Wired Up series by various authors
A and C Black, London, 2012.
Man about the house by C. A. Plaisted. ISBN 978 14081 5654 4.
Breaking the rules by Maxine Linnell. ISBN 978 1 4081 5271 3.
(Ages 11+) Recommended. High interest, low literacy. A companion
series to Wired, and similar to those published by
Barrington Stokes, this series will appeal to kids with lower
literacy levels but wanting something more meaty than the usual
stories written for them. Short stories, in larger print, and wide
margins on the pages make these easier to read than most texts. They
will be very handy to have available for readers, and a box set of
them in the classroom will be useful.
With solid stories written around themes present in their daily
lives, these two stories have a high appeal.
Man about the house is the tale of Jeza, broken up about his
father living with a new family and having to be the man about the
house for his mother and sister. he desperately wants his father to
come to the soccer to watch him play and is dreadfully disappointed
when his new baby takes precedence. A neat resolution sees both
parties coming to some understanding of their new roles. Along the
way we see how different families react to break ups, and Jeza's
angst at having to do the jobs around the house allocated to him by
his grandfather, who imposes new responsibilities upon the boy.
Breaking the rules follows a scenario familiar to many
students who read the papers and participate in internet awareness
programs, but unfortunately new to many. Mo is at a low point in her
life, moving towns and schools sees her friendless and at odds with
her family. She clicks yes on her computer when a boy named Shadow
asks to be her friend, and pouring out her concerns to him receives
solace in response. He seems to know how she feels and becomes a
shoulder for her to cry on. Eventually they agree to meet and she
catches the tram to Derby.
This is a chilling cautionary tale, readers will think about the
possibilities and traps that Mo could be getting herself into.
Fran Knight