Cloud Boy
Marcia Williams
Subjects
The diary of an irrepressible girl learning to deal with friendship, grief and growing up, perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson. Harry Christmas and Angie Moon are best friends and almost-twins. Ever since they were born two days apart they’ve been partners in cloud-spotting, sweet-eating and treehouse-building. But when Harry is taken to hospital for headaches that won’t go away, he needs Angie more than ever. Because when things fall apart, only a best friend can stitch them back together. Told through Angie's lively diary, this is a bittersweet story about friendship and growing up.
Reviews
A tear jerker but a lovely story about friendship. You really feel for Angie as she tries her hardest to deal with her friend becoming more "distant" and is unaware of the full detail. I liked the link with the true events relating to the quilt.
Mills29
Absolutely FANTASTIC book! I nearly cried at the end it was so moving!
emma.dunkin
Emotional and honest - I really liked the way that the main narrative, was interspersed with Grandma's diary from a WW2 POW prison in Japanese occupied Singapore. It made me want to find out more about the Changi Guide quilt.
motherease
This was an extremely touching read - one which I will certainly always remember. It deals with a very sensitive issue of terminal illness and is powerfully written through a child's perspective. Throughout this book, Angie embarks on a rollercoaster of emotions as her best friend becomes seriously ill and spends time in and out of hospital. It is beautifully written through a series of diary entries where Angie's feelings are described so vividly and honestly. Although I thoroughly enjoyed Angie's journey, I was also captivated by the story of her grandmother, which is interwoven beautifully with Angie's story. The grandmother's story explores her time in Changi prison as a child in WW2. Her story is told via the letters she wrote in secret whilst in captivity. The letters reveal how a Girls' Guide group secretly sewed a quilt for their leader to show their love and appreciation for giving them a purpose during their time in Changi. I found it heart-warming to read how this inspired Angie herself to make a quilt of memories for her best friend to, in a similar way, show her love and appreciation. The story as a whole was fiction and I particularly liked the character, Angie. I admired her bravery as a young girl when dealing with such a terrifying ordeal watching her best friend suffer, yet still found a way to be hopeful and positive during such a dark time. The grandmother's story was based on the true story of Olga Henderson - one which has deeply touched me - again the character's bravery and strength shone through to me. Both such inspirational characters! I would recommend this book without hesitation, but would suggest reading it with a box of tissues...
SLONGNEY
I don't usually like diary style books but this was great. Very sad, but a great story about friendship and the hardest times children go through. Great book!
Jolijn