"Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8"
Highly Commended in the UKLA Book Awards 2021 | Shortlisted for the Children's Book Award 2020 | Shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2020, Best Story category | July 2019 Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month July 2019
A beautifully told, deeply moving story about how a boy finds a special way of remembering his soldier father. When Owen’s father dies fighting in Syria he finds himself caring for his mum who isn’t coping well. School becomes a struggle as he doesn’t want to tell anyone but he finds comfort and refuge in the local memorial garden when there is a crumbing statue as a memorial to those who died in the First World War. When the council decide to remodel the garden and remove the statue Owen knows that he must take dramatic action. And fast. Luckily, he gets the chance to write a poem for the opening of his school’s new library. Owen’s poem captures the importance of remembering while his presentation of it and the effect it has on the council brings him resolution.
Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+
Lisa Thompson, said of her Blue Peter nomination: “To have a book nominated for an award is wonderful, but to have a book in the final three of the Blue Peter Book Award is an absolute honour! I was an avid Blue Peter viewer as a child, and I am so delighted to see Owen and the Soldier included in the short list. It's so exciting!”
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Interesting and exciting. I couldnt stop reading!
Owen is a boy who really cares for a stone soldier in a local memorial garden. Then he finds out that the garden is changing and the soldier is going to be crushed. Owen is determined to save the soldier!
My favourite bit was what Owen did to save the soldier. I can't say what that was as I don't want to spoil the story! But it made me feel so happy and excited because Owen was so brave and confident. This book was really interesting and I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next. I also liked this book because of how they explained the memorial garden.... Read Full Review
Will Owen be able to convince the council to keep the statue in the park? This book is an easy read for anyone aged six and over who likes soldiers and doing bench flips.
This story starts off as a secret. Owen talks to a stone soldier after his Dad dies but he doesn’t want anyone to know. I found the beginning a bit boring, particularly the school lessons(!) but when the threat of the soldier leaving happens, I wanted to keep reading till the end. Will Owen be able to convince the council to keep the statue in the park?... Read Full Review
A clever and interesting book for fans of history, and those with worries
Owen and the Soldier is not my usual style of book, but I found it clever and interesting. I liked that I could relate to the story and I could relate to Owen.
In the story, Owen meets a stone statue of a soldier and he becomes like an imaginary friend for Owen. Owen's parents don't have time for him, but the soldier is someone Owen can chat to about his worries. Owen even looks after the statue, cleaning it after an incident with a pigeon. The local council wants to bulldoze the statue but Owen manages to save it.
My favourite part is when Owen opens up to the statue for the first time.... Read Full Review
