Fireweed

I read this as a child, and having just read an adult book by Jill Paton Walsh (which I didn't enjoy), thought I'd re-read. It is dated, but still a great coming of age story. The descriptions of London in the Blitz are realistic, even if the story itself is possibly not. Interestingly, the author dismissed the book as childish writing!

I found this to be just a bit grim. It is a very well written, gritty account of the experiences of two 15 year old in Ww2 London. Detailed, historically brilliant but so so sad. I was surprised how grown up some of the themes it handled were.

Personally for year 6, I would choose something with a little more light and shade in it. Having read it as a child, I was surprised by my own reaction to
i it as an adult.

After reading the preface, I felt a little deflated and held no real expectations for the book. However it is clearly a very well researched book and the factual or anecdotal elements really make this a very good read. As an adult reader, the relationship between Julie and Bill seem a little far fetched but they grow you and I'm sure the children I will share this with will enjoy the romance and frisson. There was a major event/revelation that actually made me make an audible gasp. I'd recommend for older pupils (there is some bad language) or a shorter alternative or as a companion to Goodnight Mr Tom.

Sad :(