The Week At World’s End is the first Emma Carroll book I have read
I have wanted to read her work for a long time but have just not had the time
When I was sent this to review by Faber Children’s Books
I started it straight away and I could not stop
This is glorious historical fiction
The characters are so likeable and I loved getting to know them
The story is set against the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962
And as the threat of war builds so too does the tension and suspense
In this wonderful mystery adventure story
The Week At World’s End is set in England in the early 1960s
And shows readers what it was like to live in the shadow of The Cold War
Through the eyes of three young children we see the fear felt by everyone
About the possibility of nuclear war
We see the impact nuclear bombs can have
We learn about prejudice, racism and segregation
This is ultimately a story of family and friendship, of courage and hope
I could not put it down
The story follows two friends Stevie and Ray when they find a girl hiding in a coal shed
The runaway, Anna, asks the friends to help her hide from people who are trying to poison her
Tension builds in the story as people face the prospect of war between Russia and The USA
As the threat of war grows, Anna’s behaviour becomes more mysterious
And when Stevie unearths a dark family secret
She wonders if Anna has come to World’s End Close on purpose, with a special message just for her . . .
This is such a brilliant read
I was so invested in the children’s journey and the difficult decisions they had to make
Often faced with situations they did not fully understand
This is a story about finding your voice and fighting for what you believe in
It is about never giving up even when it feels like the world might end
There is always hope
A beautifully written heartfelt story of friends and family
Perfect for sparking discussion about war and how it impacts on people
Perfect for getting children to research life in the 1960s
Brilliant way to start talking about race & prejudice
A way in to exploring peaceful protest & using your voice for good
So many wonderful reasons to read this book
Simply it is stunning storytelling
We were sent a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review