Operation Eiffel Tower
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Review
`Action packed while also dealing sensitively with [a] difficult and painful topic'
--Books for Keeps Books for Keeps Books for Keeps
`Elen Caldecott has written a light and funny story without trivialising or sensationalising a difficult subject . . . very readable'
--The Scotsman
`Perfect for Jacqueline Wilson fans'
--The Bookseller
--Books for Keeps Books for Keeps Books for Keeps
`Elen Caldecott has written a light and funny story without trivialising or sensationalising a difficult subject . . . very readable'
--The Scotsman
`Perfect for Jacqueline Wilson fans'
--The Bookseller
Review
Perfect for Jacqueline Wilson fans The Bookseller I was inspired to read Elen Caldecott's Operation Eiffel Tower when I saw her talk about it at the Edinburgh book festival and was as entranced as all the eight-to-twelves ... some scenes are funny (the children's attempted forgery is hilarious); others are poignant, particularly their visit to a B&B when they can't think what to say to their dad -- Julia Donaldson Guardian online Warm, funny and bittersweet Teach Primary
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Stories of broken marriages and unhappy families could make for difficult and unpleasant reading: it takes a sure hand and a light touch to tackle the issue without depressing the reader. Fortunately, this describes Elen Caldecott perfectly. Her books are gentle and funny, with delightful main characters everyone would like to have as their very bestest friend, but they are not escapist: dads move away, people get hurt, and however hard you pull the duvet round your ears, sometimes you just can't block out the shouting from downstairs.
Ms Caldecott has a gift, too, for observation, managing to select the single telling detail which shows how a character feels. Jack longs to see his dad, and goes to visit him at the B&B despite being forbidden to, but when he gets there he has no idea what to say or do, or even where to sit. Back home, they could simply get on with their daily activities, side by side, and enjoy the companionship, but in such unfamiliar surroundings this is no longer possible. It must be the same for many weekend dads, and goes a long way to explain why they give in to the temptation to fill the silence with treats and gifts.
The children's attempts to raise enough money to send their parents to Paris, and their desperate hope that this is all that is needed to take things back to the way they were before the arguments started, is both poignant and funny. The scene where Ruby comes up with what she considers a foolproof plan, for example, is absolutely priceless, showing as it does a small child's version of a win-win situation. Want to know what she suggests? Get the book and find out for yourselves: you'll laugh and cry, and feel your day has been improved by getting to know Jack and his family. An excellent read!
Ms Caldecott has a gift, too, for observation, managing to select the single telling detail which shows how a character feels. Jack longs to see his dad, and goes to visit him at the B&B despite being forbidden to, but when he gets there he has no idea what to say or do, or even where to sit. Back home, they could simply get on with their daily activities, side by side, and enjoy the companionship, but in such unfamiliar surroundings this is no longer possible. It must be the same for many weekend dads, and goes a long way to explain why they give in to the temptation to fill the silence with treats and gifts.
The children's attempts to raise enough money to send their parents to Paris, and their desperate hope that this is all that is needed to take things back to the way they were before the arguments started, is both poignant and funny. The scene where Ruby comes up with what she considers a foolproof plan, for example, is absolutely priceless, showing as it does a small child's version of a win-win situation. Want to know what she suggests? Get the book and find out for yourselves: you'll laugh and cry, and feel your day has been improved by getting to know Jack and his family. An excellent read!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Operation Eiffel Tower has the tag line of "Perfect for Jacqueline Wilson fans", which is great marketing but seriously off-putting for those who aren't - especially boys. My 11-year-old said he wouldn't have bought the book for himself if he'd seen that, even though he liked the title, but he chose to read it in the end because it was a gift. He said it was quite serious but fun at the same time and the characters felt very real. He liked the main character, Jack (whose viewpoint the story is told through) because he didn't just mope around but tried to do something to help his mum and dad. There are some funny moments, some sad ones, and none of it feels contrived. Go on boys - give it a go, too.
Format:Paperback
Elen Caldecott's writing displays a warmth and humour that fits nicely within a good story. This is her best work to date and the characters and touching story are charmingly brought to life for the young reader.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The trauma of divorce dealt with in a heart warming and funny story
The characters in Operation Eiffel Tower are recognisable and convincing - Elen Caldecott has created wonderful sibling relationships - capturing perfectly the swing between... Read more
Published 9 months ago by yona wiseman
Funny and original
I found this book really interesting because it portrayed family life really well. Three children are trying to make their parents fall in love again by planning what they hope... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Sukie
Funny, sweet and poignant
When Jack, Ruby and Lauren's parents decide to separate, the children try and get them back together: let Operation Eiffel Tower commence! Read more
Published 10 months ago by Bee42
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