26 May 2012

The Rose Round – children’s fiction

I have just finished reading Meriol Trevor’s  book The Rose Round to Sophie and Gemma-Rose. They were enthralled with the story from the very first page. So was I!
The book description on Amazon doesn’t say much at all:
Young Matt Rendal’s first experience with the extraordinary inhabitants of the great crumbling house called Woodhall was terrible. What had he done to deserve being sent here?
I don’t know if I would have been enticed to buy the book from those few words. (My sister Vicky lent me her copy.) But there is a better description on the Book Depositorywebsite:
13-year old Matt is spending the holidays at the dilapidated Woodhall mansion where his spirited step-sister Caroline works as cook. In a faded rose garden Matt meets Alix, proud old Madame Ayre’s granddaughter, and is introduced to the tension-filled relationship between the embittered mother and her crippled son Theo. Matt must learn to judge character rather than appearances as Theo strives to turn the house into a home for orphans. Alix, through her willful foolishness, puts Theo’s life in danger and brings a dramatic confrontation: Christian hope versus fatal self-pride. A timeless book with a fast-paced plot and vivid characters.
 
The Rose Round is also available from Bethlehem Books.
While I was reading this book, thoughts of writing my own story set in an almost fairy-tale setting, such as the old Woodhall stately home, crossed my mind. I would like to create such interesting characters as Theo and Caro, characters readers care about. And of course I would add Catholic background details such as those found in The Rose Round: the statue of Our Lady, Mass in the chapel, the priest arriving for confession…
I am not good at writing reviews so I will stop there and just say if you are looking for a fiction book to read out loud that will be enjoyed by both mother and children, read The Rose Round.
“Is there a sequel?” asked Sophie, when we got to the last page and we still longed for more.
Unfortunately there isn’t… but I have been looking at the other Meriol Trevor books. I am going to order Sun Slower, Sun Faster. Here’s the description on Book Depository:
This is an adventurous story with a difference–it is soon after World War II, but Cecil (short for Cecilia) and her cousin, Rickie, are thrown into a series of adventures that have little to do with the England that they know. Inexplicably, they, and sometimes their eccentric and interesting tutor, Dominic, find themselves in another time-usually right in the middle of a dramatic, if not harrowing, moment. Every dip into time takes them farther back and each time they experience another chapter of the Church’s history and teachings. At once fun and frightening, these escapades into the past take on deeper and deeper significance. Each of these three Cecil, Rickie, Dominic are faced with things from their own pasts which touch deeply upon who they are in the present and who they will choose to be in the uncertain but tantalizing future. They have much to sort out, as history-especially the history of the Christian Faith-comes unexpectedly alive.
Meriol Trevor wrote a 4 book series for children The Letzenstein Chronicles.:
 
The Crystal Snowstorm  
Following the Phoenix 
Angel and Dragon
The Rose and Crown

 

 Four books? That sounds very satisfying.
Has anyone read The Letzenstein Chronicles? I’d love to hear more.

 

READ  Social Media, Hooks, Distractions, and Books

Sue Elvis

I'm an Australian blogger, podcaster, and Youtuber. I write and speak about unschooling, parenting and family life. I'm also the author of the unschooling books 'Curious Unschoolers', 'Radical Unschool Love' and ‘The Unschool Challenge’. You'll find them on Amazon!

15 Comments

  1. Hi Sue, Jacinta Woodnutt commenting here… I thoroughly recommend the Letzenstein chronicles. I read them some years ago but I remember loving them so much that I re-read them several times! I wish I had copies of them again! I think you'll really enjoy reading them out loud. Meriol Trevor is a very gifted writer. I think I may have read Sun Slower, Sun Faster, but it doesn't stand out in my memory as much. (so perhaps I either didn't read it, or it's just swamped among the memories of the many wonderful books I read during my teens!)

    • Jacinta,

      My very first visitor! And you left a comment too. Thank you. I am smiling!

      I am definitely going to order the Letzenstein Chronicles after your recommendation.I am hoping they are all available. Some of Meriol Trevor's books are out of print. I did find an online second-hand book website though…

      Thank you for sharing that. The girls are going to be delighted!

  2. Hi Sue,

    We also enjoy Meriol Trevor's books. Therese's favourite is the "Rose Round". She has just finished rereading it. (The fourth time she has read it). She is now rereading the "Letzenstein Chronicles" for the third time. Personally my favourite was "Sun Slower, Sun Faster". I borrowed a book from the library on the kings and queens of England to help me keep track of which time period they were in.

    You are most welcome to borrow them at any time

    Happy Reading

    Gerard

    • Sorry about the double comment. I thought the first one didn't work. Therese has just informed me that she has finished the chronicles today.

      Gerard

    • Gerard,

      Sometimes Blogger does strange things and comments are lost. Better two than none! It is kind of you to stop and share.

      After yours and Jacinta's recommendations I can't wait to read more of Meriol Trevor's books. Thank you for the offer to lend us the Chronicles. That is very generous of you.

      It is not often we find new books we feel very excited about. If you have any more recommendations I'd be grateful to hear about them.

      God bless!

  3. Have you read any books by Hilda von Stockum? 2 Series, The Mitchells and the Bantry Bay Series. Also JUST finished ( for young adults/adults) a Catholic Fiction novel " Joy in the Ordinary" by Theresa Fisher for 99 cents Kindle Version! Could NOT put it down…

    • Karla,

      We haven't yet read any books by Hilda von Stockum, but we want to! A local friend once wrote to Hilda about her books and received a beautiful reply. I really will have to investigate. It's a pity not all of the Bethlehem books are available as ebooks. That would make it so much easier with instant download and no postage.

      "Joy in the Ordinary"? I bought and downloaded a copy of that book the other night. I couldn't sleep and started reading blogs, and then I followed a link and before I knew it, I had a new book to read! It's amazing what one can do in the middle of a sleepless night! After your recommendation, Karla I can't wait to start reading.

  4. I got the suggestion for Joy in the Ordinary of a blog too! Except when I downloaded the book I began to read it right away. I don't have your patience, haha. It was really good, I hope that she writes more!

    Oooooo…Also, "Arms of Love" and "Surrender" by Carmen Marcoux I enjoyed them as well. I got those years ago…Catholic Fiction again, by another homeschool mom from Canada. Young Adult/Adult….novels about Courtship and Vocations. I have those in our home Library as well! Not sure if they are available on Kindle or not…

  5. Karla,

    I am going to look up the Carmen Marcoux books. I just love hearing about good books especially Catholic fiction. I am sitting in the car waiting for my daughter. She is doing a university exam, her first ever! We are actually at a small regional airport and there is nowhere to go while I wait so… I am going to start reading Joy in the Ordinary. I bet the time passes quickly!

    Thanks for visiting again!

  6. Sue, I'm surprised you haven't read any of Hilda Von Stockum's books. They are our favourite Bethlehem books and we would highly recommend them. The Carmen Marcoux novels are good but for older teens. Therese has just started them this week. I would suggest you read them first before reading with the girls.

    Again you are most welcome to borrow anytime. Let us know what you would like and we can send them.

    • Gerard,

      Hilda Von Stockum's books aren't as easy to get here in Australia as some of the other Bethlehem Books. They aren't available from the Book Depository like Meriol Trevor's books. And there aren't any e-versions. I've seen them at homeschooling camps but have never had the money at such times to buy them all! I guess I could order them from Cardinal Newman… or perhaps they'd be available at the Penrose bookshop. I have to admit I am getting used to buying my books online… just clicking into my cart and then paying by Paypal. It's so easy! We'll have to get this facility for the Cardinal Newman bookshop.

      That was a lengthy explanation while we haven't yet read the Stockum books! I am very grateful for your offer to lend us your copies. Perhaps we could get together one Sunday, enjoy each other's company and swap and talk books?

      Where did you buy your Carmen Marcoux books from?

    • Sue,
      David O and I bought them online direct from http://www.courtshipnow.com about three years ago. Therese just finished reading the first book. There are some issues in it that needed discussion with Lisa. The books are about courting and while giving a good outline of courting it also gives a look into some of the negative aspects of the dating world. It is a chance to discuss some of the issues that Therese has been sheltered from.

      We haven't been to Penrose for a while with Lisa being unwell but hope to return soon. It sounds like a good idea to talk books.

    • Gerard,

      Thank you for sharing that info about the courtship books. I found their website!

      I am sorry to hear Lisa is still unwell. We always associate going to Penrose with seeing you. I bet everyone is missing you.

      God bless!

  7. Sue,

    Lisa just reminded me that she and Therese also enjoy reading Janette Oke. She writes Christian historical romance novels. I don't know good they are because it is not my kind of genre. 🙂

    • Gerard,

      I am excited! Janette Oke's books are available as Kindle books! There have been times when I haven't been able to find many suitable fiction books. Now I have lots of recommendations to keep us all happy for a long time! Thank you.

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