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A Million Angels
WHEN DAD GOES TO WAR IN AFGHANISTAN, JEMIMA HAS BATTLES OF HER OWN
"We talk about everything, Dad and me. About all the mysteries inside of us. About all our wonderings of the world. But tomorrow my dad goes to war. Then what will I do?"
Jemima's dad's in the Army and he's off to Afghanistan again for six whole months. Her mum's about to have another baby and hasn't got the energy to worry about anything else. Granny is staying to help out, but her head is filled with her own wartime memories. So while Mima is sending Dad millions of angels every night to keep him safe, who is looking out for her?
"We talk about everything, Dad and me. About all the mysteries inside of us. About all our wonderings of the world. But tomorrow my dad goes to war. Then what will I do?"
Jemima's dad's in the Army and he's off to Afghanistan again for six whole months. Her mum's about to have another baby and hasn't got the energy to worry about anything else. Granny is staying to help out, but her head is filled with her own wartime memories. So while Mima is sending Dad millions of angels every night to keep him safe, who is looking out for her?
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2011
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222 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 28, 2011
This is a fantastic book for children aged 9-12. I suppose it is probably more geared towards girls, but it has something for everyone in it, I think.
It made me cry in several places, and I cried through the last 20 pages or so. It tapped right into old wounds, Kate Maryon has a real skill for identifying with young people in crisis, and loss and love ran through this book in huge, sparkling veins.
Thoroughly recommended.
It made me cry in several places, and I cried through the last 20 pages or so. It tapped right into old wounds, Kate Maryon has a real skill for identifying with young people in crisis, and loss and love ran through this book in huge, sparkling veins.
Thoroughly recommended.
July 1, 2014
This book made me go back to when I was 12. Kate wrote this book so well that I kind of felt she was 12 lol
It was a sad book about a loyal sweet girl. I love mima, so kind and sweet. I find her better than all of her so called friends. I didnt like her mom though. is that a way to treat a12 year old year? think again hon.
Anyway, a very nice and fun novel
It was a sad book about a loyal sweet girl. I love mima, so kind and sweet. I find her better than all of her so called friends. I didnt like her mom though. is that a way to treat a12 year old year? think again hon.
Anyway, a very nice and fun novel
July 11, 2011
Fantastic book!! It make me cry a little when there was the part about Jemima being bullied. Everybody pls try reading this book!!
April 14, 2025
This one was much better!
November 21, 2023
Been reading/rereading this book since year 5 and each time I read it there’s a new meaning I can interpret. Definitely my all time comfort book
March 13, 2012
Review by Amber Year 6
The main story in this book is about Jemima, lots of things happen to Jemima within this book but I have been told I am not allowed to say what they are as it would spoil the story for other people. The main elements is that Jemima is bullied and how much she misses her father when he is away in the Army.
Jemima is an amazing character, really unique and she stood out the most for me in the story. I really connected with Jemima and felt sad at parts when she was sad.
I thought this this book was amazing and there was nothing at all I would change about it. I would recommend it to all my friends and am going to look for more books by this author as it was a brilliant book.
The main story in this book is about Jemima, lots of things happen to Jemima within this book but I have been told I am not allowed to say what they are as it would spoil the story for other people. The main elements is that Jemima is bullied and how much she misses her father when he is away in the Army.
Jemima is an amazing character, really unique and she stood out the most for me in the story. I really connected with Jemima and felt sad at parts when she was sad.
I thought this this book was amazing and there was nothing at all I would change about it. I would recommend it to all my friends and am going to look for more books by this author as it was a brilliant book.
July 16, 2011
A brilliant book about a girl whose dad is sent to fight in Afghanistan. She does every outrageous thing she can think of to try to get him to come back home.
If you like Jacqueline Wilson - you'll love this!
If you like Jacqueline Wilson - you'll love this!
March 8, 2018
I love all the Kate Martin books. this was the last book I've read of hers and was a good one. it was one of my favourites. I was looking forward to reading to reading this book because the main character was called Jemima and I'm called Jemima. With high expectations this book definitely met them. it was such a good book. but the only thing was (spoilers) I did love the ending, but Jemimas dad never came back at the end of the book so we don't know if he survives the war or not. it could have been something like ONE YEAR LATER..... (then on with a short chapter) so we just know that he is safe and that everyone is happy xxx9.999/10 only because of the ending 😂
July 13, 2024
5 STARS
I hope a film director picks up this book and make it into a movie. GUYS!!!! OMG
DO NOT LET THE COVER FOOL YOU. I was not ready for this book. it's an easy read book... very fascinating... very emotional and heartwarming and the turn of events are very unexpected. One thing I do when I love the book is when I finished reading the last page. I closed the book and I kiss it. that's what I just did with this book. Auto buy author. And a very very special touch making me and all it's readers a part of this story. Brilliant JUST Brilliant
I hope a film director picks up this book and make it into a movie. GUYS!!!! OMG
DO NOT LET THE COVER FOOL YOU. I was not ready for this book. it's an easy read book... very fascinating... very emotional and heartwarming and the turn of events are very unexpected. One thing I do when I love the book is when I finished reading the last page. I closed the book and I kiss it. that's what I just did with this book. Auto buy author. And a very very special touch making me and all it's readers a part of this story. Brilliant JUST Brilliant
February 6, 2018
I remember getting this book at the school book fair years ago and i loved it. it was my favourite book apart from the harry potter books. I recently found this book after cleaning out my room and read it. Its such a good book i also fault connected to the main character because of our storng father/daughter relationships.
January 13, 2025
my favorite childhood book of all time. this book is what validated my religious beliefs (or lack of, through jemima's grandmother) and made me feel less alone. i didn't know it at 9, but i was really depressed, and this book got me through it. i'm double that age now, and this is undoubtedly one of the books that has been most revolutionary and inspiring in my life and my reading journey.
October 29, 2019
I absolutely loved the book my family couldn't get me away it was really good i would recommend it as over 7 as some of the vocabulary is fantastic
July 3, 2020
It was very good. I was emotional from reading it.
December 19, 2020
I love these book everyone should try it out
January 7, 2021
i think this was one of the first "long books" i read in ~2013 and i remember fully sobbing so....5/5
December 29, 2021
I read this book when I was about 14 years old and I loved it so much. I read it in one sitting and could not put it down. The writing style was beautiful and it was just an overall lovely story.
January 15, 2022
Loved this when I was in my early teens!
December 10, 2022
interest- 4/5
predictably- 2/5
emotion- 3/5
predictably- 2/5
emotion- 3/5
January 23, 2023
This story was so sweet and the story really teaches how love survives war.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2013
I'm rating this a full 5 stars for the age group it's recommended for. A lovely little treat, discovering this author. It was pointed out to me as I'm 'minding' the author at a book event this month and have never read any of her books.
On first impressions, the cover indicted a heavily girl-oriented story, tween-focused on girly-type things. That is a mistake. And potentially putting off potential readers.
It's actually quite issue-laden, for a 9-12 book. Jemima's dad is a soldier and going back to Afghanistan. Fiercely loving and worried for him, Jemima tries to do everything she can (including some rather dangerous stunts) to get the army to send him back home. She's also a bit of a misfit in school and the centre of a quite bitter struggle between the popular group and her fellow army-brat Jessica, who for me was one of the more interesting characters.
It's certainly not a Louise Rennison / Princess Diaries light and fluffy read. It has a few shocks and expects its young readers to be able to cope with quite complex emotional situations.
Very impressed. Just wish the cover would be less girly to encourage a wider audience.
On first impressions, the cover indicted a heavily girl-oriented story, tween-focused on girly-type things. That is a mistake. And potentially putting off potential readers.
It's actually quite issue-laden, for a 9-12 book. Jemima's dad is a soldier and going back to Afghanistan. Fiercely loving and worried for him, Jemima tries to do everything she can (including some rather dangerous stunts) to get the army to send him back home. She's also a bit of a misfit in school and the centre of a quite bitter struggle between the popular group and her fellow army-brat Jessica, who for me was one of the more interesting characters.
It's certainly not a Louise Rennison / Princess Diaries light and fluffy read. It has a few shocks and expects its young readers to be able to cope with quite complex emotional situations.
Very impressed. Just wish the cover would be less girly to encourage a wider audience.
October 5, 2013
Jemima's Dad is the only one who understands her. But then he goes off to war in Afghanistan for six whole months. Mum's having another baby, and Granny's head is filled with memories of Derek, her childhood sweetheart. Mima is labelled as 'weird' and 'a freak' at school and so has one friend, Jess, who she hates and who hates her. The only reason they're friends I because Jess's Dad is off to war as well, but her and her Mum, Georgie, are happy that he's away.
Mima must learn to get over the fact that her beloved father is away, and quite literally 'Keep Calm and Carry On'.
I recommend this book to anyone, and I agree with Katy, the cover makes the book seem very girly an no boy would be seen dead with it tucked under his arm. Either gender could read this, as there are several male characters in this book, although it is probably aimed mainly at girls.
Mima must learn to get over the fact that her beloved father is away, and quite literally 'Keep Calm and Carry On'.
I recommend this book to anyone, and I agree with Katy, the cover makes the book seem very girly an no boy would be seen dead with it tucked under his arm. Either gender could read this, as there are several male characters in this book, although it is probably aimed mainly at girls.
December 13, 2015
I thought that this book had an amazing lesson in it. I learned so much from this book. The adventure was awesome and I loved the ending the most. It was so good and I kept on reading the last few chapters again. It would be a great recommendation for my friends with a great moral an awesome story line!
May 6, 2012
I am writing this review, and it has been forever since i read it, but this book was such a fave of mine, which is of course why i gave it 5 stars. I remember that he dad was at war or something, and she was drawing angels all over her arm, they were to protect her dad.
-Abigail.x
-Abigail.x
June 2, 2013
The story was nice (using very precise word choice here). I liked the last few pages best. Certain parts of the story could've been written better, at some points it was a slight bit boring. But it was a nice story, it really was.
April 8, 2013
Students from year 3 up have raved about this and the three other Kate Maryon books. I loved it too.
August 30, 2013
A lovely book, well written and explained
May 6, 2014
I loved this book so much! It made me angry, sad, happy and even made me cry xxx
November 17, 2014
Great book!
March 5, 2015
This is a gr8 book if you love sad stories like I do! Very touching story...
July 2, 2015
This book nearly made me cry during the tough times jemima faced. It was a really good book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews