Thunder and Lightnings facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Jan Mark |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Jim Russell |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's realist novel |
| Publisher | Kestrel Books |
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Publication date
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April 1976 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 174 pp (first edition) |
| ISBN | 0-7226-5195-3 |
| OCLC | 16292884 |
| LC Class | PZ7.M33924 Th 1979 |
Thunder and Lightnings is an exciting children's book written by Jan Mark. It was first published in 1976. This story is about a real-life situation, focusing on the friendship between two boys.
The book takes place in Norfolk, England. The boys live near RAF Coltishall, a Royal Air Force base. They both love aeroplanes. The story happens in 1974, a time when the Air Force was changing its planes. Older English Electric Lightning fighter jets were being replaced by newer SEPECAT Jaguar planes.
Jan Mark won a special award for this book. It was the annual Carnegie Medal from the Library Association. This award celebrates the best children's book by a British author each year. She also won a prize for new writers from The Guardian newspaper.
How the Story Began
Jan Mark and her husband, Neil, moved to Norfolk in 1969. Their home was right under a flight path. This meant that Lightning fighter jets from RAF Coltishall flew very low over their house.
This experience inspired Jan Mark to write Thunder and Lightnings. She wrote it for a special competition for new children's authors. She ended up winning the prize!
What Happens in the Story
The main character is a boy named Andrew Mitchell. He moves to a new house called Tiler's Cottage in East Anglia. Andrew starts at a new school.
In one of his classes, General Studies, he meets Victor Skelton. Slowly, Andrew and Victor become good friends. They start doing things together.
One of their favorite activities is going to RAF Coltishall. They love to watch the aeroplanes there, especially the English Electric Lightnings. Victor really loves these planes.
However, Victor gets very upset when he finds out something important. His favorite Lightnings are going to be replaced. New Jaguar planes will take their place. The story explores how the boys deal with this change and their growing friendship.
