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Gary Toward has come up with a real page turner. From the opening pages right through to the conclusion, I was gripped by the twists and turns of the story as it unfolds. A really good read from a master storyteller.
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I saw this being talked about on Twitter and thought I'd take a punt. I'm glad I did. I like crime and I like history, so this is an ideal book for me. I love the way Gary Toward has taken the time to do his research and to keep the book accurate to the times. His characters are believable and the book is a great read, with the pages turning quickly. I read the book in two sittings as it kept me interested and keen to know what was going to happen next. The ending took me totally by surprise.
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Gary Toward’s visit was very useful because it taught me different writing techniques, some of which I never knew about. He also taught us all about a soldier called Valentine Joe Strudwick and how he died at the young age of 15. Another thing I learned is that Churchill is not a dog that sells insurance.
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My favourite aspects of the novel was Frank Bolam as he showed a lot of courage and determination, also when Arnold and Frank fight as it was detailed and put me on the edge of my seat. The novel showed just how awful war was and the amount of men who had to fight in muddy, diseased trenches and the horrific sights that traumatised them.
I’ve learned that Winston Churchill also helped and fought in WW1 as well as WW2.
I would recommend the book to others, especially my Uncle as he likes crime and murder mystery novels and I feel like he would enjoy it too.
I thought that it was a good, detailed book and I loved every bit of it.
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My favourite aspects of the novel were the amount of detailed description that created images in my head and the plot twists that made the novel much more interesting. I learned about the struggles of WW1 and facts about it as well. I have learned what John McCrae was doing during WW1 and I have also learned about combat and the trenches. I would recommend this book because it has a lot of interesting history and a good storyline I thought it was very interesting and was different from what I usually read. I also think that the ending was very powerful as well.
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I really enjoyed the genre of the novel and I learned a lot about WW1 that I didn’t already know, for example, I learned about the front line and the journey to the war. I also found out that if you didn’t go to war and you were a male, 19 or over, you would be given a white feather which is the symbol of being a coward.
My favourite part of the novel was when we found out who the murderer was because it was building up a lot of tension to find out it was someone we didn’t expect at all. If I would recommend it to anyone I would certainly recommend it to my grandad because he loves reading and watching murderer or war genres and I feel like he would love this book.
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I enjoyed Gary’s visit.
My favourite part of the visit was when we were asking questions because I got to know more about his life, the way he writes, inspiration for the book and the little details in the backstory.
The most interesting part was when we got to see all the amazing old artefacts from the war. My favourite one was the gun or the grenade (Mills bomb).
I learnt about poetry and many more facts about World War One. I learnt that you should write about what you know. All in all, his visit was very enjoyable and he taught me a lot about his book, World War One and English literature in general.
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Gary Toward’s visit was very useful. Because, when we were identifying techniques, I found new techniques and meaning I never knew. He also told us about Valentine Joe Strudwick and that he fought in the war at such a young age and made us thank Joe for putting his life at risk serving the country.
His speech was very inspirational and even if someone tells you ‘you’re dumb ‘or ‘you can’t do it’ you need to prove them wrong. His English teacher said, ‘You’re rubbish at English,’ and he proved him wrong and that inspires me a lot.
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My favourite part of the novel was when Bolam survived because it was a good ending. I’ve learnt a lot about WW1 from this novel. I have learnt that Churchill isn’t a dog who sells insurance. I think that the murderer could’ve died better or differently.
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Our favourite part of the book was the ending as it had the biggest twist to it. We were tricked into thinking the killer was someone it wasn’t. It actually was Arnold Wilson who was the last person we suspected as he got hardly any mentions during the book.
We learned about a few historical people in the book like Winston Churchill.
If we had to suggest this book to someone it would be our grandads as they like historical things and things about the war.
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My favourite aspects of the novel were the main character, Bolam. I have learned more about what it was like in WW1 and I also got a lot of knowledge from ‘The Magpie’. I know more about the characters in the book like Winston Churchill and knowledge of WW1.
I would recommend this novel to a historian because they would find it interesting and might even like it because it’s interesting. I think this book had a great twist at the ending, making us think that Bolam had been executed, but he hadn’t.
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My favourite aspect of the novel was the murder mystery because it was interesting to find out who the murderer was. What I got out of reading the book was how a murder mystery book works.
I have learnt about people who lived in the past like Winston Churchill. I would recommend it to my sister. I think that the book dragged on for a little too long.
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I found the novel really interesting and I loved all the twists and turns they are really good. I love all the characters and the way the story is described and where the murders are set and then the war which is really good because I loved learning about the things they used and the countries that fought.
My favourite aspects of the novels were learning about Bolam’s life and the ending because it created a suspicious atmosphere and it makes the reader want to read more. I have learnt all about the war and who John Mcrae is and I have learnt all about the weapons used. I would recommend this book to all students or adults/teachers. I think everyone would enjoy it because it has a mix of genres and people would enjoy it and learning about the war would be very interesting.
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I have learned new words and Knowledge of World War 1 out of reading ‘The Magpie’. I would recommend this book to someone who’s interested in world war 1. My favorite part was when he was telling us about his teacher and the schools he taught in and when he showed us the video of him in the Spitfire. I learned to never give up on my writing and to ‘write what I know’ and to always read because it has a lot of benefits. I learned that he had a mean teacher that didn’t inspire him but now he was successful. I liked the poetry session because I liked when he gave us ideas so then I had good examples.
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-I have learnt new words and World War 1 knowledge out of reading ‘The Magpie’.
-I would recommend this book to someone who’s interested in world war 1
-My favourite part was when he was telling us about his teacher and the schools he taught in and when he showed us the video of him in the Spitfire.
-I learnt to never give up in my writing and to ‘write what I know’ and to always read because it has a lot of benefits.
-I learnt that he had a mean teacher that didn’t inspire him but now he was successful.
-I liked the poetry session because I liked when he gave us ideas so then I had good examples.
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Favourite part was when we found out who the murderer was and finding out that the murderer died. Also when we found out that Frank Bolam dies at 101.
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My favourite part of the novel was when Bolam survived because it was a good ending. I’ve learnt a lot about WW1 from this novel. I have learnt that Churchill isn’t a dog who sells insurance. I think that the murderer could’ve died better or differently .
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I found the novel really interesting and I loved all the twists and turns they are really good. I love all the characters and the way the story is described and where the murders are set and then the war which is really good because I loved learning about the things they used and the countries that fought. My favorite aspects of the novels were learning about Bolam’s life and the ending because it created a suspicious atmosphere and it makes the reader want to read more. I have learned all about the war and who John Mcrae is and I have learned all about the weapons used. I would recommend this book to all students or adults/teachers. I think everyone would enjoy it because it has a mix of genres and people would enjoy it and learn about the war would be very interesting.
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I thought Frank Bolam was a cool character because I thought his seriousness suits his role in the book and I thought he was good to be the main character. I also thought it was good to see that it was a surprise that Edward wasn’t the killer and it was in fact Arnold Wilson and when you found out it was him it kind of made sense.
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1) My favourite aspects of the novel were main character, Bolam.
2) I have learnt more about what it was like in WW1 and I also got a lot of knowledge from ‘The Magpie’.
3) I know more about the characters in the book like Winston Churchill and knowledge of WW1.
4) I would recommend this novel to a historian because they would find it interesting and might even like it because it’s interesting.
5) I think this book had a great twist at the ending, making us think that Bolam had been executed, but he hadn’t.
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I really enjoyed the genre of the novel and I learned a lot about WW1 that I didn’t already know, for example, I learned about the front line and the journey to the war. I also found out that if you didn’t go to war and you were a male, 19 or over, you would be given a white feather which is the symbol of being a coward. My favorite part of the novel was when we found out who the murderer was because it was building up a lot of tension to find out it was someone we didn’t expect at all.
If I would recommend it to anyone I would certainly recommend it to my grandad because he loves reading and watching murderer or war genres and I feel like he would love this book.
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My favorite aspects of the novel were Frank Bolam as he showed a lot of courage and determination. Also when Arnold and Frank fight as it was detailed and put me on the edge of my seat. I got a sense that war was horrible and lots of men were stuck fighting in muddy, diseased trenches and saw horrific sights. I’ve learned that Winston Churchill also helped and fought in WW1 as well as WW2. I would recommend the book to others, especially my Uncle as he likes crime and murder mystery novels and I feel like he would enjoy it too.
I thought that it was a good, detailed book and I loved every bit of it.
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John Henry Newman Catholic College
The staff and students who were able to see your presentation were thoroughly engaged by you and entertained by your real-life story.
All loved your journey and the factual historical events, you had them mesmerized.
There was a real buzz around the college after your visit and all of your books have been borrowed. Everyone was very impressed with your presentation and loved the artefacts.
I have had some photographs sent to me however I know the best one was forwarded to you. Lighting was not the best.
It was a pleasure meeting you Gary and hopefully next year you will return?
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Mary Johnson, Asst Principal, Walkwood School
Thank you for attending Walkwood last week and for your day spent with us. I attended part of your presentation and found it fascinating, as did many of my colleagues. Tomorrow we are giving pupils from the workshop the opportunity to complete/continue their poetry, which they are delighted about. Feedback from pupils and parents alike was very positive indeed.
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Sarah Richardson, Literacy Coordinator, Nicholas Chamberlain
"Thank you for coming and enthusing our students! We had lots of lovely feedback and I expect we will be in touch again. I've also passed your contact details to a former colleague - I hope that's OK.
Hope to see you again soon!"
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Haroon Mansoor, Head of History , New College
"Thanks again Gary, yet another superb day of presentations and workshops. You always leave having inspired so many of our pupils."
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