Paper Tigers Ezine ROUND the WORLD Reading Challenge~David Almond & ‘Always Jack’

 

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PaperTigers – is a wonderful website devoted to multicultural books from around
the world for children and young adults, with a particular focus on
the Pacific Rim and South Asia.
www.papertigers.org

JOIN & ENJOY.

Subscription is complimentary

www.PaperTigers.org

Pacific Rim Voices
300 Third Street, #822
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 648-4528

Round the World Reading Challenge

It was especially felt to have ‘Always Jack’ and a book by David Almond paired as recommended read for the Round the World Reading Challenge.

www.PaperTigers.org

 I met David Almond at The Hughenden in Sydney when he was on a speaking tour. He is such a deeply thoughtful writer as he explores the human condition and translates it in his evocative books.

The full review for ‘Always Jack’ is available on:-

http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/reading-the-world-challenge-2011-%e2%80%93-update-4-wrapping-it-up/ .

Always Jack was another great read. We loved the previous two books in the series, especially I Am Jack, so our expectations were high and we were not disappointed. Jack himself is, as ever, a well-rounded blend of confidence and insecurity, determined to get the last word with one of his (usually) funny jokes. Several highly charged themes run through the book, including cancer (Jack’s mother), dementia (his Nan), and the Vietnam War (through Jack and his best friend Christopher’s joint school project into their family histories). The book made us laugh; it made us sad (and me cry); and it made us think.

…. It  highlights the importance of keeping the channels of communication open, in the case of illness in a family, or indeed of creating those channels between generations in the first place … wholeheartedly recommend Always Jack and just wish there could be more.