A Lovereading4Kids 'Debut of the Year 2011' selection.
9+. Real-life action pumps through this wholly absorbing war time adventure. James Holland’s extensive knowledge of the history of the period gives him a rare ability to bring it vividly to life in a way that is both absolutely gripping and deeply moving. Johnny Hawke, only sixteen and a brand new Private in 1st Battalion, the King’s Own Yorkshire Rangers, immediately finds himself caught up in fighting on all sides. Johnny and his fellow soldiers are determined to stop the German advance. But, will they be able to ? What is they are all killed doing so? Duty Calls: Dunkirk captures the realities of war and the kind of bravery that comes from it.
Click here to visit the Duty Calls website which includes both book and historical information, plus resources for teachers.
You wanted to see some action - well you're going to get it now. You're going to get it now all right'. It's Friday 24th May, 1940 Private Johnny Hawke, aged sixteen, awakens to artillery fire. Hours later, Stukas scream down from the sky. Messerschmit fighters roar towards his regiment. Trucks burst into flames. Now men and mules lay dead and dying, severed limbs twisted grotesquely as blood soaks the cobbled streets. Young Private Hawke just wants to do his duty and serve his country. But as he - and his fellow soldiers - prepare to stop the German advance, there's only one question on everyone's lips. How will they survive?
James Holland was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and studied history at Durham University. He is the bestselling author of numerous historical non-fiction titles and the Jack Tanner fiction series, and recently presented 'Battle of Britain: The Real Story' on BBC2. A member of the British Commission for Military History, his many interviews with veterans of the Second World War are available at the Imperial War Museum and are also archived at www.secondworldwarforum.com. Duty Calls: Dunkirk is his first novel for younger readers.
