This is one of the best war books ever written for children. Completely unputdownable, scary an dincredibly well portrayed characters. It captures the life during World War II so brilliantly though not surprisingly as Westall, who dies some years ago now, was a brilliant writer and a great storyteller. Incredibly relevant to today’s world where we appear all too quick to go to war. (12+)
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Chas McGill has the second-best collection of war souvenirs in Garmouth but wants it to be the best. When he stumbles across the wreckage of a downed German bomber, he finds the ultimate trophy - a working machine gun. Hiding his discovery from the local police, Chas recruits his friends and together they build a fortress for their prize. But war is not a game and soon both friendships and loyalties are tested when the gang's actions have dangerous consequences.
Robert Westall wrote The Machine Gunners for his son, Christopher, based on his own experiences during the Second World War. A modern classic of children's fiction, it went on to win the CILIP Carnegie Medal in 1975 and has been in print ever since.
With a brand new cover designed to appeal to the book lover.
Robert Westall was born in Northumberland and went to school in Tynemouth. He studied fine art at Durham University and after he graduated he worked as an art teacher. Despite having two degrees in Fine Art, and majoring in Sculpture, Robert Westall spent his working life teaching art in secondary schools, and writing only in his spare time. He loved teaching and worked in Birmingham, Yorkshire and Cheshire as a head of department.
He has had around 40 books published and they vary from ghost stories to fantasy epics.
