Valley of Whispers, The - Softcover

For such a short book, theres a lot going on! A boy has to come to terms with his mothers new man while being haunted by a ghost and learning about the Aberfan disaster. In between, he builds a tree house, collects dog poo for a booby trap, and plays computer games with his best friend. Im not entirely sure who the novels target audience is the main character is nine years old, but the story feels as if it needs a slightly more mature reader to get the full weight of what is happening, and the ending is rather spiritual. Some of the descriptive writing is great. I particularly like Tomos leaving the sweetcorn in his dinner 'all over his plate like wounded men in a tomato fight'. However, overall, Im not entirely sure I bought the premise. It seems to me unlikely that a child whod grown up in Aberfan (as Tomos best friend did) would be unaware of the disaster that occurred 50 years ago. And, while the book talks often of mobile phones, computer games and current movies, the children (though only nine) are given remarkable Famous Five-like freedom in their summer holidays. Nonetheless, its a lively and speedy read. Sally Owen It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council. Gellir defnyddior adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru. -- Welsh Books Council

Having recently moved with his mother to a new area, Tomas is eager to settle down, make new friends and to explore. In an enchanting tale of innocence and discovery, he soon comes to realize that things aren't quite what they seem in the village and that the past is more than just a distant memory. A sensitive novel with the Aber-fan tragedy as its backdrop.