The Machine-Gunners

Robert Westall

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children's friendship in wartime

courage and bravery during conflict

authentic historical writing style

innocence and adventure during war

growing up during world war ii

engaging storytelling for all ages

well developed characters facing adversity

descriptive childhood adventure

historical context of world war ii

varied pacing with exciting climax

'The Machine-Gunners' by Robert Westall is a story set during World War II, focusing on a group of children who come across a downed German pilot and a machine gun from a wrecked plane. Despite the wartime setting, the story portrays the unlikely friendship that develops between the children and the German pilot, highlighting themes of camaraderie and compassion amidst the chaos of war. The writing style is described as authentic and true to life, capturing the essence of Britain during WWII with accuracy in historical facts.

The plot revolves around the children arming themselves with the German machine gun and preparing to take on the invading German army, showcasing a tale of growing up during wartime and the bravery of young individuals faced with challenging circumstances. Readers praise the book for its engaging storyline that appeals to both children and adults, offering a unique perspective on war through the eyes of courageous youngsters.

Characters:

Characters are well-developed, showcasing friendships, loyalty, and the spirit of children amidst adversity.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and descriptive, effectively capturing the essence of childhood adventure and emotions.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around young boys finding a machine gun, experiencing adventure, and forming friendships while confronting the harsh realities of war.

Setting:

The setting is a fictional coastal town during World War II, enhancing the story's themes of innocence and adventure during conflict.

Pacing:

The pacing is varied, with a mix of slower narrative development and exciting moments, leading to a climax that offers a twist.

When Chas awakened, the air-raid shelter was silent. Grey winter light was creeping round the door-curtain. It could have been any time. His mother was gone, and the little brown attaché case with the...

Notes:

The Machine Gunners is a coming-of-age story set during WWII.

The main character, Chas, is a patriotic boy living in a fictional town called Garmouth.

The story begins with a Nazi aircraft crashing, which piques the children's interest.

Chas and his friends find a machine gun and 2,000 rounds of ammo in the crash.

The children's adventure involves them hiding the machine gun from adults.

Chas's attitude towards Germans evolves throughout the story; he learns that not all Germans are bad.

The book highlights themes of childhood bravery, camaraderie, and independence.

Clogger, one of the main characters, becomes a close friend to Chas and stands up for him.

The story depicts the innocence of childhood amidst the horrors of war.

The book is suitable for children ages 10 and up, making it a great read for families.

Many readers noted the book's relatability and authenticity to historical facts about WWII.

Boddser Brown, Chas's arch enemy, embodies the bully character in the school setting.

The narrative showcases the children's efforts to protect their town from a German invasion.

Overall, The Machine Gunners is praised as a classic children's book that can resonate with readers of all ages.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of war, bullying, and the presence of mild violence, reflecting the historical context but remaining appropriate for young readers.

From The Publisher:

'Some bright kid's got a gun and 2000 rounds of live ammo. And that gun's no pea-shooter. It'll go through a brick wall at a quarter of a mile.'

Chas McGill has the second-best collection of war souvenirs in Garmouth, and he desperately wants it to be the best. When he stumbles across the remains of a German bomber crashed in the woods - its shiny, black machine-gun still intact - he grabs his chance. Soon he's masterminding his own war effort with dangerous and unexpected results . . .

The Machine Gunners is Robert Westall's gripping first novel for children set during World War Two and winner of the Carnegie Medal.

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About the Author:

More than a decade after his death, Robert Westall retains his reputation as one of the most powerful writers for children. He was awarded two Carnegie Medals (for The Machine Gunners and The Scarecrows) and used his own childhood experiences of the Second World War in his books.

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