 Eleven-year-old outspoken and likeable Billie Templar lives in a military town called Merchant Stanton. Her dad is serving with the army in Afghanistan and Billie desperately wants him home so they can defend their four-year record of winning the three-legged race at the school carnival. She plans to ask the Queen to give him permission to return home, but getting to see the Queen is tougher than she thinks. With the help of sweet, crazy friends and old age pensioners, she stages a military tattoo to get the Queen to visit during the Jubilee celebrations. The story is heart-wrenching, hilarious, and has a feel-good surprise ending.mjw |
| Title: Billie Templar’s War: For Queen. For Country. For Dad. Author: Ellie Irving Publisher: Random House/Bodley Head Children’s Books Copyright: 2012 Original language: English ISBN: 978-0-552-56360-4 Hardcover pages: 368 Age range: 8 up Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction Author’s residence: England Awards: 2013 James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Award, 2013 Sheffield Children’s Book Award Nomination Subjects: Bullying; Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain; England; Europe; Military family life; Western Europe |
Billie Templar’s War: For Queen. For Country. For Dad
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This narrative scrapbook, art journal, and mini graphic novel tells the story of a teenage girl from northern England. Three central themes in her life are illustrated with bits of old diaries, energetic and quirky doodles, witty pieces of wisdom, references to TV shows and music, photographs, and even ticket stubs. The themes/chapter headings are ME; FRIENDS, OTHERS, COLLEGE, AND ART; and LOVE. This portrait of teen life is solid, frank, and adorable. The author is 18 years-old. mjw
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