Norma's War: a WWII Memoir

by Norma Thoeming, Gary Metivier (Editor)

Norma Thoeming was just four years old when Great Britain went to war with Nazi Germany. Norma's recollections are sometimes fuzzy, but always poignant, as she recounted her experiences to Iowa author and television personality Gary Metivier. Stories of rationing, bombing, refugees from London -- and more typical childhood concerns such as sibling rivalry and entertainment provide an unflinching look at a working class English family thrust into world events beyond their control. Young readers will be immersed in the daily life of a total war through a child’s eyes from gas masks as school supplies to watching a terrifying kind of light show at night. Ideal for use in upper elementary classrooms and small group discussions, Norma's War is a valuable glimpse into how war impacts a nation’s youngest citizens.

118 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a time of "an odd combination of adventure, excitement, fear, and terror" is how Norma Thoeming best described growing up during WWII. I found it a riveting read in it's basic simplicity. It was also hard not to find my thoughts straying to the children of Ukraine who are facing the same terrors while dealing with normal growing pains.

Norma's story, told to Gary Metivier, isn't fancy. The chapters are short, remembered in simple terms, and allow us to peek into the world of Norma's Bedford, England, life both before and after the war. Parents, can you imagine the horror of having your children handed a gas mask? Hearing that their school group was fired on from a passing German plane? Dealing with refugees being housed in your home? And that doesn't even include the anxiety and fears of an everyday life that without warning could suddenly include bombs being dropped on your neighborhood, one leaving a huge crater in front of your home. Life at home wasn't easy, either, with a troubled mother who simply walked out on them at one point, not to mention an energetic brother, full of mischief, who seems to have a knack for setting things on fire, all by accident, not that it made much difference. Norma's life as a working class girl wouldn't have been easy at any time but when the war came to their town, life was never to be the same.

To be honest, as noted, I found myself liking this book more than I had expected. Given how many WWII related books I've read in my life, that is a high compliment, particularly as it left me thinking about it long after I'd finished. I definitely recommend "Norma's War" to both history buffs and those wondering what life was really like when you hear about wartime England. Heck, read if you like a good story with interesting characters. Characters who were real people.

You'll be left with questions, of course. Remember, this is about a child's memories. And, I mean, was there really such a thing as a "siren suit"? I'm going to have to look that one up. In the meantime, thanks to #NetGalley and #LegacyBookPress - #IBPA for introducing me to Norma Thoeming. I'm all the better for it.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norma's War is an evocative, spellbinding, heart bruising and hopeful true story about a young girl growing up in Bedford, England during WWII when lives were upended and chaos reigned. But life marched on. As children are wont to do, she and her siblings Brian and Pat got into trouble more than once (the glove and keyhole stories stands out). The war raged everywhere around them and in homes, too, including Norma's. The sudden routine shift left by her mother's departure impacted their lives in good and bad ways and household roles changed. But that's not all that changed.

In her memoir, Norma includes the everyday such as chores and games they played and an unusual Christmas present. Though at times innocent children found aspects of war exciting (their very own gas masks, learning aircraft types), sad events occurred such as evacuees, food rationing, living underground, air raids, bombing and death. The arrival of the American soldiers after liberation created quite a stir! The questions Norma asked them are delightfully childlike. I also like that post-war information on the family and photographs are included throughout, really adding a personal touch. The simple writing makes the story easily understood and powerful.

Reading a story told from a child's perspective during war is precious and compelling, completely different. Highly recommended to those who wish to learn more about WWII in England in general but more so about one family's experiences. My gratitude goes to those who reach into the annals of their minds and hearts to tell their stories and those record them such as Gary Metivier who beautifully captured Norma's words.

My sincere thank you to Legacy Book Press, LLC and NetGalley for the honour of reading this stellar and endearing book.

[Christine Barth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers will be swept up in the story of young, impressionable Norma Thoeming who was just four years old when Great Britain went to war with Nazi Germany. Norma's recollections are sometimes fuzzy, but always poignant, as she and her family struggle with rationing, bombing, refugees from London -- and more typical childhood concerns such as sibling rivalry and entertainment. Author Gary Metivier (Willie's Wagon, Saluting Grandpa) painstakingly interviewed Norma to record this unflinching tale of a working class English family thrust into world events beyond their control. Young readers will be immersed in the daily life of a total war through a child’s eyes from gas masks as school supplies to watching a terrifying kind of light show at night. Ideal for use in upper elementary classrooms and small group discussions, Norma's War is a valuable glimpse into how war impacts a nation’s youngest citizens.

I was provided an advance copy in exchange for feedback and an unbiased review.