Harold II Posted 14 September , 2011 Share Posted 14 September , 2011 My Grandson, 12 years old, is going on a 3 day School Tour around the WW1 battlefields early next year. He is very interested in history and I would like to give him a suitable book\s to read before he goes. Recommendations very welcome - personally I would prefer the book\s not to be overburdened with photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
museumtom Posted 14 September , 2011 Share Posted 14 September , 2011 'Deaths Men' by Henry Winter is my favourite book on the Great War. Regards. Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 14 September , 2011 Share Posted 14 September , 2011 I don't think that Denis Winter's 'Deaths Men' is suitable for a 12 year old, given the explicit contents. I would recommend Michael Foreman's 'Wargame' - you could buy it from Amazon through the forum's link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph0ebus Posted 14 September , 2011 Share Posted 14 September , 2011 Wasn't War Horse written for the youth market? -Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarylW Posted 14 September , 2011 Share Posted 14 September , 2011 I bought a book recently called The Trenches: Billy Stevens. The Western Front 1914-18 Jim Eldridge thinking it was an adult book but it appears to be for younger readers, easy to read and is published by Scholastic children's books. It is one of their 'My Story' series. Cheap copies available on Amazon They have a website http://shop.scholastic.co.uk/?gclid=CI7L8tXjnKsCFQ0OfAodCGdghQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem49 Posted 14 September , 2011 Share Posted 14 September , 2011 My 14 yr old, since the age of 11 has read many of my WW1 collection and prefers them to 'kids' books on the subject. Saying that - three years ago I took her to see 'Horrible Histories WW1' at the local theatre. Even Gramps was impressed Steve M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 14 September , 2011 Share Posted 14 September , 2011 You mean apart from Biggles of the Camel Squadron?. Private Peaceful and War Horse have an (unhidden) agenda but will certainly grip a 12 year old. Sasson might be worth a try or a Battlefield Europe guide of the area in question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 14 September , 2011 Share Posted 14 September , 2011 12 is about the time I really started reading WWI books. My dad gave me copies of Lynn McDonald's book on the Somme, and George Coppard's "With a Machine-Gun to Cambrai" at some point soon after that I was reading everything I could get my hands on WWI related but I still return to these every so often - I don't think I was ever getting "Children's" or "Teen" books really...Although there was a stoty book about WWI pilots I read and really liked cannot for the life of me remember the title...started with early descriptions of training and then trying to shoot down Zeppelins before heading to the Western Front....what on earth was the title..... I think I read First Day on the Somme pretty soon after that. I did (do!) have quite a few "picture" books too with equipment and weapons and maps but I didn't really get interested in details of campaigns until quite a bit later. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold II Posted 14 September , 2011 Author Share Posted 14 September , 2011 Thank you all for these swift replies. Going to pull up the titles on Amazon and read the reviews - thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayessex Posted 15 September , 2011 Share Posted 15 September , 2011 'Horrible Histories WW1' at the local theatre. Even Gramps was impressed My Grandaughter also read the book and found it a great read, I enjoyed it too if truth be known, but from a previous thread I do understand it was not every forum members cup of tea. Tells the story of the Great War in a very Child friendly way. However may be aimed at slightly younger Children. Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted 15 September , 2011 Share Posted 15 September , 2011 A new copy of Coppard's 'With a Machine Gun to Cambrai' seems to be ridiculously expensive but it was one of the first Great War books I read in my early teens. Presume it isn't in print at the moment. Likewise Chapman's 'Passionate Prodigality'. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Machine-Cambrai-Cassell-Military-Paperbacks/dp/0304352586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316081058&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Passionate-Prodigality-Echoes-War/dp/0907675425/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1316081238&sr=1-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarylW Posted 23 September , 2011 Share Posted 23 September , 2011 Here's another book I bought thinking it was for adults. Appears to have been published as children's literature (it is very interesting nevertherless) Tuesday 4 August 1914 Ian Ribbons. 1970 (reprinted later). It's an hour by account of what was happening around the world the day the war broke out and there are copies for sale on Amazon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 23 September , 2011 Share Posted 23 September , 2011 If I was in your shoes I would buy him OLD SOLDIERS NEVER DIE by Frank Richards. One of the best first hand accounts by a soldier that went all through the war on the WF and in an easy to read manner. Might not always be polically correct due to his years serving in India but a cracking read which I am sure would entice your Grandson to want to know more. Regards, Jonathan S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Connolly Posted 23 September , 2011 Share Posted 23 September , 2011 Actually the "Biggles" stories were my first WW1 reading, and they aren't a bad beginning - no sex, no swearing, but a depiction of the attrition of late-WW1 aerial warfare and the nervous tension resulting. I also recommend "In The Cannon's Mouth" by P.J. Campebell, the autobiography of a rather unworldly 19 year-old RFA officer from 1917 onwards; again, no swearing or sex, bar some innuendo from older battery members, but a splendid account of the incoherence, muddle, fright and humour of war on the Western Front. "Soldier From The Wars Returning" by Charles Carrington is also a worthy read (I shall stop here in the interests of brevity and clarity ...) Don't forget to tell him to add "The Great War Forum" to his list of Internet Favourites; after that you won't need to ask questions on his behalf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex falbo Posted 23 September , 2011 Share Posted 23 September , 2011 My Grandson, 12 years old, is going on a 3 day School Tour around the WW1 battlefields early next year. He is very interested in history and I would like to give him a suitable book\s to read before he goes. Recommendations very welcome - personally I would prefer the book\s not to be overburdened with photos Do you know which battlefields he will be visiting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaforths Posted 9 October , 2011 Share Posted 9 October , 2011 Depends on whether you are looking at non fiction or fiction? These are some books my son and daughter enjoyed at that age on WW1 all fiction. War Horse - Michael Morpurgo (illustrated version - super illustrations by Francois Place) Private Peaceful - Michael Morpurgo Remembrance - Theresa Breslin Lord of the Nutcracker Men - Iain Lawrence regards Marjorie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 9 October , 2011 Share Posted 9 October , 2011 There's one called When the Guns Fell Silent but I've forgotten the author - posting on my phone right now or I'd check. It has a sequel about VADs which I can't really recommend - its research shows (huge undigested chunks of Lynn McDonald's Flowers of No Man's Land). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 12 October , 2011 Admin Share Posted 12 October , 2011 Jackie Was A Hero by Lawrence Harris isn't bad, not sure if it is still available Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie Posted 15 October , 2011 Share Posted 15 October , 2011 I'd recommend Tommy goes to War by Malcolm Brown - I read this a couple of years ago as a younger teen and I found it easy and informative. Private Peaceful by Morpurgo and/or All Quiet on the Western Front by Remarque are also recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericthornton Posted 28 October , 2011 Share Posted 28 October , 2011 Frank Bellamy's ''Story of WW1' may be a good choice. The book takes the serialisation of the history of WW1 that was originally printed in the 'look and learn' magazine and presents it as a whole. The work was written for children/teens and so although quite detailed is not too academic. It is a good balance of written pieces covering the main aspects of the war with supporting illustrations by Frank Bellamy. The book costs £25 on e.bay although I guess any decent library could get hold of a copy. Although probably not what you had in mind I would also recommend the several volumes of 'Charley's War' that are out. Although taken from the original comic book format, the content is amazing in its completeness, from life at home to the trenches, to equipment, comradeship, campaigns, discipline, class etc. The fact it is also a gripping story in comic form should appeal to any young lad and the visual medium is a great way to stimulate interest in the subject in preparation for a visit. These again are available on e.bay (cost less than £15 if I rember correctly) or should be available in Libraries. regards, ET Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 28 October , 2011 Share Posted 28 October , 2011 When I was about that age (a looong time ago ) a book I kept reading was 'Tank Commander' by Ronald Welch. It is the last in the 'Aubrey Family' military saga, which goes all the way back past the English Civil War; this one is WW1. The series was written for 8-12 year olds. Sadly none are still in print and even a very tired paperback can go for thirty quid. But if one can be got from a library.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul Barton Posted 7 November , 2011 Share Posted 7 November , 2011 I remember "Tank Commander" in the Ronald Welch series - the first book was about one of his ancestors, one of the post-First Crusade settlers, defeated at at Hattin. Correlli Barnett's coffee table book on WW1, a good overview of the entire war. I read the lavishly illustrated Marks & Spencer edition when I was about 11 or 12, so perfectly accessible for a bright kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Barnwell Posted 8 November , 2011 Share Posted 8 November , 2011 I know it's been mentioned but if I can reiterate, I strongly recommend Morpurgo's Private Peaceful. Wonderful story, suitable for children but not simplistic. Covers interesting parts of the war and gives a real desire to read more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khaki Posted 8 November , 2011 Share Posted 8 November , 2011 I have to agree with Alex, post #15, that it should be relevant to where he is going, also finding out what his favourite book in any subject is, will assist in selecting for his level of reading pleasure. Try for a diary/biography for added identification with his travel experience. let us know what you select. khaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth505 Posted 19 November , 2011 Share Posted 19 November , 2011 All Quiet on the Western - Front by Erich Maria Remarque Yes obvious but no less valid a title because of that especially for a young adolescent. Some books become classics for a reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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