This is an exclusive review of "The au pair" by Stephen Speight. It's a thin 1979 "reader" (German: Lesebuch or Zusatzlesestoff) from Schroedel, 48 pages including vocabulary, questions, newspaper snippets and some few, large illustrations by Gunnar Schmidt. Part of series "A". Probably not made into a TV series (however there's a German au pair Helga in Speak Out.) The readers are for "additional reading" = optional use with the regular school books "Let's Learn English" I haven't found any infos about the early readers online.
1. Meet the Family
German Girl Petra, ~18 yo from Essen (pictured on cover, photo by Lord Snowdon) going to Oxford by train visiting the Jenkins' as au pair girl. Host dad picked her up, then introduction and dining with host mom.
2. Keep her away from the river...
Petra going out with the 3 yo toddler girl in a buggy near the river. She rescued a man falling from a boat into the river. The toddler rolled into the river as well.
3. A free afternoon
Coming home late from a pub, when washing up the dishes, she met Mark (woke him up), the Jenkins' son, about her age.
4. The Party
Petra and other teens having a party. Mark tried to kiss her but she didn't want that.
5. The runaway
Mark bought a white dress for her. She hesitated and wanted him to return it but tried it on upstairs. In the mirror she liked it and went down to him. He invited her to a party, but she didn't want to. She ran upstairs, looked the door, but he broke it open and then she ran away.
6. London
She hitchhiked to London and later slept at a hostel. Her money was stolen. She befriends with a girl.
7. Happy Campers?
She joined Jackie working hard at a holiday camp as waitresses. She befriends with a young boy (Dennis aka Snotty) and bought him cigarettes. They are cought by the dad of the boy (see illustration) and she's fired. She felt sick and is pregnant.
8. The sons of gentlemen
She hitchhiked to Mark's school near Wales and told him during sports that she'll have a baby from him.
9. An ending - or a beginning
In Germany, her parents reactions differed. Mark came for a visit. Both have new jobs. Open end. But probably they'll marry.
Level is not mentioned. 9th grade, especially with that plot. Obviously a typical plot from this author. In "The Runaway" there's also a pregnant girl who ran away. In the TV series "Moving to Marlborough" there's also a teen girl who didn't like a boy (not pregnant and runaway is the teen brother). Interesting cover photo. The girl looks androgynous and could be a 70s boy. The sudden pregnacy is not explained as previously it always says that she didn't like him and no intimacy was told.
The plot is weak, also the long chapter in the camp. At least there are some controversial points for discussion.
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