say 12 upwards because some of the scenes in the book are a little explicit.
A timeless book, well wortth reading.
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'Girls in love' is a great book perfect for when you've recently been dumped!!! I loved the book especially as i've just started high school so i virtually know what teenage life is like! I think that this book is perfect. I can't wait to read 'Girls under pressure!'
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