Code Name Verity

[Elizabeth]

I am finding this book a bit of a struggle. I really want to enjoy it but it's slow. It could be that I do not have time to read it for any length of time but that could also be because I am not wanting to come back to it often.

[Elizabeth]

I'm getting through it. I have decided that I must finish it and am beginning to like the characters more. I think there is more to them than I first thought. It is an interesting topic.

[Anna]

My older readers have liked it.

[Zara]

I am slightly fanatical about history (Abigael can confirm this), so this might be why I liked it so much. It was the perspective of two women on the front line that was so unusual and fascinating for me.

[Ela]

I ought his before it was short listed and I've heard so many good things about it so I'm saving till last :D

[Anna]

It will be one of my last 2 I think as it seems to be for older ones.

[Elizabeth]

I take it all back! I loved the ending of this book. Very moving. There was so much more to this book than I was reading at the beginning. Once you have all read it let me know what you think.

[Zara]

I'm so glad you liked it!

[Anna]

I've been swamped this week so my aim of reading one per week has faltered. Still need to read Verity and In Darkenss. How are you all doing?

[Zara]

I'm half way through my last book on the Carnegie shortlist - In Darkness. Enjoying it so far if enjoying it is the right word, it's fairly grim. It's been quite a good, if not mind-blowing shortlist.

[Anna]

Perhaps we should rename it the Grimlist This year!

[Elizabeth]

Hi Anne, Glad I was not the only one! I too felt I really should enjoy this book but found it really slow. I did enjoy the ending though and did wonder if I read it again would knowing the ending make me like it more?

[Zara]

Wow, it really looks like the winner will be a complete surprise. Whichever book does win some people will be overjoyed and others hopping mad!

[Anna]

This is a fabulous book. I agree the beginning is somewhat odd. I didn't warm to it at all for the first 150 or so pages. Something felt 'off' and there was so much technical detail that I didn't really engage with it. It was hard to work out where it was going. That changes - and the reason it feels odd becomes clearer as the book progresses.

Having said this I am somewhat perplexed about why this is on a children's book list. It is a complex book - often disturbing and all the characters are adult. I really really imagine anyone under 14 engaging with it.

[Zara]

A lot of the books are like that this year though - I wouldn't recommend Maggot Moon or In Darkness to anyone under 14 either.

[Anna]

I'd agree with In Darkness though I thought Out of Shadows was worse. Maggot Moon I think does work as a dystopian teen novel though not all yr 7 would go for it. Actually I think it is quite a balanced list my 10 year old has read 3 short listed books and my 16 yr old has enjoyed most of them though in different ways and been challenged by CNV and ID.

My yr 7 are mainly steering clear of ID and CNV but have found 4 or so they are happy with.

[Abigael]

While the books I've read, (sadly only two), seem quite adult, I can't help but think that I accidently chose the two most obscure books - In Darkness and Codename Verity. I am now starting to warm to Code Name Verity, but in the course of reading it I have read about three non-Carnegie books; this while strugglingto find time to read. Tell me the other books get better...

[Anna]

You need to get to the second narrative in Code Name Verity before you give up on it. You'll know when you hit it.

IN and CCNV are the two most challenging reads. It depends on what you are after. The Weight of Water is good and very fast to read. A Boy and a Bear has great illustrations to keep you going through a narrative where very little happens. Maggot Moon is excellent and an easier read though dark. Midwinterblood is more like a series of short stories. Wonder is a feel good book and personally I found Greyhound tedious.

Hope that helps.

[Karen]

Agree with Anna, keep going until the second narrative - my personal favourite!

[Elizabeth]

Hi Abigail, you should definitely finish is as the end is amazing. I too really did not enjoy the first half and could not see what everyone was raving about. I think this will be a book that I will want to read again as I don't think I 'got' it the first time.

[Ela]

I thought the first narrative was very good, but I wasn't wildly engaged. The second narrative was fantastic though. This is my winner this year.

[[deleted user]]

I definitely agree the end was better than the beginning. I don't know if its my favourite to win as I don't think younger readers would like the beginning. I'm really glad I read it as there is more to it than meets the eye. I will be posting a review soon :)

[Anna]

Looking forward to your review Jasmine. I don't think readers under 12/13 would get it at all that's the trouble with this list this year. I'm not sure older readers would find Wonder engaging.

[Ela]

There is quite a split of ages between the books this year.

[[deleted user]]

Review has been posted :) enjoy

[Anna]

Interesting point about the audio book Jasmine. How many voices did it have?

[Anna]

I've just read that Code Name Verity won the YA category in the Edgar Award 2013. See link for details http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html