Below are brief reviews of the books I read aloud to my sons from June 1999 (when they were 10 and 12) until the end of 2000. For general ideas about books to read to this age-group, see the page fiction for ages 9-13. For an article about reading aloud in general, see Raising bookworms. For the books I have read more recently, see the page of recent books read aloud.
June 1999
Kate Douglas Wiggin - Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
This book starts well, almost reminiscent of 'Anne of Green Gables', with some unexpected moments of humour as Rebecca an outspoken and vivacious girl, goes to live with her two spinster aunts. However as she grows up, the plot gradually vanishes in favour of moralising and a great deal of detail, although the book ends in a satisfying way.
July 1999
JK Rowling - Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkhaban
Third in the series. Another brilliant and exciting story, filled with suspense yet still achieving humorous moments. One again the reader is left guessing until the last few chapters, which contain two climaxes, a slightly unbelievable time-travel event, and a most satisfying resolution. New variations on the timeless 'good vs evil' plots with delightfully realistic characters who grow more sympathetic in each book.
August 1999
Jan Mark - Under the Autumn garden
A book with amazingly little plot! Matthew decides to dig for historical artefacts rather than get on with his history homework. Nevertheless there are some nice moments of humour, and a delightful character in the form of Mr Bagnell, Matthew's crusty neighbour.
September 1999
Robert Swindolls - Hydra
Two children uncover a scientific secret, and get themselves into danger. Well-written and exciting without being frightening. Almost believable.
October 1999
PG Wodehouse - Do Butlers burgle banks?
Not Jeeves, but almost as good. A complex, unlikely plot featuring Mike Bond, the nearly-ruined owner of Bond's bank
Terry Pratchett - Interesting Times
Rincewind is sent to another country, rather like a cross between China and Russia, wherea revolution is underway. He teams up with ancient - but invincible - barbarians and befriends the 'Red army'. A series of unlikely happenings lead to his eventual escape. Usual Pratchett humour combined with a flair for caricaturing history and other civilisations.
PG Wodehouse - The Inimitable Jeeves
Bertie is entangled in his friend Bingo's romantic life; as always he tries to help out assisted by Jeeves. In this book, Bertie pretends to be the author Rosie M Banks, to soften Bingo's Uncle's heart towards his nephew's marriage. He also takes part in the betting on the Great Sermon Handicap, a classic chapter in its own right, and finally escapes when things get too much. Very funny - good for reading aloud to older children.
Terry Pratchett - Interesting Times
Rincewind is sent to another country, rather like a cross between China and Russia, wherea revolution is underway. He teams up with ancient - but invincible - barbarians and befriends the 'Red army'. A series of unlikely happenings lead to his eventual escape. Usual Pratchett humour combined with a flair for caricaturing history and other civilisations.
November 1999
Jane Austen - Northanger Abbey
Catherine Morland is taken to stay in Bath by Mr and Mrs Allen. She falls in loev with a young man, is courted by another, and is invited to stay at the old Abbey where her imagination runs riot. Not much plot, but plenty of humour as characters are cleverly revealed in their speech and action. Supposedly a spoof on romantic fiction of the time, with a satisfying happy ending after misunderstandings are cleared up. Works well read aloud.
December 1999
Stephen Potts - Hunting Gumnor
Gumnor, the living foghorn, has vanished. Rarty and her family set out to find her. Believable people with realistic conversation, and a pleasant ending.
February 2000
Terry Pratchett - The Fifth Elephant
(24th in the Discworld series). Sam Vimes goes to Uberwald on a diplomatic mission. Angua vanishes, and Carrot follows her. Fred Colon is promoted. A confusing start, but as ever the threads intertwine to make another great Discworld book.
March 2000
Terry Pratchett - Equal Rites
Esk is given a wizard's staff by mistake, when she is born. Granny Weatherwax disapproves, but realises that Esk is destined to be a wizard, after unsuccessful attempts to teach her headology and herbalism. So Granny sets out to take Esk to the Unseen University. Interesting plot that examines women's rights in a humorous way.
April 2000
PG Wodehouse - The Inimitable Jeeves
Bertie is entangled in his friend Bingo's romantic life; as always he tries to help out assisted by Jeeves. In this book, Bertie pretends to be the author Rosie M Banks, to soften Bingo's Uncle's heart towards his nephew's marriage. He also takes part in the betting on the Great Sermon Handicap, a classic chapter in its own right, and finally escapes when things get too much. Very funny - good for reading aloud to older children.
Terry Pratchett - Interesting Times
Rincewind is sent to another country, rather like a cross between China and Russia, wherea revolution is underway. He teams up with ancient - but invincible - barbarians and befriends the 'Red army'. A series of unlikely happenings lead to his eventual escape. Usual Pratchett humour combined with a flair for caricaturing history and other civilisations.
Jerome K Jerome - Three Men on a Boat
Three men plan and take a boating holiday. Hilarious anecdotes and rather pompous preaching interspersed with very little plot. Funnier read aloud than to oneself.
May 2000
Susan Lunn - The Root Cellar
Rose is unhappy with her aunt and uncle, and discovers a door to previous centuries in the time of the US civil war. Seh has a big adventure and eventually returns to the family. Good plot, exciting action, ralistic people, and some surprises in the ending.
Neil Boyd - Bless me, Father
Father Neil goes for his first curacy to work with Father Duddleswell, a bad-tempered but kind eldelry priest. Humorous situations arise as Father Neil learns about his job and the people in the parish. Gentle fun poked at the Roman Catholic Church and its people.
June 2000
Neil Boyd - A Father before Christmas
Another set of humorous short stories about Father Neil, as he learns about women and life in his curacy with Father Duddleswell. Light reading, mildly amusing, good insights into parish life albeit with somewhat caricatured people.
Jerome K Jerome - Three Men on the Bummell
George, Harris and J decide to go on a cycle tour in Germany. Early chapters discuss family life with scant regard to their wives. Some of the book is long-winded but there is humour and some action - quite a good book for reading aloud, even educational in places.
July 2000
Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman - Good Omens
Brilliantly funny and perceptive book about Armageddon. The child born to be the antichrist is mistakenly switched with another child, and grows up to be mischievous and a leader, but with his own moral code - reminiscent in places of 'Just William'. The four horsemen of the apocalypse gather; an angel and a demon watch as events unfold. Excellent book to read aloud!
Janette Oke - Heart of the Wilderness
Kendra is tragically orphaned as a young girl, and goes to live with her grandfather, who is a trapper in Canada. She grows up secure, loving and confident, educated by her grandfather and his friend Nonnie. She learns about trapping, her initial horror replaced by a determination to learn her grandfather's trade. Eventually she emerges into the adult world to find God, and to learn more about other people.
August 2000
PG Wodehouse - The Mating Season
Bertie Wooster goes to stay at Deverill Hall, home of Esmond Haddock and five aunts. Various friends are thwarted in love, and Bertie lives in fear that Madeleine Bassett will decide to marry him. As always, the situations are all neatly resolved with the help of Jeeves in the fnial chapter. Gentle humour and clever plotting.
September 2000
PG Wodehouse - Blandings Castle
Short stories about Lord Emsworth and his son Freddie, who ges married to an American girl. Lots of light humour as Lord Emsworth finally plucks up the courage to stand up for hismelf against his sister and gardener.
JK Rowling - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Fourth in the series. Another good boo, the longest so far. It opens withthe Quidditch World Cup, wich introduces various characters and sets the scene for the schol year at Hogwarts, where the famous 'tri-wizard tournament' is to be held. Fast-moving and dramatic, with humour as well as deeper plots. The climax comes in the last hundred pages of the book, with some frightening scenes leading on to the unmasking of someone we would never have guessed was evil, and a horrific scene with Lord Voldemort returning to power, leading to darker implications for future books.
October 2000
Gerald Durrell - Fillets of Plaice
Short stories about Gerald, his family and friends, with the usual humour and unlikely scenarios. Mother is taken on a mini-cruise, complete with their custom-built icebox, and marooned in an unkempt spot. In another chapter, Gerald helps a friend plan a dinner party for his superior. Brilliant observations and conversation, excellent to read aloud.
Joan Aiken - Wolves of Willoughby Chase
Bonnie's parents go on a cruise for her mother's health. Bonnie and her gentle cousin Sylvia are left in the care of Miss Slighcarp, who turns out to be power-crazy and cruel. The girls are sent to a school but manage to escape. England in the 19th century comes alive, and the story is exciting and believable (if melodramatic at times), with a most satisfying conclusion.
November 2000
Joan Aiken - Black hearts in Battersea
Simon, a minor character from 'Wolves of Willoughby Chase', arrives in London to start his art training with the doctor. However the doctor is not only absent, but unknown at his supposed lodgings. Simon gets a place at the art school and meets various people who are mixed up in an unlikely but well-told plot to murder the royal family.
December 2000
PG Wodehouse - Something New
Ashe, a popular fiction writer, falls for Joan, who works as a lady's maid. Both find themselves at Blandings Castle, with Ashe planning to steal an Egyptian scarab. Unlikely people and events seem believable when mixed with Wodehouse-style humour and fast-moving dialogue. All ends well.