Private Peaceful, by Michael Morpurgo

My DS1 (aged 12) read this in Yr7 English and as I like to read the books he is reading at school, I too read it. I thought it was a brilliant book, very descriptive, very moving and we were able to discuss it together and 'analyse' it as you do in English, it took me back to school days :) I must admit though, I agree with the first review that it would be unsuitable for a younger reader and my 10 year old was going to read it but I said to wait until high school, although he is a very confident reader I felt the content may just be a bit much for him, dealing with issues such as pregnancy and being disowned by your parents as well as other issues (the war etc) but I won't give too much of the plot away. For Yr 6/7 upwards and even adults I would highly recommend it - finished it in 2 days.

My 7 year old son was given this book to read by a techer who has not read it,as he is a very confident reader. It is deeply inappropriate for this age group. It is a very moving, graphic and powerful account of life in the trenches of World war I, including a detailed description of a poisoned gas attack ( linguistically based on Owen's poem Dulce et Decorum)The main characters brother is executed for cowardice at the end of the novel. A gruesome and mature read. I am horrified my 7 year old was given it. Luckily, I read it before he got a chance to. I am an English teacher and this book is fantastic, and is used to teach year 8 ( 13-14)Not a book for those younger that 13 due to the subject matter.

Ideal as a tie in for history but more than that, a moving and subtle tale of the First World War and its consequences.