The Machine-Gunners by robert westall

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

The long wait is finally at an end.

I am thrilled to declare that this is the very first installment in a brand-new series that I am naming ‘Jacks Robbed Reads’ (copyright currently pending).

The books within this series are all ones that I have surreptitiously taken from my family's bookshelves without their knowledge.

The initial victim is none other than my dad. His bookshelf is predominantly filled with rather dull politics and history books. However, fortunately for me, I managed to spot this little treasure.

Yes, it is technically a children's book, but I had an absolute blast reading it, and I firmly believe it aligns perfectly with my reading level.

I am completely convinced that this book would be a huge hit on BookTok. I might even have to create a TikTok account; otherwise, all this potential would simply go to waste.

0 0 Reply

Gr3nDy

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

The Machine Gunners is an engaging novel by Robert Westall that delves into the experiences of children during World War II. Set in the fictional town of Garmouth, modeled after Tynemouth where Westall grew up, the story follows 14-year-old Chas McGill. After an air-raid, Chas discovers the engines of a German plane and later the intact machine gun. He and his friends manage to retrieve the gun and hide it. The group expands to include several other kids, and they build a fortress. When a German plane appears, Chas shoots at it and scares the pilot, causing the plane to be brought down. The rear gunner, Rudi Gerlath, parachutes out and is eventually found by the kids. They hold him prisoner but later take care of him. The machine gun breaks, and Chas makes a deal with Rudi to fix it in exchange for a sail boat to escape to Norway. However, things take a turn when there is another raid and the kids are reported missing. Constable Fatty Hardy enlists the help of the Free Polish Army to search for them, leading to chaos and a surprise ending. Despite Chas not having the same endearing quality as the character in Westall's Blitzcat, he is still a relatable character trying to find safety in a war-torn world. This book is recommended for readers ages 12 and up and has received several well-deserved awards.

It was purchased for my personal library, and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The detailed descriptions of the war-torn town and the characters' experiences bring the story to life. Westall's writing style is engaging and keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. The Machine Gunners is a must-read for anyone interested in World War II or coming-of-age stories.

The awards that Westall received for this novel are a testament to its quality and popularity. The CILIP Carnegie Medal, Guardian Award runner-up, Boston Globe Horn Book Award Honor Book, Preis der Leseratten 1989, and Carnegie Medal 70th Anniversary 2007 Top Ten are all well-deserved recognitions of his talent as a writer.

In conclusion, The Machine Gunners is a captivating novel that offers a unique perspective on World War II through the eyes of children. It is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

0 0 Reply

meshinui

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

I really hated it.

It was such a dreadful experience that I can't seem to forget it easily.

From the moment it started, everything seemed to go wrong.

The situation was chaotic and uncomfortable, and I just wanted to get away as soon as possible.

I tried to endure it, but it was simply too much.

The people involved were uncooperative and unfriendly, which only made matters worse.

I found myself constantly frustrated and angry.

Even now, when I think about it, I still have a sense of loathing.

I hope I never have to go through something like that again.

It was truly a nightmare that I would rather forget.

But unfortunately, it keeps popping up in my mind from time to time, reminding me of how much I hated it.

I guess some experiences are just so bad that they leave a lasting impression.

And this one is definitely at the top of my list of things I hated.

0 0 Reply

MrWbolt

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

This book has been on my reading list for an extremely long time.

Primarily, it's because it's historical fiction set during WW2, and being a big HF reader, I was certain I would relish it.

I also have hazy memories of watching the BBC TV series as a child.

So, I was truly overjoyed to finally open it up.

Undoubtedly, it's a captivating book that vividly showcases what it was like to be a child living through the Blitz.

The children had to rush to air raid shelters, watch the thrilling dogfights in the sky, and unfortunately lose friends and family to the bombs.

The main plot centers around Chas McGill, an extremely mischievous yet highly resourceful schoolboy.

He is determined to collect mementos from bombs, bullets, and planes.

When he discovers a machine gun in a fallen German plane, he embarks on an adventure to transform him and his group of misfit friends into their own Homeguard.

They build a shelter and are ready to shoot down approaching enemy planes as they come in from the bay.

The children are clever, determined, and loyal, but Chas and Clogger can also be very violent in their dealings with the school bully.

Unlike 'The War that Saved my Life' and 'Letters from the Lighthouse', I found that I didn't really take a liking to the characters of the children in this book, apart from Nicky.

I didn't really have much empathy with their challenges either.

Readers who have a penchant for adventure fiction and war will surely enjoy this book.

However, for me, I was a bit let down as I failed to connect with any of the main characters and was ultimately more concerned about what would happen to them when the adults found out all they had been up to!

I do believe that many of our students will enjoy it as it's a fast-paced action adventure, a real page-turner with an interesting collection of characters!

0 0 Reply

Hunter_of_LOVE

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

Young adult second world war adventure

As a child of the late 60's, I had a voracious appetite for reading. I devoured everything from Captain Hurricane in the Valliant, the charming William by Richard Compton, to the thrilling adventures of those intrepid five, the famous five.

The machine gunners takes us back to an innocent era, set during the second world war. It's a time and society that is light years away from the introduction of the internet and the scourge of social media.

The story revolves around Chas McGill and his acquisition of a machine gun from the downed wreck of a German fighter plane. But it's actually much more than that. It's a tale of friendship and growing up in the fictitious north east English town of Garmouth. Here, the inhabitants are trying to survive under the constant bombing by Nazi fighter pilots.

We also meet Rudi, a German pilot who is ousted from his destroyed plane and encounters Chas and his close gang, Clogger and Nicky. Rudi is befriended by the gang, and they come to realize that those they were taught to hate and fear are just like themselves - frightened and disillusioned.

This story offers a unique perspective on the second world war, through the eyes of young adults. It shows the power of friendship and the importance of seeing beyond the labels and prejudices that divide us.

0 0 Reply

enbyfriend

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

Is it wrong of me to have been expecting (perhaps even slightly hoping) for a death?

This question has been萦绕在我的心头 for quite some time. I find myself in a strange state of mind, where this thought keeps popping up.

Maybe it's because of the monotony and stress in my life. Or perhaps it's a subconscious desire for a change, a release from the burdens that I carry.

But is it really okay to have such thoughts? I wonder if I'm being abnormal or if this is just a passing phase.

I try to push these thoughts away, but they seem to have a mind of their own.

It's like a chekhov's machine gun, just sitting there, waiting to go off.

I'm scared of what might happen if it does. Will I be able to handle it?

These are the questions that keep me up at night, and I'm not sure if I'll ever find the answers.

0 0 Reply

spookee22

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

I read this for my English class and it was interesting.

However, I couldn't see myself reading it out loud in English.

The text had some engaging content that caught my attention.

It presented ideas and concepts that I found thought-provoking.

But when it came to the idea of reading it aloud, I felt a bit hesitant.

Maybe it was because of my lack of confidence in my English pronunciation or perhaps it was the complexity of the language used in the article.

Nevertheless, I still appreciate the opportunity to have read it and expand my knowledge.

I will continue to work on my English skills and hopefully, one day, I will be able to read such articles aloud with ease and confidence.

Until then, I will keep learning and improving.

0 0 Reply

AmaaYaX

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

Chas McGill's world is strikingly different from ours. It is set during WW2, and Chas resides in Garmouth in the UK, attending the grammar school there.

One of the major pastimes for boys during this era was collecting war souvenirs. They would eagerly search for any machine gun bullets, tail fins from incendiary bombs, or nose cones from anti-aircraft shells they could find. Chas has the second-best collection in Garmouth, trailing only Boddser Brown.

In the first chapter, Chas stumbles upon a crashed German bomber, a Heinkel He 111, with a dead German pilot inside. He is desperate to retrieve the machine gun from the plane before anyone else does.

The action in this story kicks off right from the start and doesn't let up. There are adult air radio wardens who seem clueless about what they are doing, a dad who harbors a dislike for the police, and a school that gets bombed. Life is intense, with air raids happening at night, during which families seek shelter in their Anderson shelters.

I am reading this with a group of 12-year-olds, and some of them are finding it a bit confusing as it is such a foreign world to them. As an adult, I have more background knowledge to understand what is going on.

So, for me, the world that Chas lives in has been vividly brought to life by Robert Westall. However, I'm not so sure about my co-readers.

0 0 Reply

Leave a Review

You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.

Chas McGill #1

The Machine-Gunners

robert westall sophy williams

This edition

More editions

About the author

robert westall

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews