When the War Comes In

Big Cat Read On supports fluent readers to improve their reading skills and nurture a love of reading. Consisting of a wide range of engaging chapter books, the Big Cat Read On series improves reading stamina and comprehension, develops vocabulary, and introduces children to more sophisticated narrative structures and themes.

It’s 1944 in Wallsend, Tyneside, and the shipyard at the end of Jack’s street has a new visitor. A massive warship called HMS Warspite is in need of repair and the workers at the yard are working night and day to fix her. The close-knit locals teach the navy lads from the ship a thing or two about football and, when disaster strikes, what true strength and resilience looks like.

Ask the author and Book talk questions invite the reader to think more deeply about the themes in the book and reflect on their reading experience. Online lesson plans provide guidance in using this book in a range of settings, including independent, social and whole-class reading – all designed to support the reader to connect with the book and encourage a positive attitude to reading.

I grew up playing in the cobbled streets and back lanes of a small shipyard town on Tyneside in the 70s. Cranes dominated the skyline while horns, hooters and clanking metal provided the soundtrack. At the change of shifts, workers would stream through the streets with black and white striped haversacks draped over their shoulders and worn-out expressions over their grimy faces. The town was fiercely proud of the yard’s history, where it had built the most impressive and important ships the world had ever seen. But over the years, the industry declined as the work was sold off abroad until, sadly, it was all gone. I wanted to write a story that shone a light on these workers, their families and the town who had sweated and slogged, with so much skill, experience, warmth and pride. I hope I have done them justice.