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A review by alice_digest
Five Children on the Western Front by Kate Saunders
3.0
This was the one I was least looking forward to reading because its historical and it's very much a traditional, old fashioned children's book (I'm too old for those now!). I actually found Saunders writing surprisingly engaging, and while this book really isn't my bag.. I wouldn't say I was bored while reading it. It is very well written and it's a nice continuation of Nesbit's classic series, with some light exploration of the effects of the War on life at home in England.
I've never read Five Children and It but I'm familiar with the story from 90s TV series, so I already had hazy memories of the Pembletons and Psammead. Saunders does make some reference to the original books but you could enjoy this without knowing anything. Time jumps forward to the First World War when the original Five children are grown, and the youngest two Lamb (who was a baby before) and Edie (not born yet) take over as the main children. The story looks at the war but also Psammead's past crimes as a God and his need to find redemption before he can get his powers back.
It's a nice little story, with some sad bits. Definitely more for the younger reader.
I've never read Five Children and It but I'm familiar with the story from 90s TV series, so I already had hazy memories of the Pembletons and Psammead. Saunders does make some reference to the original books but you could enjoy this without knowing anything. Time jumps forward to the First World War when the original Five children are grown, and the youngest two Lamb (who was a baby before) and Edie (not born yet) take over as the main children. The story looks at the war but also Psammead's past crimes as a God and his need to find redemption before he can get his powers back.
It's a nice little story, with some sad bits. Definitely more for the younger reader.