Very short twelve chapters, mostly nature writings and aimed at teenagers. A good filler between Boy and Going Solo. ( )

I picked up this book without really looking at it, thinking that it was a biography about Roald Dahl and all of his accomplishments. It wasn't until I opened the book and began reading it that I realized that it was actually a book Dahl wrote about his own youth. The book is broken down into twelve chapters, one for each month of the year, and in each of these, Dahl relives the memories of his childhood. From collecting birds' eggs in the month of March to his first independent excursion to France in August of 1933 and hunting for wild mushrooms in September, Dahl takes the reader back to a simpler time when (at least for some) life was slower and more easily able to be thoroughly enjoyed. It must be noted that this book is not for everyone-- it is not action-packed or suspenseful like a novel, nor is it full of Dahl's literary accomplishments as a typical biography might be; however, it does give the reader insight into who Dahl was as a person, even if it doesn't give a full account of all that he did during his life. I personally found this book to be quite lovely and eloquent in its own way. It is the type of treasure that most people might overlook, and while I would not recommend giving this to the kid who prefers sports to books or the one who prefers video games to the outdoors (there are other books that might be more appropriate for them), for the quiet, nature-loving child, I think that they might find that this book appreciates them, and in turn they might also be able to appreciate it. ( )

Really enjoyable, a bit acerbic, published posthumously. Nice illustrations by Quentin Blake, but sometimes his imprecise style of illustration does not fit with Dahl's precise descriptions of bird species. ( )

I just love Roald Dahl, and this look through a year in his life at the end of his life by month is a treat. Illustrations by Quentin Blake are a perfect match as always. A nice read for children and adults to share. ( )

My Year, written by Roald Dahl is a delightful read for children. It was composed during the last year of his life detailing his thoughts. It’s a non-fiction memoir with 12 chapters indicating the 12 months of the year. Each chapter is delivered in an observational style about the seasonal changes, the holidays and festivities celebrated during the months. Roald Dahl also reminisces about his childhood and adolescence. In this case, he gives the readers a glimpse of his life of some of the most electrifying events and experiences which occurred in the sequence of the months along with useful tips he’s learnt in his lifetime. For instance: he recounts his time in the military, his collection of rare artifacts, his fascination with the World Conker Championships, and how to rid your garden of moles. This book is composed of witty, humorous and bizarre stories, tips and childhood memories. Illustrations are by Quentin Blake. The watercolors and ink illustrations are soft and dreamy to give readers the sense to envisage the author’s life stories. This book is highly recommended to readers of all ages who are fans of Roald Dahl’s works. It’s definitely a superb and quick read for young children as they can relate to the reflections of Roald Dahl’s youth and be captivated by his imaginative mind. ( )