Malta A Childhood Under Siege

by Linda Peek, Noah Charney (Editor)

Margaret Staples was nine years old at the beginning of 1939 when her father was posted from England to the British colony of Malta with the Royal Engineers. Margaret and her four siblings thought they were in paradise, but everything changed when the Second World War broke out in September of that year.  Hitler wanted to take control of Malta for its strategic position, right in the middle of the Mediterranean. To fulfil this desire, the Axis dropped more bombs on this tiny island than anywhere else on the planet. When that didn't work, they sank the ships taking supplies to the island, hoping to force capitulation through starvation. This is Margaret's story of survival, told by her daughter Linda.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2023

About the author

Linda Peek is a writer, blogger and businesswoman. Born in the United Kingdom, she has been involved in international diplomacy through her husband's work as an Australian diplomat. Linda has lived in Switzerland, Israel, Malaysia, South Africa, Chile, France and Denmark, with postings in Canberra, Australia in between.

While living in Chile, she was Food Editor for an English newspaper, writing a popular weekly column called "The Good Life." She was a member of the Circle of Gastronomic Writers of Chile and a food judge. She runs her own business, which handles imports and exports of food ingredients. Since 2011 she has been writing about food in her weekly blog Café Cat.

She currently lives in Canberra, Australia.

Reviews

[JOHN COURTNEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gripping story of young Margaret Staples and her British Army family, who live through the longest bombing campaign of the Second World War. Ms Peek brings to vivid life the early joys of living in Malta and the subsequent years of destruction and privation, including near-starvation, suffered by Maltese and British families. At the same time, she expertly sets the human story in the context of the dramatic struggle between the Axis powers and Britain for strategic supremacy in the Mediterranean.

[Juan Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book represents an interesting blend of a family living history participating in a foreign location for them, namely, Malta during the devastating period of the 2nd world war. There is a recount with significant precision on the vicious bombardment Germany and Italy pounded on this strategic country island and the impact on the Staples family as an expatriate group contributing to the local population.
I enjoyed reading this book which took me two days to complete.
It also leaves fantastic information for the future generations of the Staples family whose members will be able to research further and benefit enormously.
Juan Carlos Kovacic

[Jenny Luck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda has done a wonderful job of telling her mother’s story .
The reader is transported to Malta and lives through the harrowing days of the siege of Malta.
Following her mother’s death , Linda found snippets of this story which her mother had clearly intended to write, and so Linda has done it for her!
Well done Linda.

[Sue Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Peek has found An excellent device in writing through her mother’s voice to produce this very personal view of life in Malta during the war . A very valuable view and a totally engaging narrative.

I was not aware of the detail of Malta’s experience during the war and feel now richly informed.

[Daniele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so much enjoyed reading this book. It was a real eye opener on what happened in Malta during the 2nd World War. Surprising they survived…. Such a hard life for a British lady who couldn’t put enough food on the table for her family of 5 young kids. So traumatising.

[Kim Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

having Maltese heritage I found this book very interesting.
how hard life was for the people of Malta during WW2
it gave me some insight into my father's early life during the war.

[Lisa Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandparents immigrated from Malta in the 1920s. My mother's family had many relatives living in Malta during WWII. I grew up hearing the stories about the horrors the Maltese people endured. This is a wonderful detail account of life on Malta before and during the war.

[j i agius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read Linda and family have done a great book out of her mums diary’s. It must of been traumatising going through all that but people are so strong and they all survived. It must of been really scary and it’s all in the book what a loverly family you must be very proud. Malta is a fantastic place my husband was a 6 month old baby that came over on a boat with his family his dad has George cross. We go there next week we didn’t know about Malta having railway and we hope to see the tunnels. Thankyou for a loverly read.

[Amber Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a must read

[Tina Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captivated by this story from beginning to end. What struck me most was how vividly the author is able to convey both the innocence of childhood and the horrors of war in a single narrative. When Margaret first arrives in Malta with her siblings, we see the joy and excitement of children discovering a new world. It feels light, even magical. But then, with the outbreak of war, the entire tone shifts, reflecting how quickly paradise can turn into a battlefield. Linda’s writing style is elegant and deeply respectful. She allows her mother’s voice to shine through while also grounding the story in historical accuracy. The passages describing the bombardments are intense without being sensationalized, and the accounts of hunger and scarcity are conveyed with quiet power. I also admired the way she captures the resilience of not just Margaret, but of the entire Maltese community, who endured hardships with extraordinary courage. This book reminded me of why personal stories matter so much in understanding history. Numbers and facts can tell us that Malta was bombed more heavily than anywhere else, but hearing how a nine-year-old girl survived those bombings makes it real in a way no statistic ever could. This is a beautifully crafted and unforgettable memoir.

[Thomas Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reader who enjoys both history and memoir, I found this book to be a perfect blend of the two. What makes it particularly special is its focus on Malta, a place that is often overlooked in the broader narratives of World War II. The island played a critical role in the Mediterranean, and its people paid a heavy price for that strategic importance. Through Margaret’s eyes, we see both the devastation of the war and the resilience of a community that refused to be broken. Linda has given us more than just a historical retelling; she has preserved her mother’s lived experiences in a way that feels both intimate and universal. There were moments in the book that moved me deeply, the fear of the skies darkening with bombers, the despair of watching supply ships being destroyed, and the silent endurance of hunger. Yet alongside these hardships, there are also moments of family closeness and childlike wonder, which remind us that life continues even in the harshest circumstances. This book is an invaluable contribution to both personal and collective memory. It honors not only Margaret but also all those who endured the siege of Malta. It’s the kind of story that will stay with me for a long time, and one I would recommend to anyone who wants to understand the human side of war.

[Steven Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not only a historical account but also a moving tribute from a daughter to her mother. The way Linda captures Margaret’s childhood experiences is both personal and powerful, giving us an authentic look at what it meant to grow up in the shadow of war. The descriptions of Malta under relentless attack are vivid and sobering, yet they are balanced by the warmth of family love that runs throughout the book. What impressed me most was the sense of resilience that shines through every page. Even as food grew scarce and bombs fell daily, Margaret and her siblings found ways to endure, to laugh, to continue living. The book never allows the reader to forget the terrible hardships, but it also reminds us of the strength of the human spirit. I believe this book will resonate with a wide audience not just those interested in history, but anyone who values stories of courage and perseverance. It is both a historical record and a personal legacy, and Linda has done justice to her mother’s remarkable story.

[Camila Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret’s Malta: A Childhood Surviving WWII

Margaret’s Malta is a moving and vivid account of a young girl’s life amidst the relentless turmoil of World War II. Nine-year-old Margaret Staples thought Malta was paradise, only to face the horrors of constant bombings, starvation, and fear as the Axis forces targeted the island. Told through the eyes of her daughter Linda, the story captures both the innocence of childhood and the resilience required to survive unimaginable challenges. It’s a poignant tribute to courage, family, and the human spirit in the face of war.

[Quillon Breckin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Malta: A Childhood Under Siege” is a deeply human and heartbreaking account of innocence caught in the crossfire of history. Through Margaret’s eyes, we feel the shock of paradise turning into peril, the fear of air raid sirens, and the quiet courage of a family fighting to hold on to hope. Linda Peek’s narration brings every moment to life with tenderness and respect. This isn’t just a wartime memoir, it’s a powerful reminder of resilience, faith, and the strength of the human spirit. A moving and unforgettable listen.

[Marinal Elwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This audiobook is both haunting and heartfelt. Margaret’s childhood, once filled with sunshine and simple joys, is suddenly overshadowed by war, and Linda Peek captures that shift with remarkable honesty. The fear, the hunger, the bravery, and the endurance of an entire family are woven together so beautifully that you can’t help but feel every moment with them. ‘Malta: A Childhood Under Siege’ is a powerful tribute to survival and a story that stays with you long after it ends.

[Liora Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malta by Linda Peek is one of those rare books that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Through Margaret’s eyes, we see the beauty of childhood suddenly overshadowed by the horrors of war. The contrast between the paradise of Malta and the devastation brought by relentless bombings is striking, emotional, and deeply human.

[Adams Hub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just from the summary, this sounds like a deeply moving and powerful true story. Margaret’s childhood turning from paradise to a fight for survival during WWII feels both heartbreaking and inspiring. I can already sense the courage and resilience in her story, and I’d love to read how her daughter brings those memories to life.

[Goodluck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving and powerful read.
This summary captures an unforgettable story of courage and survival. Margaret’s childhood shift from sunny Malta to the terror of constant air raids is gripping and emotional. Linda’s retelling brings the history to life in a simple, heartfelt way. A short but striking glimpse into a family’s resilience during WWII.

[Colette Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A excellent, readable, social history of Malta during World War 2, written in the words and from the experiences of a young girl who lived there with her family for 6 years. I cannot imagine anyone who will not be captivated by this book.

[Michelle Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly written account of a young girl’s ordeal growing up during WWII. Reading about the highs and lows of how she came to live in Malta with her family, during a critical time in the War. Highly recommend this book - you won’t be disappointed.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book in a few bursts. I found the second half of the book (when they were actually living on Malta) full of interesting history and stories - but the writing style distracted rather than enhanced the narrative.