Tom Ladenburg
Book Reviews
*Note from Founder.
I got to know Tom a little when he sent me a review of my second YA book, and I was so amazed by his language (he was 11 at the time), that I contacted his school to ask a) if they would like to be added to the list of schools I was visiting to do book readings, and b) exactly how advanced Tom’s reading skills were. His English teacher replied, saying he absolutely adored books and he had a reading age of 15. All of this makes him the perfect choice for our in-house book reviewer.
Hello, my name is Tom Ladenburg. I'm coming up to thirteen now, and it seems like I'm growing out of a lot of things I now consider to be childish, yet reading remains prominently among my deepest pleasures. I simply love how a novel, poem, or extract bears no limits, and can pique any individual's interest. There's something for everyone; a non-discriminating system of an author putting pen to paper, or fingers to a keyboard, before the words bury themselves deep within the ravenous imaginations of readers. Currently, I find myself captivated by works of mythology and historical fiction, as they are crafted with a form of creativity that requires intense mastery and skill.
Through my book reviews on this site, I hope to share some of the pleasures I have experienced throughout my life, and continue to experience, guided by the gentle hand of literature.
Boy
By Roald Dahl
1984, Jonathan Cape Ltd, 176pp
Contains scenes of distress and the harming of children
5/5
✭✭✭✭✭
Reviewed by Tom Ladenburg
Boy is a book I have known about for a while, and I even started it, but didn’t finish. However, when I revisited it, I was puzzled as to why I hadn’t done so much earlier. Roald Dahl expertly employs the charm and wit seen so frequently in his other fictional works. The book is a bit like a chocolate box: when opened, the reader is treated to a divine collection of cruel punishments from headmasters, witty pranks with friends, lush holidays abroad, and high-speed car rides, all of which were characteristics of Dahl’s own childhood, Almost as a bonus, we, the audience, are provided with a behind-the-scenes glance at the inspiration for his renowned works, such as how he and his schoolmates were used to sample and review early chocolate prototypes by Cadbury, which gave him the original idea to write Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Though a fairly short book, Boy provides a delve into the breadth of a single lifetime in its earliest stages, which is an utter delight to romp through. Never before in reading an individual piece of literature have I seen a line drawn so clearly between a work of fiction and non-fiction. Truly a masterclass.
There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom
By Louis Sachar
2016, Bloomsbury Publishing,195pp
Scenes of distress
4/5
✭✭✭✭✩
Reviewed by Tom Ladenburg
This beautiful, heartfelt novel puts readers into the brutally unaware, distorted perspective of Bradley Chalkers, a rejected student, struggling with making friends and progressing in his learning.To begin with, he struggles to fit in with anyone, including his own family. He tells far-fetched lies, owning a fearless attitude, that fears no consequence. However, all of this changes with the arrival of a new school counselor. Bradley will battle with his growing anxieties, to find the capability within him to fit in with others. Since the novel is told at Bradley's level of interpretation, and intelligence, this only makes its tragic moments all the more heartbreaking. I never thought that a story told with such simplicity, could be as impactful on my thoughts and emotions as it was. Although the novel is generally a tragedy, there is a comforting amount of heartwarming, funny moments to compensate for it. Bradley’s character develops massively as the story progresses, and it’s clear that the author has put a lot of effort into sharing this journey of a childhood with the reader. Characters are bold, and built upon cleverly, and change as Bradley becomes a more vivid, happy individual. I would complain that some dilemmas are solved way too quickly to be believable, and some moments seem cliche. However, all in all, compared to what this literature offers, the mistakes seem miniscule, and the experience makes for a passionate, wholesome read.
And here is my very first review:
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾
By Sue Townsend
1982, Methuen Publishing, 259pp
Contains mild sexual references
5/5
✭✭✭✭✭
Reviewed by Tom Ladenburg
‘The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾’ is as fleshed out and gritty, as it is hilarious. Adrian feels vivid in even his goofiest moments, and the story drips with the unique atmosphere of 1980’s England. Even 38 years since it was originally published, it’s still an absolute gem for readers to devour voraciously, word by word, told cleverly in daily extracts of Adrian’s brutally honest diary. Townsend creatively juggles the reader’s emotions and attitudes towards Adrian’s actions and opinions; one second we’re weeping for his loss, the next, we’re in disapproval of his trickery. As the author, Townsend takes the concepts we as the common public are familiar with, and amplifies their hilarity massively. It’s all here: embarrassing parents, loutish bullies, flirty neighbours and dreamy sweethearts. Adrian Mole remains one of English literature’s most endearing, hilarious and beloved characters, and will certainly stay that way for generations to come.