Room for a Stranger

by Ann Turnbull, Jean-Paul Tibbles (Illustrator)

When Rhoda Kelly has to escape the city of London during World War II and move into the home of Doreen Dyer's family, Doreen's initial resentment causes Rhoda to flee, but seeing the error of her ways, Doreen chases after Rhoda in attempt to set things right.

Genres: Historical Fiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published May 6, 1996

About the author

Ann Turnbull is an English author of numerous books for young readers, including No Shame, No Fear and Forged in the Fire. She was born in Hertford, was brought up in southeast London, and now lives in Shropshire, England.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've owned a copy of this book for some time. What I didn't realise is this is the third book in a series about a mining family.

Set somewhere in the 1930s, a family takes in an "evacee" which is essentially a foster kid whose parents are busy in war.

This 136 page doesn't really feel fleshed out. It's got the baseline of the story but it's almost as if the author refused to give it more than just a basic run down.

The main character "Doreen" comes off as a young kid who hates sharing even though she's described as a 12 year old sharing a room with a 13year old.

Room for a stranger I'd quite a quick read but nothing overly fancy.

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doreen wanted her family to take in an evacuee so she could be like everyone else, but when Rhoda arrives, Doreen’s not so keen. Until recently, she’s had to share a room with her two older sisters, and now she’ll have to share with someone she doesn’t know.
Rhoda is keen to fit in and sets out to please everyone. She’s a good singer, tidy’s her room, becomes a favourite and Doreen feels left out. The girls fall out. How do they sort it so they can live together?
I enjoyed the clear descriptions of wartime poverty that inform the whole story.
Recommended for Middle Grade

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the era that this book is written in. Short story told by the youngest of 3 siblings, the others all have their own stories to tell

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 4-7 112 pgs


Culverton, England 1941. 11 year old Doreen Dyer has finally got a room to herself now that her older sisters have moved out (One's marriend and the other's in the WAAF). Now she finds out her family will be hosting an evacuee from London and she'll be sharing Doreen's room!

A nice quick read about the children of hosting families and what it was like to have to share your space with stranger.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 4-7 112 pgs


Culverton, England 1941. 11 year old Doreen Dyer has finally got a room to herself now that her older sisters have moved out (One's marriend and the other's in the WAAF). Now she finds out her family will be hosting an evacuee from London and she'll be sharing Doreen's room!

A nice quick read about the children of hosting families and what it was like to have to share your space with stranger.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have liked more about the fact that Rhoda was an evacuee. She seemed like any foster child who had come to live with an already struggling family. I didn't get too know any of the other characters very well and the ending was very predictable.