Soldier Girl

Hopscotch Summer #2

by Annie Murray

A sequel to "The Hopscotch Summer " Molly Fox has grown up in the back streets of Birmingham at the mercy of her cruel grandfather and her drunken mother. Though she has grown into a tall, beautiful woman, Molly is haunted by terrible family secrets.

When she is found lying drunk in a gutter, Molly reaches a turning point. She decides to escape by joining the army as an ATS girl. At first her new start seems fated to be a disaster but the army gives her the encouragement she hungers for and soon her life is flourishing. But war brings tragedy as well as triumph, and when Molly receives news from home, it becomes clear that she can't escape her past so easily...

Genres: Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 2010

About the author

Annie Murray was a ‘childhood writer.’ Her career was helped a great deal by belonging to Tindal Street Fiction Group in Birmingham and by winning the SHE/Granada TV Short Story Competition in 1991. She has published short stories in a number of anthologies as well as SHE magazine. Her first regional saga, Birmingham Rose appeared in 1995 and reached the Times bestseller list. She has since published more than a dozen others, including the ‘Cadbury books,’ Chocolate Girls and The Bells of Bournville Green, Family of Women and her latest, A Hopscotch Summer. Annie has four children and lives near Reading.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, the only problem was I wanted more! Molly's story is far from over, I want to know if she gets through the war, if she finds love and what about Em? Did her husband, Norm make it?
A wonderful story by a wonderful author, I remembered little Molly Fox in 'Hopscotch Summer' whereas that book focused on Em, this book has Molly as the main character. She certainly has lots of low points, but joining the army is a real turning point in her life, it's where she eventually finds family.

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Storytelling at it's best.

[Amy DeWolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up in Birmingham with a drunken mother and abusive grandfather, it didn’t surprise anyone when Molly started fittings in with the wrong crowd. One morning, after an old friend finds her laying drunk in the streets, she decides to smarten up and join the ATS, not wanting to become anymore like her family.

The story was good, though darker than the usual WWII slice of life novels, but I couldn’t stand Molly. In the beginning, she was very rough and tumble. Loud, crass, childish, catty. She didn’t have a nice thing to say about hardly anyone and would pick a fight and take offence where there was none. She does end up becoming more mature, but I still wasn’t a fan.

[Alice Land · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book insightful since I don’t know much about WWII. It’s always fascinating to get a feel of how people lived in the past and during difficult times. This book appeals to me because it’s about a girl that reaches the lowest point but gets a chance to redeem herself by joining the army. The story well told and the character development is good.

[Lyle Roles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read. It told of what is was like to live during World War 11, and the harshness of food rationing. After a terrible childhood, Molly rose about it all to make a good life for herself.. I wanted the story to go on longer.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie Murray is an excellent writer, really great characters, very true to life and this one is a real eye opener to life in the 2nd world war, giving insight into how it changed lives in so many ways. A great read. I realise now this is a sequel to A Hopscotch Summer, which I have not yet read, but have loved all the books I read by this great author.

[Helen Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

I enjoyed this book and admired the character of Molly Fox and the psychological insight the author showed regarding Molly's family background. A sad but heartwarming story where the female characters come over as strong and intelligent, and where personal achievements are seen as more important than "getting a man"!

[Natalya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and didn't expect to. I really liked Molly's character, as usually within this genre the main character's are very much the same; quiet and demure with good morals. She was a nice change from the norm, especially as you see her personality develop over the course of the book.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A girl who had a bad start in life gets a chance to shape up by wearing uniform during WWII. Not my favourite read of the times or of this author, though it is good to see different facets of female war works.

[Karen Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great author, great writer, superb read. One of those books you can't wait to read the minute you get a chance. Follows Molly Fox and her characters development throughout the war years.... Left at a point where a sequel is begging. What a joy to read

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes a very difficult read, but what a strong character Molly is! A book worth persevering with, I found it greatly rewarding and I enjoyed the continuing saga of the other characters from the previous book, A Hopscotch Summer.

[Samantha Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the beginning this was slow start for me.
I didn't know if I should caring on reading.
But I am glad I did.
This one really got me with the next character from the last book.
Now I can see why the the character became the soldier girl
Looking forward to reading more Annie Murray books

[Annette Hart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry - I just couldn't get into this one. I'm afraid my reading time is short at the moment so if it doesn't grip me quickly I have to move on to something else.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wartime, good quick read.

[Annette O'grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was a very nice interesting read, it gives you an insight of what some woman did during the war whilst the men were off to war

[Diane Fells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as enjoyable as the first, if not more so.

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasnt keen on this story.average read.

[Helen Mckelvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read what a girl

[Alison Sarson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant easy read , ends abruptly!