LONDON CALLING

 

 

by Edward Bloor

 

 

 

 

 

   John Martin Conway is a seventh grade scholarship kid in a rich prep school where his mother works as a secretary. He doesn't feel welcome which drives him to hate the school and the great-grandson of the school's founder, Hank Lowery. After a fight at the school he goes into his basement room to do independent study and brood. Then his grandmother dies and leaves him with an old WWII-era radio, which he begins listening to while doing research on the Blitz in London. The radio acts as a conduit for time travel and after a few travels back in time he discovers this and finds himself sitting in London during the Blitz with a boy named Jimmy, who has some things to show him. Jimmy turns out to be a ghost who needs something from Martin in order to be at peace. Back in his own time, Martin researches more and more about the Blitz and the people he met while with Jimmy. He finds out things about his much-loved grandfather as well as Hank Lowery that aren't what is believed about either of them. As he goes back and forth in time, Martin sort of discovers himself. He learns to love history, finds closeness with his sister, learns much, grows, and comes to deal with his father's alcoholism. This is London Calling by Edward Bloor.

 

 

 

 The Blitz-

In the summer of 1940, Hitler decided to invade Britain. His plan was to take control of the English Channel by destroying the Royal Airforce and then to send German troops into Britain to take control.

In July 1940, Hitler put his plan into operation. The German airforce (Luftwaffe) began making daily bombing raids on British ships, ports, radar stations, airfields and aircraft factories. This became known as the Battle of Britain. Hitler believed that by targeting civilians he could force the British to surrender.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I thought the book was great and packed with a lot of action and a lot of history. I would recomened this book to kids who like books about WWII and interested about history.

 

 

 Click here to find out more information on the author!

 

 

 

 

 

Discussion Guide:

If your interested in discussing the book the please take into consideration talking about the following topics.

• Does the book have a lot of factual information on WW2, if so could you give examples?
• How does Martin learn to cope with his fathers addiction to alcohol?
• How does Martin react the first time he realizes he has traveled back in time?
• How does Martins realationship with Jimmy grow over the course of the book?
• How does Martin react when he meets Jimmys grandfather in the present for real?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 London Calling is avalible in both paperback and hardcover