KSC Book Blab

A Rose for the Anzac Boys

by Jackie French

This is a story about 3 young women, who start a canteen in France during World War One.  They care for the flow of soldiers going to and returning from the Front.  Starting with providing food for the soldiers, they end up helping with the huge load of casualties that are being sent by train to hospitals in France and England. 

One of the girls, Midge, can drive a car and is recruited to drive an ambulance to transport the wounded soldiers to the station.  This takes her close to the front lines where she is involved in helping to care for wounded soldiers, straight from the battlefield. 

It is such a moving story, showing the courage involved for both the women volunteers and soldiers in the trenches. There are so many people doing their best to help the soldiers, as the armies were ill equipped. There was not enough food, clothes or medical supplies. Many soldiers suffered from ‘shellshock’ (mental trauma) as well as horrific injuries.

Despite this, the story is uplifting, highlighting the courage shown by the characters in these extreme conditions. The start and finish are set in Australia at an ANZAC Day parade and provide a way into the story for today’s readers.

Mrs S

Add comment July 21st, 2009

Black Water

Date Read: 01/04/08 – 21/04/08

Author: David Metzenthen

Publ.:

Themes: World War I, ocean fishing, Queenscliffe

Summary: Farren Fox’s father goes missing at sea and his brother Danny is fighting at Gallipoli. His mother died years ago. Farren battles on alone. Working at the pub in the kitchen he befriends a deaf girl. Danny returns home from war injured and changed. The arival of Souki, the sole survivor of a shipwreck, brings the brothers a new responsibility, new family.

Comment:

The characters are well created and have real depth. Farren, Robbie, his mate whose father is missing at war, Danny, Souki, Maggie, Isla even Joe Clouty all have their role to play. The rich fabric of the story of a boy growing up in a coastal fishing community during World War I is in the many characters and their interaction. From the villan Joe Clouty who wants to buy Farren’s fathers boat as soon as he learns that the men have not survived the storm to the people who Farren works with in the pub, Maggie, a mother figure, Isla, the deaf laundry-maid who is niece to the publican, and Charlotte the busy body.

Rating 7/10

Add comment July 16th, 2008