Angel of Grasmere by Tom Palmer

The Angel of Grasmere is a beautiful dual point of view story about the reality of the Dunkirk retreat during the second world war – the impact on the soldiers who survived and the families who lost those they love. It is another must-read from historical master, Tom Palmer and the ever-accessible publisher, Barrington Stoke. This story, along with After the War, Arctic Star and Resist, will become central to this generation’s understanding of the battles of previous generations.

In the poem In Flanders Fields, War poet John McCrae wrote,

“To you from failing hands we throw

    The torch; be yours to hold it high.”

Tom Palmer is helping those brave soldiers pass on their torch so we will never forget.

Set in the Lake District, there is so much power in the landscape: the peace of the fells, the freshness of the tarns and the life that must carry on in the valley. Yet this peace is shrouded in fear – fear that the enemy will attack from the north, fear that nearby towns will be bombed, fear that word will come that another soldier has died.

Tarn is angry. She’s angry that her brother has gone missing and is reported to be dead. She’s angry that she isn’t permitted to attend the memorial service. She’s angry that they’ll never have the chance to roam the fells together again. Tarn and her friends, Peter (a Cumbrian farm boy) and Eric (an evacuee from Manchester), escape to the hills. Supporting each other with their own kinds of strength, they go searching for adventure, happiness and hope.

But they aren’t alone in the fells. A solitary figure watches them from afar. Overcome with guilt for leaving Dunkirk to burn, this ex-soldier feels completely useless. He is nothing. Rather than the heroes so many people think them to be, he knows the truth. Dunkirk was a defeat and so many soldiers live with the agonising PTSD of survival. Fear of bombings and terrifying flashbacks prevent this man from even daring to show his face in the village. Is there anything he can do to contribute and help others – to feel worth something again?

As readers follow the story of Tarn and the man in the hills, truths about the war will hit them right in the heart. Emotional and honest, Tom Palmer has shown how hard it can be to heal but that with the support of friends and community, it is possible. This can be a difficult topic for children to comprehend but the level of detail is perfect. Gentle yet hard-hitting, readers will see how important it is to learn to be brave and how strong they are deep within. The power of friendship shines through as well as how important it is to be kind.

The Angel of Grasmere is grounded in Dunkirk. The illustration that runs across the bottom of every page reminds readers of this throughout the story – just as the memory will never leave the man in the hills, the impact of the battle and retreat will stay with the village forever.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke for a copy of this wonderful book! Join me on 17th May 2024 for my stop on the blog tour and a special interview with Tom Palmer.

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