Scan barcode
fuzaila's review
4.0
I don’t understand why children’s books like this one are not more widely read or don’t receive the attention they deserve. That being said, this book reminded me of You’ve Got Mail.
Two teachers from two different countries, who happen to be friends, decide to start a pen-pal trend among their students to make them realize the worth of letters. That’s how eleven-year-olds Luke Mitchell and Elma Davey start writing letters to each other all the way from Ireland to England. At first, it was all lies and made-up stuff. Stories they told each other of how their lives were perfect, stories they said to themselves to make them feel better about their own harsh realities. Until they realize that their lives are pretty similar - that they have no one else to confide to - other than each other.
I really loved the concept of the book and adored how the authors brought the book to life. Luke and Elma seem like real persons with real problems. They are eleven year olds, true. But they feel like real living persons trying to pretend their life is better than what it actually is.
It was refreshing to see them bond through the letters, even if they were lies. The way they made a little ritual of sticking their stamps upside-down just to see if the other would notice, how they sent Christmas cards they didn’t actually mean to send, and how they help each other and bring about big changes in their lives.. It was adorable and heart-warming – made me smile all along.
I really loved Luke’s character; he seemed way too old for someone his age. That guy works each day and weekends, earns 50 euros every week, and buys his mom a washing machine for Christmas! Way to go boy! Elma had her share of problems too, but I wasn’t very impressed with her way of dealing with them. And in the end, she felt a bit arrogant, walking away with her problems solved when Luke really could have used some help.
Unlike You’ve Got Mail, this book isn’t about unions and happy endings. In the end, Luke and Elma are just pen pals, both from different countries, both with their share of problems, both trying to get through with life. And that’s what makes it even more realistic and good. I was satisfied, to say the least.
This book isn’t another romance where penpals meet in real life and stick together life-long. This is simply a story of two kids striving with their lives. You just need something like this when you think your life is hard. It reminds you that no matter how bad your problems are, there are people who are having it worse. It’s simple, humble and yet hopeful.
Two teachers from two different countries, who happen to be friends, decide to start a pen-pal trend among their students to make them realize the worth of letters. That’s how eleven-year-olds Luke Mitchell and Elma Davey start writing letters to each other all the way from Ireland to England. At first, it was all lies and made-up stuff. Stories they told each other of how their lives were perfect, stories they said to themselves to make them feel better about their own harsh realities. Until they realize that their lives are pretty similar - that they have no one else to confide to - other than each other.
I really loved the concept of the book and adored how the authors brought the book to life. Luke and Elma seem like real persons with real problems. They are eleven year olds, true. But they feel like real living persons trying to pretend their life is better than what it actually is.
It was refreshing to see them bond through the letters, even if they were lies. The way they made a little ritual of sticking their stamps upside-down just to see if the other would notice, how they sent Christmas cards they didn’t actually mean to send, and how they help each other and bring about big changes in their lives.
Spoiler
Elma’s Dad gets better with Luke’s suggestion to sign him up for a quizI really loved Luke’s character; he seemed way too old for someone his age. That guy works each day and weekends, earns 50 euros every week, and buys his mom a washing machine for Christmas! Way to go boy! Elma had her share of problems too, but I wasn’t very impressed with her way of dealing with them. And in the end, she felt a bit arrogant, walking away with her problems solved when Luke really could have used some help.
Unlike You’ve Got Mail, this book isn’t about unions and happy endings. In the end, Luke and Elma are just pen pals, both from different countries, both with their share of problems, both trying to get through with life. And that’s what makes it even more realistic and good. I was satisfied, to say the least.
This book isn’t another romance where penpals meet in real life and stick together life-long. This is simply a story of two kids striving with their lives. You just need something like this when you think your life is hard. It reminds you that no matter how bad your problems are, there are people who are having it worse. It’s simple, humble and yet hopeful.
More...