Haywire

Australia's Second World War #2

by Claire Saxby

Second book in the new series of stories set during the Second World War.

Life in Germany in 1939 is not safe for 13 year old Max Gruber so he is sent to his Uncle Ferdy in London, only to find himself sent to Australia aboard the famous ship Dunera. Arriving in rural Hay, and housed in an internment camp, he meets local boy Tom. The two new friends become allies, as their lives are affected by the growing conflict in far away Europe.

Genres: Middle Grade, War

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2020

About the author

An Australian writer of fiction, non fiction and poetry for children

Reviews

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom lives in Hay in western NSW with his family. His two older brothers have volunteered to join the Australian armed services in response to WW2. Tom aims to win a scholarship and go to university. This comes crashing down when he must stay home from school and help in the family bakery.
Max is in school in Bockhurst, Germany, when his mother arrives and pulls him out of class. She then tells him to go, run, meet a truck and get to England to live with his uncle. Germany is no longer safe for many people, including intellectuals.
Months later, in England, Max and his uncle are declared aliens and a risk to national security and shipped off to Australia. The internees travel by train to Hay, where a prison has been built for them.
Tom and Max meet, a friendship develops, and they help each other. What happens to both Tom and Max?
I enjoyed reading about Australia’s response to internees during WWII, the dilemmas it presented for locals and how ordinary people responded.
Recommended for readers aged ten years and above.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic junior novel set at the beginning of the Second World War when Hitler was starting his empire. The story is based on the facts of the internment of German, Italian and other Europeans who are rounded up in England and placed in camps. The British government decide to ship thousands of men out to Canada and Australia. This is the story of Max who at 14 is shipped to Australia. He has survived the sinking of one ship and then is put onto ship. He finally arrives in Hay, where an internment camp has been erected. He makes a friend of Tom, the local baker's son and decides he is sick of being bullied in the camp and takes his chance to escape.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1939, 14yo Tom lives in Hay, NSW, and has to work in the family bakery when his older brothers enlist. In Germany, Max Gruber is sent to his uncle in London but then shipped as an 'alien' on the infamous Dunera to Australia. He ends up in an internment camp in Hay and meets Tom.
Both boys long for escape in a world gone haywire.
This 'Junior Fiction' book covers a lot of ground but is well done, a very good read.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable World War 2 story featuring alternating chapters with different perspectives; Tom, a young Australian boy in a rural Australian town, and Max, a German boy interned in Tom's town. It's always great to see new additions to the genre of Australian historical fiction, particularly those that shine a light on different perspectives of the World Wars.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical fiction set during World War II in Australia. A story to two teenage guys from different countries (Germany and Australia) who formed a friendship despite the circumstances but the same dreams and aspirations. Suitable for middle and senior school.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good junior novel which tells the story of an important piece of Australian history that is not often talked about. Clear development of themes for young (and older!) adults to explore, and likable characters.

[Aryani Siti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical fiction for junior. I loved it!

[Louis Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a real roller coaster - a really good book! The story was gripping. Could not put it down!

[Elisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the often forgotten stories of war.

[Glenys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look "behind the scenes" of WWII.