Pepper Roux trailer

This is an animation/trailer that I made for Geraldine McCaughrean's 'The Death Defying Pepper Roux'

Holly, Year 12

The Death Defying Pepper Roux

By Geraldine McCaughrean.

Pepper Roux a fourteen year old boy, has never had a happy life. His whole live has been waiting for one day. The day he will die. When Pepper Roux was born his aunty claimed to have dreams sent from the saints that he will not live beyond his fourteenth birthday. But Pepper isn’t ready to die. In a desperate attempt to survive Pepper runs away from his family, his home and everything that he has ever had, to his fathers ship where he takes the possession of his father, as captain.

My favourite part in this book was when Pepper was Captain on his fathers’ ship as I found this a really descriptive part in the book. I also liked the way Pepper had no idea what to do! I thought Pepper was a really nice character, and cared about everyone’s feelings. McCaughrean also showed that Pepper did not have a happy life as he was always preparing to die, which for me, gave it more depth. Although I liked Pepper my favourite character was Dutchess as he was kind and really cared for everyone’s feelings! I thought the ‘sweetest’ line in the book was when Dutchess referred to Pepper as the son he never had!

Also, I thought that this book was really descriptive and interesting. However, the only problem I had with thins book is I found it quite hard to get into, although after the first little bit I didn’t want to put it down!

Overall, I really enjoyed the book as it had a great plot, great characters and great description! I would defiantly read it again and recommend it to anyone!

Jess, year 8

The Death Defying Pepper Roux

By Geraldine McCaughrean

Imagine knowing, from the very first day of your life, that you would die on your fourteenth birthday; how would you choose to live? For the first fourteen years, Paul 'Pepper' Roux is well-mannered, obedient and faith-driven. But on his fourteenth birthday, he steals a ship and runs away from his family and his fate, unwittingly unleashing his innocent, kind and naive self out into the cruel, hard world.

This endearing story is one unlike any other I've read; rarely do you find a protagonist with such an undoubted sense of good inside him.McCaughrean's craftsmanship in creating Pepper's character is admirable - he is both wonderful and deeply flawed.

The third person narrative provides juicy, detailed description, and it is constantly dipping into Pepper's young, vivid mind, which is where the true glory of this book can be found. From atop the ship's mast-head, he envisions his dreaded 'Saint Constance sculling towards him in a rowing boat.'

Although the plot is a little far-fetched (which does, admittedly, fit with the entire nature of the novel), and the language is over-complicated at times, the characterisation in this novel, of not only Pepper, but the fabulous Duchesse, the evil Roche and the sweet Yvette, far outshines its mild blemishes. This is an absolutely exquisite novel.

By Holly, Year 12