The Devil Walks

The Devil Walks
by Anne Fine

This is a very dark tale from prize-winning author Anne Fine. She has ventured into the eerie before, but this novel is paticularly dark.

It is the story of a boy called Daniel who has spent his life bed-ridden. All he has to look forward to each day is his mother's company, his books and an old dolls house that belonged to his mother as a child.

On discovering that Daniel is in good health and there is no reason for him to be confined to a bed, Daniel's mother Lilian is taken to an asylum and Daniel is taken in by the kind doctor and his wife. The only thing he takes with him is the doll's house, which turns out to be quite evil.

Daniel enjoys his new life with the other children in the family, but soon the sinister doll's house starts to take hold of the children's personalities and playtime becomes nasty. This is only the beginning.

An evil uncle, a possessed doll and murder. Will Daniel survive? Believe me, you will keep reading to find out!

Eating Things on Sticks

Eating Things on Sticks
by Anne Fine

Such a great title for a book, don't you think? It intrigued me as soon as I read it. Of course, I don't plan to reveal what those things on sticks are, that would just spoil the fun, but I will tell you a little about the story.

This is the latest offering from past Children's Laureate, Anne Fine and I do enjoy an Anne Fine book, although there have been one or two over the years that I haven't been so keen on. I suppose it is a case of "you can't please all of the people, all of the time!". Saying that, most of them are pretty darn good and Eating Things on Sticks is one of the gems.

On another note, Eating Things on Sticks has been shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2009 in the 7-14 age category. The £2,500 prize was founded in 2008 by Michael Rosen as part of his Children’s Laureateship to honour those books that make children laugh. The winner will be announced on 10th November.

Anyway, back to the story!

Eating Things on Sticks is the story of a boy named Harry. To call Harry accident prone, would be an understatement! The story opens and Harry has just burned down the family kitchen. Harry is left feeling a bit astonished that it happened and woebegone at the outcome. Harry's mum wants to send Harry away to live with his Aunt, while the kitchen is rebuilt. The last thing Harry wants to do is live with his Aunt Susan. Aunt Susan takes him on long nature walks and that is bad enough, but spending any time with his lisping, frilly frock wearing cousin Titania, just doesn't bear thinking about at all.

Harry manages to persuade his mum to let him stay with his Uncle Tristram. Next, Uncle Tristram has to be persuaded, but a little blackmailing later and Harry is on his way to a remote British Island to spend the summer with Uncle Tristram and his dotty girlfriend Morning Glory.

Did I mention Harry is accident prone? Yes? Well, as you can imagine, Harry stumbles from one disaster to another whilst on the island.

Angels, men with funny beards, helicopters and eating funny things on sticks.

A must read! Very funny.