July 7th, 2009 by Alison
Sephy is a Cross - a member of the dark-skinned ruling class. Callum is a nought - a ‘colourless’ member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood. But that’s as far as it can go. Until the first steps are taken towards more social equality and a limited number of Noughts are allowed into Cross schools…Against a background of prejudice and distrust, intensely highlighted by violent terrorist activity by Noughts, a romance builds between Sephy and Callum - a romance that is to lead both of them into terrible danger…
Check availability on East Renfrewshire Libraries’ catalogue.
November 27th, 2008 by editor
Laird: Crusade
Adam and Salim are on 2 different sides in the Crusades, but they find friendship in this unlikely place. Elizabeth Laird creates a vivid picture of medieval Palestine, you can almost smell the rotting stink around the European camp.
check availablility on East Renfrewshire Libraries’ catalogue.
Reviews:
Crusade is a gripping tale of two boys from different countries and religion meet during the crusade. Salim is a doctor’s helper and is a muslim. Adam is from England and is fighting in the crusade for sand from Jerusalem to save his dead mum from purgatory. Adam is a christian, they meet and become friends after a while…
Rating 8/10
The crusade. You might have heard of it in history but, what would it be like being there? Elizabeth Laird has an idea. This book shows the amazing struggle between 2 armies, two places and two cultures. The friendship between 2 boys helps them get through the darkness, even though they are from different tribes.
Who will win the war?
What will happen to Salim and Adam?
Only time will tell if the bloodshed will end. Two boys, Two faiths and One unholy war!
Rating 8/10
Crusade. Many a year ago, two boys of different religions, cultures and upbringing both on a perilous journey, one is the apprentice, one is a soldier. Neither of them will ever be the same. Many will be lost, but one thing’s for sure, their lives will never be the same again. So be ready for a high flying, action packed adventure filled with hardship, pain and a friendship, on either side, of the unholy war.
Rating 10/10
October 14th, 2008 by editor
Cassidy: Scarlett
Scarlett is in trouble and excluded from yet another school, this time her mother is at her wit’s end so sends her to rural Ireland to stay with her father and new stepfamily. In this totally alien setting a teenage boy on a horse, a local loch and a tree as well as the unconditional love of her stepsister all play a part in helping Scarlett to cope.
Check availability on East Renfrewshire Libraries’ catalogue.
Reviews:
Review by Mairi: Scarlett was a really good book.
I chose the book because my friends had said it was a book that you could not put down.
Review by Amy:
Scarlett was interesting and an emotional book in many respects. Divorce has torn the main character, Scarlett, from her family and she feels alone and unwanted. It is written in the form of a diary and shows Scarlett’s take and views on the world. At the start, Scarlett is a lawless rule-breaker who can’t seem to settle down.
Once her mother has had enough, Scarlett is sent to Ireland to live with her dad. After a disastrous first day at school, resulting in her running out of it, Scarlett meets a boy, named Kian, by Lough Choill. Kian seems to understand her and takes her home to her father. Scarlett is then home-schooled and spends more time with Kian and his horse, Midnight, at the Lough.
I feel that this book is perfect for anyone who has found life difficult because of family issues, as it shows that you are not alone in the world.
Rating 10/10