I decided to re-read this book recently, and although I liked this book better then the previous instalment in Tim's life, I still found myself eager to finish it because there are more things I would rather have read. Although, I loved Jacqueline Wilson growing up and this book is another fine story by her.Buried Alive is about a boy called Tim who is going on a holiday. He decides to take his friend, Biscuits, who he met on an adventure holiday (Cliffhanger - another book by Jacqueline Wilson) with him! They all set off and there is a mixture of emotions. Tim is in no way sporty and hates any activity he has to do where he moves. He likes exploring, building and seeing new things: not racing, golfing and showing off. Biscuits is in love with food and would do anything - if food comes with him. Despite Tim's horror towards all sports and activities involving exercise, his dad is forceful and makes Tim use these skills and forces Tim to do new sporty things. Whereas Tim's mum, would rather he came traipsing round the shops with her, she knows of his fear of getting things wrong and wants to protect him. The plot is good and there are a minimal amount of twists that make the story interesting. Before each chapter there is a diary entry from both Biscuits and Tim, outlining the chapter ahead. Although this could ruin things for the upcoming chapter, Jacqueline Wilson has done it very well and left people guessing and lets the diary entries just be small hints towards the upcoming events. In the book, Cliffhanger, (which is actually a prequel to this!), I was disappointed by the lack of character build there was. The characters were witty and fun, however your opinions of them were already set out for you. You hated the bad guy and you liked the good guy, because there was no other alternative interpretations you could pick up from the characters presentation. It was already laid out for you. However, in this book: you set your own opinions and Jacqueline Wilson has used more advanced techniques where someone who wants to see an alternative to the characters, is able to paint the idea in their head and follow it through throughout the book. The chapters are a lot longer and are seemingly more enjoyable, as they have more then just one plot twist embedded in every one.There is a comical feel to this book and although there are tense dramas you don't feel that the book is too silly, or that the book is forcing too much drama on you. Of course, Jacqueline has continued to use literary techniques and linguistic devices which can be useful for the classroom if you were using this book, however its silly enjoyable for people who are reading it out of sheer pleasure. Personally, the book isn't a favourite of mine. The story just isn't something that I like or would read again anytime soon. I think this is more aimed at boys, which is good because sometimes I believe that most of Jacqueline Wilson's books are girly, but maybe a boy would prefer this. Or anyone who enjoys adventure books. Younger readers would enjoy this book too. I wasn't the target audience for this book, clearly, however when I was younger I felt the same way about the book and always put it towards the back of my shelf behind every other Jacqueline Wilson book I had.
Forse non ho apprezzato in maniera significativa questo romanzo perché l'ho letto cercando libri per bambini che avessero come tema centrale il bullismo, che qui è sì presente, ma solo in maniera contingente e non approfondita. E questo non è certo un difetto in sé, solo speravo di trovare una cosa diversa, e questo mi ha un po' spiazzata.Cercando di essere più imparziale e valutare il romanzo per quello che è, devo dire che si tratta di qualcosa di molto carino e godibile: Tim, un bambino piuttosto timido e insicuro, pieno di paure e con due genitori a dir poco soffocanti, va in vacanza con la sua famiglia e il suo migliore amico, soprannominato Biscotto per la sua insaziabile fame. Sono personaggi forse un poco caricaturali, però per un bambino potrebbe essere molto facile identificarsi nelle varie paure di Tim. I due amici, arrivati nella località di villeggiatura, dovranno affrontare il classico bulletto grande, grosso e cattivo, ma anche i problemi legati alla crescita, e alla difficoltà di mantenere saldi certi rapporti nonostante i cambiamenti e le nuove relazioni.Il romanzo è condotto dalla scrittura brillante e fantasiosa della Wilson (che sono certa di aver già conosciuta da bambina, anche se non ricordo con che romanzo), una scrittura ricca di soprannomi e pagine di diario spassosissime, ma anche dotata di una certa sensibilità, grazie alla quale riesce a nascondere abilmente significati profondi e costruttivi in mezzo ad una storia leggera e assolutamente godibile.
What do You think about Buried Alive! (Adventure, #2) (1999)?
This is a story about two best friends Tim and Biscuits. They are n holidays with Tim’s family in Wales. This quiet family holiday doesn’t stay quiet for long but turns in to a ‘truly terrible’ adventure. Tim and Biscuits have to come face to face with two of the local bully boys and Tim makes friends with the enthusiastic Kelly. All of which threaten Tim and Biscuits’ friendship. Will their friendship make it through?This is a very good story. The children loved sitting and listening to this story that is why I would recommend it as book which can be read to the children in class. It is a book in which the children can related and can understand because if used in a middle KS2 class the children are the same age as Tim and Biscuits. Not only can the book but used as a book to read to the class but it can be used as a book for independent reading.
—Mairead Flannery
As it is with sequels usually, this one didn't live up to the first Tim adventure in 'Cliffhanger'.I felt dissappointed with this one, it was good, but not brilliant. It was great to see the same characters from the previous book, and that they have all gone on holiday togther again. The best bit about this book is Tim trying to win a troll for Kelly in the arcade, but she ends up winning loads for both of them. It is just a really adorable little scene.The issues I had were with the bullies. I mean I know you are not meant to like bullying chracters but I felt it was too much with them, and that actually I wanted to read about the kids adventures, not being picked on by two older, fatter children.
—Leah
This book is interesting because of the inspiring language and the way it's set out and the whole idea of it was a joy to read. I really wanted to keep reading I like how it was a sequel to the first book cliff hanger. I enjoyed ho they never knew what to do then they solved their problems. It is a wonderful book for young readers and if you haven't already you should definitely read it!!
—Brianna
