The Guests of War
12 journalers for this copy...
3 stories about the Stoakes children who are from the UK. They are sent to Canada during WWII (in 1940)
All 3 books have won awards, and are here together in one package. Book 1: The Sky is Falling, - impending invasion of Britain, Book 2: Looking at the Moon - the children adjust to Canada, Book 3: The Lights Go on Again - the end of the war and returning home after years in Canada.
"A first rate trilogy" according to the Globe and Mail
All 3 books have won awards, and are here together in one package. Book 1: The Sky is Falling, - impending invasion of Britain, Book 2: Looking at the Moon - the children adjust to Canada, Book 3: The Lights Go on Again - the end of the war and returning home after years in Canada.
"A first rate trilogy" according to the Globe and Mail
Picked up at the mini-meet curry evening - looks great. I might not get to it in Mt TBR for a couple of (few!) months, but will give it a good careful read and then release it into one of the Birmingham OBCZs.
Thanks BookGirrl and lovely to meet you - do keep in touch!
Thanks BookGirrl and lovely to meet you - do keep in touch!
Journal Entry 3 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Indeed a first rate trilogy - I absolutely loved it and raced through all three while on holiday in Spain.
An absolutely lovely set of books about a brother and sister evacuated from the UK to Canada. We follow them through the war as they grow up. Lightly and beautifully done.
I was going to release it at the hotel but it´s too nice to leave it around so I´m going to offer it on a BookRing.
An absolutely lovely set of books about a brother and sister evacuated from the UK to Canada. We follow them through the war as they grow up. Lightly and beautifully done.
I was going to release it at the hotel but it´s too nice to leave it around so I´m going to offer it on a BookRing.
Journal Entry 4 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, August 22, 2005
BOOKRING!!The usual rules apply...
Journal when you receive it and PM the next person for their address
Try to read it within 4 weeks if you can
Journal your review
Send it on and make a note of when you sent it
If you have trouble fitting it in, want to be skipped, etc - just let me know!
THE LIST SO FAR...
Anglersrest UK (UK)
sjr1969 UK
Scotsbookie UK (UK/Europe)
purplerosebud UK (UK)
Brumbie UK (UK)
Bookczuk US (anywhere)
d-o-m UK (anywhere)
... and it's home again now!
Released 18 yrs ago (8/30/2005 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Posting to Anglersrest on Tuesday.
Posting to Anglersrest on Tuesday.
Arrived today. Looks good, I have a few rings in front, but will get to it in the next week.
Journal Entry 7 by AnglersRest from Teignmouth, Devon United Kingdom on Saturday, September 10, 2005
This certainly an excellent trilogy. I would have been very frustrated if I'd only had one of the books.
I found the book slightly emotional. During the War my Grandmother had three evacuees, who were evacuated from London into Surrey. The friendship that developed between one of the evacuees and my family continues to this day and this was something that came through in the book. Another of the evacuees went to Canada on one of the war migration schemes, and thanks to the book I could narrow the time frame of that event. Certainly, calling the host family "Aunt" was something that I recall from my early dealings with my Grandmother's evacuees.
This is certainly one of my favourite reads this year.
I have PM'ed sjr1969 to check they are ready for the book and to request an address. As soon as I have this the book will be off on it's travels.
(13th Oct 2005 - ON BBC 4 recently, there was an interesting program called Evacuees and I kept remembering this book, which shows how good it was)
I found the book slightly emotional. During the War my Grandmother had three evacuees, who were evacuated from London into Surrey. The friendship that developed between one of the evacuees and my family continues to this day and this was something that came through in the book. Another of the evacuees went to Canada on one of the war migration schemes, and thanks to the book I could narrow the time frame of that event. Certainly, calling the host family "Aunt" was something that I recall from my early dealings with my Grandmother's evacuees.
This is certainly one of my favourite reads this year.
I have PM'ed sjr1969 to check they are ready for the book and to request an address. As soon as I have this the book will be off on it's travels.
(13th Oct 2005 - ON BBC 4 recently, there was an interesting program called Evacuees and I kept remembering this book, which shows how good it was)
I now have sjr1969's address, so the book will be off in the post today.
Thanks once again for a great read. I hope that sjr1969 enjoys it as much as I did.
Thanks once again for a great read. I hope that sjr1969 enjoys it as much as I did.
Journal Entry 9 by sjr1969 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Just received from AnglersRest, will review when read.
Journal Entry 10 by sjr1969 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, September 15, 2005
I have just started this book, I took it to read on the train when travelling to a training course in Croydon. I was so engrossed in the story that I nearly missed my stop!
Journal Entry 11 by sjr1969 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, September 22, 2005
I have just PM'd the next reader on the list, and will pass on when I have received further instrictions!
Journal Entry 12 by sjr1969 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Posted to Audrey on 27/09/05.
Journal Entry 13 by scotsbookie from Peebles, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Thanks sjr1969, the book arrived this morning.
What a wonderful trilogy. I usually have about 3 books on the go at once but put the others aside as I enjoyed this so much. Shed a few tears along the way.
Postal release to purplerosebud today 11 Oct 2005
Postal release to purplerosebud today 11 Oct 2005
Journal Entry 15 by purplerosebud from Petersfield, Hampshire United Kingdom on Thursday, October 13, 2005
Arrived in the post today, thanks scotsbokie. I looks like an excellent book and I can't wait to get started. About half way through my current bookring book so it won't be long!
Journal Entry 16 by purplerosebud from Petersfield, Hampshire United Kingdom on Thursday, October 27, 2005
One of the nicest books I've read in a long while! A light story that describes what must have happend to so many people during the war and brings a lump to the throat. I couldn't put it down, just had to keep reading but now I'm sad it's finished. Excellent book!
Will be sending it on to Brumbie very soon.
Will be sending it on to Brumbie very soon.
Journal Entry 17 by Brumbie from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Thanks, PurpleRosebud - am looking forward to reading this.
Journal Entry 18 by Brumbie from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 15, 2005
As someone who was nearly sent to the USA during WW2 this fascinated me. Although I never went, I am now friends with the children of the people I would have been sent to and guess my experience would have been a positive one but what a terrible dilemma for such young children to have to decide whether to return to England. This book absolutely captures the time and place. I can't wait for my grandchildren to be old enough to read it.
Journal Entry 19 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, December 18, 2005
Received back from Brumbie at a lovely pub in Birmingham (huge, huge lunches, though!) and have PM'd bookczuk so it can do the last leg of its journey.
Released 18 yrs ago (12/28/2005 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Posting to Bookczuk today - surface mail
Posting to Bookczuk today - surface mail
Look what's surfaced here in Charleston, South Carolina! I have two books in front of it to get to, but I promise to read as soon as those are done. Thank you so much for sending it and for the lovely cards inside (though you quite make me blush with your kind words!)
More to follow, I promise!
More to follow, I promise!
Just to let you all know that I have started this- and raced thorough the first book. Midway through the second, I have stopped to go back and make a list of all the books mentioned in passing in the story. Won't that make a fun reading list? On to find out if Norah tells Andrew she loves him and what's up with Aunt Mary and her mysterious Tom.
What a super idea to make a list of all the books mentioned in passing in the story. Perhaps you can post the list in your Journal entry?
Continue to enjoy....its a great story.
Continue to enjoy....its a great story.
Lovely, lovely, lovely.
As promised, here is a list of the books mentioned (though I am sure I missed a few!)
Anne of Green Gables
Swallowdale (and other books by Arthur Ransome in the Swallows and Amazons series)
Elsie Dinsmore
The Jungle Book
Five Children and It
Wizard of Oz
Alenoushka and HEr Brother (fable)
Alice in Wonderland
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Henry IV
Wuthering HErights
Oliver Twist
The Boys King Arthur
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Gone With the Wind
Lassie Come Home
Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town
Will be sending back to Lizzybee by sea mail as soon as I can find where I put her address! (unless it needs to travel here more or elsewhere.)
Thank you for including me on this ring.
As promised, here is a list of the books mentioned (though I am sure I missed a few!)
Anne of Green Gables
Swallowdale (and other books by Arthur Ransome in the Swallows and Amazons series)
Elsie Dinsmore
The Jungle Book
Five Children and It
Wizard of Oz
Alenoushka and HEr Brother (fable)
Alice in Wonderland
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Henry IV
Wuthering HErights
Oliver Twist
The Boys King Arthur
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Gone With the Wind
Lassie Come Home
Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town
Will be sending back to Lizzybee by sea mail as soon as I can find where I put her address! (unless it needs to travel here more or elsewhere.)
Thank you for including me on this ring.
Mailed today with Goodies for the convention and a few other things. Should arrive in UK in 7-10 business days. I did insure it (and sent it airmail so the chocolate wouldn't melt.)
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Journal Entry 26 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Hooray - this arrived today - along with the choc for the Uncon (ooh!) and some other books. It's in good condition and ready to pop along to d-o-m once I have an address.
Thanks Bookczuk!
Thanks Bookczuk!
Journal Entry 27 by LyzzyBee at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, May 7, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (5/9/2006 UTC) at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Posting to d-o-m by Tuesday.
Posting to d-o-m by Tuesday.
One of three bookrings received yesterday. I'm not the fastest reader and don't get much time to read and I am not sure in what order I am going to read the three. Luckily I'm last in the ring so...
It looks like I'm the only bloke to have read this. But I'm getting used to that.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book despite (or probably because) it was written for a younger audience. I thought the author captured the way younger people think very well and presented their difficult emotions in a sympathetic way.
It makes a change to read something that is so honest.
It would be interesting to find out what the intended audience think of it. And I will try to remember this one for my kids when they are old enough.
Thanks, LizzyBee for tagging me on to the end.
Status set to Travelling ‘cos it will be soon…
I thoroughly enjoyed this book despite (or probably because) it was written for a younger audience. I thought the author captured the way younger people think very well and presented their difficult emotions in a sympathetic way.
It makes a change to read something that is so honest.
It would be interesting to find out what the intended audience think of it. And I will try to remember this one for my kids when they are old enough.
Thanks, LizzyBee for tagging me on to the end.
Status set to Travelling ‘cos it will be soon…
Hooray! It's home again. Bouncing back to me at various stages, I knew it was in OK condition still but it's great to have this wonderful book back again, to reread, lend to people, pass to my as-yet-nonexistant children...
It also came complete with a BookTowel (which I now understand to be a form of bookmark - very jolly colours too!) and a RABCK - thanks d-o-m!
This is going into the Permanent Collection now it's had an airing amongst a bunch of people - but is always available for ring or loan.
It also came complete with a BookTowel (which I now understand to be a form of bookmark - very jolly colours too!) and a RABCK - thanks d-o-m!
This is going into the Permanent Collection now it's had an airing amongst a bunch of people - but is always available for ring or loan.
Journal Entry 31 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, July 1, 2006
This is going to go on another mini-ring...
LindyB28
JudeK
Heaven-Ali
on its way ... back to me!
LindyB28
JudeK
Heaven-Ali
on its way ... back to me!
Journal Entry 32 by LyzzyBee at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, July 1, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (7/1/2006 UTC) at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Giving to LindyB28 at Uncon today.
Giving to LindyB28 at Uncon today.
Journal Entry 33 by LindyB28 from Acocks Green, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, July 1, 2006
Lyzzybee, Lyzzybee... hooray! I've read a chapter or two already and can't wait to get stuck in tomorrow on the train back to Cam :-)
Journal Entry 34 by LindyB28 from Acocks Green, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 19, 2006
This was a lovely read (or three lovely reads to be more accurate!). Initially my heckles were raised when the British opening to the first book didn't quite read true (Norah uses 'fall' for autumn even before she arrives in Canada). However, once the evacuation has happened the book hits its stride and the world of 1940s Canada is beautifully and lovingly created. The characters are drawn with fairly broad brush strokes (as you would expect from a children's book) but Kit Pearson manages to include subtle aspects to each one which provide acute psychological insights into their behaviour.
My own preference would have been for all three books to be told from Norah's perspective: Gavin's narrative voice (appearing in third person) in the final book would perhaps have been better suited to another separate volume. I would have liked to have followed Norah's story all through the evacuation through her own eyes.
But, in sum, I loved reading this volume. It's another one to add to my second world war children's book favourites (When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit; Carrie's War; Goodnight Mr Tom, etc)
Thanks Lyzzybee - will get in touch with JudeK to send the book on :-)
My own preference would have been for all three books to be told from Norah's perspective: Gavin's narrative voice (appearing in third person) in the final book would perhaps have been better suited to another separate volume. I would have liked to have followed Norah's story all through the evacuation through her own eyes.
But, in sum, I loved reading this volume. It's another one to add to my second world war children's book favourites (When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit; Carrie's War; Goodnight Mr Tom, etc)
Thanks Lyzzybee - will get in touch with JudeK to send the book on :-)
Journal Entry 35 by JudeK from Scarborough, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, August 31, 2006
Received this book and started it, enjoying so far. Unfortunately due to The Forum only being available to winged members I cannot find out what to do with it when I have read it.
Journal Entry 36 by JudeK from Scarborough, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, August 31, 2006
Just read all the journal entries and found out that Heaven-Ali is next. This book has really been on a good journey, shouldn't take me long to read as I love it so far. Will pm Heaven-Ali as soon as I have read it. Fascinating to see that the book originated from someone I met at unconvention and then to find that having visited Trinity Hall last week that she studies there. Lucky lady.
Journal Entry 37 by JudeK from Scarborough, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Really love this book. Couldn't put it down and read in 4 days, as well as working and all usual household stuff. Just as well I read it so quickly as 2 others arrived in post the same week. Will hopefully post on tomorrow.
Journal Entry 38 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, September 14, 2006
Arrived today, with another ring (and another arrived yesterday!!!) will probably read it next week, as I'm the last on the ring. Looking forward to it.
Journal Entry 39 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, September 24, 2006
This was a lovely cosy read. I had, or course heard of children being sent to Canada during WWII, but this is the first book I have read about it. I must admit I couldn't help but wonder how my sister and I would have felt had we been part of that generation. I thought the characters of the children, Norah and Gavin, were realistically drawn, and the author manages to convey what mixed feelings such children forced into such a unique and difficult position, must have felt.
This is a light, quick read, but nevertheless enjoyable, and memorable. It is also a rather emotional read, and a difficult book to put down.
I will be passing this back to Lyzzybee when I see her, maybe next week.
This is a light, quick read, but nevertheless enjoyable, and memorable. It is also a rather emotional read, and a difficult book to put down.
I will be passing this back to Lyzzybee when I see her, maybe next week.
Journal Entry 40 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, October 1, 2006
This has now returned home again, after another little round of readers. So glad I could share this wonderful book with so many people! It's going into the Permanent Collection, but is avaialble for loan or ring.
Something to share with all of you.....a postcard from Kit Pearson !! Last September, I sent Penguin Books (Canada) some of the JE's for The Guests of War. More recently, I sent a JE update with a question as to whether or not this book had been published in the UK. (Somehow, I think the trilogy has more impact than separate books, but anyway.....here goes...)
"Dear Madeleine: Heartfelt thanks for again sending me all the "Bookring" messages about my books! Yes, the books were sold in separate volumes in the UK. I am so moved and astonished at the comments. " Kit Pearson
"Dear Madeleine: Heartfelt thanks for again sending me all the "Bookring" messages about my books! Yes, the books were sold in separate volumes in the UK. I am so moved and astonished at the comments. " Kit Pearson
