Author: Simon Lelic
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Details: Paperback, 304 pp, £7.99
ISBN-13: 978-1444947601
The Haven is Simon Lelic’s first venture into children’s literature. I gave this book to pupils in my creative writing group and it wasn’t long before I was hit by a stream of superlatives. This didn’t stop or change once they had finished the book. They all wanted to know if there was going to be a follow up.
Most felt it was very original but if you were looking for comparisons, some when I twisted their metaphysical arms said it was a bit like the Maze Runner. They emphasised that the characters were realistic; almost three dimensional; with one or two twists in the tale.
They all thought it was something that would appeal to upper KS2 and KS3 pupils. The female reviewers definitely didn’t think this was a boy’s book only!
Robert Eves is a teacher at St John’s Green Primary School, Colchester.
Pupil reviews: ‘Attention grabbing’
The Haven is a unique and original book which I very much enjoyed and would certainly read again.
This story is about a 13-year-old, Ollie Turner, who has lost the people closest to him and finds himself in a place called The Haven. The Haven is a top secret organisation which is camouflaged into the populated city of London. Interestingly, The Haven members, who try to make the country a better place, take in Ollie. Fortunately for Ollie, he is not alone on his adventure. The main children of The Haven - Dodge, Lily, Flea, Song, Sol, Jack and Erik - use Ollie’s help to save London.
When reading The Haven, I could not put the book down because I was so intrigued in what would happen next. It has a realistic story line and I have never read anything like it before.
I have definitely enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to children aged 11 and above.
Sandra Wellahewage, Year 6
The Haven is an eye-catching and intriguing book that will hook the reader in as soon as they begin the first page. It has a front cover that will make 11-plus-year-olds grab it off the bookshelves. The concept of this story is very similar to Alex Rider and like Alex Rider puts the reader in a position that they can’t put their book down. This book is so intense that you think the main character is going to die. Children will love this book as it is all about young spies and not adults.
I would rate this book at 4.5 stars out of 5 as it is one of the best books I’ve read but there is still a tiny bit of room for improvement. Overall it is an amazing book that children will love.
Sreekar Bandaru, Year 6
The Haven is an adventure/crime story for 11-plus-year-olds written by Simon Lelic, who is a writer of thriller and crime novels for adults. He has won the Betty Trask Award and been shortlisted for both the CWA Silver Dagger and the Galaxy National Book Awards.
In the story, 13-year-old Ollie Turner is kidnapped along with his guardian Nancy who has protected him since his parents were killed in a terrorist bus attack. Somehow with Nancy’s help he makes it out...but at a cost. Scared, lost and alone, Dodge, one of the leaders of The Haven (an underground organisation run by kids for kids) takes Ollie in and suddenly transports him into a world of danger and excitement!
I really enjoyed this book. It was very enjoyable to read and had a great twist. I would definitely recommend this book to 11-14-year-olds.
Harrison Green, Year 6
The Haven is a fantastic book about a secret group called The Haven run by children. It takes children in who have nowhere else to go and they teach and look after them. All classes are taught by children. The bad thing is that they have an enemy called Maddy Sikes who steals children from gangs and keeps them in cold cramped places. She is a mad murderer.
The thing I liked about the book is the suspense and events that go on in the book. Also I liked the ideas Lelic came up with.
The thing I didn’t like about the book was that I think it went on a bit and unnecessary things happened that didn’t add to the story.
I would recommend this book to people aged 10-plus. It is very intriguing but can get quite gory and sad. This book is good for people who like a bit of drama and suspense in books.
Laia Hicks, Year 6
I liked this book because it is very attention grabbing and hooks the reader in. As well as this, when Simon Lelic describes something, it creates a clear image in the reader’s mind.
My favourite part was the twist at the end of the book. This makes a big change because it is unexpected.
The most interesting part of the book for me, when I was reading, was when Maddy Sikes had The Haven marked on the map in her office.
However, I think that Simon Lelic should add some more information on her attack dog, Bullseye.
I would suggest this book to my friends because it is packed with action. It also hooks the reader in with the first bit of the book.
Arhant Ghodeswar, Year 6
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