Secret Sparrow

by Jackie French

This is the story of women who fought during WW1, but not as nurses or ambulance drivers.
In 1917 sixteen-year-old Jean McLain is working as a Post Office assistant in England. But when she wins a national Morse code competition, the British army makes a request Jean cannot refuse – to take a secret position as a signaller in France. If Jean can keep the signals flowing between the soldiers at the Front and at headquarters, Britain might possibly win the war. But the British army are determined to hide their desperation – they will go on to burn every document that showed how women and girls were working behind the scenes, in the trenches, and even in battles during World War I. Decades later, and half a world away, an old woman on a motorbike tells the young man she has rescued from a flash flood the story of 'the telegraph girl': the friends she lost, the man who loved her, and the happiness she so surprisingly found again. Based on true events, this story of adventure, courage and unshakable loyalty restores women and girls to their place in history that the authorities tried to erase.

Genres: Historical, War, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Survival, Middle Grade, World War I

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Jackie is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator and the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014-2015. She is regarded as one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors, and writes across all genres - from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction. In her capacity as Australian Children’s Laureate, ‘Share a Story’ will be the primary philosophy behind Jackie’s two-year term.

Reviews

[Kellie O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy 10/10 ⭐ rating from me, from page one all the way through to the end!!!

" Every life has pain so great you can't bear it sometimes. But, if you do bear it, then finally life seeps in to even the darkest places. But I didn't know that when I was sixteen."
--- Jean McLain

I finished this book earlier this afternoon, but didn't have a chance to write my review until now. Oh my goodness, I couldn't put it down!! I was so close to finishing it last night, but sleep took over. Oh well, I guess that I needed it! I absolutely loved every second reading this incredible story based on true events. All the characters are based on real people. This made it more interesting to me. I don't remember reading much about signallers, especially women signallers during WW1. This is their story told by the character Jean McLain. It's a brilliant and gripping story that will stay with me for a very long time! It's cleverly and beautifully written.

It's a duel timeline story beginning in Australia,1978, when Jean is telling her story to Arjun. She helped him escape a flash flood that lasted throughout the day and into the next day. It goes back and forth from 1978 to 1917 then ends in 2005. Arjun is about 14 years old and she is 78. During the fash flood, Jean tells him her story that she never told anyone else about her time in WW1 to keep him calm. Imagine being a girl of 16 during WW1 and being in the trenches sending Morse code, surrounded by dead bodies, rats and lice. She was known as the fastest signaller in the war. She could encode, decode and transmit up to 52 codes per minute! Now that's fast. She made no mistakes. How she could concentrate on her work amongst everything going on is amazing!! Also, gunfire was going on along with bombings.

Arjun asked Mrs. McLain, " A signaller? Like with flags, semaphore. Like the boy scouts?" She answered, " No. Morse code. I was a telegraph girl." I didn't know that signallers were employed by the Postal Service. Sadly, by the end of the war, they didn't get a pension and all their records were erased! Except in Ireland 🇮🇪!! The Irish were proud of them and recognized them for their bravery and service.

1917. When she was recruited by the Army, after winning a competition, her Dad said she was 21. No one questioned it! On her way to France, her ship was hit by a U boat and sank. Jean swam the English Channel to escape! Soon after recovery, she was sent to France and straight to the Front lines! In one particularly horrible battle towards the end of the war, she was running for her life along with two of the men. They were being shot at and bombed while running! Finally, they found a dug out to transmit signals. " She kept on pressing the keys, thinking only of them, the message, the men crouched beside her, pistol in their hands, surveying the edges of the crater as dawn lit the smoke yellow and pink. She had no pistol, no bayonet. She was a sparrow, defenseless in the vastness of war. "

I can't say enough about this book! It's an amazing story of love, devotion, dedication, survival, courage, strength and bravery!! It's fast paced, exciting and keeps you invested in the story. I could only find it on my Libby app, but it might be at some libraries or Amazon. I'm so excited that I read this book and learned so very many new things!! I very highly recommend this emotionally moving book!! Please read the Authors Notes to see how this story came to be and her personal connection to it.

Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫 ✨ 🪄

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
Secret Sparrow by Jackie French is an absolutely captivating story you must read, it’s about a sixteen year old girl who takes on a position as a signaller in WWI and ends up in the trenches. The story is told by a motorcycling elderly woman to a young boy she has rescued and is stranded with during a flash flood in Australia. Her storytelling takes their minds off their current situation.

There is plenty of adventure, a spot of romance and boundless courage. It’s also a war tale about how women were never acknowledged for their contribution and it was all kept secret as men didn’t want to admit women’s work was also vital to the war effort.

1917 - Sixteen year old Jean McLain, winner of a Morse code competition works in a Post Office in England. The British army want Jean to take on a secret position as a signaller in France. We follow this young woman as she travels to France and enters the war. How does a sixteen year old girl manage this?

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, it was so wonderful to hear about this woman’s life during the war and afterwards. The book is short, only 256 pages and recommended for anyone from age 12 years but boy does it pack a punch. Highly recommended.

Publication Date 29 November 2023
Publisher A & R

I’m so grateful for a copy of the book, thank you so much Harper Collins Australia 🙏

[Emily V · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a 16-year-old girl during World War 1 who works in the post office as a Morse code person. She has recently just won a Morse code competition for the most amount of words in a minute. Someone from the army has come to her asking if she wants to join to be a telegraph girl and do the morse code. She takes the opportunity and joins the army.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fascinating story. Normally I don't like when books go back and forth between a big gap in years, but this was done very well. This was a really good WWI book with a hard topic of women in the military.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super interesting book told by the elderly self of the 16-year-old girl who worked as a signaller in WW1. The book moves forward and backward in time, but once a hero, always a hero. I loved the smooth transition of the time line and the plot was very unique. The elderly heroine is in Australia and is saving a boy after a flash flood. The young signaller ended up in the trenches in WW1 and lived to tell the tale. I also liked the side of the story that showed how women were treated in that time.

5 stars

Happy Reading!

[Sally Hetherington OAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel absolutely captivated me! It takes us back to 1917, where sixteen-year-old Jean McLain, a post-office assistant in England, finds herself thrust into a pivotal role as a secret signaller in France after winning a national Morse code competition. The gravity of her responsibility in maintaining communication between headquarters and soldiers on the Frontline to secure Britain's victory in World War I is palpable.

The storytelling seamlessly transitions to 1978 in rural Australia, where Jean recounts her life story to Arjun, whilst escaping from a flash flood, reflecting on the friends she lost, the love she found, and unexpected moments of happiness.

The novel, based on true events, sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of women and girls during wartime, highlighting their courage. Jean is a strong and determined character and a great role model.

There were great insights into historical events, such as Winston Churchill's controversial decision to purchase faulty ammunition, resulting in significant loss of life. The erasure of women workers' records during World War I adds a layer of historical significance that infuriated me.

I was kept on the edge of my seat and didn’t want to put the book down. This is aimed at middle grade readers, but I honestly recommend it to people of all ages. This is definitely one of my top reads of 2023.

[Rebecca Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one

[whatbooknext · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean McLain learnt how to interpret and use morse code from her two older brothers as they messaged each other through bedroom walls. By 16 she is an accomplished morse coder and working for the local post office. Her brothers had joined the war effort and she wondered about the adventures they were having far from home. But it is 1917 and although women were also aiding the war effort, it felt like the only adventures she will have will be in their small English village.

At least until the British Army call on her. Jean had won a National Morse Code competition and they needed her special skills in 'the war to end all wars.'

She nearly doesn’t even make it to her first position then discovers there is no adventure as an army signaller either. Just 12 – 18 hr days sitting at a desk – listening to morse code and replying when required. To Jean it sounds like a group of sparrows. Peck, peck, peck and all TOP secret.

Soon she receives another visitor from the British Army, requesting much, much more from her. They need a skilled signaller who will not panic in dangerous situations and will keep a clear head when under fire. She will be helping with a top secret special mission which is hoped to finally put an end to the endless war. She will be in the thick of the fighting at the war front, with rats, lice, mud, flying bullets and mortars and only men for company. But she is pleased to encounter someone she has met before…


Once again, Australian author and historian Jackie French, has taken us back into a time of war, family, courage and sacrifice, all in the call of duty.

Secret Sparrow is told in two timeframes. It begins in 1978 Burrangong (NSW Aust) when our heroine Jean McLain is in her later years, but still enjoys riding her motorcycle. A flash flood races through the town and new mall with Jean outrunning it. She rescues a boy named Arjun along the way and they end up on the highest point looking down on their flooded town. They settle in for a long night and Jean begins to tell Arjun her story.

It’s a fascinating one including action, insights into a signaler’s life and the conditions of life in the trenches of WWI. There is a fledging romance thread that even young Arjun is interested in as he listens to Jean’s war experiences.

Soon he is the one worrying about elderly Jean as the cold and dark sinks in, adding yet another layer of tension to this story.

An epilogue shows them still connected years beyond and an author’s note is an interesting addition. Jackie French highlights the ineptitude of the ‘higher ups’ in the British Army which caused the loss of millions of lives.

Secret Sparrow is a welcome addition to much needed well researched tales of women’s huge contributions to war – other than knitting socks, letter writing, or baking for the troops. Would highly recommend this slice of WWI.

[Melissa Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s 1917 and everyone is making sacrifices to contribute to the war effort. For 16-year-old Jean, that includes her two older brother who enlisted and were off fighting a war on the other side of the world while she worked in the post office. That is until one day, Captain Balfour, arrives to speak with her. After that meeting, in which she is sworn to secrecy, her world will be changed forever.

This meeting sets off a chain of events that will put Jean into the thick of the action on the front line of World War 1 as a morse code decoder. Her mission was to interpret and send codes to the allies to help try and win the war. With shelling and gunfire and wounded and dying soldiers all around, Jean must get the messages through. Thousands of lives are depending in that coded communication.

This book is told through a time slip. In 1978 where Jean has a chance encounter with a young man, and they find themselves both trapped in flood waters. It is atop one of the highest hills that Jean shares the story about her time during the war. A story she has never before spoken about. This takes us back to 1917 when she served her country, but sadly, no records were ever kept about it. Or any other women employed to complete jobs thought to be unsuitable for a woman to do.

This book highlights the sacrifices made by the women during war times and the research touches on the lengths that went on to cover it up so there was no record of the women completing such secret missions. Nor were there records for the extraordinary work many women did in service for their country. The WAAC, Women’s Army Auxiliary Core, was the name given to the women enlisted. Secret Sparrow is a shout out to the strength needed by women at a time where little rights were afforded to them. It is an acknowledgement of the determination so many women gave to complete their jobs without complaint. And it is a declaration of girl power and the belief that women can do work, just as well as men.

This historical fiction novel was such an interesting read about females in a time where so much information is provided about male soldiers, but not the women who enlisted. Instead, their role has been, at time, glossed over in the history books. Jackie French is exemplary storyteller way, has made sure that is not the case any longer. Secret Sparrow is suitable for a 12+ readership.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating fictional story about a little known part of World War 1--the young women who transmitted and received encoded telegraph messages on the front in Europe. At first the frame story in contemporary Australia where a young man is saved from a flash flood by an old woman on a motor cycle who keeps their spirits up through the long, cold night marooned on a small hillock by telling her secret history seemed cumbersome. Eventually it won me over with the ability it gave the narrator to comment on the historical context, and a powerful scene near the end that connected the past and the present and brought tears to my eyes. At the end of her story, the boy asks the old woman if the war had been worth it.

"She turned to him, suddenly fierce. 'Of course it was worth it! We'd have been living as German slaves if they'd won....But it's not that simple, either....It was a stupid war, fought in stupid ways, and mostly run by stupid men....So yes, we had to fight. But we shouldn't have had to fight like that....I served my country, and I'm proud of it. I've lived a life of service, boy, and I haven't finished serving yet....What are we worth if we don't do our duty to each other? What kind of life is it if you don't love something or someone enough to die for them?'

"Suddenly the weariness was gone. The old eyes were bright and sharp as the quartz glistening from the shale around the lookout. 'What matters to you, eh?'

"'I...I don't know.' Then suddenly Arjun did. 'The land, I reckon. People doing stupid things with the land, like building the mall on a floodplain. The paddocks eroding because they've been overgrazed or are going to salt from too much bore water. The river turning green every summer...'

"He stopped, surprised by his passion. He had never known, never guessed, that he cared so much. If it hadn't been for this woman, the story on this hill, perhaps he never would have."

[Mrs.J.Richmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent account of women's service in WW1

This is a fictional account of an English female signaller in WW1, however it is quite likely that women in these roles actually did exist and played a pivotal role in the war. It was by accident that Jackie French learnt of the female signallers, originally employed as post office staff in Britain and sent to serve under great secrecy in France.

She has created a very plausible account of a young woman who finds love during the war but also loses several fingers in a shelling. The way she presents the story is interesting. The narrative is told in flashback as the young woman is now fighting for her life on the other side of the world in a flash flood. I'm not sure if there was a flood in Burrandong in 1978 but there certainly have been very similar events in Australia in recent history.

The details of the actual theatre of war the young signaller is working in are vague, largely because most of the historical records of the female signallers were destroyed after the war. The other historical information is sound however, including the shocking conditions of the British trenches and the ineptitude of the top brass all the way to Churchill.

I am finding an increasing number of interesting books being written about women's roles in both the World Wars. We should all be grateful to these authors for uncovering these untold stories..

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Harper Collins for sending us a copy to read and review.
The Great War should have been a learning point for humanity but acted more as a blueprint for the next one.
The role women played is seldom highlighted and authors are penning their involvement and dedication, giving the war a more accurate portrayal.
Jean McLain had a natural aptitude for translating Morse code and found herself on the front in France.
Horrific conditions and heavy loss of life best describes the battlefield.
Decoding was instrumental in communicating and the advancements and victories testimony to this.
Out of necessity people were generally stoic and steadfast and this characteristic stayed with that generation.
Decades later in Australia Jean is caught in a precarious situation leaving her and young boy stranded in floodwaters.
Her calm demeanour and aptitude gently guided them through this scary predicament.
Standing in fixed rubbish bins while the waters raised, she told him of her experiences and this left a lifelong impression on him.
A delightful, informative and restorative read that will leave an impression.
These stories need to be told and the achievements of all involved in that era recognised.

[Lee Boehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Jackie French has delivered an excellent heartwarming story about women in war. The details of the Battle of Cambrai and life in the trenches is so well researched and the details so vivid you can almost feel the mud and the smoke. An excellent explanation of the terrible leadership that led to so many lives being lost, and the abhorrent way the government tried to erase these women from history (most didn't even get paid). And there is also a beautiful love story intertwined into the story.

Jackie French is able to capture the essence of military service and military veterans in a realistic and empathetic way that any reader will be able to relate to.

I loved this story just as much as the Miss Lily's Ladies series and the Angel of Waterloo. An amazing author.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jackie French books and this one is a ripper. This is the story of a 16 year old girl who ends up at the front in France in WW1, as a signaller. There are dual timelines as well she is stranded in 1978 with young Arjun in a flood and she recounts her story and inspires him to do well in his future. This worked well, as it built up the suspense of the story, but also left room for reflection. Thank you Jackie for bringing these women’s stories to life, after the government tried to bury all references to it. It was also great to hear about her life after the war and beyond. I did need a tissue at the end, but thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

During a harrowing experience escaping the floods caused by torrential rain, a boy and the local postmistress shelter in a bin in the hills above their town. Their survival leads to conversations about her experiences in wartime and the book switches between the two scenes. 16 year old Jean’s work as a post office signaller lead her to the front lines and so begins the dangerous life that many women faced but were never made public. Great story for 10+, personally I became frustrated by the short interludes into the present day flood situation but was happy to be able to read what became of Jean after the war. Fictional but based on true lives, this is important work to be out there.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this middle grade historical fiction about WWI. It is tragic how frequently women are written out of the narrative. I appreciated the authors note and honestly felt a teary to think of all those women and their record being destroyed. I’m so grateful for authors who help us remember. It reminded me of another book I recently read: “The Women” and the forgotten women who served in Vietnam.

I loved her reason for serving. For helping. For risking it all. I’m so grateful to all those who are willing to sacrifice.

As a side note: I’m loving Jackie French and so grateful to discover her as an author!

[Ella Muscat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was a beautifully written book about female signallers in the war, a perspective we know little about. I borrowed this book from our school library to make sure I was reading some of the title available for our high school students. I think it was very appropriate for them, it wasn't overly gory or violent, even though it was set in the war.

I think it provides us with a comprehensible understanding of female signallers and how they often go missed in history, as many things do. The characters were well-rounded and I loved how each one had a part to play in the story.

[Ari (Head in a Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secret Sparrow was a rather engaging book and felt extremely real, Jean in particular felt like a real person.
I enjoyed learning more about World War 1, especially about the blunders made by Churchhill in World War 1, considering how in World War 2, he was totally different.
Books with multiple timelines can be difficult to read, but this one wasn't,the transitions were seamless.
Jackie French is a rather talented author.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another beautiful Jackie French book - this time read aloud to my middle son as part of his WWI unit study. Such a wonderful book. I hope that deep down people realise that women took part in ALL aspects of WWI and WWII except direct combat... and to hide and destroy the evidence of that involvement and participation is shameful. I'm so glad we have wonderful authors available to bring these stories to light in sensitive and respectful ways.

[Chantelle Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant read. Lots of emotions at the end. Love that there is another story out there portraying the amazing women of WW1 and their roles in saving lives. Also love the perspective and attitude they gave the main character and how real it felt. It made me stop and think a few times. Definitely recommend 😊

[Nicole West · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of the youngest women front line coder in World War 1.

What a wonderful intertwined account of the Telegraph girls' life. Jean tells her story to young Arjun in the dark of night, waiting out flood water to submerge.

Truly loved learning about how women were utilised and treated in World War 1 due to shortage of men through loss.

Loved it so much.

[Richelle Giro · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant story based on true accounts, Jackie French you are a sentinel of portraying this history. This era invokes a sadness in the core of my soul for the loss of duty, honour, respect, courage and strength. All of which is sadly lacking today, the only thing that remains the same is how shabbily women are treated, for the sake of the economy or the misogynistic ego's of weak men.

[Emily Dennehy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book about another role that women played during the First World War that was deliberately removed from History. Moving, exhilarating and overall, a fabulous middle grade War book.
Reccomended for 12+

[Gaby Meares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burrangong, 1978: young Arjun is rescued from a surging river in flood by a motorbike rider. They ride to higher ground, where the rider is revealed to be Mrs Jean McLain, who was ‘old, far older than Arjun had realised’. They are stranded on an isolated lookout, and as they wait for rescue, Jean recounts her time as a signaller in France during the First World War.

Butterwood, April 1917: Jean works at the local post office. When she wins a national Morse code competition, the British army asks her to become a signaller in France. She is sixteen years old, told to say she is twenty-one.

Rouen, June 1917: Jean is part of a team of women working ten or twelve-hour shifts, receiving and sending messages for the army; messages that could mean life or death to hundreds of soldiers on the front. She’s told the ground rules: ‘No breaks to go to the loo, so don’t have a cuppa before you start, even to help keep you awake. Wet your pants if you have to, but don’t leave your post. If we’re bombed, don’t leave your post till you’re told to. If the kaiser or Santa Clause or the king walks through the door, don’t leave your post’.

Jean is sent to the trenches at the front, and involved in the disastrous Battle of Cambrai. The horror of the trenches is described unflinchingly. You can almost hear the constant sound of gunfire, men screaming and crying and the unavoidable stink of death. French does not mince her words when it comes to the ineptitude of the British Army command, and is particularly scathing of Winston Churchill’s decision to purchase faulty ammunition which resulted in significant loss of life.

It is shocking to learn that the British Government ordered the destruction of women workers’ records; partly to cover up their reliance on ‘woman's’ work’ but more shockingly, so they didn’t have to pay them a war pension or contribute to their ongoing medical costs.

The book has a cracking pace, and had me on the edge of my seat. The harrowing conditions experienced by ordinary men and women is evocatively described. The senseless loss of life is palpable. Most readers will be incensed by the bungles perpetrated by those in command, bungles that cost so many lives.

There are so many fabulous books written for younger readers about both World Wars, but Secret Sparrow tells a story about the women at the front line - a story not often told.

The intended audience is readers aged 12 years and over, but I found it captivating, so recommend it for adult readers too!

[Lynette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good for primary school aged kids, though I found a few bits a bit boring to be honest and wondered if they would too.
Interesting to read about these women's work in the war though. Maybe I am just rating it from an adult perspective.....

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, 4 stars for upper primary/teen suitability. Fast paced historical adventure highlighting the atrocities of WW1 and making clear the incredible roles women played, despite them being denied army pensions and their records being deliberately destroyed.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackie French is a true treasure. This is another painstakingly detailed historical middle grade novel, placing the story of women during World War 1 in the spotlight. A zippy plot and great characters made this a compelling read.

[Cornel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mid
3 stars

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched, well written, wonderful characters. Such a sad story, but with so much hope. Excellent piece of history I didn’t know enough about.

[Aaliyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A amazing book loved how their was two stories sad that she died at the end but a amazing book in the end.