When The Guns Fall Silent
by James Riordan
A hard-hitting, graphic and, at times, upsetting account of soldiers on the front line during the First World War. Nothing is held back from the 'telling it as it is' way of storytelling. You may have read fantasy and science fiction stories of monsters or zombies tearing people's limbs off and blood pumping out of wounds, and 12-yr-olds probably love that horror and gore. Yet when the same imagery is used to describe soldiers being blown to pieces, decapitated by shrapnel, or taking their own lives because they can't take the horror any more, it is far more upsetting to read. The publishers mark the book as 12 plus, but I will be careful who I'll be recommending this to. There's a section about propaganda, but it is not named as such, so if a child were to read this, they would think those things actually happened - I can't describe them here because they are too appalling.
Yet I don't want you to think that this book shouldn't be read by children. It's educational, it's shocking, you learn the difference between the soldiers on the front line eating dry biscuits and sometimes drinking rain water mixed with blood in the trenches, and the senior officers in their cosy warm cottages eating roast dinners and drinking port. The title of the book refers to Christmas Day 1914, when the German and British soldiers decide to call a day's truce, and come together to play football and shake hands on No Man's Land. They are friends one day, but enemies the next. At the start of each chapter, there is a moving poem written by war poets, for example Wilfred Owen, and these short bursts of prose add to the solemnity of the book.
The book was first published in 2000, and has been re-released ready for publication in 2014 - the centenary of the First World War. The author James Riordan died in 2012 aged 66.
Stay Where You Are & Then Leave
by John Boyne
We'll probably see an abundance of stories and biographies set during the First World War over the next year, as of course 2014 marks its centenary. Add to that the fact that there are many war stories for children on the market already. They can learn so much more by reading these books than I ever did in my boring History lessons at school. There is War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo, Soldier Dog by Sam Angus, The Silver Donkey by Sonya Hartnett, and many others. Including this one.
I love John Boyne's writing. He writes both for adults and children. You'll probably have heard of his most famous - The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which was turned into a film. 'Stay Where You Are & Then Leave' is about Alfie. On Alfie's 5th birthday, his dad signs up to fight in the First World War. His last memory of him is seeing him stride proudly into their living room in full uniform, and his mother and grandmother bursting into tears and running out the room. His mother lets him read the letters his father sends back, but after a while she begins to hide them away from him, and after that the letters seem to stop altogether. Alfie's mother tells him his father is on a secret mission and is not allowed to get in touch with them. Alfie thinks this is code for his father is dead. But then he accidentally stumbles across some information which makes it apparent his mother is holding an even bigger secret from him about his father.
This is a touching book about the innocence of a young boy trying to understand the horrors of war, about conscription, of conscientious objectors and white feathers, and of mental illnesses caused by the war which were not taken seriously during that period. A wonderful, educational read.
Look out for my next review on another book about the First World War - 'When the Guns Fall Silent'.
The Bomber Dog
by Megan Rix
This is the third in Megan Rix's animal war story series (after The Great Escape and The Victory Dogs), and her storytelling continues to be exciting, heartwarming and fascinating. In this book, we find out about the adventures of Grey, a German Shepherd dog - or Alsatian as they were known as during the war so as not to use the word 'German'. Grey is rescued as a puppy from the hands of the Germans in France by British soldiers, and taken back to Britain, where he is later discovered and cared for by Nathan, a new British army recruit. Grey's looks and talents are picked up by a Colonel in the paratroop regiment, who employs both Nathan and Grey as paratroopers, their job being dropped into enemy territory and report back on what weapons the Germans are about to use against the British. Nathan and Grey form a very close bond - both would give their lives for each other, so when their first jump into France ends in disaster and they are separated, neither will give up the search for the other.
If you like animal war stories, then also try War Horse or Shadow, both by Michael Morpurgo, and Soldier Dog by Sam Angus.
How I Live Now
by Meg Rosoff
I first read this book when it was published about 8 years ago, and instantly became a Meg Rosoff fan. I then read Just In Case, What I Was, There Is No Dog, and have been lucky to read an advance copy of Picture Me Gone (published 5th September 2013). I loved them all. There is now a film coming out of How I Live Now (release date at the moment October 2013), so I thought it was time to re-read the book.
Well, it was better than I remembered. American teenager Daisy is sent to live with her cousins in England. She is quite happy with this, as her dad has married devil woman Davina (Daisy's mother died giving birth to Daisy), and they are expecting their own baby. Her dad seems to want her out the way so he can start a new life with his new family - at least that is how Daisy tells it. We also learn that Daisy has an eating disorder and has seen many a psychiatrist while growing up in America.
As soon as she arrives in England and is met by her cigarette-smoking young teenage cousin Edmond (well, one of the cousins, there are four of them in the family), she knows that she has found a new home. Her Aunt Penn flies off to Oslo on a mission of world peace, and leaves the cousins alone. The days are fun-filled, relaxing and hugely enjoyable. Even more so as Daisy finds she has a real connection with Edmond, and they fall in love. This is not to last however as war breaks out in England. Airports are closed down so Aunty Penn can't return home and Daisy can't get back to America. Soldiers take over the cousins' farm, and the girls are separated from the boys. So begins a tale of survival and heartache for Daisy as she struggles to look after her younger cousin in a country torn apart by war, and tries to be reunited with the rest of the cousins - especially Edmond.
The story is told from Daisy's viewpoint and is full of emotion, humour, anxiety and fear. There are no direct quotes - all conversations are recorded indirectly. This is how the whole book is and I wonder how this will translate onto the screen. I hope it works. A heartbreakingly wonderful story.
Soldier Dog
by Sam Angus
Definitely an older read than The Great Escape (see above), both verbally and emotionally. This is the heart-wrenching story of young Stanley. He lies about his age to join the army and serve in the First World War to escape his mean father, but also to seek out his older brother Tom who is also a soldier. He trains as a dog-handler, and the dogs are used as messengers between dug out posts and the front line. Dogs are trained to run through bomb blasts and gunfire without flinching to return back to their trainer owner - even if their life depends upon it.
A real tear-jerker of a story, with one use of bad language.
The Victory Dogs
by Megan Rix
From the author of The Great Escape (see my review) comes another beautiful story set in London during the Second World War.
Jack and Amy are the proud owners of 6-yr old collie Misty. Jack is preparing to go off to fight in the war and asks Amy to look after Misty for him. However, bombs start falling on London and Misty runs off frightened. She is also pregnant, due to give birth any minute. She is knocked over by a car and badly injured, but manages to find a safe hiding place in an underground station, where she befriends a cat called Sheba. The puppies are born and Sheba helps Misty look after them, as Misty's wounds are making her poorly and frail. Will the puppies survive war torn London, and will Amy manage to find them in time?
Yet again, another educational, moving story told with sensitivity and warmth. Megan's next book, The Bomber Dog, is out August 2013.
The Great Escape
by Megan Rix
Set during the start of World War II, the story follows the adventures of Buster (a Jack Russell), Rose (a collie) and Tiger (a ginger tomcat) as they escape the trauma of being put down and start a long journey from London to Devon, in search of their owners - 2 children called Lucy and Robert, who have been sent as evacuees to live with their grandmother.
An absolutely brilliant read, with many facts about the war which will be very educational for the 9-12yr olds. For fans of Michael Morpurgo.
Megan now has another book out with a similar war theme - The Victory Dogs.
The Absolutist
by John Boyne
Written by the author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, this is another war story, but this time the First World War. Tristan Sadler feels he has something wrong with him because he has different feelings from other men. He commits an act which finds him cut off from his family and best friend. He lies about his age and enters the Army at age 17, with the last words his father uttered to him ringing in his ears - "I hope you get shot by the Germans". He befriends Will and they form a very close bond, but Will's feelings towards Tristan and the war itself change, with devastating results. We discover the events as Tristan tells them to Will's sister after the war has ended.
Another emotional story from John Boyne about the dramatic and life-changing events of the time, both for the servicemen and civilians.
The Messenger Bird
by Ruth Eastham
Nathan's dad works for the Ministry of Defence. One evening, he is abruptly arrested and charged under the Official Secrets Act. Nathan, his sister Hannah and their mum all know he is innocent, and so Nathan tries to find evidence to prove it. Following clues left by his father and by Lily Kenley, a young lady who worked at Bletchley Park during the Second World War using the Enigma decoding machine, and who used to live in Nathan's house, Nathan and his best friends Josh and Sasha throw themselves into danger and risk their lives to help prove his dad's innocence.
