My least favourite in the series 1 Michelle Hickey143

A really interesting story for young teens which focuses on the war from the perspective of two siblings brought up in a pacifist household. Alex is a mechanic who ends up an air force pilot. He joins up against the wishes of his family because of his love of machines, not expecting to be actively involved in the war. Gardiner captures the bravado and naivety of the young Australian men who enlisted. Left at home, Maggie finishes school and gets involved in the Women's Peace Army and ends up working on farms doing men's work. On the home front the family are active in the conscription debate and leading figures of the time make appearances. Spoiler alert - significant characters are lost in the war.This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review annie89

Ah, I've missed these kinds of books. The easy read, but amazingly written, historical fiction for teens (but could be read by late primary school age as well, if you're wondering).

I thoroughly enjoyed the dual perspective in this novel. It was so interesting to learn about a pilot in the first world war, and how the character of Alex came to become one. I also really enjoyed Mags' life, as it really showed life for Melbournians in WWI, particularly girls who were determined. Amandajane603 7

Children's novel.

This is a fantastic book I read to my 8 and 10yo children. It follows a brother and sister in 1917. He is training to be a pilot in England and then sent to fight in Europe. She is left at home with her own battles to fight. We all loved this story. BibleBoy36

The story of a brother at war and a sister at home -both fighting for something. can they keep up the courage to see this war through?


I did not the ending, it seems to make out that he died.This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review Sue158 2

A great read which works in true events into a fictional story. The mix between being at home (Australia) for 15 year old Maggie and being overseas fighting for Alex (training in England, then onto France) worked well. Wendy Bridges136 1 follower

Perfectly paced. Moving and insightful. Patricia Baker63

Love these books in the series for their Australian angle on aspects of World War One. The duality of Alex at war and his sister back home is very well done. St Stephen's C C1,074 7 Read

The German planes patrolled in hunting squads.
They flew fast fighting craft, streaking across the sky in tight formation.
The greatest of them was the Red Baron, the deadliest ace on the Front.
He’d shot down twenty-one of our planes in a single month. And now we were in his firing line.
The war in France rages in the skies, and support for the war in Australia turns cold.
Alex flies high above the trenches of the Western Front, while a world away his sister Maggie finds herself in the midst of political upheaval. Somehow, both must find the courage to fight on.
Lucas Petersen7 Read

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