tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-305773119423571989.post6381830470639283612..comments2020-05-10T01:40:08.832-07:00Comments on Legato Exhibition: Word of Mouth - and a Challenge.Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08237406486736942911noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-305773119423571989.post-5943120517664058732010-10-05T05:00:02.468-07:002010-10-05T05:00:02.468-07:00Changing hats... a review of Burning Mountain.
Th...Changing hats... a review of Burning Mountain.<br /><br />The Next Children’s Classic<br /><br />It is not often that a novel written for young readers grips and holds the adult reader from start<br />to finish. L J Adlington’s Burning Mountain is one that does. Spanning countries, generations<br />and wars past and present, this deceptively simple story is destined to become a classic novel for<br />teenagers.<br /><br />Moving between modern England and wartime Italy, the unfolding wartime drama and modern<br />mystery can be read on many levels. The seamless intertwining of past and present, the subtle mix<br />of fact and fantasy and the complexity of the levels of message within the story make this novel not<br />only an ideal text for classroom study, but also a powerful and contemporary contribution towards<br />international understanding and peace.<br /><br />Accidentally locked out in the rain, Denise and Craig seek refuge next door. An uneasy<br />friendship is formed with their elderly neighbours who share an intriguing story with them.<br />The repeated request is not clear. What did the crazy old lady next door want Denise to do?<br /><br />The life and death issues that the children face as the tale unfolds provide ample opportunity<br />for classroom discussion. The mystery from the past draws out lessons from WWII and ties<br />them firmly to the present realities of the children’s life as they think of their brother fighting in<br />Afghanistan.<br /><br />Wartime social, ethical and political issues emerge as the young Vittoria and Erich face their<br />challenges, differences, hopes and fears. When survival, rather than victory, becomes the aim, lines<br />between friend and foe are blurred.<br /><br />While the younger reader is given more obvious clues to follow and switches in time are marked<br />by changing typefaces, the more sophisticated reader is given subtle hints and a sprinkling of Latin,<br />German and Italian phrases to challenge without disrupting the story. A complex multi-levelled<br />approach to solving the mystery can be found on every page, sometimes to be recognised only on a<br />second look as the storyline pulls the reader in eager anticipation quickly through the pages.<br /><br />Modern social problems don’t escape the attention of this talented writer as she exposes the realities<br />of suburban life. Overriding all of this though is the message that war is not something that happens<br />to other people in far away places. The reader is reminded that while the Battle of Cassino veterans<br />who once were enemies meet in friendship, peace and reconciliation remains only a distant dream in<br />many parts of the world today.<br /><br />Proving that truth can be stranger than fiction, this well researched novel teaches as much as it<br />enthrals. From an erupting volcano to a scruffy ragamuffin dog, each element has its place. Fast<br />moving, colourful, with just enough hint of romance and empathy to soften the brutality of war,<br />Burning Mountain leaves the reader challenged yet satisfied.<br /><br />J K Scott MFA (Hons) P G Dip SNRT (Dist), BA, TTC.<br />Education Consultant, co-author of Listening and Speaking, English in the New Zealand<br />Curriculum and former teacher of English and Media Studies in New Zealand secondary schools.Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08237406486736942911noreply@blogger.com