Battle of Britain: Harry Woods, England, 1939-1941

My Story: Boys

by Chris Priestley

OCTOBER 1940 I was out, free of my aircraft, tumbling wildly in the air. I pulled the ripcord. I was jerked back by the parachute as air punched into it and I swung there like a puppet, winded and gasping for breath. I looked down at my leg. It felt like a bear was gnawing on it but it was still in one piece. For now, anyway. Then I heard it-right behind me. An Me 109 diving towards me, guns blazing. There was nothing I could do. Nowhere I could go. Shells whistled past me on either side. I just thought, OK then. if this is it, OK. Maybe my turn had finally come...

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

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 19, 2002

About the author

His father was in the army and so he moved around a lot as a child and lived in Wales. He was an avid reader of American comics as a child, and when he was eight or nine, and living in Gibraltar, he won a prize in a newspaper story-writing competition. He decided then “that my ambition was to write and illustrate my own book”.
He spent his teens in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, before moving to Manchester, London and then Norfolk. He now lives in Cambridge with his wife and son where he writes, draws, paints, dreams and doodles (not necessarily in that order). Chris worked as an illustrator and cartoonist for twenty years, working mainly for magazines & newspapers (these include The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Economist and the Wall Street Journal) before becoming a writer. He currently has a weekly strip cartoon called 'Payne's Grey' in the New Statesman.

Chris has been a published author since 2000. He has written several books for children & young-adults, both fiction and non-fiction, and
has been nominated for many awards including the Edgar Awards, the UKLA Children's Book Award and the Carnegie Medal. In recent years he has predominantly been writing horror.
Ever since he was a teenager Chris has loved unsettling and creepy stories, with fond memories of buying comics like 'Strange Tales' and 'House of Mystery', watching classic BBC TV adaptations of M R James ghost stories every Christmas and reading assorted weirdness by everyone from Edgar Allen Poe to Ray Bradbury. He hopes Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror will haunt his readers in the way those writers have haunted him.

Reviews

[Neko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've watched and played games about the various wars but reading about it has never really gripped me or floated my boat. I picked this book up wanting something small to read..Quick and simple I thought to myself..Turned out due to personal obligations this book took longer to read which kinda broke the flow and unknown to me I was like two chapters away from the end of the story too. Never the less I did enjoy taking a step back into Harry's shoes and what it was like to fly a Spitfire during the Second World War.

This story is SO different from Mill Girl which I'd just recently finished..This really isn't a 'diary' account like Mill Girl was. Basically it was like you were LIVING in the moment and following Harry around or you could even believe you were actually taking him on and living his life, like in the way you do with video game characters.

I can see why boys would enjoy this story, the book does a little gloss over a maybe romance but that's nothing compared to all the action packed adventures that Harry goes on. Flying high up in the skies hoping to strike down a Nazi or in some cases being HIT himself and having to save his own bacon.

One part of the story tells you about this film crew coming in to capture what it's like to be fighting for your country...But wow the guy wasn't happy when the pilots didn't do everything just correct. It seemed so stupid and petty and tried to make them feel bad because he had a job to do as well. I'm not saying it was bad to capture what they were doing but to 'complain' that they weren't doing it correctly just seems so trivial compared to what these guys were doing.

Now the story centres around Harry Wood and his love of flying since a little one..He was never able to shake it from his system so one thing lead to another and he got his chance to fly...Of course when the war happened he was conscripted to fly for his country. He meets a whole gaggle of different characters but one stands out, Lenny. They become the best of buds after a rocky start of introductions. It's no spoiler because the blurb tells you that Lenny loses his leg due to a dogfight with a Luftwaffe and after that Lenny's life is changed for good.

You'll learn about Harry's family and how much his mother is scared but proud of his son, the father who seems indifferent but just wants his son to come back in one piece and finally his sister who is a nurse during the war.

Again like Mill Girl, the book is filled with historic truths and right at the back you'll be filled in on extra details that didn't make it into the actual story..That part is like reading a history book but it doesn't bamboozle you..It also goes into a bit more detail about things that happened in the story itself so you'll be able to paint a bigger picture into your mind.

I'll end on that Harry is a very likeable character, seems a little cocky but not in a way that is stupid. He's full of life, he wants to live his dream and boy does he!

[Suad Shamma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one's my favourite one yet of the series. I have never read about the Battle of Britain before, not from a RAF and aircrew perspective anyway. I am ashamed to say that I have never even considered pilots who fight in battles before this, because the focus is usually always on those fighting on land.

Chris Priestley's style of writing is great. It was very amusing, very entertaining, very evocative and poignant, and most importantly...very real. He knew how to get us attached to Harry, to his family, to his friends, to Lenny especially - and he was able to successfully accomplish this in very limited space. Add to this the historical context, and the knowledge that is gained by reading this.

I found the Moby-Dick part hilarious, and the German soldier part at the end extremely depressing. And the concept of war being honourable reminded me of one of my favourite poems "Dulce et Decorum est" by Wilfred Owen during World War I. In this poem, Owen refers to the old age lie, "Dulce et decorum est, pro patria mori" - meaning, it is a sweet and fitting thing to die for one's country.

On a separate note, reading the historical section at the back of the book, they included the nationalities of aircrew involved in the Battle of Britain, and how many of them were killed throughout. I was very surprised, and proud, to note that there was one Palestinian pilot, who took part in this battle. As I am a Palestinian myself, I found that to be of extreme interest.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I completed my 100 books for the year and not really with the most stunning book to end it XD I love the history of World War II, but this story sadly fell short. I wasn't really held captive and the narrative was boring to say the least. But I loved the B&W pictures in the back which made up for an uninteresting story :)

*Several swear words, a couple uses of God's name flippantly*

[Lloyd Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

 

The reason I decided to read the book was because I was at the Royal Air force Museum in London on my trip last year and I remembered that I needed a book for school.I have read it before and liked it so I did it for this. At first I thought it might be interesting to see what it would have been like for someone like my Great Grandfather as a pilot in the Battle of Britain.
 
I think the story was pretty well written because it gave me a good understanding on what and how it must have felt for families during the war, and also for the pilots in the battle with what it would have felt like to be just sitting around and the suddenly hearing the sirens and having to jump in your plane and go to the skies to battle the enemy.
 
One of the characters of the story that I found interesting was the mother of the main pilot. The main reasons I found her interesting was because when the war was out near the coast of Britain when she was hearing from her son what it was like flying trying to bring down the enemy planes it would bring tears to her eyes and she would have to go up to her room but once it was basically in London she was always wanting to know more about what was going on in the skies.
 
Something I learned from the book was how stressful it must have been for the families of the young pilots not knowing about anything that was going on and not knowing if their sons flying in the war were still alive. Also when the pilots would go home for a visit and then leave how hard it must have been for the parents saying goodbye not knowing what was going to happen next.
 
I chose the quote “Harry Woods at your service” this quote appealed to me because it was when Harry came back from his pilot training in the air force was about to leave to go to his base for the war. After Harry said this his Mum got very emotional, she started to cry and she gave him a big hug and said “be careful out there”.

[John Naylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fictional account of the Battle of Britain as told from the point of view of a Spitfire pilot.

Although it does include a lot of historical facts and dates, it also contains some of the most stunted dialogue that I have ever read. It tries to explore prejudices that existed at the time (and mostly still do) such as hatred of the airforce, the Polish and a character that is brainwashed by the right wing but never in any detail or with any consequences. It also hints at romance which is unusual in this type of book.

This book is probably aimed at the 8-12 year old audience and it wouldn't be a struggle for them to read. They can learn a little but also I can't see many of them being engrossed by the story.

[Walker Tomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took place in the battle of Britan 1939-1941 WWII, when everyone though things we're bleak and there was no hope from the Germans attacking them and being under full German rule, I would recommend this book to everyone because it's put together so well. I loved how this book took place in this time because it was so instristing and lots to learn about. Anyways this was a great book and i would recommend this book to anyone!.

[Marshall Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, intriguing and easy read! Would recommend. I read this as a kid and picked it back up for fun - a good way to teach history to youth. I reckon classrooms across the UK should have this series on deck.

[Joey Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really thrilling read, it was very different to anything I have read before but wow it was really good. I honestly enjoyed reading this book.

Harry Wood a 19 year old who had always dreamt of flying and being in the sky joins the RAF as a spitfire pilot in world war 2, he experiences the scares from off the bat being sent into action among the German Me110. Each day loosing men to death or injury, each day a risk taking in the task to fight for their lives and everyone else’s. As his best friend gets injured his perspective changes and fear is more prominent in the way he was and enforcing different reasons he was really fighting for. Until the end comes and the Battle of Britain is over, declaring he and the other fighter pilots as hero’s for all they did.

The author wrote this in such an incredible and thrilling way, though the topic was grim and devastating reading from Harry’s perspective being up in flight and being amongst the action you almost feel it yourself as though you are in the sky with him.

It’s a horrible thing to think of the decade in life and the horror that happened, but getting to read about these times, these issues told in such a unique way and all the different areas within it is so fascinating and are handled so well and told in such a great way.

[B For Butterfly Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimed at the 8-12 age group this is a short but interesting fictional first person account of the experiences of a Spitfire pilot in the Second World War. Whilst clearly a sanitised version to cater for the age group the story illustrates the time period well and also acts as a good stand alone story.

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nifty little book for young readers. I bought this by accident at a second hand store not realising it was for kids. I read it anyway and it's packed full of information. If someone had given this to me when I was 10 or 11, I'd have devoured it.

[Harleen Arora · Rating 3 out of 5]

My life did not change after reading this book. I did learn a little bit about World War II in the battle of Britain, but nothing life-changing and shocking if you wanna read a little bit of a battle of Britain yeah read this it was whatever.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meant for key stage 3, it’s the story of a young man flying Spitfires in the early years of WW2. Happy that the author credited Australians, Canadians, Polish and some from the US who battled in the fight against the Nazis.

[Emilija · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and simple historical way of looking at the Battle of Britain from the perspective of the RAF. It was good.

[Phillip Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short read, maybe aimed for a younger reader but I still enjoyed it. I only realized at the end that the characters were 'fictitious' though credit to the author for making it very realistic.

[Victor Saville · Rating 3 out of 5]

simple little children's book about air war in Battle of Britain.

[Mary Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick historical fiction

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into the RAF and what they experienced during the war. My grandad was an RAF pilot in WW2. Very sombre

[Grace Sargeant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because it gave me a clear image of what it was like at that time. I recommend this book for people who like books on history.

[Grace Sargeant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book.

[Junior James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exerlent

[Liam Woodland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam Woodland
English
The Battle Of Britain
The Battle of Britain took place in 1940 during World War II. This book was written by Chris Priestley and it highlights a man named Harry Wood who was a pilot for the British RAF. The Battle of Britain was where Germany and Britain fought for control of the skies over England. If Germany had won, England might have been forced to surrender. This book is historical fiction book because the main character, Harry Woods, is fictional but the dates and many of the events in the book are true. The title perfectly fits the book because it tells the reader about the book without giving away too much of the plot. This book is separated into chapters. It has a good quote on the back cover from the story which really attracts the reader’s interest. At first, Harry thought that flying was special. He loved being able to soar through the air but when he hears the words “squadron scramble” (58) and ends up in the air fighting for his life he realizes that he has lost the joy of flying. After the terrible fate of his friend Lenny, Harry saw the terror that war brings. Harry then has to defend his homeland England and fight “for freedom” (111) from German bombers coming in to bomb his country into submission.
The book really goes in depth to describe the lives of families and explain how communities needed to come together in order to survive the bombing, food and clothes rationing, and the destruction brought by the war. This book was similar to The Boy In The Stripped Pajamas, which also took place in World War II, but the books were written by different authors. This is a great book to read as it combines historical information with an exciting story. Battle of Britain is appropriate for both kids and adults because it has a very strong theme, which stresses that everyone is equal. There is great motivation for all the characters in the book because they are all fighting for their country and for freedom. Many readers would like to learn what it was really like for people seventy-two years ago at such a critical point in world history.

[Layla · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good little fiction book about The Battle of Britain.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Battle Of Britain was a very interesting book about WWII. I learnt a lot about the main character Harry Woods' life. It would of been really hard work being a RAF Pilot. Let alone driving a Spitfire. Harry is a smart young man and I liked his family. You can really see that the Germans were the villains. Mainly Hitler. Because I did feel sorry for the solider at the end. Harry meets him in the sea when they both parachute out from their plane. They have a little chat surprisingly and its not anything insulting. Harry gets rescued by a fishing boat and they are about to rescue the German until the crew discover he is German. They turn to shore to leave him there but Harry persuades them to take him on board and they do eventually but as he describes they do it with a lot less care then they did with him. The German dosen't get any friendly chat from the crew either. Especially when they mention stuff about the evacuation of Dunkirk. The German says he is sorry but he is told to shut up or he'll be thrown back in. He explains what he saw to Harry when he was at Dunkirk but Harry dosen't say anything. Soon after he notices that the solider is dead. I felt sorry for everyone who died in that war even if they were on the opposite side as a lot of them I'm sure had nor choice and had a family that they loved and they never saw again. To me War is all about losing, a husband, brother or son or any family member or friend. I hope we don't have another one because we really won't survive it. I loved the Historical Note and Timeline they were very interesting, informative and accurate, The photos were cool too.

[Nirjhar Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book's plot was really good. I liked the way Priestley developed the internal characteristics of the fictional British World War II Pilot Harry Woods, the protagonist. For instance, the author described a scene where Harry saved a Nazi German from dying in the English Channel. This showed how he cared for everybody, even the horrible and vile Nazis! Also, I loved the details Priestley gave about the German and British (a.k.a. Royal Air Force) planes. Harry drove a RAF Spitfire and attacked the German Messerschmitt 109s and 110s a lot during the war. I was amazed at the World War II photos that were in the epilogue of the book!

I would recommend this book to young readers who love reading historical fiction stories.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very boyish addition to the My Story series, about a young Spitfire pilot in the RAF during World War Two. Less of a diary format than the ones from female POVs - each chapter was longer and sort of a summary of a particular month passed, whereas the ones I've read with female narrators have all been outright diaries with entries for individual days. I liked this style better, actually - seems a lot less juvenile. It was interesting too! A lot more fact-driven than character-driven, we didn't get to know Harry terribly well. I guess it's written more for boys than girls and they care more about learning about planes and stuff? Still, I liked it a lot.

[Joshua Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is set in World War II and is based on real events.

Battle of Britain is set around a character called Harry Woods. At the France had just been invaded by the Germans and a invasion of Britain was in threat. The RAF (Royal Air Force) was recruiting people to defend the skies of Britain. Harry Woods signs up as a pilot after enjoying flying a plane at a fair. Harry gets put into a spitfire after a 6 week training course. I have never been in the situations of the characters so I can't relate to them. Harry Goes into many battles and get hit. Will he Survive?

[Molly]

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.

[Marta · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is about a spitfire pilot called Harry fighting in the battle of Britain. The book consists of fragments about his past and the battle it self. I am not a fan of war books but it was written quite well. There is not only fighting in it but his life. There is also a few emotional and funny fragments.
I quite liked the book and enjoyed reading it with my school group of friends.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimed at the 8-12 age group this is a short but interesting fictional first person account of the experiences of a Spitfire pilot in the Second World War. Whilst clearly a sanitised version to cater for the age group the story illustrates the time period well and also acts as a good stand alone story.

[Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

72/100 I thought this book was pretty good, but some parts were downright boring. There weren't many of these parts, but unfortunately some did exist, which is a real shame. However, it's a good book for anyone who wants to read about WWII