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Two schools, one in Ireland and one in England, have decided to set up a pen-pal programme between their pupils. Luke is hoping to get an English boy to write to, but instead he gets stuck with Elma, who would prefer an Irish girl as her penpal. Reluctantly, the two begin their correspondence. Life is not going well for either Luke or Elma, so they invent new, more glamorous lives for themselves in their letters, little realising how similar their true lives actually are. However, when things take a turn for the worse, Elma has no one to confide in except Luke. He offers some useful advice and in turn tells the truth about his life and family. Together they realise that things are beginning to look up...
- GenresContemporaryChildrens
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 13, 2018
I don’t understand why children’s books like this one are not more widely read or don’t receive the attention they deserve. That being said, this book reminded me of
You’ve Got Mail
.
Two teachers from two different countries, who happen to be friends, decide to start a pen-pal trend among their students to make them realize the worth of letters. That’s how eleven-year-olds Luke Mitchell and Elma Davey start writing letters to each other all the way from Ireland to England. At first, it was all lies and made-up stuff. Stories they told each other of how their lives were perfect, stories they said to themselves to make them feel better about their own harsh realities. Until they realize that their lives are pretty similar - that they have no one else to confide to - other than each other.
I really loved the concept of the book and adored how the authors brought the book to life. Luke and Elma seem like real persons with real problems. They are eleven year olds, true. But they feel like real living persons trying to pretend their life is better than what it actually is.
It was refreshing to see them bond through the letters, even if they were lies. The way they made a little ritual of sticking their stamps upside-down just to see if the other would notice, how they sent Christmas cards they didn’t actually mean to send, and how they help each other and bring about big changes in their lives. . It was adorable and heart-warming – made me smile all along.
I really loved Luke’s character; he seemed way too old for someone his age. That guy works each day and weekends, earns 50 euros every week, and buys his mom a washing machine for Christmas! Way to go boy! Elma had her share of problems too, but I wasn’t very impressed with her way of dealing with them. And in the end, she felt a bit arrogant, walking away with her problems solved when Luke really could have used some help.
Unlike You’ve Got Mail, this book isn’t about unions and happy endings. In the end, Luke and Elma are just pen pals, both from different countries, both with their share of problems, both trying to get through with life. And that’s what makes it even more realistic and good. I was satisfied, to say the least.
This book isn’t another romance where penpals meet in real life and stick together life-long. This is simply a story of two kids striving with their lives. You just need something like this when you think your life is hard. It reminds you that no matter how bad your problems are, there are people who are having it worse. It’s simple, humble and yet hopeful.
Two teachers from two different countries, who happen to be friends, decide to start a pen-pal trend among their students to make them realize the worth of letters. That’s how eleven-year-olds Luke Mitchell and Elma Davey start writing letters to each other all the way from Ireland to England. At first, it was all lies and made-up stuff. Stories they told each other of how their lives were perfect, stories they said to themselves to make them feel better about their own harsh realities. Until they realize that their lives are pretty similar - that they have no one else to confide to - other than each other.
I really loved the concept of the book and adored how the authors brought the book to life. Luke and Elma seem like real persons with real problems. They are eleven year olds, true. But they feel like real living persons trying to pretend their life is better than what it actually is.
It was refreshing to see them bond through the letters, even if they were lies. The way they made a little ritual of sticking their stamps upside-down just to see if the other would notice, how they sent Christmas cards they didn’t actually mean to send, and how they help each other and bring about big changes in their lives. . It was adorable and heart-warming – made me smile all along.
I really loved Luke’s character; he seemed way too old for someone his age. That guy works each day and weekends, earns 50 euros every week, and buys his mom a washing machine for Christmas! Way to go boy! Elma had her share of problems too, but I wasn’t very impressed with her way of dealing with them. And in the end, she felt a bit arrogant, walking away with her problems solved when Luke really could have used some help.
Unlike You’ve Got Mail, this book isn’t about unions and happy endings. In the end, Luke and Elma are just pen pals, both from different countries, both with their share of problems, both trying to get through with life. And that’s what makes it even more realistic and good. I was satisfied, to say the least.
This book isn’t another romance where penpals meet in real life and stick together life-long. This is simply a story of two kids striving with their lives. You just need something like this when you think your life is hard. It reminds you that no matter how bad your problems are, there are people who are having it worse. It’s simple, humble and yet hopeful.
April 25, 2017
Suomeksi Ketä kiinnostaa?
Irlantilainen ja englantilainen joutuvat kirjekavereiksi koulun kautta. Kumpikin hokaa että kirjeessähän voi keksiä itselleen ihan millaisen elämän haluaa ja keksivät itselleen aika coolit elämät. Todellisuus on aivan muuta, kotiolot ovat aika kurjat kummallakin, eikä elämä ole kovin hohdokasta. He kuitenkin jatkavat kirjoittelua ja pikkuhiljaa todellisuus alkaa hiipiä kirjeisiinkin. Kummankaan isät eivät ole kunnossa ja tämä aiheuttaa kummankin elämässä kaikenlaista lisäharmia. Voiko ventovieras kirjekaveri kuitenkin auttaa? Mitä tapahtuu jos kertookin totuuden? Hyvä ja helppo kirja.
Irlantilainen ja englantilainen joutuvat kirjekavereiksi koulun kautta. Kumpikin hokaa että kirjeessähän voi keksiä itselleen ihan millaisen elämän haluaa ja keksivät itselleen aika coolit elämät. Todellisuus on aivan muuta, kotiolot ovat aika kurjat kummallakin, eikä elämä ole kovin hohdokasta. He kuitenkin jatkavat kirjoittelua ja pikkuhiljaa todellisuus alkaa hiipiä kirjeisiinkin. Kummankaan isät eivät ole kunnossa ja tämä aiheuttaa kummankin elämässä kaikenlaista lisäharmia. Voiko ventovieras kirjekaveri kuitenkin auttaa? Mitä tapahtuu jos kertookin totuuden? Hyvä ja helppo kirja.
June 6, 2009
this book is ok and also not boring
May 2, 2013
i loved this book... i love the way its from ireland and england and thats their dads had simaler accidents.....sorry for my spelling ;)
July 29, 2020
Pidän tätä ehkä enemmän lasten- kuin nuortenkirjana. Ihan jo siksikin, kun päähenkilöt on 11-12- vuotiaita.
Kirjan idea on hieno. Kahden koulun oppilaat aloittavat kirjeenvaihdon, ja Luke ja Elma päätyvät kirjekavereiksi. Molemmat luovat itselleen vale-elämän, josta kertovat toisilleen. Hauskaa tässä oli se, että molemmat tiesivät heti alusta että toinenhan valehtelee! Sitkeästi valheet kuitenkin pysyi elossa ja mukana, kunnes päästiin siihen vaiheeseen, ettei ollut muita jolle uskoutua tai kysyä neuvoa.
Tämä menee Helmet- haasteessa ainakin kohtaan 44. kirjassa on kirjeenvaihtoa, mutta myös kohtiin 10. kirja sijoittuu maahan, jossa on vähemmän asukkaita kuin Suomessa (Irlanti), 22. kirjassa on epäluotettava kertoja (koska molemmat huijaa toista minkä ehtii), 41. kirjassa laitetaan ruokaa tai leivotaan, 42. kirjassa on isovanhempia, 49. kirja on julkaistu vuonna 2020 ja 50. kirjaston henkilökunnan suosittelema kirja (minä suosittelen, nostin kirjan suositellaan- hyllyyn).
Kirjan idea on hieno. Kahden koulun oppilaat aloittavat kirjeenvaihdon, ja Luke ja Elma päätyvät kirjekavereiksi. Molemmat luovat itselleen vale-elämän, josta kertovat toisilleen. Hauskaa tässä oli se, että molemmat tiesivät heti alusta että toinenhan valehtelee! Sitkeästi valheet kuitenkin pysyi elossa ja mukana, kunnes päästiin siihen vaiheeseen, ettei ollut muita jolle uskoutua tai kysyä neuvoa.
Tämä menee Helmet- haasteessa ainakin kohtaan 44. kirjassa on kirjeenvaihtoa, mutta myös kohtiin 10. kirja sijoittuu maahan, jossa on vähemmän asukkaita kuin Suomessa (Irlanti), 22. kirjassa on epäluotettava kertoja (koska molemmat huijaa toista minkä ehtii), 41. kirjassa laitetaan ruokaa tai leivotaan, 42. kirjassa on isovanhempia, 49. kirja on julkaistu vuonna 2020 ja 50. kirjaston henkilökunnan suosittelema kirja (minä suosittelen, nostin kirjan suositellaan- hyllyyn).
September 25, 2024
I suppose this book is one of the best read of this year! I love how simple the storyline between Luke and Elma, how the two of them grew beautifully even it was started telling funny lies😅
their character developed from letters that they sent to one another, I found it amazing.
their character developed from letters that they sent to one another, I found it amazing.
December 12, 2024
Really liked this, was very heartwarming
August 17, 2015
It was a stellar read. Similar to most books based on kids,it was quite interesting to see how the two main characters,both to whom they thought would JUST be their temporary pen-pal,would have such a significant and positive impact on each other's SEEMINGLY EXTRAVAGANT life.The readers are kept entertained with the P.O.V of both Luke and Elma as they share their 'life story' with each other. The book was something that automatically draws the reader in with the title exciting the reader of what's to come and gladly,it doesn't seem to disappoint.
January 4, 2017
Nothing like a nice Children's book to relax your brain once in a while (they are very underrated).
I'm glad I've read this book because I didn't read it when I was younger. I liked both Luke and his English pen-pal (or penfriend as referred in this book) Elma. Though I liked Luke best. Wasn't he adorable and loving. A wonderful son, I tell you! Elma could be a bit impatient at times but she was mainly okay.
I loved their sarcastic letters to one another and how they could tell that the other was lying (not a spoiler). Brilliant, they were!
I'm glad I've read this book because I didn't read it when I was younger. I liked both Luke and his English pen-pal (or penfriend as referred in this book) Elma. Though I liked Luke best. Wasn't he adorable and loving. A wonderful son, I tell you! Elma could be a bit impatient at times but she was mainly okay.
I loved their sarcastic letters to one another and how they could tell that the other was lying (not a spoiler). Brilliant, they were!
July 2, 2013
it was really good. I really liked it, it lots of detail I love Judi Curtain and the other author and her really worked good together. I would defiantly recommended to all sorts of ages. I would give it a 9 out of a 10
July 30, 2015
A heartwarming novel
April 30, 2017
You had me at bookcover.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews