A Rose for the Anzac Boys - by Jackie French - $15.95

Out in time for Anzac Day.  Have you ever deplored the  lack of children’s literature about the First World War?  Jackie French, one of the best children’s writers today, has written a moving and realistic story about a 16 year old girl from New Zealand who, with her two friends, travels to France to set up a canteen.  As they serve hot cocoa and soup to the thousands of enthusiastic young men passing through the railway station on the way to the front, and the thousands of wounded and shell-shocked returning home, they receive letters from relatives who were at Gallipoli and other war fronts.  The war is seen through the eyes of the Anzacs (Australians and New Zealanders) as Rose meets and writes to two young soldiers, one on whom she eventually marries.  She spends some time driving an ambulance (truck) from the front to a field hospital, then serves in a Red Cross hospital with her aunt.  Trench warfare and its repercussions takes on a human face in this marvelous story.  Australian and New Zealander contributions are focused on, the poor leadership and attitudes towards ‘colonials’ shown by the most British generals, and above all the attitude that developed in a generation is brought out, to “just carry on” whatever the hardship. Ages 11 yrs – 18 yrs