Checkmate (Noughts And Crosses)

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I found it really sad towards the middle where Callie's thoughts and feelings regarding Callum began to get really negative since we know Callum and all the information Callie received was based on lies and it was just really sad to read. Similarly it was so cute at the beginning when Callie was like seven or so and she had such a positive outlook on the world and believed positive things about Callum. However, this is a useful tale about radicalisation and grooming. I feel like maybe if more children read this series, they might understand how to be more aware of potential groomers in their own lives and be able to protect themselves accordingly. That might be a reach, but an awareness is better than nothing. In addition, I still wonder if this series should be mandatory for law enforcement or anyone in a position of power to read. Or even parents; to them, though, maybe it just becomes another “love conquers all”-type tale. Either way, important moral lessons can be digested from this content. Sixteen years have passed since Sephy Hadley first met Callum McGregor. For Callie Rose, growing up mixed race in a world where bitter prejudice divides Noughts and Crosses has meant she’s an outsider wherever she turns.

In 2008 Malorie received an OBE for her services to children's literature, and between 2013 and 2015 she was the Children's Laureate. Most recently, Malorie wrote for the Doctor Who series on BBC One, and the fifth novel in her Noughts & Crosses series, Crossfire, is published by Penguin Random House Children's. Exhibit A - Some examples of similes used were 'my heart dropped like a fossilised poo' and 'a heart as soft as yoghurt'. Please? Although I don't think Jude's actions are justified as there is nothing in the world that justifies terrorism, I find it really unfortunate that he ended up in his current position due to such strong injustices in his from such a young age. His whole hatred towards the way things were stemmed from him not being able to continue getting his education after getting a glimpse of it and loving it more than anything while he had it. It's like if you deny a human his basic human rights, how can you expect him to have any humanity left? It makes sense now as well of the little bits of Jude's resentment towards Callum in the first book for taking school for granted. I really wished Jude would be redeemed in some tiny form at least... I suppose he was slightly in the sense that he finally realised that Cara Imega was his ultimate love, despite being a cross. He realised that he could and in fact did love a cross for who she was and her being a cross didn't contribute to her personally. It's what's inside that matters as some clever person once said.

Her mother and father wanted her to experience all the advantages they never had; a quality she reflected in the characters of Callum and Sephy, who see their child Callie as a symbol of Albion’s potential. “They pour all their hopes for the future into Callie, which is what I think my mum and dad did. Their thing was all about education, education, education. It was the key to open any door. And I still believe that. We wouldn’t be having this conversation if it hadn’t been for my love of books when I was a child.” Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments This book continues with the structure of alternating viewpoints, this time with Sephy and her daughter Callie Rose as the main ones, although it doesn't come across as quite as bitty as before perhaps because the alternative viewpoints of Jasmine, Sephy's mother, Meggie, mother of Callum (deceased father of Sephy's child) and Jude, the embittered surviving child of Meggie, are much more "meaty" and central to the book than in the last one. But soon Callie is caught in a trap she can't get out of - one which will have deadly consequences. It can get wearing, however. “Sometimes I just feel really tired. Because it does feel like you’re fighting the same battles over and over. I’m in my late 50s and I’m still having the same conversations I had in my teens and 20s. How much patience do you have to have?”

No, Anna,' said the General evenly. 'This isn't a dictatorship. If Jon or anyone else for that matter has something to say then I encourage them to say it. I hope each of you feels able to express your ideas and voice your concerns to me at any time. I value your input.' The General turned to face Jon directly. 'It's better that you don't know, Jon. You're a valued member of my council and I know you and everyone else here would rather die than betray your brothers and sisters in the L.M., but what I have in mind will make every one of us fugitives for the rest of our lives. The Secret Service will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to hunt us down. Only two people will be involved in the job I have in mind, myself and one other. And it'll be carried out on that basis.' But remember this if nothing else: I love you more than there are words or stars. I love you more than there are thoughts and feelings. I love you more than there are seconds or moments gone or to come. I love you.”The dialogue tended towards sappy a lot of the time. In real life people simply don't sit around philosophising and having long conversations where they manage to say NOTHING AT ALL in several hours. The bits with Sephy and Callie in the cellar were so drawn out.

These are increasingly important books to be read by all – particularly in view of the current political climate and the ever more disturbing rise in the so-called ‘alt right’ / white supremacist groups in certain parts of the world. The ‘Noughts & Crosses’ series provides us with an explicit flip and twist on both the history and current political and cultural demographic of British society – where racial politics is turned on its head and power structures are completely reversed. Exhibit C - If you're going to write a book in first person jumping around characters, they need to have an individual voice. They all sound so logical and perfect, especially Sephy's 'mother' voice. She sounds like a generic maternal character who would get about 5 speech lines in a book; she's meant to be the main character.

Or if we can’t blame the main opposition, find a new scapegoat – a section of society with no power, no voice. Blame the travellers or the noughts or the immigrants. Cheap, gutter politics to appeal to the lowest common denominator.” The General watched as his Liberation Militia commanders took their places around the imposing mahogany dining table. He studied each of them in turn. Years of self-discipline honed from childhood made it easy for him to keep his expression neutral. Six men and three women finally settled and looked at him in respectful anticipation. Most of those around the table were older than the General who, though in his late thirties, was the youngest leader the L.M. had ever had. You have the same smile, the same shaped eyes, the same way of tilting your head to listen, the same stubborn streak, the same common sense. Lots of things about you and him are the same.” LoveReading4Kids exists because books change lives, and buying books through LoveReading4Kids means you get to change the lives of future generations, with 25% of the cover price donated to schools in need. Join our community to get personalised book suggestions, extracts straight to your inbox, 10% off RRPs, and to change children’s lives. a été difficile de reprendre la lecture de cette saga, je m'attendais au pire. Ça a été presque ça.