The Machine Gunners
Published on 3. April 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-0350-5834-1 (ISBN)
Description
Celebrate 50 years of adventure in Carnegie Medal-winner Robert Westall's compelling first novel for children set during World War Two, with a powerful introduction by Michael Morpurgo.
'Fifty Years on this remains the greatest WW2 novel ever penned.' Phil Earle
Chas McGill has the second-best collection of war souvenirs in Garmouth but wants it to be the best. When he stumbles across the wreckage of a downed German bomber, he finds the ultimate trophy - a working machine gun.
Hiding his discovery from the local police, Chas recruits his friends and together they build a fortress for their prize. But war is not a game and soon both friendships and loyalties are tested when the gang's actions have dangerous consequences.
Robert Westall wrote The Machine Gunners for his son, Christopher, based on his own experiences during the Second World War. A modern classic of children's fiction, it went on to win the CILIP Carnegie Medal in 1975 and has been in print ever since.
'Fifty Years on this remains the greatest WW2 novel ever penned.' Phil Earle
Chas McGill has the second-best collection of war souvenirs in Garmouth but wants it to be the best. When he stumbles across the wreckage of a downed German bomber, he finds the ultimate trophy - a working machine gun.
Hiding his discovery from the local police, Chas recruits his friends and together they build a fortress for their prize. But war is not a game and soon both friendships and loyalties are tested when the gang's actions have dangerous consequences.
Robert Westall wrote The Machine Gunners for his son, Christopher, based on his own experiences during the Second World War. A modern classic of children's fiction, it went on to win the CILIP Carnegie Medal in 1975 and has been in print ever since.
Reviews / Votes
Fifty Years on this remains the greatest WW2 novel ever penned. -- Phil EarleMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pan Macmillan
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 9 to 11 years
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 130 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
190 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0350-5834-1 (9781035058341)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Robert Westall
The Machine Gunners
E-Book
12/2012
Macmillan Children's Books
€10.99
Available for download
Person
More than a decade after his death, Robert Westall retains his reputation as one of the most powerful writers for children. He was awarded two Carnegie Medals (for The Machine Gunners and The Scarecrows) and used his own childhood experiences of the Second World War in his books.