Armistice Runner (Conkers)

Product Information

I found the grandad and the Captain the most interesting because their stories aren’t the normal ones you read about. Could his incredible story of bravery help her reconnect with her gran and even give her the inspiration she needs to push through and win? Your selection was perfect for our children and what really made the difference was your ability to engage with each child, discuss their interests and help them to choose a suitable book based on your extensive knowledge of the books you were selling. This is an emotive book that follows a serious, dedicated young girl who’s keen to be the very best at her sport, and parallels it with a soldier’s experience of war. It’s a fantastic independent book seller that will actually be responsive and select appropriate books for you.

Sheʼs struggling to compete in her fell-running races and, worse, sheʼs losing her gran to Alzheimerʼs.

I’m not sure that there was anyone I didn’t particularly like but in the way the author has written the book I feel like a shadow has been cast over Abbie’s Dad (Abbie is a rival fell runner to Lily), he is made to be a bad person, therefore meaning that he is the ‘villain’ of the story. He travels all over the UK visiting schools and working with charities, and is well loved across the book trade. This story will pull on your heartstrings, but it also makes the history and experiences of soldiers during WWI more accessible, understandable, and easily digestible for teenagers.

The character I found most interesting was Lily because she was resilient even though the times when her gran was in her weakest and toughest times.She’s struggling to compete in her junior fell-running races and, worse, she’s losing her gran to Alzheimer’s. I haven't charted out my visits for the summer term, but I'm sure there are several in the south) and thanks so much for being so fantastic! Lily's Grandma soon realises that Lily has inherited Ernest's talent for running, and so she gives Lily Ernest's diaries, Lily learns of his experiences in the trenches and his role in the Armistice and slowly their stories intertwine. The dual narrative of Lily trying to maintain a relationship with her grandmother who is battling Alzheimer's and that of Ernest, writing letters to his dead brother tell a wonderful story of family and loyalty.

Tom Palmer celebrates the unsung athletic heroes of the Armistice in a powerful tale of the fell-running messengers on the front-line of war, publishing for the centenary anniversary of the end of WWI. You guys are such a force for good and I am a passionate supporter of Indie booksellers, so I'm so happy this worked out well (I'd love to know how many books were sold if you have it to hand - it felt like quite a lot! These books about World War I will offer young readers a range of different perspectives on the conflict, ranging from picture books to teen novels there's something here for everyone.I would recommend this book for people aged 10+; the actual read isn’t particularly hard but I think some of the subjects in the book could be upsetting for people under the age of 10. This isn't only a book about sports or war it's just a great story, expertly told, and one that every child should have a chance to read. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice.

Can his bravery inspire Lily in her racing and help her reconnect with her grandma and the rest of her family?

I have just bought this for my school library and will not hesitate to recommend it to Year 7 and 8 pupils.