'Blackout' by Robert Swindells
It's September 1939 and Britain has just entered the Second World War. But in the small town of Golfodd there are no bombs, no soldiers and no machine guns.
For Tom, Mary, Gary and Dil, the whole thing is a disappointment. Things look more interesting when they hear about hidden treasure and they start shadowing the mysterious new woman in town, but soon they find themselves in danger.
Your reviews
Review by Ishika Ali
Mary and Tom Swaine, Dil Tenby and Gary Mossman are friends who like to hang out with each other (like most friends do). Sometimes they go to the old, disused mine found by the Mossmans, which they're not supposed to do. When all the talk in Golfodd turns to war and spies, the gang start stalking a lady in the Ty Coch Inn who (they think) is not all she says she is. After a man in a checked suit acts suspiciously too, the gang all agree that they are working together to steal the Golfodd Hoard, the precious golden coins belonging to Golfodd. When the children hide in the mine, the roof suddenly collapses and they're stuck with barely any food and a flickering torch. A German crash-lands in Golfodd and hears them shouting for help, but if he alerts the local police they would put him in prisoner-of-war camp. What should he do?
I thought this book was great. The story is good. I like the way the writer wrote the story from different points of view. It had a good plot and I liked the way they thought of ways to survive. Pfeiffer is my favourite character because he a noble thing even though he would end up in prison.
I think kids aged 7 to 12 would like this story, especially if they like stories set in historical times or stories to do with criminals.
Review by Katie O'Neill
It is 1939 and the war has just started but in this town of Golfodd there are no bombs, no guns – no sign of war! After hearing that a lady called Violet has entered the little village looking for the Golfodd Hoard, Tom, Mary, Dil and Gary track her down and find out what she is up to. But it doesn't end up how they hoped it would – getting trapped underground in a mine was the last thing they wanted, but it was useful after all.
Gary was probably my favourite character because he is very adventurous just like me and is always taking the blame. He comes up with cunning plans and doesn't mind if he's last. I also like his personality, he is a kind boy and good friend to the others when he needed to be.
I thought the story at the start was very good and described everything well, but then it started to get really descriptive and over the top. It got a bit boring and after reading it I thought it wasn't such a good book. On the other hand, I enjoyed it and I thought how Robert Swindells changed the time in little sections was clever. Overall it was a good story.
I think anybody would enjoy this story, but especially people that like history. It suits older people, perhaps aged 10 plus, as the language is hard and some of the words were tricky.
Review by Nell Beasley
Tom, Mary, Gary and Dil like to play in the old mine belonging to Gary's granddad. But when two suspicious people arrive they have other plans. They thought toasting Hitler and giving a false name was bad, but stealing some ancient coins must be off the scale. How can the crew stop the robbers? As the mine roof starts to crumble, will the only escape route lead them to their death?
My favourite character is Dil because she keeps calm and carries on. She looked after poor Mary when she was upset. She is kind and clever and thought up parts of the plan.
I thought this book and the plot were good, I liked it a lot but it seemed to go on for too long! I enjoyed reading it but when I wanted to finish it I couldn't. The bit with the German pilot entered the story to quickly for my liking. I felt I wanted to skip those particular parts.
People aged 8 to 11 would enjoy this book because it isn't tricky but older people than that might want something a bit more challenging! They must like a good adventure but be willing to put the book down.
Review by Izzy Mooncie
I thought this book was good. The story is about four children, Tom, Mary, Gary and Dilys, who enjoy playing in the forbidden mine of Golfodd. When World War Two is unleashed, the children become more wary of the people around them, especially after being told to look out for undercover spies from Germany. I liked the story being set in World War Two, a significant and interesting time in history.
My favourite character was Dilys because she was much more adamant than Mary, who was quite fussy most of the time.
People who like World War Two and action books would enjoy this book. It is not only for boys, but girls as well, though the front cover looks more like it is for boys. The cover looked eyecatching, even though it used quite dark colours of blues and oranges.
Review by Paloma Shemirani
This book was brilliant. The story is about four children, Dilys, Tom, Gary and Mary. When a lady comes to the small town of Golfodd and checks into the hotel, she claims to be someone else. There is also another person in town who is acting anything but ordinary. In the local museum, there are some priceless coins called the Golfodd Hoard. Is there a connection? The four children are suspicious and decide to investigate. But 'curiosity killed the cat' and they get more than they bargained for.
My favourite character was Dilys as she was quite adventurous and up for a challenge. Even in the toughest time, Dilys was determined to get out and didn't give up hope. I felt quite sorry for her having parents as such as those and I was surprised they had not dampened her spirits.
I thought the story was very exciting and it is my favourite so far. I liked the fact that even if you knew that the children would get out of their struggle, you began to seriously doubt it in the middle of the story and that made it a very good book.
Fans of adventure stories would absolutely love this story, as I did myself. I think the age group is around 9 to 11 years old. I also think people who like books about World War Two would enjoy it too.
Review by Allana Jackson
I thought this book was brilliant. It was extremely interesting, and I loved reading it! The story is about four children (Mary, Tom, Dil and Gary) who live in a little town called Golfodd. When World War Two begins and spies come to town, the children try to protect the Golfodd Hoard. While doing so, they get trapped in the old abandoned mine!
My favourite character was Mary, because she was very funny and worried the other characters by thinking of scary things.
Children in Year 5 and 6, maybe over, would enjoy this story.
Review by Emily Davison
This book was brilliant. It is about four children who enjoy a good adventure. But when they find out they might not see the world again and might die in the dark mine, they ask themselves why they ever got into this mess. Struggling without food and only a little bit of water the friends wonder if they will ever see light again, and if the coins were really that important to risk their lives over.
My favourite character is Gary because he never gives up hope when they don't think anyone will rescue them. He is also very brave to steal things from a museum and even from his own grandfather.
I think everybody would enjoy this book because it is very interesting and gets you in a mood to find out more about World War Two.
The story was amazing, the way it brought the characters to life. You could imagine being there with them and experiencing the cold, damp mine and the sorrow of their parents. The way the author has written the book really draws you in and left me reading for hours. This may be one of the best books I have ever read!
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