Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

It is, above all, a poignant story of war and about all of its many life-changing effects on those involved--also the brutality of the commanding regimes and the relentless squalor of trench warfare. It's not for the squeamish--Morpurgo tells it like it was and his honest insight is on every page for all to appreciate.

"Tommo" Peaceful is recalling his childhood from those terrible battlefields. He remembers his big brother Charlie taking him to his first day of school, the death of his father, his mum working hard to keep a roof over their heads and food on their table. He remembers his brother Joe, who some called simple, but who to Tommo was very special. He also recalls the only girl in his life, Molly, and how Charlie somehow took her away from him. But as the World turned to War, he had to grow up fast. Together Charlie and Tommo enlist and are sent to France, almost immediately, to what could only be described as pure hell on Earth. Bullets, bombs, death. Shells, noise, dirt. Disease, rats, stench. Charlie and Tommo fight for their lives and to stay together--facing certain death in the face every time they try to advance the British lines.

Morpurgo rattles through his narrative at some speed, gracefully capturing both the horror of war and the ecstasy of life. The ending is shocking and memorable. This is difficult, emotionally draining but highly recommended reading. (Recommended for ages 10 and over.) --John McLay

Average Customer Rating:

remember	Customer Rating:
This is one of the most amazing books I have ever read. It tells a tale of a normal boy who went off to fight in the war. It is the journey to his death. The story made me cry so much and even as i'm writing this it brings a lump to my throat. It made me to realise even more so, that we have to remember all those brave people who gave their lives for their country.

compelling and moving

Customer Rating:

I read this book one Saturday when I was in bed with 'flu. I was totally gripped by the compelling story and at the end I wailed so loudly that my husband came running in from the bathroom where he had been shaving to see if I was actually dying. I managed to reassure him through sobs that I wasn't actually dying, but that my book was very sad! Once I was better I did some research on the internet and saw that that kind of thing really did happen. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Best Book Ever!!!	Customer Rating:
This book is apsolututely brilliant! I couldn't put it down! Set in WW2, it is an exciting, but very sad story, of 2 brothers. A definite read for everyone! Morpurgo's best!!!

Thoroughly enjoyable...

Customer Rating:

Though written for children, and being a grown up :o), I found this tale wonderfully written and very powerful. Narrated from the trenches of WWI by Tommo Peaceful, the story is set over just a few hours with an intriguing insight into what the future holds at the start of every chapter. Jumping backwards and forwards in time is a style I love anyway and that is what makes this book what it is - it is not a complexly layered plot that keeps you entertained, the writing is enough to do that and I read it from cover to cover in just a few hours. I will most definately be reading it to my son in a few years time!

Another fantastic Morpurgo book	Customer Rating:
Read this book as I am about to teach "stories with historical settings" to my class. Once again Michael Morpurgo failed to disappoint. The book made me laugh and cry and there's a little twist in the story as something (I wont tell you what) is not what it seems. Suitable for adults & children alike.