War Game (novel) facts for kids
Front cover of unknown edition
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| Author | Michael Foreman |
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| Illustrator | Michael Foreman |
| Cover artist | Michael Foreman |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's war novel |
| Publisher | Pavilion Books |
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Publication date
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7 October 1993 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover & paperback) |
| Pages | 76 pp (first edition) |
| ISBN | 1-85793-069-X |
| OCLC | 36675730 |
| LC Class | PZ7.F75829 War 1993 |
War Game is a children's book about World War I. It was written and illustrated by Michael Foreman and came out in 1993. The story is about four young English soldiers. It even shows them playing soccer with German soldiers during a special time called the Christmas truce. This truce gave them a short break from the tough fighting in the trenches.
Contents
Story of the War Game
This book follows four young friends: Will, Freddie, Billy, and Lacey. They are excited for what they think will be a "grand adventure" in an old-fashioned war. The story shows their journey from training in England to arriving in France. They experience life in the trenches.
The book also covers the famous 1914 Christmas truce. This was a time when soldiers from opposing sides stopped fighting to celebrate Christmas together. The story then moves to the Battle of the Somme, a very big and difficult battle. Michael Foreman includes real historical facts about the war at important points in the story.
Real People Behind the Story
The main characters in War Game are named after Michael Foreman's own uncles. His uncles were soldiers who sadly died in the war. They were very young, between 18 and 24 years old. Michael Foreman was born about 20 years after the war, in 1938.
Awards and Recognition
War Game won the Nestlé Children's Book Prize in 1993. It won for its age group (6–8 years) and was also the overall winner. Michael Foreman was also recognized for his amazing drawings. He was a runner-up for the Greenaway Medal. This award celebrates the best illustrations in children's books by a British artist.
From Book to Film
In 2002, War Game was made into a short animated movie. The movie has the same name as the book. It was created by a British animation company called Illuminated Films.
