As a David Almond fan, I was hugely looking forward tho this book. I was not disappointed. It had many of the themes that recur throughout his work, such as a strong sense of magical realism. The characters are utterly believable and offer modern readers an insight into the past.

I would strongly recommend this book to children aged 9-13, especially those with an interest in history.

Unlike many books about WW1 being published this Autumn it focuses on the Homefront and the horrible dilemma of munition making - the knowledge that they cause death but that without them then the war would last longer and with more British deaths.

The book is deceptively simple but packs a huge emotional punch, dealing with as many issues as it does.

The book does use a lot of modern hindsight in creating John's viewpoint but this isn't to the books detriment.

David Almond has hit the right note yet again, with this deceptively simple and short story about WW1. John's father is not present. Is he fighting? John wonders where he is, boasts of him fighting, but is unsure, as was the case, explanations were not given to young children years ago. John's Mother works in a munitions factory, but doesn't talk about it, so John is hazy about the details here too. John trusts adults, but wonders how he can be at war as he's been told by a teacher, when he is just a young child and doesn't understand why anyone is fighting.
In an attempt to instil national pride, John's class is taken on a trip around the munitions factory. Of all people, John is the one who is unable to cope with the overcrowding, the noise, the concept behind bomb making.
Yes, John is a sensitive child, but when he sees the way a peer's uncle is being treated because of his conscientious objector views, John is entirely baffled by the hate directed at him.
John tries to do the right thing by writing to important people as he trusts them to put the world to rights. he only succeeds in officious adults warning him he is being unpatriotic.
This books shows the world as a confusing place, war as futile and nationalistic feelings as incitement of hate. It gives children an alternative viewpoint to the one promulgated in most literature, but one probably experienced by more children during this age of uncertainty.
Although the book is accompanied by line drawings, I did not get the benefit of these on my kindle.

A lovely book, poignantly written and beautifully illustrated. I’m not sure of the exact target market, due to the subject matter... Still, what a great addition to a tough subject.

I always consider it a privilege to read David Almond. He is one of my favourite authors and the consistent quality of his books is only outshone by their beauty in word and thought. War is Over is a slim, beautifully illustrated volume about the questions a young child has about what it truly means to be at war. As you would expect from Almond, he never shies away from difficult questions or emotions and this small book offers a powerful plea for peace and tolerance.

A young boy’s desperate wish in war.
Britain is in the middle of war and, for many, it’s not clear why they are. They want war to be over and dream of a time when they can talk with others without fearing repercussions.
A simple story but beautifully illustrated. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this, but I think this will be a lovely story to get my hands on a physical copy.

The language is beautiful and careful as always and whilst the message is oversimplified (war=bad) it is movingly told. Litchfield's illustrations evoke even more than the words and are very well done. There were several issues with the formatting for Kindle which was distracting, I imagine it works much better physically.

"I am just a child," says John. "How can I be at war?"

I really like how this book tries to address some of the bigger complexities of war and put it into perspective for children. From dealing with what it would have been like to have a father away fighting in the trenches and a mother making munitions in a factory back home, to exploring the lives of conscientious objectors, and thinking about what it might have been like for the children who had to live through the war from the opposing side in another country. It's also very beautifully illustrated.

John's mother works in the munitions factory, and his father is away at war. His teacher hates the Germans and applauds the work the munitions workers are doing. But is war this straightforward? A schoolmate's uncle is a shunned conscientious objector, and John dreams of another boy, Jan, and his German family, who are his friends.
This deceptlively simple story is beautifully illustrated, and allows the reader to see World War 1 from the point of view of those whose voices are not always hear.