Over the summer of 2020, all plans for holiday and travel were thwarted. Trips to abroad, holidays in the UK and visits to family living in other parts of the country facing local lockdowns have all been put on hold in light of the pandemic. I have found that the best way to travel and escape this strange life we are enduring this year has been through reading and, thanks to my wonderful local library service (despite working for them I'm not biased, just HUMAN) I have been swept away to different destinations and different times period. Each book in turn has opened my eyes to new perspectives, ideas and experiences, as well as affirming the deluge of children's fiction gracing our bookshelves at the moment.
My final summer reading challenge choice takes us all the way to Peru. Fast paced, thrilling and filled with plenty of ideas to digest and discuss, Fire Girl, Forest Boy would be brilliant book choice for ages 11+. It tells the story of Raul and Maya who are both far from home in one sense or another. Their paths cross under extraordinary circumstances: Maya is on the run in an unfamiliar country and Raul is finally returning home in the wake of a family tragedy. All ingredients for an intriguing tale, wouldn’t you agree?
Chloe Daykin combines three excellent Fs, fact, fiction and folklore. She introduces readers to the harsh reality of the illegal logging trade that to this day is decimating the precious rainforests of South America but also brings vividly to life the fascinating creatures which inhabit them and the humid, heady atmosphere of a rainforest.
A spiritual element is cleverly interwoven into the immersive setting as Raul teaches Maya about the myths and legends of the trees in the forest. In turn Maya grows to understand her own magical (and firey...) power. Both children also come to terms with the sadnesses that have peppered their paths. Beautifully drawn characters and relationships emerge, making for an irresistible read which, more often than not, had me on the edge of my seat.
Fire Girl, Forest Boy certainly is exhilarating, as Raul and Maya face a race against time to save the beautiful South American forest that surrounds them from a corrupt logging co-operation. Short chapters are told from each Maya and Raul’s points of view so we get to know each character well and see the same events from different perspectives. The dual narrative is effective but can get confusing for the reader – I often had to reread parts to check which character was speaking, which is worth considering when working through the book with younger readers. Having said that, this choice of narrative style certainly conveyed the drama and urgency that makes the story so compelling and would be interesting to imitate through a creative writing activity.
An excellent tale to conclude the 2020 Summer Reading Challenge.
(N.B. the SRC has been extended to the end of September for any bookworms who have yet to complete their 6 reads!)
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