Wink, Murder

Mary is reluctantly leaving Bletchley Park, following orders which take her to Bedford and top-secret lessons in Japanese. The only girl in the group, she finds herself befriended by her American study partner, Spencer. Suddenly summoned back to Bletchley, Mary finds herself heading off on assignment to London where she is to pose as a waitress and listen in on the conversations of prisoners dining at the Ritz Hotel. To her surprise, Spencer has also been posted on this assignment and the two work together on the case. But odd things constantly remind Mary that she should ‘Trust no one’, making her question everyone…

This is the third ‘Bletchley Park Mystery’ which features friends, Robyn, Ned and Mary and their experiences whilst based at Bletchley Park during WWII. They are cracking stories, full of excitement and adventure and historical detail. This book focuses on Mary, a mixed-race girl from Liverpool and is just as excellent as the first two.

There are so many elements to this book, all skilfully combined to create a really fascinating story. Not only does it offer a look at the world of espionage, its technology and agents, during the second world war, but it is very rich in background information about life at this time. Mary is caught on a bus during a bomb raid and she helps out with the WVS (The Women's Voluntary Service), allowing the reader to learn more about these things. The book also does not shy away from the racism and sexism she experiences, nor from the way immigrants were treated.

‘Wink, Murder’ would make an excellent class text, either for a thoroughly enjoyable class read or an equally enjoyable focus book to use to support learning about WWII. Additional notes at the end of the book support understanding of some of the elements in the story with plenty of links to enable those interested to explore further. Readers are sure to be inspired to visit Bletchley Park which is truly fascinating. I really hope there are more ‘Bletchley Park Mystery’ books still to come as each one is even better than the last!

Wink, Murder: A Bletchley Park Mystery

Rhian Tracey

Piccadilly Press ISBN: 978-1800789593

You can read about my visit to Bletchley Park here.

The House on the Canal

In the middle of Amsterdam, by the canal, stands a tall, narrow building. Over the years, this house has been used for many purposes and seen many residents, including those hiding from persecution. Today, it is known as the Anne Frank Haus.

‘The House on the Canal’ is a powerful gem of a book which charts the changing fortunes of a house over about 400 years. The diversity of its occupants and uses over the years is fascinating in itself, but this is also the house which sheltered Anne Frank, her family and others whilst they hid from persecution. Anne and her family are not named- ‘a tall man in a fine suit’ rented the house and his daughter was ‘a young girl with a sweet smile’- although notes at the beginning and end of the book make it clear that this is their story as much as that of the house.

The illustrations perfectly breathe life into the changing face of the house and its inhabitants as the text tells of its fortunes and their lives. Ethereal and atmospheric, they greatly contribute to the poignancy of the house’s history and give a sense of the layers and mysteries of history. Dates are given, allowing the reader to follow the chronology of events and further details are given at the end of the book, adding to the information given in the story.

The book obviously is an excellent addition to any collection supporting learning about Anne Frank and her family as well as introducing them to the Anne Frank House, perhaps inspiring a desire to visit this very special place. However, it also offers the opportunity to look at buildings in the locality and perhaps trace their history and that of those who pass through their doors. ‘The House on the Canal’ is a very moving, beautifully presented celebration of one house’s history, ‘the old house on the canal’ visited today by so many people from all over the world.

The House on the Canal: The story of the house that hid Anne Frank

Thomas Harding, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup

Walker Books ISBN:978-1529520323

Blitz: One Family’s War

Martin Impey is well known to teachers for the wonderful series about Ben and his best friend, Ray, and their wartime experiences which he created with Hilary Robinson. The richly detailed illustrations combined with the accessible text makes them perfect for sharing with children and deepening their knowledge and understanding of events during WWI. In ‘A Song for Will and the Lost Gardeners of Heligan’, the same team worked their magic once more, creating a book based on the true story of the gardeners of Heligan who went to fight in Great War. In ‘Blitz’, Martin has created another masterpiece of illustration and storytelling which is not only a compelling read, but also a real gift to anyone teaching this period of history.

Inspired by his childhood stories, Martin has created a powerful, engaging and brilliant book which reflects the level of precise, careful research Martin brings to all his work. Through the experiences of the family living at number 2, Dane Street in Bow, readers get a real sense of how their lives changed from before the war to the point at which two of the children are evacuated. A sense of immediacy is created, allowing readers to share their hopes and fears as they continue their daily lives amid the chaos and uncertainty of the Blitz.

I have no wish to imply that this is not a book for families to share and discuss nor for independent readers to thoroughly enjoy; however, as a teacher, it is impossible not to see the incredible value of a text like this in breathing life into lessons. At a time when much of the creativity and inspiration sadly seems to be being leached from the school day, books like this are essential!

There are many points at which role play, hot seating, freeze framing and other drama techniques could be used to explore the thoughts and feelings of those in the story, developing empathy, comprehension, prediction and perhaps leading to children creating narratives from different viewpoints. There are opportunities for writing diary entries, letters and poems as well as various types of factual writing, many inspired by Martin’s amazing illustrations. The book also lends itself to historical research techniques and using first and second hand sources.

There are so many details to notice in the illustrations which may lead children to pose questions for further investigation: Why is the train taking evacuees labelled ‘Pied Piper’? Is there really a road called ‘Sugar Loaf Walk’? Did people really spot unexploded bombs? Natural curiosity might lead to much additional discovery.

Evocative storytelling and stunning illustrations combine to make ‘Blitz’ an incredibly special book- and I can’t wait for the story to continue in ‘Evacuees’.

Blitz: One Family’s War

Martin Impey

Harbour Moon Publishing ISBN: 978-1916062535

You can read my review of ‘A Song for Will’ here, the Ben and Ray books here and ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ here.

Blog Tour: Shadow Creatures

I am delighted to be taking part in the Blog Tour for ‘Shadow Creatures’, the latest novel by Chris Vick, whose books are both inspiring and enjoyable.

When visiting her family in Norway, Georgy persuades her grandmother, Tove, and Great-Aunt Liva to tell her about Agna, an old woman, who Georgy saw in the woods. What was initially a ploy to avoid doing the dishes develops into a fascinating story of their youth and the horrifying experience of life under the occupation of the Nazis.

My very simplistic synopsis does nothing to capture the essence of this amazing story, but I didn’t want to fall into the trap of retelling the entire plot! ‘Shadow Creatures’ is a very powerful, compelling book, inspired by family history and incredible people.

Set in occupied Norway during World War II, the action is told as a duel narrative which moves between sisters, Tove and Liva. Fjernoy, a magical island special to the villagers, is turned into a desolate prisoner of war camp and many are forced to work there, seeing first hand the harsh treatment of those held prisoner. In the face of such evil, each individual has to decide what acts of resistance they are prepared to make and how they can balance their own and their loved ones safety with following their conscience. Each viewpoint is skilfully explored with the emotions and experiences of different character being vividly conveyed, filling the reader with great empathy and leaving them wondering how they might have acted if put in this position.

‘Shadow Creatures’ also celebrates Norwegian folklore as the sisters take inspiration from the Huldrefolk, the hidden people- nisse, nixie, huldra, trolls- who act in the shadows to cause mischief and bring trouble to those who cross them. Since reading ‘Shadow Creatures’, I have been hunting for books of Norwegian folklore and am determinedly planning a holiday…

Listening to family, valuing their memories, sharing family history and explaining the importance of family mementos- realising that older people were once young and lived fascinating (or very ordinary!) lives- is something which can be left until it is too late, but through his work, Chris Vick reminds the reader of the importance of sharing time and listening to family around us. Without the incredible memories and experiences of his family, this wonderful novel would not have been written- and that would have been a great loss.

Right and wrong, good and evil- sometimes these things are not as simple as they seem and decisions we make can be complex and have far reaching consequences. ‘Shadow Creatures’ would make an excellent novel to read with children in Y6/7/8, offering not only a wealth of historical and cultural detail, but plenty to consider and discuss. Beautifully written, deeply moving and inspiring, this is a brilliant book!

Shadow Creatures

Chris Vick

Zephyr ISBN: 978-1837933167

Many thanks to Zephyr for inviting me to take part in the Blog Tour.

(I apologise if my review is a bit rambling, but I am struggling with Covid!)

Rosie Raja: Mission to Cairo

After the success of their French mission, Rosie Raja is keen to avoid being sent to boarding school by her dad. However, a new mission to Cairo with her father posing as an Egyptologist sees Rosie back in action on the trail of a British traitor. But with the stakes higher than ever, everyone seems to be harbouring secrets, making their mission to Cairo full of peril.

Once again, Rosie shows herself to be a determined and resourceful heroine as she navigates the dangers of this mission. Her observant, reflective nature allows the reader to appreciate many of the social and cultural details of the period and as well as being an exciting- and different-WWII story, the plot raises moral questions around the ‘ownership’ of archaeological treasures, like the Rosetta Stone, offering plenty of food for thought.

The author’s note draws attention to certain liberties which have been taken with history for the story, something I wish happened more in historical fiction. This ensures children, whilst thoroughly enjoying the story, understand the framework used to create it and potentially encourages them to discover more about the setting and period in the narrative.

The plot builds to an exciting conclusion, with tension mounting as (being very careful with what I say so as not to spoil it for those who haven’t read it yet!) the traitor is exposed. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure and look forward to finding out where Rosie’s next mission takes her!

Rosie Raja: Mission to Cairo

Sufiya Ahmed

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1801990103

You can read my review of ‘Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy’ here.

Until the Road Ends

When Peggy saves a stray, she and Beau, the dog, become inseparable. However, they are forced apart by the war as Peggy and her brother, Wilf, are evacuated to the safely of the coast, leaving Beau- and Wilf’s grumpy cat, Mabel, behind in the city on the condition that the animals are not put down. Although lonely, Beau is allowed to help Peggy’s father in his Air Raid Warden’s duties, saving countless lives as he scents those trapped by fallen buildings. But disaster strikes and both Peggy’s parents are killed, leaving the animals vulnerable and alone. Determined to be reunited with the person he loves the most, Beau, a very unwilling and uncooperative Mabel, and Bomber, a resourceful and determined pigeon, set off on the journey of a lifetime.

This is the third novel by Phil Earle which is set during World War II and like the others, it should come with a packet of tissues attached. Phil’s incredible skill as a storyteller, his ability to capture poignant moments and his attention to detail makes each of these stories a special read- but this is, I think, my favourite. I am not ashamed to say that I was reduced to a sobbing wreck in places- but this is the power of Phil’s writing and it should be celebrated.

The story is full of historical details, with an afterword by Phil explaining where fact meets fiction, making this an excellent text to share with children who are learning about, or who are keen to find out more about, this period of history. The bravery of the humans and animals who worked as Air Raid Wardens, the destruction and devastation of the Blitz, the needless loss of life are all witnessed through the eyes of the animals, whose voices are unheard and unheeded, yet are key to this narrative. There is also the joy of discovering that there really was someone who cared enough about animals at this time to create a rescue centre in a cinema! Phil Earle captures all of this in a way which children can understand- and learn from.

In part, the story is reminiscent of Sheila Burnford’s ‘The Incredible Journey’ – the devoted bond between pets and their humans which is so strong that nothing will stop them being together- but this book does so much more than that. It’s about love and loss and reunion, valour, determination and belief, kindness, truth and joy. There are many deeply poignant moments as the story unfolds which ring true, provoking genuine emotion in the reader who is deeply bound up in the story of Beau, Mabel and Bomber.

A must-have.

Until the Road Ends Phil Earle

Andersen Press ISBN: 978-1839133169

Out in June.

Friends and Traitors

Nancy arrives at Stanbrook House to take up her post as a housemaid, just as preparations are being made for the arrival of a girls’ school which is being evacuated from the Sussex coast. She quickly takes a dislike to the ‘young ladies’ who she considers to be spoilt little snobs.

Sidney Dashworth is one of the evacuees and as the new girl, is struggling to fit in with her classmates. When she notices some strange goings-on and decides to investigate, Sidney realises that Nancy also has her suspicions about the Lord Evesham and his activities and the two soon find themselves working together in the face of danger as they try to expose his evil deeds.

‘Friends and Traitors’ is a great read on so many levels. It has all the classic ‘school story’ elements (apart from sporting events!) with Sidney struggling to find her place as the new girl and Lucinda Gore-Withers making her a very dislikeable foe. Despite their removal from their actual school building, the girls still have to endure their lessons, receive order marks or merits, wearing sensible shoes and behaving like young ladies at all times!

The story is also rich in historical detail. Set in WWII, Nancy and Sidney are separated by their social class. Initially, Sidney thinks being a maid must be good fun- Nancy has her freedom and is earning whilst just flicking a duster around. She has no idea of the intense workload of a domestic servant nor that Nancy’s wages are instantly consumed by family commitments. The story seamlessly includes details which add to the historical context- how Nancy’s father was affected by WW1, the internment of friendly enemy aliens, etc- including how those from the upper classes were able to get away with things which ‘normal’ people could not. Lord Evesham thinks more of his priceless collection of china than he does of his servants.

A gripping mystery unfolds as the two unlikely allies discover the secrets of Stanbrook House and find a way of making their voices heard and foiling the plot they have uncovered. ‘Friends and Traitors’ is an excellent read- every bit as enjoyable as Helen’s other books for this age range, ‘The Secret Henhouse Theatre’, ‘The Farm Beneath the Water’, ‘Evie’s Ghost’ and ‘Anna at War’. Perfect as a class read aloud or a guided reading text, this is one not to be missed!

Friends and Traitors Helen Peters

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1788004640

Out 6th July!

Resist

The Netherlands are occupied by the Nazis meaning its people are daily faced with hardship and danger. Food is in short supply and everyone is in fear of arrest - or worse. Edda’s family, like many, have been affected by the occupation and is determined to aid the resistance in any way she can.

Inspired by the real life story of Audrey Hepburn, ‘Resist’ is an excellent novel, highlighting the experiences of those living in the Netherlands during World War II whilst sensitively portraying Hepburn’s early years. This is historical fiction at its best- Tom is well known for his meticulous research and brilliant writing and uses these skills to illuminate lesser known stories from this period. In ‘Resist’, he shines a light on the contribution of the Dutch resistance and the suffering of the people of the Netherlands during the occupation. Tom conveys the constant fear people lived under, the desperate hunger they faced, the casual cruelty of the oppressors, the fierce determination of those resisting without the book becoming too distressing or overwhelming for the audience at which it is aimed. It is easy to empathise with Edda and understand her desire to do everything she can to thwart the Nazis despite the personal danger she - and others - faced and knowing that this is based on the youthful experiences of a film and fashion icon makes the story all the more compelling.

There is so much to recommend this book to teachers to support and extend learning in history, but it is also an excellent story to develop children’s knowledge of this period, helping them to make connections and deepen their understanding. Further information about Audrey Hepburn and the situation in the Netherlands is offered at the end of the book, sure to encourage additional reading and research- or, perhaps, inspire travel to visit some of the locations mentioned. The importance of excellent historical fiction cannot be underestimated.

Resist: One Girl’s Fight Back Against the Nazis

Tom Palmer, illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole

Barrington Stoke ISBN: 978-1800901063

Blog Tour: Safe

Today, I am thrilled to be starting the Blog Tour for this wonderful book. ‘Flight’, the first book in which we meet Kizzy and Jakob, is a stunning story which I highly recommend and so I was delighted to learn that ‘Safe’ was to be the sequel.

This guest post from Vanessa offers a fascinating insight into her writing, showing how she adds such life and texture to her work.

When writing a novel you have to have credible characters and a viable plot which all has to happen within a believable setting. Obviously, when writing historical fiction you have to get the details of the setting right within the appropriate period. You have to watch for anachronisms. No microwaves or mobile phones in your story is an extreme way to prove a point in the instance of Safe.

With both Flight and Safe, nature has been an important element. Whether it is the trees, flowers, or the birds and animals surrounding them. This is because in both stories they spend a lot of time living outside so are aware of them. I also wanted to remind children of nature. To make them think about trees and the world beyond the screen I suppose.

But setting is so much more than geography, flora and fauna. Setting encompasses where they live, what they might eat, how they get about, how they communicate and with Safe details of the war – guns, transport, uniform. This then takes us back to research. We must do enough research to get the details right but not overwhelm the narrative. The story must always wear the research with a light hand.

When creating setting the ideal is to visit the place you are situating your story in. Sometimes this is not always feasible. For me, for example, as a disabled author, this is not always that simple and I confess it is where I love Google maps and the facility where you can ‘walk’ around to see what is there. Allowing me the freedom to ‘visit’ a place. Yes, it allows you to visualise it, but what it can’t do is enable you to hear the sounds or the smells in a place, which is a distinct disadvantage, particularly for me who loves to use the senses in her writing.

Smell can be very powerful and evocative. We can all think of a smell that immediately takes us back to a memory or a place. The smell of burnt toast immediately takes me back to holidays with my family on the Welsh coast when I was between 2 and 3. Very happy times. Using all these senses in your writing can lift the narrative and just add that depth. However, as with everything, there is a fine line between adding the perfect detail and overwhelming the reader with too much detail. It’s a cliché, but something that I stand by – less is more.

When you are writing a scene that is emotionally wrought and powerful, I have a habit of doing lots of research and writing it ‘big’ first. This might mean I will write a whole chapter based on the scene away from the manuscript so that I can get all that research in – doing everything that I have said above that you shouldn’t do. Once I have done that and got the emotion in there that I want. I will distil it down and down, by rewriting it, shorter and shorter, until it ends up at the length I want it to be in the actual manuscript. It will have all the emotion and power that I wanted because it has been informed by the work I did beforehand. I did this in Flight with the mass grave scene and also in Safe with the death of Anna’s parents and brother.

Getting the setting right is important because if you get that wrong the reader may lose faith in your story and put it down, wondering what else in the story is inaccurate. I’ve seen that with my grandson, who stopped reading a book when he found an issue with a historical book he was reading. It put him off.  When I am researching my settings, I will create a document where I list all the websites and books that I use so I know if there is a query during the editorial process I can check it quickly.

Like research, the setting is something that I love to create and understand. It is one of the main foundation stones of your story and you need to be aware of it so that your readers can get the most out of your story.

Vanessa Harbour  

Social Media:

Instagram @NessHarbour

Twitter @VanessaHarbour

Many thanks to Vanessa for sharing this with me today- and thanks to Amy at Firefly Press for inviting me to take part. I will be posting my review of ‘Safe’ early next week with a link to my previous review of ‘Flight’, but I highly recommend them to everyone!

Make sure you follow all the stops on the Safe Blog Tour to find out more.