Vinnie's War

by David McRobbie

The story of a homeless boy who starts by losing everything, and—through his experience as an evacuee in World War II—finds friendship, vocation, and a place to belong. When Vinnie is sent away from the bombs in London, he has no idea what awaits him—all he has left of his old life is his harmonica. On the train, Vinnie meets fierce Kathleen, sweet Joey, and gangly Dobbs. The evacuee children find themselves thrown together in the country town of Netterfold, which seems beautiful and peaceful—until they meet the locals. There is a war raging across Europe, but Vinnie and his friends soon find they have their own war to fight as they face up to terrifying teachers, bad billets, and hostile neighborhood kids who set out to make their lives as "vaccies" miserable. And when things start to go missing, they discover that there are mysteries lurking in Netterfold's shadows, just waiting to be solved. Through music and friendship, can Vinnie make peace and finally find a place where he belongs?

Genres: Historical Fiction, War, Historical, Childrens, Young Adult

210 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2011

About the author

David McRobbie is a full-time writer and lives in Brisbane. David is the author of Flying with Granny, Prices, and Mandragora, which was short-listed for the 1992 Children's Book Council of the Year Award for Older Readers. David's most recent titles, Schemes, Wages of Wayne, This Book is Haunted and Timelock were published in 1993.

Reviews

[Deborah Abela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometime around mid-September 1939, David McRobbie became an evacuee. As Britain sat poised for war, all major towns and ports were seen as prime bombing targets, so he and his family moved from Glasgow to a small town about 56 km away. Vinnie’s War is the story of child evacuees, who weren’t as lucky to travel with their families, and focusses on a boy called Vinnie, who lost everything during a bombing raid of London, including the only people he loved. Vinnie is sent to the country with a trainload of other kids and when they arrive in the small village of Netterfold, they are instantly branded as vaccies and given a hard time by the locals. Some of the families who take the children in are kind, others not so. As the war rages beyond their country setting, the children settle in to their new life, make friends, enemies and find a place to call home. This is an intriguing look at how life was for many evacuees: the fear, the desperate measures people took to survive, the rations, the changes in working positions as many young men were called to war and includes some of the posters and slogans that were made to help the population through. For any child who has an interest in historical fiction, this puts them in front row seats of a fascinating time in history.

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers below....


It’s 1939 and despite his Mum dying of the “double d’s – Drink and Depression” and his foster mother ‘Aunt Vera’ threatening to return him to Welfare, Vinnie Cartwright was a likeable lad. When he finds lodgings at the local pub and meets a young Jewish evacuee, his life improves. Isaac is a talented pianist and teaches Vinnie to play. Vinnie is happy with his new friend and ‘family’ until the roar of the first bombs hit London – the pub – and everyone he has grown to love.
He becomes an evacuee – put on a train and sent to a small country town called Netterfold. He makes new friends and through his billet (a retired concert pianist) begins his lessons again – all the while wondering when his good luck will come to an end again.
Based on the authors experiences of being an evacuee in 1939 – this book has a section at the end going into more detail about what it was like.

[Melina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book, though it's hard to pin down exactly why. It's the story of four children, Vinnie, siblings Kathleen and Joey and tall gangly Dodds. The four of them are evacuated to the country during the second world war, and find themselves in the midst of another battle with the local people.

The story is fairly formulaic - especially if you have a fondness for evacuation stories and you've read a few before. There's mean teachers and Famous Five-esque crooks and mean bullies who turn out alright in the end. However it is an enjoyable and satisfying read and would be a great introduction to World War Two for unfamiliar children.

[Christine Bongers · Rating 4 out of 5]

David McRobbie's first-hand experiences as an evacuee child in World War Two inform this fascinating children's book. While ostensibly the story of four children sent away from the bombs in London, it is also a treasure chest of war-time memorabilia including advice on anti-gas helmets for babies, air raid precautions, news clippings, recipes and even messages from the King. It recreates war-torn England in the 1940s from a child's perspective, making it ideal for classroom study in mid-to-upper primary school.

[Nova · Rating 3 out of 5]

David McRobbie writes a book for upper primary children about Vinnie who is sent away from London during the second world war. The author writes with personal knowledge as he was evacuated from Glasgow.
This would be a perfect first book for a reader interested in learning more about life during the war as it includes facts and explanations; assuming no prior knowledge.

[Mrs Child · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me of the stories my Dad told me about his life growing up in London during the war.
It would have been a difficult time for children and parents. I enjoyed the story and found Vinnie a likeable character where things did work out after such a sad beginning!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical fiction about an evacuee in England during WWII. Kid sized adventures make it appropriate for middle school, though death and war are not ignored. Struggles with difficult people at home are mostly resolved in a satisfying way. Hard work and passion are rewarded.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

See review on my blog.

http://buildinglifelongreaders.blogsp...

[Gio]

your book is trash not good and know one likes you because your book is bad

[Dakotayalina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vinnie arrives in Netterfold, along with three new friends; Kathleen & Joey who are brother & sister & Dobbs Szczepanski, short for Dobroslaw. They were taken to were they would be collected to join new homes & families. Dobbs was the first to go, with Mrs. Hall… Then Kathleen & Joey were swept away by Mrs. Watney… Every child had soon left, to leave one left, Vinnie! Vinnie was the last pet in the pet shop… Then it happened after hours of waiting, Mrs. Greenwood, Mrs. Armstrong's house keeper, sprinted in…Vinnie heard some of the most pleasant words he has heard in a long time, "am I too late?" at last, Vinnie could leave the town hall with not only someone taking him home, but someone that looked quite wealthy, and smelt great! Vinnie was taken to the best house on the street, Vinnie was so excited, he wanted to thank Mrs. Armstrong for giving him a friendly home, but, soon Vinnie found out that Mrs. Armstrong was 80 year old woman, with arthritis, that used to be an award winning pianist, almost a dream come true! Vinnie is the first person ever to enter Mrs. Armstrong's music room. Mrs. Armstrong decided to help Vinnie out by giving him piano lessons. Everyday after school Vinnie attended Mrs. Armstrong's lessons each day, and became magnificent.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about Vinnie, Kathleen, Joey and Dobbs, British children who are evacuated from London during the war. The children are treated horribly by most families but Vinnie is treated very well. Miss Armstrong teaches him the piano after she learns about the death of his friend Isaac who died during the bombing. Fiction but some historical facts are included. Took a chance and was rewarded when I read this book- very good writer.

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story about life as a child of war evacuated to the country. Deals with issues of fitting in, loss,friendship, tolerance, standing up for one's rights and doing the right thing.
Beautifully written, easy to read, suited for upper primary on.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read this was. Written from personal experience the author captures events surrounding the child evacuees from London during WWII. The book is aimed at children however as an adult I found it very emotional but also informative.

I would recommend this book to anyone of any age.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoughtful well told story of the war experience of London Evacuee children during WWII. There could have been greater emotional depth in some parts but others felt right-on. I learned things I had not known before about wartime England.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This wasn't a terrible book, but I didn't feel the connection I wanted to have with the characters. If you're looking for a story about wartime evacuees in Britain, you might consider Carrie's War or Good Night, Mr. Tom, instead (or the PBS adaptations of these two books).

[Sarah Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during World War II, this is an interesting children's novel about evacuee children. Aimed at middle school year levels it is easy to read, informative and a bit of nostalgia for the older reader.

[Rana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a amazing. I loved it. This was one of the books we won at the regional reader's cup. The author made me feel so connected to the character.