Run Rabbit Run
Run Rabbit Run by Barbara Mitchelhill (Anderson Press, 2011) offers an unusual view on the experience of the Second World War for children. Whilst Lizzie and Freddie are evacuated to South Wales for a time the bombing is not the main reason why they leave Rochdale, instead they are on the run with their father, a conscientious objector facing prison. In this extract the police have arrived at a farm where the three are hiding out. Will your children be able to decide whether the farmer, Mr Carter, is one of the heroes or villains of the book?
From behind the wall of the sty I watched the car pull into the yard and stop. Before the policeman even had time to turn off the engine, the kitchen door opened and Mr Carter marched across the yard pulling on his coat.
‘What time do you call this?’ he snapped as a policeman climbed out. ‘I thought you were coming yesterday? That’s what you said.’
The policeman, who was much taller than Mr Carter, raised his eyebrows. ‘We had an emergency, sir,’ he replied as he settled his helmet on his head. ‘Arresting a deserter isn’t very high on my list of priorities, sir.’
Mr Carter stood in front of him. ‘Oh, isn’t it?’ he barked. ‘Well there is a war on, you know. That man should be out there fighting. How’s that for a priority?’
To read more about the book or to order visit http://www.andersenpress.co.uk/books/view/1849392498 (accessed 24/1/2012)
