Signs of the war were everywhere now. There was a concrete pillbox on the Grasmere to Keswick road. It had narrow slits in the walls so that soldiers could shoot out but not be shot back at. Road signs that had once directed tourists to Ambleside and Windermere had been removed to confuse the enemy. Invasion. It was coming.
Grasmere, 1940. As Tarn Forthergull deals with the loss of her beloved brother at Dunkirk, she and her friends explore the nearby mountains and lakes to protect their community from the long-dreaded Nazi invasion. While war just seems to bring bleak news, the spirits of the locals are lifted by somebody carrying out anonymous acts of kindness. Will the villagers accept the truth when the angel’s identity is revealed?
Thank you Barrington Stoke for this early read of Angel of Grasmere – Tom Palmer is one of my favourite authors (you can find reviews for Resist here, Arctic Star here and After the War here) and his war stories are always exceptional, so popular with both children and adults. At a time when there is much discussion online about the appropriate length of children’s stories, Tom always shows (and Angel of Grasmere is no exception) the power of a well-researched, compelling and immersive story in around 200 pages. His partnership with Barrington Stoke is perfection as the text layout also means his stories are accessible to dyslexic readers and reluctant readers.
Angel of Grasmere is breathtakingly beautiful – the tranquil village of Grasmere is feeling the effects of WW2 through housing evacuees and the potential threat of invasion and as the story opens, the men of Grasmere are grieving one of their own. Grief sensitively permeates through the story’s pages as Tarn deals with her own and her family’s grief; luckily she has two friends to support her in her time of need. What also makes Angel of Grasmere so fascinating is some of the split chapters where we get the point of view of someone hiding in the fells and doing anonymous acts of kindness. At a period when times are extremely hard for communities, Tom shows how hope and kindness can still exist whilst sensitively teaching the reader more about Dunkirk, PTSD and desertion. Distinctly Tom Palmer, Angel of Grasmere is another essential read exploring aspects of war readers may be unfamiliar with. Another story where you feel as if you’re touching history, it’s definitely a must read!
Suggested reading age: 9+
Angel of Grasmere is written by Tom Palmer. It will be published by Barrington Stoke on 9th May 2024. Why not support an indie bookshop and preorder this incredible story like I’ve done? Sam Read Bookseller in Grasmere (mentioned in the book) have personalised signed copies available to preorder here.
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