Produktdetaljer
Biographical note
James Riordan was born in Portsmouth in 1936 and grew up there during the war. After he left school he worked as a postman, a barman, a crate stacker, a railway clerk, and a double bass player before doing his National Service in the RAF, where he learnt Russian. After demobilization he gained degrees from Birmingham, London, and Moscow, then worked as a translator in Moscow. Back in England he lectured at Portsmouth Polytechnic and Birmingham and Bradford universities and from 1989 at Surrey University where he was Professor of Russian Studies. He wrote over thirty books and his first novel for children, Sweet Clarinet, won the NASEN Award and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Book Award. James Riordan died in 2012'This is a necessary, powerful, outspoken but ultimately healing book, something all young people born into more fortunate generations should read.'
The School Librarian
'A moving story which fully captures the horrors of war. One of the best children's or teen books to tackle a difficult topic.'
The Bookbag
This is a moving account of the reality of war and the terrible personal cost to a 17-year old recruit.
Pat Walsh, Historical Novel Review
James Riordan was one of our most powerful writers of war stories... All secondary schools should take the opportunity to re-stock this important title.
Kathryn Tyson, The School Librarian Magazine
This is compelling, revealing reading.
Caroline Franklin, Newbury Weekly News
Beautifully written by an accomplished storyteller...
Paul Dowswell, Carousel: The Guide to Children's Books