The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips
Set in a rural village in the South coast of England during World War 2, this story is told by Lilly in diary form. Lilly’s family has to evacuate when the village becomes a training area for troops using live ammunition, in preparation for the invasion of France.
When Lily’s beloved cat, Tips, goes missing, Lilly creeps under the barbed wire to search for her. She is caught, twice, and warned, but only when the firing starts realises how dangerous her mission is.
Her family is joined on her uncle’s farm by a child evacuee from London. Two Black American soldiers from Atlanta, in the deep South, get to know Lily and her family – and for the first time are treated as equals by the English. One is Adolphus, after whom Lily renames her cat.
The novel has moments of poignancy and sadness, but ends happily. A great book for Years 4-8.
Private Peaceful
Another wartime story, but this time World War 1. Thomas Peaceful reflects back on his childhood, the innocent pleasures of growing up in the country, the dependence on the relationship with the landowner (a most unpleasant Colonel), the strength of family, and the warmth of care for his intellectually handicapped brother, Big Joe.
With the call-up to fight, everything changes. Along with other village lads, and his beloved brother Charlie, Tommo endures the tortures of training under a bullying sergeant, before facing the terrifying horror of trench warfare in Belgium and France. I finished reading this book in the train with tears running down my face – hoping that nobody across the aisle would notice! A powerful and moving read.
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