I wasn't too fond of the opening pages but the pace soon picked up. The intimate details that Westall included also made the story more authentic and tangible to me. It was fascinating to learn that school times were altered depending on the length of raids, or that things could be bought on the Black Market. The relationships between each of the children and between the adults in the novel were well-presented and posed some interesting ethical and moral dilemmas. When Chas's dad, for example, does not help his wife search for his son but rather remains in office to call in damage reports, it leaves the reader to draw their own conclusion about his motivations and his behaviour. Rudi was a likeable character and I liked that by introducing him into the story, Westall really contrasted the attitudes towards Germans at the time and the actual behaviour of his 'captors' when he landed in their hands, vulnerable and defenceless. A good read. Part of me can't believe it's a children's book.