When the Siren Wailed
by Noel Streatfeild
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Description
A thrilling and moving adventure story about evacuees in World War Two, perfect for readers of Goodnight Mister Tom 'A compelling heart-warming story about three children in the Second World War - I loved it.' Jacqueline Wilson When war breaks out in September 1939, Laura, Andy and Tim Clark are evacuated to the countryside. The Colonel's comfortable home in Dorset is a huge contrast to their cramped terraced house in London, where their loving parents struggle to put the next meal on the show more table. Though unused to having children around, the Colonel proves to be a kind and generous, if gruff, guardian until a terrible turn of events means the kids must move on. When they discover they are to live with Miss Justworthy, who is rumoured to feed her evacuees on cat food, Andy insists they can't risk staying. He persuades his sensible older sister and their little brother that they must run away, back to London and their mum. The children are shocked to see London now pitted with craters and ruined buildings. And no sooner have they stepped off the train than the skies are lit by searchlights and filled with the crack of bombs and the glow of fires. How will they be able to find their mum in the middle of an air raid? A brilliantly page-turning read from the author of Ballet Shoes, based on her own real-life experience in the Second World War. Perfect for any child interested in wartime and classic adventure stories. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
Member Reviews
Good story of evacuee children in WWII. Very real characters. A good page turner. I certainly felt for all involved in this trying time in Britain. I was delighted to find this book by Miss Streatfeild. The fact that she drew on her own experiences really brought the story to life.
An excellent children's novel about some London children who were evacuated just before World War II. Really brings home the deprivation they suffered immediately before the war, the problems some evacuees had, and the general feeling of the country during rationing, blackouts etc. Also a great sense of family loyalty, integrity and love, typical with this author. Highly recommended - for children of about 7 or over, but enjoyable for adults too.
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Lists
Children's Books about World War II (1939-1945)
143 works; 12 members
Author Information
121+ Works 15,674 Members
Some Editions
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- When the Siren Wailed
- Original publication date
- 1976
- People/Characters
- Laura Clark; Andy Clark; Tim Clark; Colonel Stranger; Thomas Elk; Martha Elk
- Important places
- London, England, UK; Charnbury, Dorset, England, UK; Dorset, England, UK
- Dedication
- For Iolanthe Owen with love
- First words
- The Clark family lived in a house in South London.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)I know the war's not over and there may be worse to come, but we've managed so far so I reckon we'll manage to the end.
Classifications
- Genres
- Children's Books, Fiction and Literature
- DDC/MDS
- 823.912 — Literature & rhetoric English & Old English literatures English fiction 1900- 1901-1999 1901-1945
- LCC
- PZ7 .S914 .W — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Juvenile belles lettres
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 221
- Popularity
- 147,043
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.65)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook
- ISBNs
- 7
- ASINs
- 5
