My grandfather prompted me to read this book when I was about 11, and I was truly amazed by it.

Every time I've read it since, it has retained all of its original charm. In fact, as I've gained a better understanding of everything, it has become even more wonderful.

What makes this book even more vivid for me is a recent discovery. One of my grandfather's friends actually found a crashed German bomber. He "borrowed" the machine gun and took it home.

He showed it to his friends, and they all went to a nearby field to try it out. They fired it into the woods. Surprisingly, no one reported anything.

In the end, the elder brother of the boy who had the gun returned home on leave. He realized what his brother had done and took the gun back with him, pretending that he had found it. This way, his brother wouldn't get into trouble.

So, there you have it. It's almost a true story. I would be more than happy to have every schoolchild in England, Europe, the world, or even the entire Universe read this book. And, of course, plenty of adults as well.

I absolutely loved this book!

From the very first page, it had me completely hooked and I simply couldn't put it down.

The story was so engaging and filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The characters were well-developed and I found myself really caring about what happened to them.

The author's writing style was captivating and made it easy for me to immerse myself in the world of the book.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read.

It's one of those rare books that you'll want to read again and again.

I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next!

A hard-hitting, visceral novel of life in the North East during WW2. Westall really makes the reader feel as if they are there with the characters. The vivid descriptions transport you to that time and place, making you experience the hardships and emotions along with the people in the story.

I had read this book when a child and had forgotten how hard-hitting it was, both in the description of day to day life in wartime and the language used by the characters. The details of the rationing, the air raids, and the fear that笼罩ed the people are all brought to life in a very realistic way. The language, too, is authentic and adds to the overall atmosphere of the book.

I throughly enjoyed it though. It was a great reminder of the importance of history and how it can be told through the medium of a novel. The story was engaging and kept me hooked from start to finish.

Would recommend this for older children (11+) only as there are references to violence, swearing and mild descriptions of Nazi atrocities. It is important to be aware of these aspects before recommending the book to younger readers. However, for those who are ready to face the harsh realities of war, this is a great book that will educate and entertain at the same time.

A Gripping Story of Home Front England during WWII

This book offers a captivating account of the experiences on the home front in England during World War II. It delves deep into the complex relationships between a particular group of children and the adult authorities, which include both parents and those in institutional settings. The author does an excellent job of bringing these relationships to life,描绘出 the various emotions, conflicts, and bonds that exist. We see how the children navigate their way through the challenges of war, while also dealing with the expectations and rules set by the adults around them. The story is filled with vivid descriptions and engaging characters, making it a truly immersive read. It provides a unique perspective on a crucial period in history and offers valuable insights into the human experience during times of crisis.

Gripping. This single word encapsulates a powerful and intense experience. It has the ability to draw you in, hold your attention firmly, and not let go until the very end.

When something is gripping, it has a certain allure that makes it impossible to ignore. It could be a thrilling novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat, turning the pages late into the night. Or perhaps it's a captivating movie that transports you into a different world, making you forget about everything else around you.

A gripping story has the power to evoke a wide range of emotions. It can make your heart race with excitement, bring a tear to your eye with its poignancy, or make you burst out laughing with its humor. It has the ability to connect with you on a deep level, making you feel as if you are a part of the action.

Whether it's in the form of literature, film, or any other medium, a gripping piece of work is truly a masterpiece. It has the power to leave a lasting impression on you, and it's something that you will remember long after you've finished experiencing it.

I absolutely loved it!

It truly reminded me in spirit of the remarkable film Hope and Glory.

The moment I discovered it, I knew it was something special.

The way it captured certain emotions and themes was just captivating.

It had a charm and a quality that made it stand out.

I couldn't help but be drawn in by its allure.

It's not often that you come across something that has such a profound impact.

This find was truly a gem.

It left me with a sense of wonder and a desire to explore more.

I'm so glad I came across it and I'll definitely be recommending it to others.

It's a piece that will stay with me for a long time.

Overall, it was an amazing experience and I can't wait to see what else lies ahead.

The Machine Gunners

by Robert Westall

The Machine Gunners is an exciting book that tells the story of a boy named Chas and his group of friends. During World War 2, they build a fortress in one of his friend's former back yard.

Throughout the story, there are countless air raids over their town. By the end of the book, the Germans are believed to be invading. It all begins when Chas decides to explore a German fighter plane that crashed in his town one night. His intention is to take some items from it and add them to his collection of German plane goods.

To his great delight, he discovers a real working machine gun mounted on the plane. Using a hacksaw, he manages to remove the gun and moves it from one hiding spot to another. Finally, when their fortress is completed, that's where they place the machine gun.

Unfortunately, one of Chas's friend's houses gets blown up during an air raid, and all his family inside are killed. However, the friend is safe in the fortress, which now becomes his new full-time home.

Later, Chas accidentally breaks the gun. One night, a German fighter goes down, and the gunner manages to escape by parachuting and lands in someone's back garden. He hurts his ankle and stays there for a few days. Eventually, hungry and in need of shelter, he leaves and finds the kids' fortress.

When he enters, he is confronted by a group of kids pointing a fully loaded (but broken) machine gun at him. They take his pistol and hold him hostage. Surprisingly, he ends up making a friendship with the kids. He fixes the gun, and they give him a small boat so he can try to return to the German-occupied part of France. But he realizes he doesn't have the strength and goes back.

When the Germans invade, all the kids leave their families and seek refuge in the fortress. I thought this book was really cool. I didn't expect to enjoy it, but it turned out to be a great read. My favorite character was Chas, the main character, who seemed like a really cool kid. The book truly gives you an idea of what it was like to live during World War 2, with all the air raids and the constant fear of invasion. I would highly recommend this book to everyone! It's really good.

I first came across this book when I was around 12 years old. It left such a vivid impression on me that I recalled it with great fondness. So, when I was in search of another book to read with Ezra, I promptly grabbed this one from the library.

We both thoroughly enjoyed it. Just as I had remembered, it beautifully weaves the tale of life for a group of kids during the Blitz. What's remarkable is that it doesn't shy away from the darker and more harrowing aspects of that time. In fact, I was a little taken aback by the frankness with which it presented the story. It truly stands up as a remarkable novel, not just for children but also for adults. It offers a unique perspective on a tumultuous period in history and engages the reader on multiple levels.

Overall, it was a wonderful reading experience that I would highly recommend to others.

CHAPTER 1-5

So far, the book has been truly excellent. I find it extremely interesting and I am eager to read more.

Up to this point, it has introduced several main characters. We are aware that Chas has a passion for collecting certain pieces from broken bombs and planes that have been shot down during raids. He has the second-best collection, but the one with the best collection is Boddser. Chas and Boddser don't get along; in fact, Boddser is a bully.

An intriguing part occurred when Chas went in search of some good parts to collect. While he was looking, he discovered a great part, but it was being guarded by Fatty Hardy, the cop. Chas attempted to distract him in order to obtain the part, but Hardy caught on and began chasing him. This forced Chas to flee into the woods. Once in there, he stumbled upon a Nazi fighter plane and went to inspect it. Right in front of him, he saw a machine gun, in good working condition. From the moment Chas saw it, he knew he had to have it. He looked around further and found a dead Nazi fighter. He then went and retrieved his dad's hacksaw, cut the machine gun off, and took it through the town at night during the raid. When Chas went to school, he saw Boddser showing off a Nazi fighter's helmet. As soon as Chas saw it, he knew Boddser had found the plane.

Next, I believe Boddser will be caught for taking the helmet. Additionally, the police will suspect him of also taking the machine gun. Chas is a cool kid, I would say. He seems okay. He enjoys getting into mischief, and I think he might get into some trouble.

A great insight into what war is like for kids. It is truly astonishing that the entire premise was inspired by a news story. The story was about some Dutch kids who did very much the same as the kids in this book. This shows how real and relatable the experiences depicted in the book can be. War has a profound impact on children, and this book manages to capture that essence in a powerful way. It makes us think about the innocence of kids and how war can shatter their world. Through the eyes of these children, we can see the horrors and the hardships that they have to endure. It also makes us realize the importance of peace and the need to do everything we can to protect the children of the world from the ravages of war.

This is truly a remarkable blast from my childhood.

In fact, the very copy that I read is precisely the same one that I purchased way back in 1987.

And to my great delight, I found myself enjoying it just as immensely as I did all those years ago.

What's truly astonishing is how well it holds up as a thoroughly cracking read even after a whopping 36 years have passed.

It's as if time has had no effect on its charm and appeal.

The story within its pages still manages to captivate and engage me, transporting me back to that simpler time of my childhood.

It's a testament to the enduring quality of this particular piece of literature.

Every word, every sentence, still has the power to evoke the same emotions and memories that it did when I first laid eyes on it all those years ago.

It's truly a treasure from my past that I will always cherish.

I have just completed reading "The Machine Gunners." I would rate this book a 3 out of 5. The reason for this is that the majority of the story was captivating and managed to keep me engaged. However, there was one aspect that I didn't particularly like. I'm not usually a fan of war-type books, but this one managed to change my mindset!

"The Machine Gunners" is about an English boy named Chas McGill from Garmouth. He is 12 years old. Chas discovers a machine gun from a crashed German airplane and cuts it off the plane. At the time, he has no idea how much trouble this will cause him. Realizing he needs help, he meets with his friends and finds a shelter to hide the gun. While the police are searching for it, they have to hide. Then, a German survivor named Rudi finds their fortress and starts living there. Rudi is in a bad state. There is a lot of secrecy surrounding their actions, which concerns their parents and the police, especially with the missing parts they need to supply their fortress. But in the end, they are caught and are in deep trouble.

The most thrilling part of the book is when the bombing occurs. It constantly keeps the reader on edge, and the suspense is intense!

My favorite character is Chas McGill. He is cheeky and sneaky, which makes the story fun and interesting to read. Additionally, the way he takes on the lead role enhances the plot and makes it more enjoyable to read.

The message that I believe the author is trying to convey is how the Second World War has transformed the lives of those it affected and how they have coped with it.

Overall, I would recommend this book as it has a good storyline and manages to hook the reader!