SHORTLISTED BOOK LINKS CHILDREN'S
HISTORICAL FICTION AWARD QLD - 2021
CBCA NOTABLE BOOK 2020
Children's Book of the Year Awards
Children's Book Council of Australia
Shortlisted for
the REAL AWARDS 2020 (YABBA, KOALA & KROC AWARDS).
Set in Cold War Germany,
A Great Escape is a story of true-life heroism and the unbreakable bonds of family, by the acclaimed author of Fearless Frederic and The Boy and the Spy.
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It's a great escape, but will Peter survive it? When Peter's family leaves for a trip across the border, he stays behind. So when the government builds a wall through the city, guarded by soldiers, tanks and ferocious dogs, he's trapped. Everyone says he might never see his family again. But Peter has a courageous plan . . .
PRAISE for A Great Escape
"Felice Arena is fast becoming Australia's leading author of children's historical fiction. A Great Escape is his latest title to be released early 2019, a Cold War thriller set in Germany. When Peter's family leaves for a trip across the border, he stays behind. So when the government builds a wall through the city, guarded by soldiers, tanks and ferocious dogs, he's trapped. Everyone says he might never see his family again. But Peter has a courageous plan . . . Fast paced, page-turning, full of authentic characters, a narrative with heart. Another winner by Felice Arena. Great for readers 8 plus. Ideal for class sets and literature circles for Upper Primary." The Children's Bookshop, Beecroft.
"A Great Escape... is a powerful demonstration of the bonds of family and the courage of those who risk all to attain freedom from cruel and callous oppressors.
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I cannot recommend it highly enough for readers from around ten years upwards and think it would be a particularly apt read for older students who are embarking on the study of this period of history." -
Sue Warren, Teacher-Librarian, Just So Stories.
AGC
"I highly recommend this book for all young history fans. It is easy to read and the pace of the action means you just gallop through the story just as Peter himself races around Berlin desperate to escape and desperate to avoid capture. I read this whole book in one sitting. Perfect for age 9+." Momo Time to Read
"Just as with its predecessors, this is a meaty book that will appeal to those who like some real depth to their reading and who are then compelled to find out more about the events and circumstances. Perfect for independent readers who are a little older and have a sense of history and are interested in the lives of other children in other places in other times." - Barbara Braxton, The Bottom Shelf
"A Great Escape is an exciting adventure story, but it is also a reminder of how strong the love of family can be, even when a wall tries to separate them. Peter’s story will tug at your heart." - Kim Yeomans, Teacher Librarian, Wild About Books
"This is another wonderful story from Felice Arena that will keep readers spellbound. It opens a door on the heartbreak that many families face when separated through no fault of their own, as well as giving an historical glimpse of life in Germany when the Berlin wall was built.
This is a story of heroism, friendship, loyalty and most of all, family - ‘the true love of family can never really be divided. Perfect for those in Year 5 and up, and would make an ideal class novel." -
Michelle, Lamont Books
"As with his last book Fearless Frederic, Felice takes a pivotal point in history and instead of delivering facts in a dry prescriptive way, injects them with life and personalises the events so that readers can begin to experience for themselves what the children who lived through these moments, endured.
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Readers 8+ will find this book interesting, exciting and accessible. If you’re wanting to transition a previously reluctant reader to a story with slightly more complexity in the plot, then a Felice Arena book would be one of the first points of call." - Better Reading
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"A Great Escape is a detailed story that teaches readers the everlasting connections of family and the value of courage. It is a realistic and full-on history novel that is full of bravery, adventure and determination." - Jack H. St. Paul's PS, Coburg
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A Great Escape