Rebel on a Rock

by Nina Bawden

A family's visit to a country under the rule of a dictator involves the children in a startling revolutionary secret and leads them to suspect that their stepfather is a spy.

Genres: Childrens

126 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Nina Bawden was a popular British novelist and children's writer. Her mother was a teacher and her father a marine.

When World War II broke out she spent the school holidays at a farm in Shropshire along with her mother and her brothers, but lived in Aberdare, Wales, during term time.
Bawden attended Somerville College, Oxford, where she gained a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Her novels include Carrie's War, Peppermint Pig, and The Witch's Daughter.

A number of her works have been dramatised by BBC Children's television, and many have been translated into various languages. In 2002 she was badly injured in the Potters Bar rail crash, and her husband Austen Kark was killed.

Bawden passed away at her home in London on 22 August 2012.

Reviews

[Cath Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jo's vacation in Ithaca isn't half as idyllic as the name of the country suggests. And why did Albert Sandwich - the new stepfather- take the family there, knowing the country is suffering under dictatorship? Jo will find out eventually and will change because of the experience.She by the way, is Carrie's daughter, the protagonist of my all time favourite Nina Bawden. Rebel On A Rock is not as beautiful as that story, but a quite nice children's book in itself.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author switches from first person to third person halfway through the first chapter and again at the very end. It left me so confused for a big chunk of the first part of the book.

There were also moments where moments where it feels like the author left something out because a few spots become very confusing.

The ending does pick up speed and become interesting.

[Sarah Rigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't remember this book very well but know I read it in March 1985 because I mentioned it in my journal of that time and said it was "good."

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird sequel to Carrie's War, but still wonderful.
Serene but with intrigue and sudden action.

[Stephen Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politically aware YA book of considerable skill. Very enjoyable read.