Bolton Road Spy Catches by Margaret Pearce

Bolton Road Spy Catches by Margaret Pearce starts off a little slowly for my liking but soon picks up momentum, Akin to a Famous Five novel, but much more sophisticated in terms of history and dialogue, the story is set in Victoria after the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese. A group of five children, Nancy, Mabel, Janet, Fred and Lennie have created a group to raise money for the war effort but also to track down informants and saboteurs. The story really has much more to do with the adventures of Nancy, Janet and Mabel in these efforts as Fred has nicked off with close friend Bill Owen with ideas of joining up at only thirteeen! As for Lennie, well his character is scarce. The reader is given insight into the life of ordinary families and the hardships which were endured on the home front in terms of rationing, clothing coupons, sharing housing, and just plain making do with what one has. The cooking teacher in the story really brings back memories of some of the home economics teachers I had as a child with their lack of sympathy and bullying ways. To read this book is to truly witness the life of students during the second world war, you step back in time, wear the uncomfortable and restrictive school uniforms and step into the authoritarian and suffocating school environment, and even clean the outside dunny. You ride the public transport, interact with soldiers and sailors and witness the bonds between neighbors during difficult times.

In order to read this book I had to continually cut open cojoined pages as this novel obviously wasn't cleanly cut during the publishing process. Overall, though it was an enjoyable read and I shall be keeping my eye out for more of her books.

Hitler's Daughter by Jackie French

Mark, Anna, Ben and Little Tracey have a game they play each morning as they wait for the school bus; they make up stories. This time it's Anna's turn and she has an enthralling one to tell about Hitler's daughter, a daughter only a few select people in the Third Reich know about. Mark is particularly captivated with the story and Germany's dark history. But what is reality and what is imagination? It's difficult to tell until Anna reveals some startling news at the end of her two week narration. This book skips between the two stories, the one about the lives of the bus stop friends, and the one about Heidi, the unacknowledged daughter of Adolf Hitler, story set back in World War 11 Germany. It throws up many questions, like what it would be like to be a child of someone evil?  How can someone love someone who commits terrible crimes? This novel was first published in 1999 and has sold over 100, 000 copies in Australia alone. It has also received a lot of critical acclaim in many countries and it would be great if every upper primary student had the opportunity to read this book.

Ethel & Ernest A True Story by Raymond Briggs

This is definitely a book I would recommend to all upper primary and lower secondary students. It is a graphic novel by English author and illustrator, Ronald Briggs which tells the story of his parents from their initial meeting in 1928 until their deaths in 1971. It is an engrossing and thoroughly enjoyable history capsule making reference to many significant events in British society during these years. The plot is a heartwarming progression through the lives of Ethel and Ernest with it's ups and downs, and  their joys and sorrows. When Ernest meets Ethel, she is a lady's maid with a middle class mentality and firm ideas of what is respectable. She marries Ernest, a milkman with socialist ideas and a passion for progress. Eventually they are blessed with a son, Raymond,  and live in a London suburb experiencing the Great Depression, World War II and the bombing of London, as well as the postwar advances such as the advent of television and automated household appliances. The book richly depicts London working class life and makes references to the major political developments of the 20th century. This books succeeds in making the social history personal. The illustrations can only be described as small masterpieces, which coupled with a witty and thought-provoking dialogue between two people from totally different classes makes for page turning reading. It is a tribute to ordinary folk living through quite extraordinary times.

Pilgrim by Jo Oliver

A boy's first time on the sea with his father in their boat Pilgrim is a journey of wonder, intimacy and at the same time a celebration of the legacy of  past Australian war heroes. It is primarily about a spiritual journey and the idea of arriving home safely; a father and son moment as they set out on their first fishing trip together in a boat the young boy's great grandfather (an ANZAC) built. This book was produced primarily to commemorate ANZAC day and the beautiful lino print illustrations tell it all. The young boy protagonist attempts to come to terms with his fear of the sea and is able to appreciate his new experience. This book reminds me so much of another picture book by Peter Goldthorpe called First Light, although that particular book does not have war references. 

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

This is Irish author, John Boyne's first novel for children. It is a touching story of a relationship between two boys under horrendous circumstances. The story begins in Berlin, it is 1942 and one day, the main character, Bruno returns home from school to discover that the family is moving to a new home. His father has received a promotion, however, Bruno finds their new home boring and there is really not a lot for him to do. He is confined to the immediate grounds of the house. However, he soon discovers there is many strange people housed in long huts behind a seemingly never ending fence. One day he decidesto explore this new environment and befriends a young boy named Schmuel who is living in circumstances completely different to his own. The story is told from Bruno's perspective with an air of innocence and I think that the harsh realities of the situation the two boys are in will only be appreciated by a mature reader with some knowledge of the Holocaust. This book has been made into a movie. To view the trailer click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ypMp0s5Hiw

Let the Celebrations Begin by Margaret Wild & Julie Vivas

Let the Celebrations Begin was shortlisted for the Children's Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year in 1992. A girl called Miriam and some other women are planning a special party as celebration of their liberation when the soldiers arrive. No direct mention of the concentration camp is made but older readers with background information would be quick to realize where this book is set. It is certainly not a gloomy book, in fact it is quite an uplifting one. For many Jewish people suffering at the hands of a despotic regime, hope of a better life was paramount.The fact that many Jewish people survived such unimaginable horrors should be celebrated. Wild has written more than forty books for children and she is an author well worth following. Julie Vivas of Possum Magic fame has provided the beautiful water colour illustrations which bring this poignant story to life.

The Machine Gunners by Robert Westall

Set in Garmouth in 1941 during the heavy bombing raids of the second world war, this Carnegie Medal novel focuses on Chas McGill and his friends and enemies who collect war souvenirs. Chas chances upon a fully-operational machine gun which will rival the nose-cone his morally-corrupt, arch enemy Boddser has in his possession. He and his friend Cem steal the gun from a fallen HE 111 German bomber plane; never mind the dead German pilot still inside the cockpit. Together with Audrey, Clogger, Carrot-juice and Nicky they set about building their own fortress. Fatty Hardy, the local cop, for whom the lads have absolutely no respect, suspects something is amiss and is hot on their tail trying to avert the inevitable tragedy. Throw in an injured Nazi, Rudi, who finds himself imprisioned by the gang, and you have the making of an exceptional wartime novel which offers excellent insight in the lives of families, (some of which are dysfunctional) struggling with rationing, continued bombing raids, rumours of a Nazi invasion and of course their uncontrollable offspring. Below is the first episode of the 1983 BBC television series based on the book. It is fairly true to the novel, although the end is somewhat shortened but certainly not disappointing. I read this fairly challenging novel to my first grade 6 class at Edith Creek and there are now four copies in the Little Library of Rescued Books, all with different covers. A great book to read along with friends. The author, Robert Westall born in 1915 has sadly passed away, and is one author whom I would have loved to have met. There is one precious video clip of this fascinating man on the web talking about cats and a another novel he penned called Blitzcat : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrRP-FMSv0M

The Kingdom by the Sea by Robert Westall

Harry's family are running to the shelter when the bomb hits. As the rescue team pull him alone out of the rubble, Harry realises he'll be sent off to live with moping, fussy Cousin Elsie - the last thing he needs on top of the shock of losing his family. He runs away, meeting Don, a dog who's also lost his home, on the beach. In wartime every step is full of danger. Getting a meal, sleeping in a haystack, it seems that everywhere Harry goes he finds people full of suspicion, ready to turn in a boy on his own. But Harry encounters sudden kindnesses too. A family have left a caravan open, filled with tinned food for anyone who needs shelter. They all died when a bomb hit their home, but they help Harry when he needs it most. Joining eccentric Joseph Keilty by the sea, Harry learns to scavenge along the beach and makes friends with some nearby soldiers, until once more he is driven on alone. Meet the author...see what Robert has to say about cats!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrRP-FMSv0M

Journey into War by Margaret Donaldosn

If you enjoyed Morris Gleitzman's Once and Then, I can just about guarantee that you will like this book too. It is May and France is about to fall to the German army. Ten year old Janey has been in France for two years, but now her father insists that she should return to England. In the care of Martin, the gardener, she is on her way to Dieppe when they are separated and she is stranded. She thinks of going to Quentin in search of her dad. So with a horse and a a dog for company she sets off only to discover her Dad has already left and the town is occupied by the Germans. Janey meets up with two Polish boys, also separated from loved-ones. Together, they wage their own war against the Germans. Janey is captured whilst sabotaging a truck and things take a turn for the worse.

Now by Morris Gleitzman

This novel would appeal equally to boys as to girls and moves along at a fast pace. Set in the current day, this is the final book in the series that began with Once,continued with Then and is... Now. Felix is a grandfather. He has achieved much in his life and is widely admired. He has mostly buried the painful memories of his childhood, but they resurface when his granddaughter Zelda comes to stay with him. Together they face a cataclysmic event armed only with their with gusto and love – an event that helps them achieve salvation from the past, but also brings the possibility of destruction. To listen to the first chapter click on the link below the book.

http://www.morrisgleitzman.com/books/fst_now_audio.html

Watch an interview with Morris Gleitzman discussing his books and their themes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vov8Tyephk