I've re-read this book recently. It reminds me of the time when a teacher read it aloud to our class in junior school, and that's why I wanted to revisit it. Now it's clear that our teacher omitted several lines here and there during his reading. Although this is a children's historical novel, there are various bits of bad language and age-related content. For example, I don't recall hearing him read about the young girl getting blown up early in the book. The description is quite vivid: "Aye. A direct hit. They found half of her in the front garden and the other half right across the house."

This book offers a brilliant portrayal of northern life during the war. It's refreshing to read a children's book that doesn't hold back and presents the mixture of local dialects. After all, Westall was born in North Shields. It's just as brilliant as I remembered it, showing the harsh reality of war and the lives of ordinary people in a unique way.

Overall, this re-reading has given me a new perspective on the book and made me appreciate its authenticity and literary value even more.

I really enjoyed reading this book.

Even though I have the feeling that it might be more suitable for someone younger than me because it was an extremely easy read.

The language used was simple and straightforward, which made it accessible to a younger audience.

However, I still found it quite engaging and interesting.

I would highly recommend this book to year 7 students who have an interest in history.

The story is set during the war, which provides a great opportunity for them to learn about that particular period.

It can help them to understand the events and experiences that took place during that time in a more engaging and enjoyable way.

Overall, despite its simplicity, this book has a lot to offer and I believe it would be a great choice for year 7s interested in history.

When I was little, we read this at school, and I love it.

The story has great twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. You never know what's going to happen next, which makes it really exciting.

The plot is also very interesting. It takes you on a journey through different places and introduces you to a variety of characters.

Each character has their own unique personality and story, which adds depth and complexity to the overall narrative.

Overall, this is a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good story with plenty of twists and turns.

It's a classic that has stood the test of time and continues to be loved by generations of readers.

Oldie but goodie...

This phrase truly holds a special charm. It refers to something that may be old or outdated in some ways, but still has a wonderful quality or value that cannot be ignored.

For me, it often brings back memories of my school days. Those old textbooks, the classic novels we read, and the traditional teaching methods that were used.

Although things have changed a lot since then, there is still a certain nostalgia and warmth associated with those old memories.

It makes me realize that sometimes, the old ways can be just as good as the new ones.

We should not always be so quick to discard the past and embrace only the latest trends.

There is much to be learned and appreciated from the things that have stood the test of time.

So, the next time you come across something that is an oldie but goodie, take a moment to cherish it and let it bring back those precious memories.

An Interesting and Enthralling Story


It is truly nice to hear about the fun times that these kids had, especially during such violent times. The story is not only interesting but also enthralling, captivating the reader's attention from start to finish. My boys and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and listening to the accounts of their adventures. It gives us a glimpse into a world that is both exciting and dangerous. The kids' ability to find joy and create memories in the midst of chaos is truly remarkable. It makes us realize that even in the toughest of circumstances, there is always room for fun and adventure. We look forward to reading more stories like this one.

My dad brought me this book when I was 11 and studying war books at school.

He'd read it when he was studying and had enjoyed it so much that he thought I'd love it.

I'm not too sure why but I put it off for so long. However, after 10 years, I finally decided to read it and I'm so glad I did!

Whilst it wasn't 100% what I expected, I really enjoyed it.

I loved Rudi and Chas. I especially loved Rudi's character. It was so refreshing to see a German character not portrayed in a war book as a terrible person.

It showed him as a human with feelings, which was lovely. The relationship that he had with the children was heartwarming. Even when he could have escaped, he didn't want to as he viewed them as almost equals but definitely friends.

I loved Chas and his sense of adventure. He had his head screwed on for someone so young.

I also loved Westall's use of language. Nothing was ever written in a way that sounded colloquial. You were really sucked in to the setting of Garmouth in the war.

This book is one of the best World War II literatures that I've ever read and I would definitely recommend it to everyone. It offers a unique perspective on the war, with well-developed characters and a captivating story.

The language used is beautiful and really brings the setting to life. It's a must-read for anyone interested in war literature or just a good story.

I'm so glad I finally got around to reading this book and I know you will be too if you give it a chance.

I'm not entirely certain how I happened to overlook reading this book during my childhood. My Dad and Uncles were born during the Blitz, and thus a great deal of the story deeply resonated with the tales they recounted to me as I was growing up.

Even though this is a children's book, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it as an adult. The plot is masterfully constructed and highly unpredictable. You're left guessing right up until the very end as to how everything will be neatly wrapped up.

It vividly describes numerous trials and fears that the English people endured while facing invasion, bombing, and destruction. Additionally, it portrays people in both their best and worst lights during a crisis.

All in all, it's a great short read that offers a unique perspective on a significant period in history. It's a book that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, as it manages to capture the essence of the times while also telling a captivating story.

I read this decades ago when I was a kid. For some reason, the barely-remembered name suddenly popped into my head. So, I looked it up and gave it another read.

I really enjoyed it. What I liked was that even though it's a kids' book, it didn't avoid things like death, swearing, or violence. It had a certain charm that was quite "of its time", but in a good sense.

The part where he fights the bully by swinging his gas-mask and then gets told off with the words "Britishers fight fair, we use our fists!" brought back a whole load of memories for me. It made me think about my own childhood and the values and experiences that shaped me.

Overall, it was a great read that took me on a trip down memory lane and reminded me of the power of books to evoke emotions and memories.

I first came across 'The Machine-Gunners' during my Year 6. At the end of each school day, our teacher would read it to us. Recently, I rediscovered this wonderful book on my class mentor's desk at my placement school.

The narrative style of 'The Machine-Gunners' is truly one-of-a-kind. The story is so captivating that it keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. What's more, the various covers of the book are highly effective in attracting both boys and girls.

The book has obvious connections to World War 2, yet it also explores ongoing universal themes such as family and friendship. It lends itself effortlessly to a wide range of comprehension activities, including drama hot-seating and freeze frames, as well as creating a new cover and blurb. However, some of the content does require some preliminary explanation, so it would probably be best to read it as a whole class or as part of guided reading. This way, students can fully understand and appreciate the story.

Overall, 'The Machine-Gunners' is a remarkable book that offers both entertainment and educational value. It is a must-read for students of all ages.

In England, a group of young boys made an astonishing discovery - a working machine gun. Fascinated by this find, they set about working on it, with the intention of getting it ready to fire.

However, the story takes an unexpected turn when we are introduced to a Nazi soldier in the book. Surprisingly, this Nazi is portrayed as a good character, which brings to life the complex and often overlooked aspects of war.

The interactions between Rudi, the Nazi, and the young boys are truly remarkable. They are not filled with hatred or animosity, but rather with an uplifting and tender quality. It is through these interactions that we see the potential for humanity and understanding even in the midst of the chaos and destruction of war.

This story serves as a powerful reminder that war is not black and white, and that there are often hidden depths and emotions that we may not immediately recognize. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and to see the individuals behind the uniforms and the labels.

"Challenging to Read as a Pinoy HAHAHA! So Many English Slangs

Westall's The Machine Gunners is an outstanding piece of literature that appeals to readers of all ages. It's like a more optimistic version of Lord of the Flies. In the chaos of the blitz, a group of children, abandoned by society, find a machine gun at the crash site of a German war plane. They use it to establish their own secret base and plan to defend England.

A German pilot who survives the crash discovers their base, changing the group's dynamic. His desire to escape coincides with a false invasion alarm, leading to a tense and emotional finale full of dramatic anticlimaxes. The novel is finely balanced between dark humor and intense seriousness, boyish adventure and the harsh realities of war.

Westall's success lies in his ability to create vivid personalities with few words. All the characters come alive on the page: the moral thug Clogger, the quiet and sad Nicky, the tomboy Audrey, the human Rudi, the loyal Cem, and the charming Chas. The families are also vividly portrayed, especially Chas's grandparents and suspicious but protective dad. Even the minor characters, like the teachers and policemen, add to the picture of blitz-time England.

The physical descriptions bring the story to life: the wreckage, the dead pilot, the bombed-out rubble, Nicky's hollow house, the bunker, the beach, and the secret ways the children travel. Westall punctuates the story with short, effective action climaxes, like the fistfight and the Polish soldiers on the beach.

Despite the violence, there is also affection and moral struggle. Each character has limits and values, and they are all dealing with the broken social framework of their town. The book is written with great description, lively dialogue, and a diverse cast of characters. It's not an easy read, but it has a rollicking adventure feel. It's a book for young, sensitive readers looking for a challenge, or for adults who appreciate a good story that transcends genre.