Product Description

From the award-winning author of "Goodnight Mister Tom" comes the classic "A Spoonful of Jam", packaged with a beautiful, fresh new cover.The war is over but Elsie is still fighting her own battles. She's bullied because she's the only scholarship pupil at the grammar school, and she has an awkward relationship with her father as he struggles to assume a normal life after fighting in the war.But when she begins working at the local theatre, Elsie discovers she can escape..."A Spoonful of Jam" is the second of The Hollis Family books, following "Cuckoo in the Nest".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47800 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
By the author of Goodnight Mr Tom, this is a heart-warming story of a young girl growing up in the immediate post-war era. For Elsie, though, the fighting isn't over. Not only does she have to cope with the indifference of her father, himself adjusting to family life after the war, she also has to run the gauntlet of a vicious bully and cope with being a scholarship girl at the local grammar school. Through her work with the local repertory theatre, Elsie's confidence slowly grows and she finds herself able to confront all her demons.

This is the rich and dramatic story of a young girl who manages to overcome many obstacles in her attempts to lead a normal life. Michelle Magorian's great strength is her ability to understand both the vulnerabilities and the strengths of her characters, and to imbue even the most distressing events with elements of humour and warmth. --Philippa Reece

Review
"'The author has a wonderful gift for hanging a richly woven tapestry around an essentially simple frame.' Times Education Supplement."

About the Author
Michelle Magorian was born in 1947 in Southsea, Portsmouth, of a Welsh mother and Irish father with an Armenian surname! Michelle spent her toddler years in Singapore and aged 7-9 in Australia. Michelle trained for the theatre at The Rose Bruford College of speech and drama in Kent from 1968 to 1969. It was while there that she started writing regularly. From 1969-1970 she was a mime student in Paris. Since then Michelle has worked in theatre, television and films and has an established reputation as a comedienne, performing in plays and musicals. Michelle also toured with her one woman mime show in Italy and England. Michelle's first novel Goodnight Mister Tom was published in the UK in 1981 and won numerous awards including the Guardian Children's Fiction Award. Michelle's other books include A Little Love Song, A Spoonful of Jam and Cuckoo in the Nest. In July 2006 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Portsmouth University.

Customer Reviews

A gentle gift of a book
This book is thoughtful and well-written. I read it on holiday, having picked it up as a last-minute impulse for an 'easy read' on the beach. It's a rites-of-passage book up to a point, but the depth within is conjured up in the author's description (running throughout the book) of just how shattering war, in this case, the Second World War, can be. Men returned as strangers to their young families; children and fathers having to get to know each other afresh, (not to mention their wives). In many cases not often understanding (or even liking) each other much. Rationing continued for approx. 7 years after this book was set and is dealt with as a skilful aside. Bullying does play an introductory part of the story, but its overall tone is one of hope, friendship and independence, in times that are hard to imagine now. If you want a gentle read, where there are really no unpleasant characters(even that pesky bully of a girl), that is well written for both children and adults to enjoy, then give this a go - it is a rare author who can satisfy most ages within one book. (I also have to disagree with a previous reviewer who stated that this book should be for readers 15+ years old+ - what nonsense - any intelligent young reader could cope with this book, if mature enough, from 10/11 years old upwards). And I shall be passing my copy on to my goddaughters - (aged 10 and 12).

Really, really Good!
I loved this book because it showed how a girl not much older then me, was able to fend off bullies, discover more about her family and find a successful refuge in the theatre. This is a gripping story, which shows how poor people cope with poverty.

Another fantastic, touching novel by Michelle Magorian
This book was great I enjoyed every minute of it from begining to end.If your my age (13) you'll probably think that it's a load of rubbish if I told you in was set shortly after the war but that's simply not true this was the best book I ever read I felt I knew the chracters and imagined I was there and if you enjoyed this book you'll enjoy 'CUCKOO IN THE NEST' which is about her brother, Ralph and his ampition to be an actor. I'm just hoping now that Michelle will bring out some more incredible books!