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My Story: Boys
Armada: Thomas Hobbs, England, 1587-1588
April 1587 Now I saw the Spanish ships clearly. Even from this distance I could see the men on board scurrying around the upper deck's, and knew they were hurrying to their stations, ready for battle. But we had been too quick for them. "FIRE!!" roared Mr Belson from the centre of the gundeck. Jones thrust his smoking taper into the back of the cannon and sparks flared from out of the hole. "Back!" Jones shouted, and we all leapt away-just in time because a loud explosion filled the area around us with smoke, bright sparks and flames.
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2002
188 people want to read
About the author
Jim Eldridge
158 books155 followersJim Eldridge is the author of many books for children, including titles in the My Story series, the Warpath books, and How to Handle Grown-Ups. He has had 250 TV scripts broadcast in the UK and internationally for children's and teen television, and is also the creator and writer of Radio 4's long-running comedy-drama series, King Street Junior.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 13, 2017
This is one of the best historical fiction books I have ever read.
I strongly recommend to anyone wanting a good read.
Also see:
I strongly recommend to anyone wanting a good read.
Also see:
August 9, 2020
Armanda
Thought:
Truly powerful opening and so easy to read and get into. Very compelling and easy to remain invested in.
Synopsis
Thomas goes out to work and can’t find anything. He lives with his family and his dads a butcher who struggles with being poor. Thomas fears he will be kicked out.
He goes to see his friend and they walk about London, seeing the heads on the bridge and the crimes at the Tames. Finally they make a deal that if he is kicked out he will live with his friend.
Thomas goes home and his father is asleep much to his relief. The next day he leaves early so as to not see his father and earns two pennies. One he keeps and the other he gives to his mother. Uncle Rulfus is there and they discuss the tales of his adventure. Even discussing his desire to go to sea when all are in bed.
Next day he gets up early and goes to work on the stalls. He gets two pennies, but when he gets home his Uncle has left and he finds himself wishing he was there. Thomas plans to keep his secret to himself though.
The next few weeks are tense but when Stevens calls for Thomas to be a cabin boy it breaks his mother’s heart. He gives her fifteen pennies and takes one with him. He heads to Dover with a very quiet man.
Upon board the ship Simnel tries to mess with him and his uncle comes to his aid. He is shown about the boat. His uncle tells who everyone is and introduces him to Captain Drake. Explains the rankings of the crew members. Who Captain Ferners , Mr Sims are to the captain and the chaplain.
He goes to work on the boat and has a rough time at the beginning climbing the rackening, and enjoys the hard work. They pick up mor crew after problems raising the crew.
Once outside Spain’s port theirs a meeting between captains and Rufus tells him how one Captain was exciting for arguing with Captain Drake once. The Captain returns and they decide to attack the ships in the harbour.
Thomas goes to catch a nap when he finds Simnel assaulting the new boy. Thomas attacks Simnel leading to him having to lie to get himself out of trouble.
The new boy thanks him.
The battle begins and they are assigned their roles. Thomas feeds gunpowder and helps them shoot the Spanish ships. This leads to them crushing them. Some take ships others are burned. All are out of order and will not be used against the English Queen.
Back on shore Thomas earns 50 shillings but he is robbed. He goes to his Uncle who tries to correct the situation. He can’t get the money back from Simnel.
Simnel makes a huge show of it. Thomas is given money by his uncle and Stevens to cover him until more work comes in. Thomas heads home where his father gives him a hard time after hearing what happened. He goes to market for work the next day and for weeks he’s an attraction at Perry’s stall. Work slows down and begins to slow down leading to Thomas feeling the pinch. His best friend wants to hear all his stories.
The new year rolls around and he becomes popular again as word of the Spanish looking as if they are going to invade begins to rise. There’s traitors being beheaded and hung. Thomas finds himself itching to go. He is relieved when his uncle and Stevens comes to collect him. He is relieved to be away from his dad and they go to Plymouth.
They wait weeks to set sail as the crew are gathered and boats made ready. When it does happen Thomas comes face for face with a large Spanish fleet and Simnel is back on board. He tries to thrown Thomas off the sparring during a battle instead slips and falls hitting the deck where he dies instantly.
That night Thomas has nightmares when it comes to Simnel’s death. They win against the Spanish and one of the crew talks to Thomas who tells him the whole story. He tells Thomas it’s best the man was seen as a hero who died in battle. Thomas reluctantly agrees.
They do a final assault after chasing a losing Spanish team back to port. They send in fore boats and his uncle risks himself to ensure that the Spanish are done for. He returns after putting things in order with Thomas and his wages.
Thomas returns home with far more money (70 shillings) and he shares a moment with his father. He realises that he does care and all those hard times was him worrying about him. He goes out of his to rent a home and keeps money left over to last him as savings till they call on him again.
Thought:
Truly powerful opening and so easy to read and get into. Very compelling and easy to remain invested in.
Synopsis
Thomas goes out to work and can’t find anything. He lives with his family and his dads a butcher who struggles with being poor. Thomas fears he will be kicked out.
He goes to see his friend and they walk about London, seeing the heads on the bridge and the crimes at the Tames. Finally they make a deal that if he is kicked out he will live with his friend.
Thomas goes home and his father is asleep much to his relief. The next day he leaves early so as to not see his father and earns two pennies. One he keeps and the other he gives to his mother. Uncle Rulfus is there and they discuss the tales of his adventure. Even discussing his desire to go to sea when all are in bed.
Next day he gets up early and goes to work on the stalls. He gets two pennies, but when he gets home his Uncle has left and he finds himself wishing he was there. Thomas plans to keep his secret to himself though.
The next few weeks are tense but when Stevens calls for Thomas to be a cabin boy it breaks his mother’s heart. He gives her fifteen pennies and takes one with him. He heads to Dover with a very quiet man.
Upon board the ship Simnel tries to mess with him and his uncle comes to his aid. He is shown about the boat. His uncle tells who everyone is and introduces him to Captain Drake. Explains the rankings of the crew members. Who Captain Ferners , Mr Sims are to the captain and the chaplain.
He goes to work on the boat and has a rough time at the beginning climbing the rackening, and enjoys the hard work. They pick up mor crew after problems raising the crew.
Once outside Spain’s port theirs a meeting between captains and Rufus tells him how one Captain was exciting for arguing with Captain Drake once. The Captain returns and they decide to attack the ships in the harbour.
Thomas goes to catch a nap when he finds Simnel assaulting the new boy. Thomas attacks Simnel leading to him having to lie to get himself out of trouble.
The new boy thanks him.
The battle begins and they are assigned their roles. Thomas feeds gunpowder and helps them shoot the Spanish ships. This leads to them crushing them. Some take ships others are burned. All are out of order and will not be used against the English Queen.
Back on shore Thomas earns 50 shillings but he is robbed. He goes to his Uncle who tries to correct the situation. He can’t get the money back from Simnel.
Simnel makes a huge show of it. Thomas is given money by his uncle and Stevens to cover him until more work comes in. Thomas heads home where his father gives him a hard time after hearing what happened. He goes to market for work the next day and for weeks he’s an attraction at Perry’s stall. Work slows down and begins to slow down leading to Thomas feeling the pinch. His best friend wants to hear all his stories.
The new year rolls around and he becomes popular again as word of the Spanish looking as if they are going to invade begins to rise. There’s traitors being beheaded and hung. Thomas finds himself itching to go. He is relieved when his uncle and Stevens comes to collect him. He is relieved to be away from his dad and they go to Plymouth.
They wait weeks to set sail as the crew are gathered and boats made ready. When it does happen Thomas comes face for face with a large Spanish fleet and Simnel is back on board. He tries to thrown Thomas off the sparring during a battle instead slips and falls hitting the deck where he dies instantly.
That night Thomas has nightmares when it comes to Simnel’s death. They win against the Spanish and one of the crew talks to Thomas who tells him the whole story. He tells Thomas it’s best the man was seen as a hero who died in battle. Thomas reluctantly agrees.
They do a final assault after chasing a losing Spanish team back to port. They send in fore boats and his uncle risks himself to ensure that the Spanish are done for. He returns after putting things in order with Thomas and his wages.
Thomas returns home with far more money (70 shillings) and he shares a moment with his father. He realises that he does care and all those hard times was him worrying about him. He goes out of his to rent a home and keeps money left over to last him as savings till they call on him again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2021
'Armada: Thomas Hobbs, England, 1587-1588' by Jim Eldridge is another good book in the My Story series. Every book in the series is written in diary format, with the author pretending to be the main character.
In this book, 13-year-old Thomas becomes a sailor and fights the Spanish Armada in the war between Catholics and Protestants caused by Henry the Eighth's actions.
I found this book extremely fascinating, because I had not even heard of the Armada battle before reading this book.
In this book, 13-year-old Thomas becomes a sailor and fights the Spanish Armada in the war between Catholics and Protestants caused by Henry the Eighth's actions.
I found this book extremely fascinating, because I had not even heard of the Armada battle before reading this book.
August 31, 2022
The conflict with the antagonist did not feel necessary for the advancement of the plot, especially as it was resolved at an odd time within the story arc.
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November 12, 2012This 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.
September 10, 2018
I would probably recommend this novel for people aged 12+ because there are a few gross things mentioned in it. The book is not really very descriptive, it doesn't worry me much though. I liked how this story finished, I was a bit anxious it wouldn't end up telling about what the main character did with the money he had earned. It did however, which was a satisfying end to the story. This great novel makes history about the Armada more interesting, real and lifelike.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews