Recommendations from Ms. Freer
The Shadow of The Wind
by Carlos Ruiz Zafon This gothic novel set in post war Barcelona is about a boy, Daniel, whose father takes him to the secret Cemetery of Forgotten Books where each person gets to choose one book and protect it for life. The book Daniel chooses completely consumes him, and he looks for other books by the same author, but only comes across references to some strange man. Daniel’s search for this man leads him into dark territory and he falls in love with a beautiful girl… I started this book when I was visiting Barcelona and kept reading it on the plane back to Scotland until I finished it – The writing is mesmerizing, the story line unusual, and it has an underlying theme of good vs. evil. |
The Power of One
by Bryce Courtenay This historical novel set in South Africa during the 1930-40’s is the story of Peekay, an English kid being raised by a Zulu wet nurse who eventually becomes his nanny and best confidant. He eventually gets sent to boarding school where he is bullied constantly by the older boys. After his first, miserable year, he goes home where he meets a medicine man who teaches him to find inner peace. However, it is when he is on the train to meet his grandfather, that his world changes forever. He meets a woman who tells him he can become the welterweight boxing champion of the world. It gives an interesting picture of South Africa during that time period. A great book for boys with an ironic twist at the end. They made the worst movie ever in 1992 – Not even close to how wonderful the book was, especially for teenage boys to read! |