Literature and movie review

Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

Written by Anne Frank

This is one of those books that changed my life forever.  I read this first when I was a child just going into double digits.  I have re read this book another few times since and watched a film on this story and a documentary and it even after all that time I still bawl at the end.  

This story is about a young Jewish girl who lived during World War 2.  Her and her family hide in a secret part of a house so they will not be found by the Nazi's.  This book is Anne's diary,  her memories and thoughts during this terrible ordeal.  It is beautifully written and reminds the reader that there are wonderful people in this world who love and look after each other through terrible times and that the human spirit can conquer all. 

I found this review written by a 9 year old which describes this story better than any adult could.  I would like to share this with you today.



Reviewed by Gabriel (age 9)

Have you ever felt scared out of your mind? If you have, you’ll understand how Anne Frank felt living a life in hiding. This book is about a 13 year old girl who is hiding from the Nazis. Anne and her family live in a secret Annex. She lives in there because she is a Jew and does not want to get caught by the Nazis. You find your way into the attic by pulling a book out of a book shelf which leads to a secret passage way. The Dutch police find out that Anne and her family are hiding. The Dutch police go to the office building and force one of the workers to tell them where Anne's family is hiding. They are caught and are sent to concentration camps. Do you think Anne’s family survives? You need to read this book to find out.

I felt sad reading this book, but I am glad I read it. I did not like that Anne was sent to the concentration camp. I felt nervous and frightened when she was caught. I really liked the characters who helped Anne in the secret Annex, it made me feel hopeful that people can be kind. My favorite part is when Anne Frank’s Diary is published in 1947, because now I have a window into the life of a real person who lived through this period of time during WWII.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read biographies, history and about heroes like Anne Frank. Without her diary we would not know what life was like for a Jewish family in hiding during the holocaust.

Gabriel is a student in Mrs. Diglio's 3rd Grade Class
2009-2010

Spaghetti^® Book Club

I would like to add my recommendation to Gabriel C's too.  A wonderful story well worth finding and reading.  Appropriate fro 10 years and up.

Literature and movie review

If you asked my teenagers for their favourite movies or books they would probably say Harry Potter or Pirates of the Caribbean.  I'm not really into scary and blood and gore type movies.  I have seen them all but really it was to support the kids viewing (is that called spying ? he he)  My favourite book of all time and one I could watch over and over is Jane Eyre.  I think it is one of the best book ever written.  It has everything in it intrigue, mystery, drama, romance, clever dialogue, humour and relationships. 



The author of Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte was born in April 1816 to Rev. Patrick and Maria Bronte.  She was the 3rd of 6 children in England.  She wrote only a few works as she died very young.  Jane Eyre was a very popular novel from it's first publication.  It has been relased as a film or t.v series a few times the most recent in March this year.



Jane is an orphan who spend the first few years of her life being raised by her uncle and his wife, a cruel woman who cared about her own children more than poor Jane.  Her auntie sends her away to a charity school with the excuse that Jane was a bad influence on her own dear children,  which in reality is untrue as Jane was a beautiful well behaved child.  The school was of very poor standards and here Jane suffers many hardships and sadness.  When reforms come to the school Jane blossoms and becomes a teacher of good standing in the school.  When she decides to leave the school she seeks a post as a governess with a Mr Rochester.  The rest of the story builds on Jane's impeccable character and her relationship with Mr Rochester and his ward for whom she is responsible for. 

This story has many twists and unexpected turns.  Bronte has a talent for building very complex characters building up a story line beautifully.  Jane's character goes though much refining and is challenged beyond what most of us would not be able to bear. I think Bronte was well beyond her time for discussing topics that were not readily addressed at the time.  For example the hardships of poverty,  mental illness and disabilities. 

This a book that deserves to be read and re read to appreciate fully the depth of language and brilliant story line.

Literature and movie review

The most treasured of all our families pictures books in our home are the Hairy Maclary series written and illustrated by New Zealand author Lynley Dodd.  She is a master of rhyme and humor and brilliant artist.   My children know many of books off by heart and truly love the books.  Childhood reading is so important because it feeds imagination and shapes our lives.  Dodd captures the child's imagination beautifully through the written language and gorgeous pictures.

12 book have been written about this wee little dog and 9 about his friends.  The first book Hairy Maclary at Donadlson's Dairy introduces the reader to a group of dogs who feature in a lot of her books.  This book is  all about their romps and play.  The other books build on this.  They are witty and are a pleasure to read for adults too.

I would recommend them for children 3 years and older.  Even my pre teens love them, although they they wouldn't want any one to know.  Zachary quack is my favourite one.  It is all about and annoying little baby bird that follows Hairy Maclary every where.  He tries really hard to get rid of the bird but can't succeed.  Finally Hairy maclary goes into a pond but he gets stuck and who saves him?.....the little bird.  It ends with the two of them tucked up in bed fast asleep. 

Just magical books and lovely books.

Literature and movie review

Today's review is of a series of books well known to many.  I have read it 5-6 times and thoroughly enjoyed it each time.  It has made me want to travel to Canada to see all the beautiful places there.  It has inspired me and left me feeling enriched for reading it. 

Anne of green gables is an all time Canadian classic written by Lucy Maud Montgomery.  The series of 8 books celebrates the life of a young orphan Anne Shirley.  They take us through her childhood into her teens and as a married woman. 

Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables and numerous sequels. (Canadian Press



Montgomery makes the books come alive through her wonderful descriptions of life on Prince Edward Island at the turn of the last century.  She creates deep and meaningful characters that many of us can identify with.....The nosy neighbour (who means well)  Over bearing adults (who really do care) loving creative children.  There are many characters and ways of life we wish still existed....the village spirit,  the love of many adults and  the freedom to roam around that children today seem not to get much of. 

The stories begin with Anne going to her new home on PEI and finding out the family (Marrilla and Mathew.  A brother and sister) she thought wanted her wants a boy.  Her wee world is shattered.  But after Mathew changes Marrilla's mind they agree to let her stay.  They soon find out Anne is a lot of work for 2 old single people but they come to love her as their own. 

Theses books are full of humour and wit.  Montgomery is a great story teller who weaves the stories so well that I have a hard time putting them down.  I would recommend them from 9 years and up but I read them for the first time as a older teen and still really enjoyed them. 

Literature and movie review

The book I have chosen this week is Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell.  It was written between 1851 and 1853 and is set in Cranford, a fictional town based on Knutsford in Cheshire a village where she lived as a child.  

This book is best described as like a gentle walk in a park.  It is a series of vignettes about Mary Smith and her 2 friends Miss Matty and Miss Deborah,  both spinsters in this town.   The story explores the lives and relationships of a group of spinsters and widows in the Victorian era. 





Gaskell paints a wonderful portrait of the social class of this era.  She captures, through her wonderful portrayal of characters, the society at this time.  She cleverly describes moments in the lives of the women of this village while building  a humorous,  poignant and sometimes sad story line.

I really enjoyed this feel good book.  It was a lovely slice of life that was a pleasure to read. 

Literature and movie review

Every day is a good day by William Pike is an autobiography about the authors experience  of being caught up in a volcanic eruption on Mount Ruapehu (one of NZ's active volcanoes) The extreme courage and positive attitude this man had to face his ordeal is truly amazing and amazingly this book was written only 6 months after his accident. 





Pike's life changed dramatically in September 2007 when climbing on Mt Ruapehu.  His light leg was badly damaged when a boulder from the eruption plowed through the hut in which he was staying.  William lost part of his leg and almost his life.  Pike writes about his ordeal and his determination to still have a full life and to remain positive no matter what we endure. 

I really enjoyed this book.  It left me with hope with what ever life has to offer me.  That no matter what our challenges (and what could be much worse that what he went through)  that we have courage and strength to get up and keep going.  He is a great story teller and descriptive writer who leaves you longing for the next to page to see what happened next. 

P.S.  This is a book published in NZ but can be bought online.  Just Google it.....my answer to everything!

literature and movie review

The autobiographical series Two pence to cross the Mersey written by Helen Forrester comprises of 4 books written during the depression and 2nd world war years.  The four books titled 

Two pence to cross the Mersey



 Liverpool miss,

By the waters of Liverpool

 

Lime street at two

are set in liverpool England in one of the darkest times in world economic history.  These stories are about the authors childhood and young adult years. 

Helen Forrester had a difficult and very sad childhood.  She was raised for 12 years in a wealthy middle class home in southern England. During the depression she went from a pampered existence to poverty in Liverpool, north west England.   In the first two volumes of her autobiography – 'Twopence to Cross the Mersey' and 'Liverpool Miss', Helen tells the story of her families change in circumstances, rich to poor.  It is a hard story to read, Helen has a constant struggle to feed her family and to keep her mother happy and to help her spiritless father. She lives without any luxuries and education which she longed to have. The last 2 volumes are more optimistic.  Helen has gained some Independence from her family and is living in slightly better conditions.  The books conclude with he meeting of her future husband and the happiness she gains from this. 

They are a wonderful set of book which leave you thankful for what you have and the time we live. The history of the depression is captured well in these books through her great skill as a story teller. She leaves a great sense of hope in overcoming terrible adversary and troubles .  A great read!