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When we were Warriors
A body washed up on the beach...
Evacuation to an old house with forbidden rooms and dark secrets...
An animal rescue service...
In these short stories set in World War Two, Emma Carroll explores the resilience, resourcefulness and inventiveness of children when their lives fall to pieces. Introducing some compelling new characters, as well as revisiting some familiar settings, these adventures are sure to win over new readers, as well as fans of old favourites such as Letters from the Lighthouse and Frost Hollow Hall.
Evacuation to an old house with forbidden rooms and dark secrets...
An animal rescue service...
In these short stories set in World War Two, Emma Carroll explores the resilience, resourcefulness and inventiveness of children when their lives fall to pieces. Introducing some compelling new characters, as well as revisiting some familiar settings, these adventures are sure to win over new readers, as well as fans of old favourites such as Letters from the Lighthouse and Frost Hollow Hall.
248 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2019
26 people are currently reading
557 people want to read
About the author
Emma Carroll
30 books597 followersAfter years of teaching English to secondary school students, Emma now writes full time. She graduated with distinction from Bath Spa University’s MA in Writing For Young People. In another life Emma wishes she’d written ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier. She lives in the Somerset hills with her husband and three terriers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 1, 2020
Fascinating as always))
May 20, 2019
After reading Emma Carroll's WWII book Letters from the Lighthouse a while back, I knew I was going to have to go back for more. So I was pretty happy when I read about When We Were Warriors and ordered it from Book Depository immediately.
This time, instead of a complete novel, Carroll has written three short stories, all set in the summer of 1942, all along the Devon coast, and connected to each other by an interesting thread.
Story number 1 is called "The Night Visitors" and the main protagonist is a boy named Stan. Living in Bristol, Stan and his sisters are on their way to get some fish and chips for dinner when a bomb hits and changes their lives. With their house destroyed, and their mum hurt rather badly, Stan, older sister June, and younger sister Maggie are evacuated to the Somerset hills, to a large old supposedly haunted house called Frost Hollow Hall, joining other kids who have already been there for a while.
No sooner are they told about the three places on the property that are off limits to all the evacuees, then June and Clive Spencer, a smirky troublemaker, come up with a game of dare - it's the boys against the girls, and whichever team nicks the most things from each forbidden areas is the winner. Just as the game takes off, American soldiers arrive when one of their drivers, Eddie Johnson, drives right off the road and into a ditch outside Frost Hollow Hall. Left there to take care of the vehicle, things suddenly take a very strange turn.
The second story is called "Olive's Army" and takes place Budmouth Point, not far from Frost Hollow Hall. Londoners Olive and younger brother Cliff live with Ephraim Pengilly, the lighthouse keeper, while older sister Sukie and friend Esther, who had come to England on the Kindertransport, live with Queenie, the postmistress. Needless to say, Olive is quite shocked when Sukie announces that she is going to marry Ephraim, as soon as she asked him. But when a body washes up on the beach with identity papers claiming he is Ephraim Pengilly and that he is German, Sukie's fiancé is taken away to Plymouth for questioning - the day before their wedding.
Enter the Americans - who decide that the papers the dead man is carrying are plans for the German invasion everyone in Britain has been expecting. Off they go, following the plans to stop the invasion and leaving one soldier behind to guard the dead body. Yep, none other than Eddie Johnson. But what happens when Olive figures out what the German's plan is really about? Can she convince everyone, including Eddie, of what she's worked out and stop the invasion?
The third and final story is called "Operation Greyhound" and takes place in Plymouth, just up the coast from Budmouth lighthouse. Plymouth has already been nearly bombed out of existence, but when yet another air raid siren goes off, Velvet Jones heads to the shelter with her best friend Lynn. Luckily, their shelter warden, Mr. Perks, lets everyone bring their pets to the shelter, too. But on this night, they have a new warden, Mr. Jackson, and he is not letting pets into the shelter anymore. And now it's even more crowded that usual as people from Portland Place are sharing the shelter, thanks to bombing, including stuck up Mrs. Clements and son Robert.
Velvet and Lynn take it upon themselves to find an alternative pet-friendly shelter, but on the first night, Velvet finds a man lying in the street as bombs begin to fall, and yep, it's Eddie Johnson, American soldier. After helping him, Velvet realizes that their alternative shelter isn't going to work out, and she and Lynn decide to find another solution. But when they discover their truth about Robert Clements's father and then he and his pregnant dog go missing, the girls make some surprising discoveries, because sometimes people just aren't who or what you think they are.
When I first got When We Were Warriors, I was a little disappointed to see it was three stories instead of a novel, but no sooner did I begin reading, and I was totally hooked, reading it straight through. It was, simply said, unputdownable.
And there were a lot of things I liked about this book. I loved that the stories are connected to each other by the presence of Eddie Johnson, an African American soldier on his own personal mission and whose life is ultimately changed. I also loved that so many characters were diverse. I had no idea how diverse small towns along the coast of England were at the time, but I somehow found it plausible. And I did discover that there apparently was some diversity in port cities, thanks to WWI (see Mixing It: Diversity in World War Two Britain by Wendy Webster, Oxford UP, 2018).
Did you recognize Olive, Sukie and Cliff in the second story? That's because they are the same wonderful characters in Letters From the Lighthouse and they are every bit as appealing. Remember Frost Hollow Hall in the first story? Well, I didn't, but you can bet the book by the same name will be the next Emma Carroll novel I read.
If you are looking for a great book that explores themes of family and friendship along with some mystery and adventure, look no further that When We Were Warriors for a wonderfully satisfying middle grade book.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was purchased for my personal library
This time, instead of a complete novel, Carroll has written three short stories, all set in the summer of 1942, all along the Devon coast, and connected to each other by an interesting thread.
Story number 1 is called "The Night Visitors" and the main protagonist is a boy named Stan. Living in Bristol, Stan and his sisters are on their way to get some fish and chips for dinner when a bomb hits and changes their lives. With their house destroyed, and their mum hurt rather badly, Stan, older sister June, and younger sister Maggie are evacuated to the Somerset hills, to a large old supposedly haunted house called Frost Hollow Hall, joining other kids who have already been there for a while.
No sooner are they told about the three places on the property that are off limits to all the evacuees, then June and Clive Spencer, a smirky troublemaker, come up with a game of dare - it's the boys against the girls, and whichever team nicks the most things from each forbidden areas is the winner. Just as the game takes off, American soldiers arrive when one of their drivers, Eddie Johnson, drives right off the road and into a ditch outside Frost Hollow Hall. Left there to take care of the vehicle, things suddenly take a very strange turn.
The second story is called "Olive's Army" and takes place Budmouth Point, not far from Frost Hollow Hall. Londoners Olive and younger brother Cliff live with Ephraim Pengilly, the lighthouse keeper, while older sister Sukie and friend Esther, who had come to England on the Kindertransport, live with Queenie, the postmistress. Needless to say, Olive is quite shocked when Sukie announces that she is going to marry Ephraim, as soon as she asked him. But when a body washes up on the beach with identity papers claiming he is Ephraim Pengilly and that he is German, Sukie's fiancé is taken away to Plymouth for questioning - the day before their wedding.
Enter the Americans - who decide that the papers the dead man is carrying are plans for the German invasion everyone in Britain has been expecting. Off they go, following the plans to stop the invasion and leaving one soldier behind to guard the dead body. Yep, none other than Eddie Johnson. But what happens when Olive figures out what the German's plan is really about? Can she convince everyone, including Eddie, of what she's worked out and stop the invasion?
The third and final story is called "Operation Greyhound" and takes place in Plymouth, just up the coast from Budmouth lighthouse. Plymouth has already been nearly bombed out of existence, but when yet another air raid siren goes off, Velvet Jones heads to the shelter with her best friend Lynn. Luckily, their shelter warden, Mr. Perks, lets everyone bring their pets to the shelter, too. But on this night, they have a new warden, Mr. Jackson, and he is not letting pets into the shelter anymore. And now it's even more crowded that usual as people from Portland Place are sharing the shelter, thanks to bombing, including stuck up Mrs. Clements and son Robert.
Velvet and Lynn take it upon themselves to find an alternative pet-friendly shelter, but on the first night, Velvet finds a man lying in the street as bombs begin to fall, and yep, it's Eddie Johnson, American soldier. After helping him, Velvet realizes that their alternative shelter isn't going to work out, and she and Lynn decide to find another solution. But when they discover their truth about Robert Clements's father and then he and his pregnant dog go missing, the girls make some surprising discoveries, because sometimes people just aren't who or what you think they are.
When I first got When We Were Warriors, I was a little disappointed to see it was three stories instead of a novel, but no sooner did I begin reading, and I was totally hooked, reading it straight through. It was, simply said, unputdownable.
And there were a lot of things I liked about this book. I loved that the stories are connected to each other by the presence of Eddie Johnson, an African American soldier on his own personal mission and whose life is ultimately changed. I also loved that so many characters were diverse. I had no idea how diverse small towns along the coast of England were at the time, but I somehow found it plausible. And I did discover that there apparently was some diversity in port cities, thanks to WWI (see Mixing It: Diversity in World War Two Britain by Wendy Webster, Oxford UP, 2018).
Did you recognize Olive, Sukie and Cliff in the second story? That's because they are the same wonderful characters in Letters From the Lighthouse and they are every bit as appealing. Remember Frost Hollow Hall in the first story? Well, I didn't, but you can bet the book by the same name will be the next Emma Carroll novel I read.
If you are looking for a great book that explores themes of family and friendship along with some mystery and adventure, look no further that When We Were Warriors for a wonderfully satisfying middle grade book.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was purchased for my personal library
March 27, 2020
One of the first books I’ve read by Emma Carroll, checking back I don’t know how I could have missed a wonder whilst book shopping. Thoroughly enjoyed the world war setting and it’s rippling storyline. Easy read with my 10 and 4 yr old.
December 28, 2018
Just brilliant. These 3 short stories made my heart so happy. It’s incredible that during times of UTTER warfare there’s light and hope. I love Eddie, so so much.
February 2, 2019
Fantastic collection of short stories set in the year 1942, featuring children whose lives are disrupted by bombing and evacuation during WWII. Absolutely perfectly pitched for the MG reader.
You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
November 19, 2020
Three short stories using characters from her previous novels. I didn't like this as much as Letters from the Lighthouse, but that is a full-length novel which makes it's difficult to compare. Emma Carroll is a great children's author, her books being similar to the classic stories I read as a child.
February 22, 2019
This book was amazing and had a satisfying sequel for Letters From The Lighthouse, a book I very much enjoyed. These stories were sweet, charming and enjoyable in many ways.
Would recommend to wartime story lovers
Would recommend to wartime story lovers
November 16, 2019
This amazing book is all about three children. The first child is called Ted and he goes to this place called Frost hollow hall and there he learns about this soldier called Ed and his connections to the glamorous place. The second child is called Olive and she manages to find out how the Germans are going to invade England and manages to stop them. The last but not least child is called Velvet and somehow she manages to find a safe place for the animals to stay during the air raids
September 9, 2019
Emma Carroll can do no wrong in my eyes. Three brilliant short stories are told, with one interlinking character and tidbits from her other books make appearances. I do love when an author creates a book universe
May 11, 2019
I`ve been a fan of Emma Carroll since not long after she was first published, so by this point I don`t need any more proof that she is an exceptional author. However, this book provided it anyway. It`s a book of three short stories about different children in World War Two- two of which revisit previous Emma Carroll settings and one that is entirely new. All of them are so readable and interesting that you could definitely read this without prior knowledge of Frost Hollow Hall and Letters to the Lighthouse, but I would recommend reading them first anyway as they`re fabulous and also so you get the full impact of the stories, because I found returning to Frost Hollow Hall incredibly emotional (I literally started weeping the second it appeared on the page, and sobbed quite solidly for the rest of the story because of the way it linked to Frost Hollow Hall). The first story- which is the one that features Frost Hollow Hall- was my favourite for this reason and also because of the fact that Stan was my favourite of the three protagonists as his quiet strength was so lovely, but I absolutely loved both other stories and their characters Olive and Velvet too. Something I else I particularly loved was the clever way in which all three stories are linked, and the nods to the others in each one. This is phenomenal. 5/5
April 14, 2023
I love Emma Carroll’s writing, so I was so excited to dive into another of her books. This was so great. SUMMER, 1942 Air raids, rationing, the threat of invasion: everyday life in wartime Britain is pretty grim, & often pretty dull. That's what Stanley thinks, anyway - until his home is bombed & he's evacuated to a remote old house with the mysterious name Frost Hollow Hall... It's what Olive thinks too - until she finds a body washed up on the beach at Budmouth Point..Velvet just wishes she could be useful- & when the air-raid warden brings in a ban that puts all the pets in peril, she grabs her chance. 3 thrilling stories about 3 different children, who find adventure, courage, untrainable dogs & an impossibly tall American Gl where they least expect it. This is like 3 shorter stories in 1 that are all connected, & happen during the same time. There's 1 character we see in every story which I enjoyed seeing his progress & the outcome of his story was the cutest & so heartwarming. I loved Frost Hollow Hall when I read it, so I was very excited to be back there for the 1st story. Each story was so great though. All stories of different kids different POV during WWII. I especially loved the story involving the kids who did so much to make sure all the neighborhood animals had a place to shelter after they were banned from the air-raid shelter by the new air-raid warden (MONSTERI). Full of real life dangers, adventure, family, friendship, bravery, & heart. Highly recommend. BEAUTIFUL cover by Julian De Narvaez.art too.💜
March 30, 2019
Emma Carroll has a wonderful way with words. She has seamlessly combined three stories into one fantastic book. With one central character throughout, you can’t help but love Eddie.
I bought this book as I had absolutely LOVED Letters from the Lighthouse, and seen this book continues where it left off. I was not at all disappointed in how the story continues.
I bought this book as I had absolutely LOVED Letters from the Lighthouse, and seen this book continues where it left off. I was not at all disappointed in how the story continues.
March 31, 2019
Love the three short stories and their links to previous books, I just wanted more as I always do with all Emma Carroll's books. Very popular addition to my class bookshelf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2019
Three delightful short stories about the heroes within us in war torn England. In each story and ordinary child rose to the occasion and showed both strength and courage as adventure took hold.
September 2, 2019
The book consists of three short stories, The Night Visitors, Olive’s Army and Operation Greyhound. They all take place during the second World War. The three stories are linked by one of the characters showing up in all three of them.
The first one is a ghost story that brings us back to Frost Hollow Hall with much older inhabitants now and a horde of children that have been evacuated from London after their street was bombarded.
The story evolves around Stan who is the middle child with an older sister, June, who is rather bossy and Maggie, who is the youngest and has a special connection to dogs. They discover the inhabitants of Frost Hollow Hall, including ghosts as well as its surroundings, make friends with one specific GI and live through quite some scary moments.
In the second story we move to the next town at the coast with a lighthouse involved. There we find ourselves in the middle of preparations for a war wedding when a German dead body washes up on the strand and provides quite some turbulences.
But the children in the family stick together and sort things out, and possibly even prevent an invasion by German soldiers during the night.
In the third story we meet Velvet Jones who has a big heart for animals and grows up amidst the air raids that are terrifying by themselves. When the air shelter ward forbids animals in the shelter, the children in the neighbourhood bound together and find ways to keep animals safe during air raids all the same.
I loved all three stories. They all touch down on sibling relationships, rivalry, jealousy, friendship as well as looking out for each other and being there for one another. And dogs play a part in each of the stories, small or big. The book has also representation of diversity woven in and out of the stories very unobtrusively, but it is definitely there.
The first one is a ghost story that brings us back to Frost Hollow Hall with much older inhabitants now and a horde of children that have been evacuated from London after their street was bombarded.
The story evolves around Stan who is the middle child with an older sister, June, who is rather bossy and Maggie, who is the youngest and has a special connection to dogs. They discover the inhabitants of Frost Hollow Hall, including ghosts as well as its surroundings, make friends with one specific GI and live through quite some scary moments.
In the second story we move to the next town at the coast with a lighthouse involved. There we find ourselves in the middle of preparations for a war wedding when a German dead body washes up on the strand and provides quite some turbulences.
But the children in the family stick together and sort things out, and possibly even prevent an invasion by German soldiers during the night.
In the third story we meet Velvet Jones who has a big heart for animals and grows up amidst the air raids that are terrifying by themselves. When the air shelter ward forbids animals in the shelter, the children in the neighbourhood bound together and find ways to keep animals safe during air raids all the same.
I loved all three stories. They all touch down on sibling relationships, rivalry, jealousy, friendship as well as looking out for each other and being there for one another. And dogs play a part in each of the stories, small or big. The book has also representation of diversity woven in and out of the stories very unobtrusively, but it is definitely there.
July 2, 2019
Three short stories – two with familiar settings, and a brand new tale:
A young boy and his sister are sent to Frost Hollow Hall as evacuees in WWII. A dangerous dare is set between the evacuees soon after their arrival, but there are ghosts about and a terrible tragedy just waiting to repeat itself.
Happy in their new seaside town home in Devon, Olive and Cliff fish something out of the sea. Locals are alerted, fears grow quickly of an enemy invasion and suspicion falls quickly on their close friend and sister’s fiance. Is he a spy? (Letters from the Lighthouse)
Air raid sirens upset both people and pets alike, and when a new shelter officer bans animals, their worried owners are desperate for a solution. They can’t leave their beloved animals to face the bombs alone. When their first plan goes awry, they quickly have to find another. But first they have to find a missing pet, a missing boy and help a wounded soldier.
Emma Carroll fans will gobble up these historical short stories, and recognise familiar and favourite characters and settings. Would make great read aloud’s for WWII topic studies.
A young boy and his sister are sent to Frost Hollow Hall as evacuees in WWII. A dangerous dare is set between the evacuees soon after their arrival, but there are ghosts about and a terrible tragedy just waiting to repeat itself.
Happy in their new seaside town home in Devon, Olive and Cliff fish something out of the sea. Locals are alerted, fears grow quickly of an enemy invasion and suspicion falls quickly on their close friend and sister’s fiance. Is he a spy? (Letters from the Lighthouse)
Air raid sirens upset both people and pets alike, and when a new shelter officer bans animals, their worried owners are desperate for a solution. They can’t leave their beloved animals to face the bombs alone. When their first plan goes awry, they quickly have to find another. But first they have to find a missing pet, a missing boy and help a wounded soldier.
Emma Carroll fans will gobble up these historical short stories, and recognise familiar and favourite characters and settings. Would make great read aloud’s for WWII topic studies.
July 2, 2019
In my opinion UK author Emma Carroll is currently one of the best writers of historical fiction for children. She has an admirable skill of mixing adventure and English history, particularly the World War II era, to make it accessible to children. Her characters are creative and inventive, yet very recognisable. We loved that this is a collection of short stories that can be read as a standalone but will also have meaning for those who have read her earlier works as characters from those novels make an appearance. Set in 1942 the three novellas, with three different protagonists are linked through setting and the character of Eddie, the American GI stationed in the south-west coast of England. These stories will appeal to those readers who love tales of resilient and clever children battling and overcoming adversity in war time situations.
Suitable for 9+
Suitable for 9+
February 24, 2022
When We Were Warriors by Emma Carroll is a charming collection of three stories set in 1942. They are just perfect for ages ten years and older.
All the stories interlink and continue on from previous stories but can be read as stand-alones.
The reader marvels at the bravery of the children involved. Many are evacuees from Bristol. Where they see needs or problems, they set out to solve them.
War brings communities together as they unite against a common enemy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this offering from Emma Carroll. The stories were exciting and engaging.
All the stories interlink and continue on from previous stories but can be read as stand-alones.
The reader marvels at the bravery of the children involved. Many are evacuees from Bristol. Where they see needs or problems, they set out to solve them.
War brings communities together as they unite against a common enemy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this offering from Emma Carroll. The stories were exciting and engaging.
March 4, 2019
This book is basically three stories with one character running through all three. I think with the first two stories it would be helpful to have read Frost Hollow Hall ( for the history and the characters) and Letters from the lighthouse (for the characters) but as I read these some time ago this collection of three stories was still easy to read and well thought out.
This was a lovely read and I think Emma Carroll is a great children's author.
This was a lovely read and I think Emma Carroll is a great children's author.
October 27, 2020
This is a set of three short stories set in 1942. the stories are interconnected but also can stand alone. A nice historical narrative that would make them perfect for key stage 2 children studying the war, and they would be enjoyable stories for the age group.
I liked the stories, and think they were well written. Short stories are not my favourite form, although the interconnectedness was clever, providing an anchor. Good stuff - recommended to the age group.
I liked the stories, and think they were well written. Short stories are not my favourite form, although the interconnectedness was clever, providing an anchor. Good stuff - recommended to the age group.
May 29, 2021
Ah, well, there’s nothing to be said, apart from Emma Carroll really * is * the Queen of historical fiction. These three short stories are tied together with beautiful plotting and the lovely sense of verisimilitude about the war. The stories all involve young people who are courageous and kind. The book doesn’t shy away from difficult topics like death and cowardice too. Gorgeous, gorgeous writing.
March 9, 2019
Liked the book, not read frost hollow hall before but had read letters from the lighthouse. Not that you need to have read the books to like this one. I wasn't aware it was going to be 3 short stories but they are all different stories about the war. I really liked the last one about the pets during air raid shelters.
January 20, 2020
I really enjoyed this one. It’s a kids book but very readable from an adult perspective. I liked the interconnection of the three stories and, though it deals with some tough issues- evacuation, invasion, bombing- it was compelling without being terrifying. I’m hoping the kids will read it now I have!
September 26, 2025
Shocked that this book is so well thought of as historical fiction, considering the huge number of historical inaccuracies it contains, including language used by the characters. Obviously this has been written in the 21st century, for children, but still, if you have read anything actually written during that period this modern attempt just throws up one mistake after another. Sadly.
October 18, 2019
My daughter was lucky enough to meet Emma Carrol in school last week so I decided to read this book before giving it to her. It is a beautiful , readable and accessible portrait of England during WWII, perfect for an introduction to such a complex era for the young readers.
November 3, 2020
Emma Carroll is excellent. This book is actually 3 wonderfully inter-connected stories of different children’s adventures during the Second World War in England, read aloud to my 10yo daughter and enjoyed by us both.
December 29, 2023
Very good book. At first I was confused because there are 3 different stories in the book but they are sort of linked and they all have “ find adventure, courage, untrainable dogs and an impossibly tall American GI “ and it’s the same Go but very well done book
March 23, 2019
Loved the thread that connected all 3 stories together and the links made to Letters from the Lighthouse and Frost Hollow Hall.
July 1, 2019
I loved this! Just brilliant and ace. Characters are wonderfully written and their stories are just perfect.
November 21, 2019
Superb set of short stories focused on world war 2. Loved the links between these and her previous books Frost Hollow Hall and Letters From a Lighthouse.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews