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Book Reviews of London Calling

London Calling
Author: Edward Bloor
ISBN-13: 9780152046699
ISBN-10: 0152046690
Publication Date: 1/1/2006
Pages: 320
Rating:
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0 stars, based on 0 rating
Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books (J)
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

2 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

GeniusJen avatar reviewed London Calling on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com

LONDON CALLING opens with a fight at school between the rich boys and the scholarship boys. A stone hits one of the statues in the new walkway causing damage. The commotion from the fight catches the attention of the headmaster who decides that he will determine the punishment at the end of the summer vacation. Martin dreads going back for this meeting. He hates the school so much that he requests to have independent studies for the entire new school year.

His grandmother dies, leaving him this old radio from the 1940's. One night, Martin falls asleep listening to the sounds on the radio and is transported back to the 1940's in London during World War II. There he meets Jimmy, a young boy, who asks for his help.

England during the wartime scares Martin and he can't tell if he's dreaming or if he's really traveled through time. He begins writing down names of people he meets and events that he hears mentioned to research later. Digging deeper into the past, he begins to unravel historical differences between today's understanding of history and the actual events. Martin realizes how history changes--with the victor's side writing the accounts of the events. The deeper he digs, the more truths he uncovers, and the more the radio calls him to help Jimmy.

This fascinating book takes a look at how historical moments and figures are shaped by the outcome of an event. While this books starts off slowly, it quickly picks up, drawing the reader deeper into Martin's time-travel adventures. LONDON CALLING will be a thought-provoking book for classroom discussions.
thameslink avatar reviewed London Calling on + 723 more book reviews
I found this to be an intriguing read -- loved the character of Martin and the concept of time traveling triggered by an old radio that had survived the London Blitz in 1940. Ultimately it is a book about accountability, redemption and forgiveness.