false 306118 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 306118 13 297104 2003 The Fire-Eaters (Whitbread Children's Book of the Year Award (Awards)) total:118|5:23|4:57|3:25|2:10|1:3| 118 441 174 29 13652 3.66 2609 548 70051162 1488694 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.85 92 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 4 0 false Thu Dec 09 00:00:00 -0800 2004 Fri Sep 04 10:53:46 -0700 2009 Fri Sep 04 10:55:52 -0700 2009 more...]]> 855450 67924 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 5 1 false Tue Apr 24 03:20:03 -0700 2007 Wed Dec 16 18:22:52 -0800 2009
The threat of nuclear war, brought about by the infamous Cuban Missile Crisis. A memsmerising performance by a fire-eater, playing to the crowds of spellbound, slightly fearful peop...]]> 66134508 1544522 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 4 0 false Tue Aug 04 07:46:49 -0700 2009 Tue Sep 01 12:31:12 -0700 2009
As the United States and The Soviet Union prepare for potential nuclear disaster during...more...]]> 44639514 1093224 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 4 0 false Wed Jan 28 09:17:58 -0800 2009 Wed Jan 28 09:26:38 -0800 2009 more...]]> 42556266 921817 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 2 0 false Mon Jan 26 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Sat Jan 10 07:25:03 -0800 2009 Sat Jan 31 09:43:04 -0800 2009 more...]]> 27782751 1304553 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 0 0 false Sun Jul 20 10:12:08 -0700 2008 Sun Jul 20 12:28:56 -0700 2008 more...]]> 23219360 973351 840999 1400085632 9781400085637 1 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178821102m/840999.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178821102s/840999.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/840999.The_Fire_Eaters 3.75 4 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 4 0 false Thu May 12 00:00:00 -0700 2005 Thu May 29 08:53:12 -0700 2008 Thu May 29 08:53:17 -0700 2008 more...]]> 20604600 975531 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 4 0 false Sun Apr 20 17:40:11 -0700 2008 Sun Apr 20 17:53:54 -0700 2008 more...]]> 71743541 1258745 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 4 0 false Wed Sep 16 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Fri Sep 18 22:41:49 -0700 2009 Fri Sep 18 22:44:03 -0700 2009 more...]]> 39463050 1780607 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 4 0 false Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 -0700 2004 Sat Dec 06 14:01:20 -0800 2008 Sat Dec 06 14:03:55 -0800 2008 1 31887451 1489791 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 2 0 false Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Wed Sep 03 01:44:53 -0700 2008 Wed Sep 03 02:22:33 -0700 2008
The story is set in the UK in 1962. While Robert (Bobby Burns) and his teenage friends are not too concerned with the tension increasing at the onset of the Cuban Missle Crisis, they experience their own conflicts at their their new Secondary Schoo...more...]]> 3737855 62411 1601155 0329431498 1 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1601155.The_Fire_Eaters 4.00 1 2003 4 0 false Sun Jul 29 07:08:42 -0700 2007 Thu Dec 17 02:41:12 -0800 2009 more...]]> 74526158 2840037 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 5 0 false Thu Sep 10 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Wed Oct 14 12:15:13 -0700 2009 Wed Oct 14 12:16:53 -0700 2009 1 41473887 776555 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 3 0 false Wed Dec 31 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Thu Jan 01 01:41:57 -0800 2009 Thu Jan 01 01:42:55 -0800 2009 53052446 906478 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 5 1 false Fri Apr 17 14:25:02 -0700 2009 Fri Apr 17 14:25:39 -0700 2009 52667227 945911 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 3 0 false Tue Apr 14 12:42:51 -0700 2009 Tue Apr 14 12:43:16 -0700 2009 4173499 247284 401309 0440420121 9780440420125 2 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174444922m/401309.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174444922s/401309.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/401309.The_Fire_Eaters 3.00 6
Together with his wonder-working friend, Ailsa Spink, and the fire-eating illusionist McNulty, Bobby will learn to believe in miracles that will save the people and place he loves.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2003 0 0 false Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 -0800 2005 Mon Aug 06 16:39:54 -0700 2007 Mon Aug 06 16:39:54 -0700 2007 more...]]> 54199786 2261456 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 4 0 false Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Mon Apr 27 20:23:14 -0700 2009 Mon Apr 27 20:23:44 -0700 2009 10352910 384065 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 4 0 false Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007 Wed Dec 12 20:51:22 -0800 2007 Wed Dec 12 21:33:20 -0800 2007 more...]]> 27604850 1222710 306118 0385731701 9780385731706 22 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831m/306118.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173581831s/306118.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/306118.The_Fire_Eaters 3.74 118 The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter]]> 2003 4 0 false Tue Jul 29 12:00:20 -0700 2008 Fri Jul 18 06:48:08 -0700 2008 Tue Jul 29 12:00:20 -0700 2008 8 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=306118