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The Great Gallipoli Escape
Renowned for her historical fiction titles, Jackie French now tells the story of the brilliant and famous evacuation of Gallipoli.Sixteen-year-old Nipper and his Gallipoli mates Lanky, Spud, Bluey and Wallaby Joe are starving, freezing and ill-equipped. By November 1915 they know that that there is more to winning a war than courage. The Gallipoli campaign has been lost.Nipper has played cricket with the Turks in the opposing dugout, dodged rocket fire and rescued drowning, freezing men when the blizzard snow melted. He is one of the few trusted with the secret kept from even most of the how an entire army will vanish from the Peninsula over three impeccably planned nights.Based on first-hand accounts of those extraordinary last weeks of the Gallipoli campaign, this is the fascinating 'lost story' of how 150,000 men – and their horses and equipment – were secretly moved to waiting ships without a single life lost. An unforgettable story told through the eyes of a boy who lied about his age to defend his country.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2023
About the author
Jackie French
325 books907 followersJackie is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator and the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014-2015. She is regarded as one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors, and writes across all genres - from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction. In her capacity as Australian Children’s Laureate, ‘Share a Story’ will be the primary philosophy behind Jackie’s two-year term.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 5, 2026
The Great Gallipoli Escape by Jackie French is about what life was like for Australian soldiers during the Gallipoli campaign in World War I. The story follows a 16-year-old soldier named Charlie, whose mates call him Nipper because he is the youngest in the group. Throughout the novel, Nipper experiences the challenges of war and forms strong friendships with Lanky, Wallaby Joe and Spud. Even though they are much older than him, they become like family and support each other through the difficult times.
The novel shows the harsh conditions the soldiers had to endure, including hunger, sickness, extreme weather and constant danger. The soldiers soon realise that Mother Nature can be just as deadly as the enemy. Jackie French also includes real quotes and stories at the beginning of each chapter, giving readers a better understanding of what life was really like for soldiers at Gallipoli.
As the story progresses, the soldiers take part in the secret evacuation of Gallipoli, one of the most successful military withdrawals in history. The novel highlights the courage, resilience and mateship of the Australian soldiers while showing the true hardships and sacrifices of war.
The novel shows the harsh conditions the soldiers had to endure, including hunger, sickness, extreme weather and constant danger. The soldiers soon realise that Mother Nature can be just as deadly as the enemy. Jackie French also includes real quotes and stories at the beginning of each chapter, giving readers a better understanding of what life was really like for soldiers at Gallipoli.
As the story progresses, the soldiers take part in the secret evacuation of Gallipoli, one of the most successful military withdrawals in history. The novel highlights the courage, resilience and mateship of the Australian soldiers while showing the true hardships and sacrifices of war.
May 2, 2024
It's always an education reading your novels. I always learn so much more than I thought I'd known.
A very good account of all that happened in Gallipoli and how the great escape came together.
A very good account of all that happened in Gallipoli and how the great escape came together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2023
Nipper knew what he was doing when he lied about his age. At only 16, he claimed to be 21, and is signed up as a soldier in the Australian Army in the First World War.
What Nipper and his mates, Lanky, Spud, Bluey and even life hardened Wallaby Joe don't know is that they would spend months fighting for only a few metres of land in a military campaign doomed from the beginning.
With complete trust in their officers, they put up with the endless tinned bully beef, and army biscuits as stale and hard as the rocks around them. With no fruit, vegetables or even enough water, they buoyed each other's spirits up with talk of home and encouraging banter. Nipper, obviously too young for the army had his older mates looking out for him, but as a group they share the parcels from home. These could be knitted socks, fruitcake, chocolate, or scarves and any letters received also helped them escape the trenches for a few moments while they read them.
Ceasefires were made the most of, Nipper enjoying a chat to the enemy who can speak English or a trade of food or cigarettes. The Allied Forces enemy are the Turks who defend their land with plenty of supplies, warm clothing, proper food and excellent marksmanship.
Nipper and his mates soon add the weather to their woes as winter sets in with snowstorms impossible to see through, frostbitten fingers and toes, and not enough warm clothing. The only bonus is slightly less rats living alongside them in the trenches.
When word of evacuation trickles down to Nipper and his mates they can't believe it. So many had died holding the small strip of land they had taken from the Turks. So many in fact, that bodies were used as barricades around the trenches despite the smell and the rats who enjoyed them.
Leaving their dead friends behind will be hard, but leaving the hunger, frostbite, rat bites, lice, snow or melting waves of water that swept away even more of their mates, will be almost worth it.
With an incredible amount of research including listening to ex-soldier's oral accounts, reading journals, stories, letters and all that has been collated about this fateful military campaign, Jackie French has brought an important piece of Anzac history to young readers. Leaving Gallipoli was an incredible feat with 150,000 men evacuated right under the enemy's noses. (If only they didn't go there in the first place.)
Many scenes in this story are based on first hand accounts, but the author stresses this is only one story. Thousands of stories will have been told among the many thousands who fought and about the many thousands who lost their lives. One thread of this story is of a 12 year old boy who had been in a Borstal in England. Told his criminal record would be wiped if he went with the army, Nipper meets him near the officer's tents. Called one of "Churchill's Boys" their records were in fact wiped, so few knew they were even there.
This is a brutal read, sharing the true horror of war and the trust in higher ranked officers, but ultimately the courage of the Anzac soldier whose bond with their regiment was as rock solid as the army biscuits they were given to eat.
A sobering but powerful read.
Age - 11+
What Nipper and his mates, Lanky, Spud, Bluey and even life hardened Wallaby Joe don't know is that they would spend months fighting for only a few metres of land in a military campaign doomed from the beginning.
With complete trust in their officers, they put up with the endless tinned bully beef, and army biscuits as stale and hard as the rocks around them. With no fruit, vegetables or even enough water, they buoyed each other's spirits up with talk of home and encouraging banter. Nipper, obviously too young for the army had his older mates looking out for him, but as a group they share the parcels from home. These could be knitted socks, fruitcake, chocolate, or scarves and any letters received also helped them escape the trenches for a few moments while they read them.
Ceasefires were made the most of, Nipper enjoying a chat to the enemy who can speak English or a trade of food or cigarettes. The Allied Forces enemy are the Turks who defend their land with plenty of supplies, warm clothing, proper food and excellent marksmanship.
Nipper and his mates soon add the weather to their woes as winter sets in with snowstorms impossible to see through, frostbitten fingers and toes, and not enough warm clothing. The only bonus is slightly less rats living alongside them in the trenches.
When word of evacuation trickles down to Nipper and his mates they can't believe it. So many had died holding the small strip of land they had taken from the Turks. So many in fact, that bodies were used as barricades around the trenches despite the smell and the rats who enjoyed them.
Leaving their dead friends behind will be hard, but leaving the hunger, frostbite, rat bites, lice, snow or melting waves of water that swept away even more of their mates, will be almost worth it.
With an incredible amount of research including listening to ex-soldier's oral accounts, reading journals, stories, letters and all that has been collated about this fateful military campaign, Jackie French has brought an important piece of Anzac history to young readers. Leaving Gallipoli was an incredible feat with 150,000 men evacuated right under the enemy's noses. (If only they didn't go there in the first place.)
Many scenes in this story are based on first hand accounts, but the author stresses this is only one story. Thousands of stories will have been told among the many thousands who fought and about the many thousands who lost their lives. One thread of this story is of a 12 year old boy who had been in a Borstal in England. Told his criminal record would be wiped if he went with the army, Nipper meets him near the officer's tents. Called one of "Churchill's Boys" their records were in fact wiped, so few knew they were even there.
This is a brutal read, sharing the true horror of war and the trust in higher ranked officers, but ultimately the courage of the Anzac soldier whose bond with their regiment was as rock solid as the army biscuits they were given to eat.
A sobering but powerful read.
Age - 11+
March 18, 2024
Sixteen-year-old Nipper's mates lanky, Spud, Bluey and Wallaby Joe keep an eye out for their underage comrade as they battle to survive the harsh conditions at Gallipoli and are some of the very last to leave in the great escape that fooled the Turks and Germans.
Drawing on first-hand accounts and peppered with quotations and verses written by the soldiers, Jackie French has provided a very personal perspective, through the eyes of Nipper, of what it must have been like for these heroic men. A detailed section at the end covers many aspects of the campaign referred to or live by the men in the trenches. The audio performance kept the listener a little distanced so that Nipper's recount of events was not as harrowing as it could have been, but the barbarity of the conditions and the brutality of their lives is vividly portrayed to make this a book for mature older readers in primary and into secondary.
2024 CBCA Notable title for Younger Readers
Drawing on first-hand accounts and peppered with quotations and verses written by the soldiers, Jackie French has provided a very personal perspective, through the eyes of Nipper, of what it must have been like for these heroic men. A detailed section at the end covers many aspects of the campaign referred to or live by the men in the trenches. The audio performance kept the listener a little distanced so that Nipper's recount of events was not as harrowing as it could have been, but the barbarity of the conditions and the brutality of their lives is vividly portrayed to make this a book for mature older readers in primary and into secondary.
2024 CBCA Notable title for Younger Readers
January 27, 2024
Read with my 11 year old granddaughter, this historical novel was long listed for the ARA Historical Novel Prize. The novel tells the story of the escape from Gallipoli. This campaign was clearly ill-conceived by the British and many lives were lost. Out of tragedy came the myth of the brave Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought and died at Gallipoli. This campaign is celebrated every year on ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand. The time period of the novel was December 1915. The story of the "escape" is told through the eyes of Nipper, a 16 year old Australian soldier who lied about his age in order to serve his country. This is a very good novel for middle grade ANZACs to learn about the bravery of our soldiers and understand the World War I campaign that is the basis of ANZAC Day.
March 28, 2024
I recently read the gorgeous picture book One Minutes Silence by David Metzenthen and Michael Camilleri and it was only when I read the blurb of this one that I understood that book fully. I wasn’t aware of the silent evacuation of thousands of men from the trenches at Gallipoli. The Great Gallipoli Escape is the story of a 16 year old private who is hanging on through grit and comradeship. The winter in the trenches brings new horrors and the visit from the powers that be in old Blighty confirms that their position can never improve. Year 6 up, those interested in battlefield fiction will enjoy this, it moves quite quickly and there is a lot of gritty detail, not too much gory stuff though.
April 21, 2023
The Great Gallipoli Escape is both a heartbreaking and heartwarming historical fiction novel from national treasure Jackie French.
It is the gripping and captivating story of young Nipper and his mates during the last weeks of the Gallipoli campaign and the relatively unknown story of how an army of 150,000 men were secretly evacuated from ANZAC Cove.
It is a story that celebrates the mateship, bravery, tenacity and loyalty of our ANZAC heroes. It encapsulates their spirit, their hearts and their legend. It also describes the brutality and cruelty of life in the trenches, as well as the idiocies of war; including playing cricket with the enemy one day and firing at them the next.
Aimed at children over 10, it is a book that will give our young people an understanding of the Gallipoli conflict through both narrative and informative text.
Travel back in time to appreciate, comprehend and be grateful for our future.
It is the gripping and captivating story of young Nipper and his mates during the last weeks of the Gallipoli campaign and the relatively unknown story of how an army of 150,000 men were secretly evacuated from ANZAC Cove.
It is a story that celebrates the mateship, bravery, tenacity and loyalty of our ANZAC heroes. It encapsulates their spirit, their hearts and their legend. It also describes the brutality and cruelty of life in the trenches, as well as the idiocies of war; including playing cricket with the enemy one day and firing at them the next.
Aimed at children over 10, it is a book that will give our young people an understanding of the Gallipoli conflict through both narrative and informative text.
Travel back in time to appreciate, comprehend and be grateful for our future.
May 18, 2023
The Great Gallipoli Escape by Jackie French - Audiobook
Another insight to war life in the trenches through
Research by the author personalising the characters to get us in The trenches with them, very very sad and cruel times. Thank you ANZACS for all you did for us to have the freedom we have today.
I could not get use to the narrator after listening to the full Matilda Series but he was clear but sometimes droll.
Another insight to war life in the trenches through
Research by the author personalising the characters to get us in The trenches with them, very very sad and cruel times. Thank you ANZACS for all you did for us to have the freedom we have today.
I could not get use to the narrator after listening to the full Matilda Series but he was clear but sometimes droll.
November 14, 2023
3.5
I decided to read this around remembrance day and I'm glad I did.
This book focused on an aspect of the Gallipoli campaign that is not often written about in fiction. The evacuation had no casualties, but signified a defeat for the allies. A great middle grade book as it is told from the perspective of a young soldier and we get to focus on the comraderie of the soldiers, without it being too gory or depressing!
I decided to read this around remembrance day and I'm glad I did.
This book focused on an aspect of the Gallipoli campaign that is not often written about in fiction. The evacuation had no casualties, but signified a defeat for the allies. A great middle grade book as it is told from the perspective of a young soldier and we get to focus on the comraderie of the soldiers, without it being too gory or depressing!
June 2, 2023
The story of the evacuation of Gallipoli. It is also a story of friendship, courage, determination and loyalty. The Author’s Notes at the back of the book is very informative, as is the section on Gallipoli Inventions, which include illustrations and explanations of the Drip Rifle and Periscope Rifle.
January 19, 2024
I have mixed feelings about this book. It’s heartfelt, but it felt a bit cliched, written dot to dot. Frankly, the afterword was better than the book. Part of my problem is that I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator kept sniffing or taking audible breaths between each section. Very off putting.
November 14, 2024
Anothe Jackie French historical fiction novel. She makes the people and places real and I felt joy and tears with the brave young men. I have read many Gallipoli stories but each time I feel I gain a greater understanding of the horrors of war and the depths of mateship forged in these circumstances.
October 24, 2023
Another good read from Jackie French.
It was so obvious the amount of work, research and dedication that has gone this book. An excellent read and a good reminder of why we shouldn't forget.
It was so obvious the amount of work, research and dedication that has gone this book. An excellent read and a good reminder of why we shouldn't forget.
March 8, 2024
So much life was wasted during the wars plural.
Thing you knew about the war, things you didn't know, this reminds you how pointless it all is, but also clearly shows the Australian spirit shining through despite horrific adversary.
CBCA Notable 2024 - Younger Readers
Thing you knew about the war, things you didn't know, this reminds you how pointless it all is, but also clearly shows the Australian spirit shining through despite horrific adversary.
CBCA Notable 2024 - Younger Readers
August 8, 2024
Always enjoy reading a good Jackie French book. I read this wonderful new book aloud to my middle son as part of his World War I study for this year. It was a good way to wrap up our mini-unit focus on the Gallipoli campaign.
August 14, 2023
An amazing book, filled with untold stories of the war. Told from men that lived through it.
October 2, 2023
Another meticulously researched historical story from Jackie French. We have many students fascinated by WWI and they will love the detail of trench warfare in the story.
December 5, 2023
Tough to read at times with my sensitive little one
December 22, 2023
This was a great read. I read it whilst traveling in Turkey and it provided a great perspective on the extreme hardships faced in the trenches of Gallipoli
March 25, 2024
3.5 stars
May 26, 2024
it was fine
Read
February 26, 2025Historical fiction about what happened at Gallipoli - based off of true accounts! Nipper and his friends (who lied about their age to serve) tell their story. A good read, especially for ANZAC Day!
September 14, 2025
great reading!
I finished this book in two days because it is so absorbing. It is filled with historical accuracy for anyone who is interested in this campaign.
I finished this book in two days because it is so absorbing. It is filled with historical accuracy for anyone who is interested in this campaign.
January 2, 2026
I already know that this is going to be my favorite book of the year! I enjoyed it so much!
August 25, 2026
i love the drawings at the end of the book. they made it so much more easier to visualise the contraptions they invented at gallipoli!!!!!!!
April 10, 2023
Jackie French has done it again!
The Great Gallipoli Escape captures the emotions and experiences of Australian soldiers during World War One in such a way that you can almost imagine you’re sitting in the trenches with them. Rather than focusing on the war itself, French’s story follows the friendships and camaraderie of those fighting for Australia as they grappled with the concept of evacuating the trenches and starting the long trip home.
The excerpts of real war literature - poems, statements and stories - at the beginning of each chapter creates a real life and emotional link between the actual experiences of the soldiers and the experiences of Nipper, Lanky, Spud, Bluey and Wallaby Joe.
This book is a wonderful story that is perfect for middle grade readers, lovers of historical fiction or a great classroom read around Anzac Day.
The Great Gallipoli Escape captures the emotions and experiences of Australian soldiers during World War One in such a way that you can almost imagine you’re sitting in the trenches with them. Rather than focusing on the war itself, French’s story follows the friendships and camaraderie of those fighting for Australia as they grappled with the concept of evacuating the trenches and starting the long trip home.
The excerpts of real war literature - poems, statements and stories - at the beginning of each chapter creates a real life and emotional link between the actual experiences of the soldiers and the experiences of Nipper, Lanky, Spud, Bluey and Wallaby Joe.
This book is a wonderful story that is perfect for middle grade readers, lovers of historical fiction or a great classroom read around Anzac Day.
November 11, 2023
Ages 12+.
War fiction is often confronting and graphic, but this was also really well-written and authentic. The part about killing the animals before they departed was very sad, but I know it's also what happened. Fiction like this is important for young people.
War fiction is often confronting and graphic, but this was also really well-written and authentic. The part about killing the animals before they departed was very sad, but I know it's also what happened. Fiction like this is important for young people.
November 2, 2025
Jackie French’s “The Great Gallipoli Escape” is a compelling historical novel that brings to life one of World War I’s most dramatic moments—the evacuation of Allied troops from Gallipoli. Through the eyes of relatable young characters, French masterfully captures both the chaos and courage of those involved in the campaign, making the story accessible to readers of all ages.
The novel follows the journey of ordinary soldiers and nurses as they face the daily dangers of war and the uncertainty of survival. French’s meticulous research shines through in her vivid descriptions and authentic dialogue, immersing the reader in the harsh realities of the Gallipoli Peninsula. The tension builds steadily as the evacuation plan unfolds, keeping readers on edge until the final pages.
What sets this book apart is French’s ability to humanize historical events, giving voice to those often forgotten in the grand sweep of history. The characters’ friendships, hopes, and fears are depicted with empathy and nuance, making their experiences deeply moving.
“The Great Gallipoli Escape” is both a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and an engaging way to learn about a pivotal moment in history. Suitable for young readers and adults alike, this novel is highly recommended for anyone interested in historical fiction or Australia’s wartime past.
The novel follows the journey of ordinary soldiers and nurses as they face the daily dangers of war and the uncertainty of survival. French’s meticulous research shines through in her vivid descriptions and authentic dialogue, immersing the reader in the harsh realities of the Gallipoli Peninsula. The tension builds steadily as the evacuation plan unfolds, keeping readers on edge until the final pages.
What sets this book apart is French’s ability to humanize historical events, giving voice to those often forgotten in the grand sweep of history. The characters’ friendships, hopes, and fears are depicted with empathy and nuance, making their experiences deeply moving.
“The Great Gallipoli Escape” is both a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and an engaging way to learn about a pivotal moment in history. Suitable for young readers and adults alike, this novel is highly recommended for anyone interested in historical fiction or Australia’s wartime past.
March 17, 2024
2024 CBCA Notable.
Foisonnant de details, vocabulaire, chaque paragraphe est cisele, bien ecrit...
4.5 really!
Ecrivain super analytique, zebre ;-)
Foisonnant de details, vocabulaire, chaque paragraphe est cisele, bien ecrit...
4.5 really!
Ecrivain super analytique, zebre ;-)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews