First and Second World War books

Next year, it will be exactly 100 years since the start of the First World War, and lots of fantastic books are already being published in recognition of this important anniversary. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be writing a few short reviews of some that I've found particularly interesting.

The Secret Message by John Townsend

This is another book in the fantastic Cold Fusion series, published by Ransom. It tells the heartbreaking story of two long lost brothers, who are eventually reunited and go off to fight together in the trenches of Belgium during the darkest days of the First World War. As always with the Cold Fusion series, the reader is made to work hard to get maximum enjoyment from the book. There are several puzzles and codes throughout the story which need to be solved. One of the decoded messages reveals a shocking twist and from that moment on, you know there is no way that the story can end happily. In fact, without wanting to give too much away the ending is truly tragic (but also strangely inspiring).

One of the features that I like most about this series is the extra information that is provided in the appendices at the end of the books, which give you a real insight in to how and why they were written. I also like the fact that they are short and pacy, being readable in a couple of sessions.

John Townsend is a thoughtful writer and has high expectations of his readers. With The Secret Message, he has written yet another extremely enjoyable story.

Recommended for Years Five, Six and Seven.

 

 

Poems from the First World War, selected by Gaby Morgan

This is the first anthology of First World War poems that I've ever read. Before reading it, I only knew of the most famous war poets, such as Wilfred Owen, Rupert Brooke and Siegfried Sassoon. Not only does this book contain work by them, it also contains the work of many other incredible poets. There are so many poems here that I absolutely love, including The Deserter by Winifred Letts, Perhaps by Vera Brittain and In Memorian by E.A. Mackintosh. For obvious reasons, a lot of them are extremely melancholy and moving, particularly those written about individual soldiers (many are published with extra information about the subject of the poem, including how they died). The wonderful cover just adds to this beautiful book.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Laurence Binyon 

 

 

 

Tony Robinson's Weird World Of Wonders-World War One

The books in Tony Robinson's Weird World of Wonders series have been a great addition to our school library over the last couple of years. The books cover different periods in history and are extremely well researched. Rather than just give a list of facts and dates, they give a much more personal view of history. In fact, one of the saddest parts of this book is when Tony Robinson talks about his own grandfather's return from the First World War. He simply took off his uniform, threw it in the fire and never the war again.

 

The major turning points of the war are listed. Did you know that towards the end of the war the British and American army had over 5000 tanks and the Germans had only 20? There is also a huge amount of information about the misery of life in the trenches. However bad you imagine it to have been, the reality was much, much worse!

 

For children with an interest in military history, this book is a perfect introduction to the horrors of the First World War.

 

Recommended for Year Five and Six.

 

 

 

A Horse Called Hero by Sam Angus

Two young children, Dodo and her brother Wolfie, are evacuated from London in 1940. They find settling in to their new life in the West Country  difficult, especially when they find out that their father has been arrested for being a deserter (someone who runs away from the army). If no witnesses can be found to support his story, he may even be executed. When Wolfie is out exploring the countryside, he fstumbles across a newborn foal whose mother has just died. He names the young horse Hero and begins to raise him. Just when it seems that life is finally starting to improve for Dodo, Wolfie and their father, Hero suddenly disappears...

 

I loved this story, absolutely loved it! It reminded me very much of some of Michael Morpurgo's best animal books. Without wanting to give too much away about the rest of the story, there are some scenes which are extremely moving, in particular one involving a drowning horse. If you enjoyed Shadow or A Medal For Leroy, two of Michael Morpurgo's more recent books, then I'm confident that you'll enjoy this too. Sam Angus has also written another book, Soldier Dog, which I am now going to hunt out and add to our classroom library.

 

Recommended for Year Five upwards.