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Loading... Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool (2009)by Odo Hirsch
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. I found this to be a really 'nothing' book and was pleased that it was a quick read. Darius' father would have to be one of the most frustrating and stupid characters I have met in a while and I felt extremely sorry for his poor wife. With only one more book to read, I must say I have been very disappointed with the selection books that have been short-listed for the Children's Book Council of Australia's book of the year. ( ) Darius Bell is from the distinguised family of Bells, or more correctly, the Arbuthnot-Huntington-Castleton-Bells. The family has a history of great generals and nobles who were showered with gifts and grants of land and houses, such as the run down mansion that the greatly diminished Bell's currently live in. Every 25 years, the Bells are required to give the township a gift in return for living in the house or else forfit their rights to it. Gifts in the past have been grand gestures like statues and stained glass windows. Everyone in the town is very curious as to what gift this generation of Bells can afford to bestow. Frustrated at his dreamy father, Darius racks his brain to come up with an idea for a gift to salvage the family name and occupancy of the house and land. During this time a small earthquake uncovers a cave underground that gitters with what he thinks is rubies and gold. All their problems will be solved. Well, until they contact a geologist that is... A charming story that covers some wonderful concepts which include family dynamics, independence, pride and friendship. Darius loves living in his family's grand old mansion, Bell House... well, once grand old mansion. Now it is in a sad state of disrepair. Darius loves the clock tower, where he goes to think, and the echo gallery, which is so big his friends can play football in it on wet days. He loves the old stone garden house in the middle of the wood. But his family can only stay there if they present a gift to the village every 25 years. This year, at the end of the month, the gift is due but Darius's dreamy father doesn't have any money and it looks like the family may have to forfeit their home if they can't come up with something soon. What can Darius do? Notable author, Odo Hirsch gives us a fabulous story that deservedly won the Children's Book Council of Australia's award for Book of the Year: younger readers. I recommend it especially for about 8 -12 years The Bell family's ancestors were showered with honours, gifts and grants of land. In exchange, they have bestowed a Gift, once every 25 years, on the town. The Gifts have ranged from a statue to a bell tower with stained-glass windows, but now it's Darius's father's turn - and there is no money for an impressive gift. no reviews | add a review
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"The water lit up. It danced, it glinted, it gleamed. There were flashes of light everywhere, as if the expanse in front of him wasn't water, but a carpet of jewels. Darius looked questioningly at the torch in his hand. It was just a torch. He looked back at the glittering surface of the water. Then, for the first time, he glanced up." What he saw was enough to dazzle anyone. But was it really what it appeared to be? And more importantly, was it enough to get the family out of the terrible trouble they were in? If anyone was going to find out, it was Darius Bell. Suggested level: primary, intermediate. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.914Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Modern Period 1901-1999 1945-1999LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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