An Eagle in the Snow

By Bruce Roberts

England, 1940. Barney’s home has been destroyed by bombing, and he and his mother are traveling to the countryside when German planes attack. Their train is forced to take shelter in a tunnel and there, in the darkness, a stranger— a fellow passenger—begins to tell them a story about two young soldiers who came face to face in the previous war. One British, one German. Both lived, but the British soldier was haunted by the encounter once he realized who the German was: the young Adolf Hitler.

The British soldier made a moral decision. Was it the right one? Readers can ponder that difficult question for themselves with Michael Morpurgo's latest middle-grade novel An Eagle in the Snow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Jan 17, 2017
• ISBN: 9781250105165

Bruce Roberts

Michael Morpurgo is one of Britain’s best-loved writers for children. He has written over 130 books including War Horse, which was adapted for a hugely successful stage production by the National Theatre and then, in 2011, for a film directed by Steven Spielberg. Michael was Children’s Laureate from 2003 to 2005. The charity Farms for City Children, which he founded thirty years ago with his wife Clare, has now enabled over 70,000 children to spend a week living and working down on the farm. His enormous success has continued with his most recent novels Flamingo Boy and The Snowman, inspired by the classic story by Raymond Briggs. He was knighted in 2018 for services to literature and charity.

Book preview

PART ONE

THE 11:50 TO LONDON

1

The train was still in the station, and I was wondering if we’d ever get going. I was with my ma. I was tired. My arm was hurting and itching at the same time, inside the plaster. I remember she was already at her knitting, her knitting needles tick-tacking away, automatically, effortlessly. Whenever she sat down, Ma would always be knitting. Socks for Dad, this time.

This train’s late leaving, Ma said. Wonder what’s up? That clock on the platform says it’s well past twelve already. Still, not hardly surprising, I suppose, under the circumstances. Then she said something that surprised me. If I drop off to sleep, Barney, she told me, just you keep your eye on that suitcase, d’you hear? All we got in this world is up there in that luggage rack, and I don’t want no one pinching it.

I was just thinking that was quite a strange thing to say, because there was no one else in the carriage except the two of us, when the door opened and a man got in, slamming the door behind him. He never said a word to us, hardly even acknowledged we were there, but took off his hat, put it up on the rack beside our suitcase, and then settled himself into the seat opposite. He looked at his watch and opened up his paper, his face disappearing behind it for a while. He had to put it down to blow his nose, which was when he caught me staring at him and nodded.

Everything about him was neat, I noticed that at once, from his highly polished shoes to his trim mustache and his collar and tie. I decided right away that he didn’t look like the sort of man who would pinch Ma’s suitcase. There was also something about him that I thought I recognized; I had the feeling I might have seen him before. Maybe I hadn’t. Maybe it was just because he seemed about the same age as Grandpa, with the same searching look in his eye.

But this stranger was neat, and there was nothing neat about my grandpa. My grandpa was a scarecrow, with his hair always tousled—what there was of it—his hands and face grimy from delivering his coal, and that was after he had washed. This stranger had clean hands, and clean nails too, as well looked after as the rest of him.

Hope I pass inspection, son, he said, eyeing me meaningfully.

Ma nudged me and apologized for my rudeness before she turned on me. How many times have I told you not to stare at people, Barney? Say sorry to the gentleman now.

Don’t you worry, missus, he said. Boys will be boys. I was one once myself, a while ago now, but I was. Then, after a moment or two, he went on: S’cuse me, missus, but this is the London train, isn’t it? The 11:50, right?

Hope so, said Ma, nudging me again because I was still staring. I couldn’t help myself. The station master came past our window then, waving his green flag, blowing his whistle, his cheeks puffed out so that his face looked entirely round, like a pink balloon, I thought. Then we were off, the train chuffing itself, wearily, reluctantly, into slow motion.

’Bout time, said Ma.

Do you mind if I let in a bit of air, missus? the stranger asked. I like a bit of air.

Help yourself, Ma told him. It’s free.

He got up, let the window down a couple of notches on the leather strap, and then sat down. He caught my eye again, but this time he smiled at me. So I smiled back.

Nine, are you? he asked me.

Ma answered for me. "Ten. He’s a little small for his age. But he’s growing fast now. He should be too. He eats for England. Don’t know where he puts

Reviews for An Eagle in the Snow

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a based on a true story, historical fiction book for middlegrades and up. Barney and his mother are traveling on a train when it needs to hide in a tunnel to avoid bombing by the German planes overhead. With them in their car is a stranger who proceeds to tell them an amazing story about Private Billy Byron. This character is based upon a real soldier from WWI by the name of Private Henry Tandy. The story he tells is of his friend Billy and all the wonderous and amazing things he did in the war that earned him several medals. He also told of the German soldier "Fritz" as they were all called, that he let go at the end of the war. He did not want to kill one more person. Would his decision come back to haunt him?

This was a relatively quick read and one that I didn't want to put down once I got past the first chapter. The character of Billy was so well written, it was as if you knew him. This is a great story to read with children ages 10 and up. The discussions you could have, the predicting and alternate endings if things had been different are sure to elicit fantastic conversations and ideas. A must read for history students learning about the World Wars. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[ewyatt_16 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really quick read about a bombing during world war II and a boy and his mum who are trying to get out of the city. Bombers continue to attack the train and it takes cover in a dark tunnel. During this time a stranger keeps Barney and his mum calm by tell them the story of Billy during World War I. While I suspected both of the twists, the story is compelling and based on a historical incident when Hitler was spared during WW I.

[cyndiea-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Upper Elementary/Middle School

The story begins with the German bombing of London. When their house, and all those on their street, are destroyed, ten-year-old Barney and his mother must gather what few possessions they have left and travel by train to an aunt’s house. Right before the train pulls from the station, an older gentleman boards their train car…the only other person in their car. Barney recognizes him as the man who pulled him off of the rubble of his demolished house when he was wanting to dig down for his prized possessions.
During the trip, a German plane attacks the train. The engineer stops the train inside a tunnel to wait for the planes to leave. Barney, his mother, and the stranger settle in for a long wait in the dark tunnel. Barney is very afraid of the dark. The kind stranger has four matches, but tells Barney that they will be in the tunnel for a long wait and the matches will not last. To get his mind off of the dark, the stranger begins to tell them a story of he and his friend, a boy who he grew up with in an orphanage. They worked side by side when they left the orphanage and both decided to join the military to see the world…this was right before World War I.
The stranger tells how his friend became the most decorated soldier in World War I and how one decision that he made during that war may have changed the course of history.
I chose this book because I thought my upper elementary boys would like it (war story and very short – only 144 pages), but I think the girls would like this too. The author keeps you guessing as to whether or not this man was actually the “friend” that he spoke of and what he did during the first war that changed history. There is also a very surprising twist at the end that I didn’t see coming! This book is historical fiction, but there is information at the end of the book about the real people in the story and who the story was loosely based on. My only complaint was that the middle of the story did drag out a little as the stranger told about how and why his friend earned his medals; however, at only 144 pages, it’s still a quick read.

[keithgordonvernon · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Hitler should have been shot

[heatherlinc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Michael Morpurgo is a compelling storyteller and this is another excellent read with a great blend of fiction and historical fact. Written for middle primary school children it is a fascinating story about the soldier who didn't shoot Hilter at the end of WWI. The whimsical illustrations were a sweet addition to the book.