Five Children on the Western Front

WINNER OF THE COSTA BOOK AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL
SHORTLISTED FOR THE GUARDIAN CHILDREN'S FICTION PRIZE

'Magnificent.' The Times
'Outstanding.' Independent
'Deeply moving.' Guardian
'Simply brilliant.' Daily Mail
'One of the best books of the year.' Sunday Express

Cyril is off to fight, Anthea is at art college, Robert is a Cambridge scholar and Jane is at high school. The Lamb is the grown up age of 11, and he has a little sister, Edith, in tow. The sand fairy has become a creature of stories ... until he suddenly reappears. The siblings are pleased to have something to take their minds off the war, but this time the Psammead is here for a reason, and his magic might have a more serious purpose.

Before this last adventure ends, all will be changed, and the two younger children will have seen the Great War from every possible viewpoint - factory-workers, soldiers and sailors, nurses and the people left at home, and the war's impact will be felt right at the heart of their family.

An epic, heart-wrenching follow-on from E. Nesbit's Five Children and It stories.

Kate Saunders (1960 - 2023) began her career as a professional actor but moved into journalism following the publication of her first novel, The Prodigal Father, in 1986, for which she won the Betty Trask Award. Since then, Kate has written many books for adults and children. Saunders won the Costa Children's Book Award for Five Children on the Western Front. Kate was twice shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal with Five Children on the Western Front and The Land of Neverendings. Kate's other novels include Beswitched, The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop and many more.

Kate wrote and reviewed for newspapers and magazines including The Sunday Times, Sunday Express, Daily Telegraph and Cosmopolitan. She was also a regular contributor to radio and television, including appearances on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour and Start the Week. She was a guest on the first episode of the long-running news quiz programme, Have I Got News For You, and her acting work includes an appearance in Only Fools and Horses. The BBC children's series Belfry Witches was based on Kate's children's books about two mischief-making witches. Kate lived in London with her family. Her final children's book, A Drop of Golden Sun, was edited in the months before she died.