Scouting in Belgium in World War II

NZ Writer and Artist  Robert MacKinlay, illustrated by the writer Dare to Defy  Robert MacKinlay 2015  $22.00pb, with free postage within NZ 179p

Available from robtmack@ihug.co.nz and also from www.silverstreamgallery.co.nz  Post Free within New Zealand.  ISBN 978 0 4733 1821 5  Themes: Hampteau, Belgium/ Invasion of Belgium World War II/ Scout Association

REVIEWED BY RION ANDERSON

YEAR 2 RAROA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL, JOHNSONVILLE, WELLINGTON

This book was an incredibly good read and stays true to the founding principles of Scouting.

In World War II in Belgium, four 12 year-old boys become Scouts, a brave move in an occupied country where the Movement is banned and boys are expected to join the Hitler-Jugend (Hitler youth). They see this as giving in and instead decide to secretly rebel. Along with a refugee called Mot they manage to escape capture… at least for a while… I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to any child  - Scout or not - looking for an easy-medium difficulty read, full of adventure and suspense. There is a sequel, and it promises to be as riveting as the first.

I give it a 5/5

Rion Anderson

Note: It did take a little while to get this review from Rion (!) and in the meantime the sequel (Blame) has been published. I will try to review it for you during the week,
For my original review of Dare to Defy go to the search box and look under the title.