He has written widely about literature, films and the arts for the guardian and the daily telegraph. Said is an awardwinning author and the original author of the varjak paw series. Jalal was a long, long time ago, said mother, smoothing and grooming varjak s silverblue fur, until he wriggled away. Varjak is trying to get a dog to save his family from the scary black cats. His older brother even claims this is the reason their ownerthe contessa has stoppedvisiting them and only stays in her room. Having saved the city cats from a fate worse than death, varjak paw finds himself the elected and popular leader of a new gang a gang that supports freedom and kindness for all. Varjak paw 2003 is a novel by the british author s. He was born in lebanon in 1967, but has lived in london since he was 2 years old. I loved varjak paw because its about animals, marital arts and adventure. Once again, varjak unites with his trusted cat friends holly, tam, and cludge the dog. The fantastic writing, combined with stunning pictures will always stick with me. Sf said is one of britains best young writers and has judged the whitbread childrens book award. But varjak is forced out into the city when the sinister gentleman and his two menacing cats take over his home.
Book no 1 of the 16 cat books varjak paw is the only one in his family of noble mesopotamian blue cats whose eyes arent green and he is constantly teased and ridiculed for this reason. Jalal was a brave and courageous cat who after 100 years has left a legacy for his descendents to follow. Varjak paw varjak paw, book 1 by s f said and sf said book cover, description, publication history. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. These handwritten and typed drafts alongside an extract from the published book provide an insight into sf said s writing process. Varjak paw by sf said, dave mckean, paperback barnes.
It was said that their ancestor jalal had green eyes. Sf said is a journalist and an expert on childrens literature. He wrote his first novel, varjak paw 2003, while working as a speechwriter for the crown prince of jordan, and then as an arts journalist and film programmer. Dave mckeans illustrations have appeared in coraline and the wolves in the wall by neil gaiman. The illustrations in this book have a dark gothic quality. Varjak an outcast grew up with his parents and his siblings being told the story of jalal by his grandfather. Hes never left home, but then his grandfather tells him about the way a secret martial art for cats. Sf said sat down with jdbookgroup member olasubomi and spoke about his.
But, things are about to change as the man with the two fearsome black cats enters their lives. So in my first book, varjak paw 2003, varjak is a kitten. I asked my 10yo why he liked the varjak paw books so much, and this is what he said. In book 2, the outlaw varjak paw varjak paw has to learn the 7 parts of the way form jalal the paw, and take on the ultimate enemy, sally bones, the leader of the gangs who is out to destroy varjak.
Varjak paw meets two other cats called holly and tam. Varjak paw and the outlaw varjak paw are some of my favorite cat books right next to warriors. But against all odds, varjak paw by sf said joins the hall of fame, becoming the fourth book that my 10yo son read in daylight. A touch of magic realism lends spooky charm to said s animal fantasy. He wrote his first novel, varjak paw 2003, while working as a speechwriter for the crown. The outlaw varjak paw by sf said is a middlegrade actionadventure set in the world of city cats. Now varjak must use the way to survive in a city full of dangerous dogs, cat gangs, and strangest of all, the mysterious vanishings.
Hello sf said, im fuchsia and i have already read varjak paw and have just started the outlaw varjak paw i would love to know when the third book is coming. Varjak paw sf said book, teaching resources, story. Varjak paw is a mesopotamian blue, who loves the elder paws tales of jalal, the ancient mesopotamian blue who brought the paws to the contessas home, where the family have lived for generations, rarely leaving the comforts of the house. Sf said sat down with jdbookgroup member olasubomi and spoke about his writing habits, his favourite books and why he loves cats so. But will the pressure take its toll on this brave but. Varjak paw is a story about a wonderful cat a mesopotamian blue a breed the author sf said invented. Said, 9780552572293, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Barely out of kittenhood, varjak paw is a feline aristocrata purebred mesopotamian bluebut his odd eyes and restless nature dont fit in with his pampered family. Varjak paw kindle edition by said, sf, mckean, dave. It would kind of be cool if you did a varjak paw adventure series. When i look at varjak paw now, i think theres no way i could have made that story better. We havent read the second varjak book yet, the outlaw varjak paw, but we would really love to read it. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your.
With wonderful integrated illustrations from acclaimed comic book artist dave mckean, this book will appeal to all ages. Suddenly tam vanishes into thin air and holly and varjak go to. The sequel, the outlaw varjak paw, won the bbc blue peter book of. But when two black cats kill an elder of the paw family, varjak draws on the ancient tales of jalal paw and the way an ancient martial arts practice in an effort to save his family. Varjak was staged as a play by playbox theatre, and was performed as an opera by the opera group in 2008. Buy a cheap copy of the outlaw varjak paw book by s. Jalal was a long, long time ago, said mother, smoothing and grooming varjaks silverblue fur, until he wriggled away. Varjak paw is a pampered pet cat who knows theres more to life. The outlaw varjak paw by sf said and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. His first book, varjak paw, won the smarties prize for childrens literature. The sequel,the outlaw varjak paw, won the bbc blue peter book of the year. By sf said varjak paw by sf said mesopotamian blue cat, varjak paw, has never been outside before.
The sequel, the outlaw varjak paw, won the bbc blue peter book of the year. The tales also say there are monsters outside, huge monsters called dogs, so fierce that even people fear them. The outlaw varjak paw by sf said, dave mckean nook. Anyway, jalal came to live in the contessas house for a good reason. Sf said is an incredible writer, he writes perfectly for those his books are aimed at whilst also captivating a much wider audience. Said a tale of varjak the cat, descendant of the great jalal, finding his identify in the big world. The threat from a sinister gentleman and his uncanny black cats inspires varjak to emulate his mythic ancestor jalal paw and escape their. Ages 8 to 12 i was raised on dog books, with their themes of love and loyalty between dog and.
Upon the sudden death of the contessa, varjak decides to seek help against the suspicious gentleman, who has come to rob the family of their home, along with his black cats. The book is full of adventure, action and mystery and is perfect for anyone who likes fiction told from an. Said was born in lebanon in 1967, but has lived in london since he was 2 years old. Everyone in the family had themeveryone but varjak paw. Besides, there are huge, fierce monsters outside called dogs.
When i look at varjak paw now, i think theres no way i. Sf said s first book, varjak paw, won the nestle smarties prize for childrens literature. He is a member of the mesapotamian blue family, which has resides in the contessas house for generations. His family was originally from the middle eastlike his character varjak, sf more about sf said. Varjak paw is a mesopatamion cat, who in book one lives with his family as a pet. Mesopotamian blue cat, varjak paw, has never been outside before. They rarely venture out, even into the garden, because, as mother says, the garden is a nasty, dirty place. He is soon forced to venture beyond the garden wall to save his family from the mysterious and dangerous gentleman and his two evil henchcats. This is actually the second book in the varjak paw series which i didnt realise until i was part way through. Soon the city erupts in an allout gang war as the evil sally bones attempts to control the lives of all cats. But will the pressure take its toll on this brave yet sometimes naive cat.
Having saved the city cats from a fate worse than death, varjak paw finds himself the leader of a new gang. I know many people have asked you about a 3rd varjak paw but i have an idea. Varjak paw is a purebred mesopotamian blue whose eyes are not green like the rest of his familys. In the outlaw varjak paw 2005, he is a grownup cat, and the questions he faces are grownup questions about law and justice, politics and morality.
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