Junior Certificate Fiction

 

 

The Ghost of Thomas Kempe
by Penelope Lively
Thomas, the ghost of a meddling seventeenth century sorcerer, is intent on making young James Harrison, his apprentice. Margaret Moriarty chose this mischievous tale as it's a "fun" story - not too deep or meaningful! It moves along at a nice snappy pace; and the style is lively and humorous. The aim is to enjoy without being too analytical and to encourage the reading habit.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K.Rowling
Catherine Ashe chose this novel for Ordinary Level students knowing the class would enjoy the excitement, suspense and humour of the novel. They had fun comparing our school and Hogwarth re. rules, uniform, principal, teachers etc. They admired the character descriptions and loved the magic and mystery. Having finished the book, they all went together to see the film and agreed that the book was better! Yes!!!

It also served to encourage students to read more. Many went on to explore the other three books, who mightn't otherwise have read anything. The recent film productions may make teachers decide to read the next in the series, in advance of any future film.

The Psychic Edge by Patrick Devaney
This novel deals with a fourteen year old boy David, his new Black American friend, Billy, and other school kids who are bullying them and engaging in anti-social behaviour. David has discovered he has second sight and he uses his power to expose a drug ring and help solve other crimes in the town. Bullying, racism and drugs are topics in the book that lead to class discussion. We are lucky that the author (retired from Maynooth Post-Primary) will visit to answer questions and sign books.

Pat has written two other novels for young people - Rua, the Red Grouse and The Stranger and the Pooka. Rua has been read with Third Years some years ago.

Buddy by Nigel Hinton
Buddy is a young teenager whose mother has left home and he feels responsible. He is also very worried about his father's mysterious new job. Another mystery is the house in Croxley St. What is going on there?

Catherine Ashe writes that students enjoy this novel as they can easily identify with Buddy and his friends. The storyline is easily followed

These novels are chosen in an attempt to encourage reluctant readers to read. The characters are young teenagers and their problems and activities, with which the students can identify. The language and storyline are easily understood and the characters are well described.

The Cinnamon Tree by Aubrey Flegg
Gail Mangan has introduced this new publication. It is a novel based around the life of a young African girl after her leg has been amputated following a land mine accident. It was chosen to expose students to cultural diversity. Many of the events in the novel shock the children and inspire enthusiastic debate. It was fascinating to observe the students' reaction when they discovered that Yola could be married at the age of thirteen, or that she doesn't go to school and has numerous "mothers".

The style of the novel is suitably challenging. The language and use of flashbacks and location changes keeps students on their toes.
This novel comes highly recommended.

The following are
the Second Year Novels:

Twopence to Cross the Mersey
by Helen Forrester
With Second Years, writes Gerry Herbert, this text can be viewed as a refinement of the traditional Horror story with which students are more familiar via Hollywood and Hammer Productions. Pupils are asked to list the elements of "Hollywood Horror" and the text is then analysed in the light of these elements. For example, the Grotesque might be seen in charachter descriptions, buildings settings. No axe murderers here but poverty and ignorance still stalk these pages - much more insidious than Psycho!

"Now class, when we've all of this done, we might view this text as ... well may be there are a few elements of the traditional fairy story!"

The Machine Gunners by Robert Westall
A great read, writes Laurene Barry, particularly with less enthusiastic English students! Set in Northern England during the darker days of World War II, a group of young teenagers band together in their own response to the national crisis, capturing a German Pilot, a machine gun and constructing a secret fortress. This is exciting stuff, evoking the period of the war and building tension to a dramatic climax. Great characters and complex relationships, it allows solid preparation for the Junior Cert. Good also for Third year Ordinary level study.

Holes by Louis Sachar
Nicola Henry has introduced us to Holes and what proved its appeal, was the class begging to continue reading with two chapters to go and only five minutes of the class remaining. They lapped up the details of Stanley's adventure in a boys' detention centre in Camp Green Lake set against the sub-plot of the curse on Stanley's great-great grandfather. They tried their best to link both stories but Sachar manages to keep them guessing all the way to the end of this entertaining read. A success that captured their attention throughout, which is always a bonus and hopefully it encouraged a thirst for more reading.

Things Fall Apart
by Chinua Achebe
Although prescribed for the Leaving Certificate, Gail Mangan and Nicola Henry, are trying out this novel with a second and a third year class. So far both classes are relating well to the difficulties imposed by the text, and are enjoying it.