A Penguin Book 2001

171p pbk $17.95 0-14-100330-8         

Soldier Boy is an historical book. It tells the story of Jim Martin, the youngest ANZAC soldier. It starts off telling that he dies, which I found quite unappealing, because in the rest of the book, there is a great lead-up to how he goes to Gallipoli, and all his trials and fortunes, yet you already know the ending. So knowing this about the storyline is not great.          

I did very much enjoy the part when he left Australia until his death. I found the battle scenes very enthralling and I learnt many intriguing and amazing facts. For example, The ANZACS and the Turks made a short treaty to bury the rotting bodies of dead soldiers. What was so amazing was that the soldiers on both sides came out of the trenches to exchange tobacco, and other goods, just like old friends!

I don’t think it would appeal to most people in Year Seven because it gets a little dull, although people who like historical books should enjoy it. I think it was a very good idea to include the pictures because they were very good ones and depicted the life and times of the ANZAC soldiers, as did the text.

The language might be a bit hard to read but the print was easy. I think the layout assists the reader quite well, paragraphs set out well, and the book is organised well. I think the appendices were a good idea too. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to know what it was like to be an ANZAC soldier.

Oscar, 13, ACT