Ten-year-old Johnny's toymaker father has volunteered for service in the British Army of World War I. At first, his spirits are high as he completes basic training, but his tone becomes grim once he reaches the front. To ease his son's worries, Johnny's dad carves him little figurines that reflect his experiences in the war. Comprised of letters from his father, followed by Johhny's feelings, Lord of the Nutcracker Men is a haunting and poignant tale. Author Iain Lawrence has written numerous books for young adults, including Ghost Boy and The Smugglers.
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"About a 10 year old boy from England who's father goes off to fight in WW1. Much of the story is told through the fathers letters to young Johnny. In each letter the father sends a hand carved wooden soldier. There is something mysterious to Johnny about these soldiers."
— Karen (4 out of 5 stars)
" A sad, strange, interesting view of WWI. It's nice to see the war from the perspective of the home-front. "
— Molly, 1/9/2014" This is a children's book, but it is one of the best written accounts of what it was like on the home front during the first world war--all from a child's perspective--that I have ever read. The anguish and the fears are clearly depicted. "
— Nancy, 12/5/2013" great! i loved the portrayal of the realities of the Great War. Both the options at home and the realities on the battle front. i think this book is a great look for those who think being a solider is easy, it's not, war is hell. great job on the research! "
— Alana, 8/9/2013" This book was a really good read. The story of a boy sent away because of the war. It is told from the boy's point of view and has his thoughts and worries for the welfare of his father fighting in the war. "
— Velvia, 7/21/2013" My favorite of Lawrence's books, brought to mind by the upcoming publication of his new book, The Giant Slayer "
— Clay, 4/24/2013" Loved, loved, LOVED this book. Beautiful story, beautifully told. I bought a copy of this for my boyfriend's birthday a year later (that boyfriend who is now my husband!) "
— Melissa, 2/4/2013" An interesting take on how war touches children's lives. "
— Kirsten, 11/16/2012" Am easy read, enjoyable historical fiction. My husband & I both enjoyed it. "
— Joy, 10/2/2012" Great YA book about WWI from an English perspective. Would be a great teach for 7th graders. "
— Anna, 3/24/2012" I honestly did NOT like this. I had to read it for school, so I couldn't really help it. :( "
— Alida, 3/6/2012" This is one of my favourites. It is a unique and accurate depiction of the first world war from a child's perspective. "
— Leesha, 11/29/2011" I fell in love with this book!!! It so sucked me in. "
— Tammy, 10/13/2011" Beautifully told tale of a boy who sent away during the war to stay with an aunt, receiving little carved wooden toy soldiers from his father on the front. "
— Chantal, 9/11/2011" Loved, loved, LOVED this book. Beautiful story, beautifully told. I bought a copy of this for my boyfriend's birthday a year later (that boyfriend who is now my husband!) "
— Honeybee, 5/23/2011" I fell in love with this book!!! It so sucked me in. "
— Tammy, 4/7/2011" My favorite of Lawrence's books, brought to mind by the upcoming publication of his new book, The Giant Slayer "
— Clay, 10/30/2009" An interesting take on how war touches children's lives. "
— Kirsten, 3/18/2009" Am easy read, enjoyable historical fiction. My husband & I both enjoyed it. "
— Joy, 10/8/2008" This is a children's book, but it is one of the best written accounts of what it was like on the home front during the first world war--all from a child's perspective--that I have ever read. The anguish and the fears are clearly depicted. "
— NanTze, 6/27/2008Iain Lawrence is a bestselling children’s author. Before becoming a fiction writer, he studied journalism at Vancouver Community College and spent ten years working for small newspapers in northern British Columbia. He is the author of The Wreckers, The Giant Slayer, The Smugglers, The Winter Pony, and others. Lawrence won the prize for Children’s Literature from the Canada Council for the Arts in 2007. He lives in the Gulf Islands with his partner, Kristen.
Steven Crossley, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, has built a career on both sides of the Atlantic as an actor and audiobook narrator, for which he has won more than a dozen AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a nominee for the prestigious Audie Award. He is a member of the internationally renowned theater company Complicite and has appeared in numerous theater, television, film, and radio dramas.