Mum's Monday: Operation Eiffel Tower by Elen Caldecott

This book has been cleverly written from the children’s point of view, as they experience their parent’s separation. The book starts off at a fast pace, it introduces us to the characters in the book, but for a time I don’t where one of them will fit in in the story, as in Paul.

The storyline gives a strong, realistic look into how children can be affected, when their parent’s marriage is failing, and the mum and dad are trying to keep their problems away from their children. Sometimes this is seen, as protecting them, but, as in this book and in real life, the children can see something is obviously wrong.

The storyline is well researched, and it is a unique, good idea putting actual email form, to and from the character Paul, enhancing the story, interweaved into the chapters of the book. This shows, this is an all, up to date book, and will appeal to modern day children.

Using a realistic magazine article, is a clever way of introducing the Paris idea. it is also funny to see how the author has showed the realistic child like ‘Yuk, Gross’ reactions to some of the suggestions in the article, it is good how they get the idea, Paris is the answer they were looking for.

The jokes that are put in throughout this book are, original, droll, but amusingly funny. Another funny bit, is when, Ruby says “Gravy” instead of “Gravity”. Showing this book is realistic, childlike, and in keeping with the children’s ages, and how they would react to situations and talk. Although it is good the see the children use their initiative, they have to still stay within the law.

One interesting part, that made me think, 1. That’s silly, but 2. What an insightful question ‘If the human body is made up of 70% water, could you drown inside yourself?’ I found this both strange, thought provoking, but interesting at the same time.

When reading about the golf competition, it was so well written that, even though I was reading it, it felt like ‘Edge of your seat stuff’ like I was watching it in my mind.

This story moves at such a pace, with a lot happening, I didn’t want to put it down. The research for this book is apparent, when it is written, how a family can fall apart, and how things can go wrong and the children of the family can act up when the parent’s breakup.

Although this doesn’t always happen it gives a good indication and insight of what can happen.

The children complete their task by being very resourceful and using what they had to achieve what they did, well done them. It is also nice to see the parents realise how their breakup is affecting the children and they work together to sort it out.

The ending is a good example of how a book doesn’t always have a happy ending, as in real life, things don’t always work out as we would like, but the best outcome was achieved for everyone, so half a happy ending and half the best outcome the reader can hope for.