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Type of bind: Hardcover
EAN num: 9780439636483
ISBN number: 0439636485
Label: Scholastic Press
Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 208
Printing Date: October 01, 2004
Publishing house: Scholastic Press
Age index: Young Adult
Sale Popularity Level: 819686
Studio: Scholastic Press
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'They've gone now, and I'm alone at last. I have the whole night ahead of me, and I won't waste a single moment of it . . . I want tonight to be long, as long as my life . . .' For young Private Peaceful, looking back over his childhood while he is on night watch in the battlefields of the First World War, his memories are full of family life deep in the countryside: his mother, Charlie, Big Joe, and Molly -- the love of his life. Too young to be enlisted, Thomas has followed his brother to war and now, every moment he spends thinking about his life, means another moment closer to danger.
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Rated by buyers 
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Set in England during WWI, Private Peaceful is a story about a family, relationships, and the horrors of war. Thomas "Tommo" Peaceful feels guilt and regret over the demise of his forester father, who dies at the hands of a falling tree while trying to save his youngest son. In spite of his dad's absence, Tommo seems able to fully enjoy life with his brothers, Big Joe, brain damaged due to a case of meningitis when only an infant, and Charlie, three years Tommo's senior, and their loving mother. Not long after Mr. Peaceful's death the Colonel reminds the widow that their use of a cottage on his estate would end unless she agreed to work as his wife's lady's maid. While Mrs. Peaceful works at the house, a strict, by the book, maternal great aunt, known as "Grandma" to the Peaceful boys (though they secretly refer to her as Grandma Wolf) cares for them. The boys struggle to please the demanding woman, silently enduring her constant criticism of the family and belittling behavior towards Big Joe, and suffer the cruelties of the Colonel. Fortunately, they find a friend in Molly, a classmate who all three boys adore for her kindness. When asked to volunteer to serve war men arrive asking for volunteers to serve in the British Army, the boys sneakily sign up as twins to hide the fact that Tommo is only fifteen. The two serve and survive the rigors of war and the conflicts of brotherhood.
Although not a fan of historical fiction, I appreciated learning the "historical" part of this work of fiction, which involves a significant event that happens late in the story. Also good: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips by Michael Morpurgo, The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, and The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.
Rated by buyers -
Private Peaceful has a very interesting premise: Set against the backdrop of World War One, we follow brothers Charlie and Tommo as they grow up and subsequently enlist in Britain's army to fight the Hun. Each chapter begins sometime during a very long night as Tommo remembers all the adventures and trials he and his family endured together. Morpurgo does an excellent job of building suspense as we learn slowly that Tommo is dreading the coming of morning, though the reason is unclear until late in the book. By then, we are so emotionally vested in this story that the realization of what's coming is devastating.
Private Peaceful (Peaceful is the family name) is a short book that packs a wallop of emotion. However, at times Morpurgo doesn't move the story along as quickly as I'd like, though of course war itself is like that. Tommo doesn't waver in his commitments, whether to his brothers, his soldiering, or his love for his brother's wife; it's this love for Molly that I found immature on his part. The brothers are realistic in their devotion to each other, and Morpurgo is skilled in bringing us to the climax that tests those bonds.
Overall I enjoyed this book, though I felt it might have done a little better with Tommo being less focused on his own feelings. The book would make a great addition to a history teacher's repetoire; it illustrates the devastation of trench warfare and the unrealistic notions of young men enlisting to fight an unknown enemy. Ultimately packing a powerful punch, this is indeed a book I find easy to recommend.
Rated by buyers 
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In the book Private Peaceful many interesting things happen. First of all in the book there are many sad parts that happen to Tommo, the main character. For example, like when the dad dies right in front of Tommo and Tommo has to run all the way home alone to tell his whole family that his dad was cutting down the old tree back in woods behind there house and the tree fell on him. Also another part part in the book is that when his dad dies his mother has to go to work to have food and money for the family. Tommo and his older brother have to stay with there grandma and they do everything to try to kill her so that they don't have to stay there with her and so that the mom will be forced to stay home so they can spend time with her. Tommo lives a tuff life through out the story and he learns to deal with it. He learns that in the end he knows it wasn't his fault that his dad died that day even though he blamed everything on him and really it wasn't anyone's fault. Private Peaceful is a very good book and these are only a few of many exciting things that happen during the book!
Rated by buyers -
'Private Peaceful' is a tale of courage, sadness and love. The book is written by Michael Morpurgo, a famous author who has written many brilliant books. 'Private Peaceful' is about Thomas Peaceful's life growing up in the shadow of the First World War. It is jam-packed full of surprises, romance and adventure. If you love a book full of drama then you will fall in love with this smashing read. It's great for all ages. You'll never put it down!
Rated by buyers -
When Tommo's brother Charlie is about to get executed, Tommo thinks about the 18 years of his life with Charlie the night before Charlie dies. They are in France in the British Army in WW I. Charlie is about to get executed because he did not listen to his Sergeant. Charlie did not go out on the battlefield because he saw his brother get hurt and wanted to take care of him. Tommo thinks about being friends with Molly. Tommo and Charlie met Molly at school. Molly became Charlie's wife. Tommo was in love with Molly. Also Tommo thinks about all of the things he did with his family, Mama, Papa, Big Joe, Molly, Charlie, and Great Aunt Wolf. Tommo is also thinking about how Charlie and he annoyed their great aunt. They used to let mice in the house because their great aunt hated mice. Tommo thinks that it was his fault when his father died. He did not notice that a tree was falling and he was in the way. His father had to push him out of the way and the tree fell on his father. Finally, Tommo remembered that Charlie would take him to school and would teach him things. I feel that this is a historical fiction book for kids 10+. The reason I feel that is because it involves war and execution. I have no feelings for the book. One thing that would make the book better would be to have the story happen in order from beginning to end instead of almost end to beginning to end.
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