How I live now

 

We saw an extraordinary film last night called How I live now. It’s based on an equally extraordinary book of the same name by Meg Rosoff which I read a few years ago. Both are intense visionary accounts of an American girl who comes to stay with English cousins in the countryside and gets caught up in a war. Do check them both out.

You’ll probably find the book in the ‘Young Adult’ (teenager) sections of libraries and bookshops. I’m a great fan of YA books. They’re like pared-down versions of adult books – more emotional and less likely to stray off the point. Ironically they’re often deeper too, tackling the really important subjects.

Another YA book that knocked me sideways is Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman. This deals with racial discrimination by making black people the race in control and whites the underdogs. What a brilliant way of bringing the subject alive.

 

Another one I remember is told from the point of view of a teenager who murdered another child when she was younger. Wow. When I remember the title, I’ll let you know.

Pictures from Amazon