This British author is celebrated for her insightful exploration of human nature and the complexities of life. Her works delve into themes of growing up, resilience, and finding one's place in the world. With a distinctive style that blends emotional depth with vivid prose, she captures the essence of childhood experiences and their impact on shaping character. Readers are often moved by her ability to portray both the vulnerability and strength of the human spirit.
Willie Beech is evacuated to the countryside as the Second World War breaks out. A sad, deprived child, he slowly begins to flourish under the care of old Tom Oakley. But then his mother summons him back to war-torn London... Will he ever see Mister Tom again? One of the best stories about wartime ever written.
Henry misses his father who died a war hero. One day Mrs Beaumont lends Henry a camera for his school project. Henry is disgusted that he's been put in a group with Jeffries, the son of a man who went AWOL, and Pip, who was born illegitimate; but he's about to learn that tolerance and friendship are more important than social stigmas.
The war is over but Elsie is still fighting her own battles. She's bullied because she's the only scholarship pupil at the grammar school, and she has an awkward relationship with her father as he struggles to assume a normal life after fighting in the war. But when she begins working at the local theatre, Elsie discovers she can escape.
As an evacuee, Ralph received a good education, but after the war Ralph's working-class father resents his education and his ambition to be an actor, and is furious when Ralph is sacked from the paper mill. The story traces Ralph's struggle to reconcile the disparate strands of his life.
Super sporty tale with a strong message of self-belief and a lovely inter- generational friendship at its heart, from the award-winning author of Goodnight Mister Tom. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+