It is an ideal story to introduce young children to important time periods in history in a way that helps them experience a small slice of it themselves through the characters. That you read it as a child, reread it over and over, until it forms part of you along with Anne Shirley and Jo March, the Fossil sisters, Jo Bettany and Veronica Weston and Nicola Marlowe.

The Skylarks’ War / Young Quills reviews 2019 / Historical The Skylarks’ War / Young Quills reviews 2019 / Historical

state that, although recent agricultural changes have affected diet and possibly body condition of nestlings, these effects are unlikely to have been an important factor in recent population declines.

In winter, Skylarks are widespread throughout Britain, except at higher altitudes; densities are highest in the south and east of England and in coastal areas. I have been reading War Poets like Owen, Sassoon and Rosenberg lately and this book was indeed a great way to share an alternate perspective.

The Swallows’ Flight’ by Hilary McKay – Berlie Doherty ‘The Swallows’ Flight’ by Hilary McKay – Berlie Doherty

I usually enjoy Hilary McKay's sort of breathless way of advancing a story and developing character through amusing and revealing dialogue, but perhaps this style doesn't work so well in a book that covers several years. Relationships change and are challenged and Clarry must make a choice between embracing that transition into adulthood or remaining within the comforting shadow of servitude to her father. There is also some evidence that the increase in autumn sowing may depress overwinter survival by reducing the area of stubbles ( Wilson et al. used habitat data from CBC surveys to show that the occurrence of autumn-sown, winter cereals increased from 33% to 78% between 1965 and 1995.I believe this is her first historical fiction, and while we got more than a glimpse of horrors of the Western Front during the Great War, it was softened by our Clarry's drive to improve her lot in life, as she also beetles about keeping everyone in her hemisphere safe.

The Skylarks’ War by Hilary McKay | Goodreads The Skylarks’ War by Hilary McKay | Goodreads

I actually don't think I would have had the sophistication at that age to appreciate her stories adequately. People noticed her smile and her too-long skirt, her quietness, her chopped-off hair, and the speed with which she could climb a rope in the gym. Lifecycle and body size information about Skylark, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data. Clarry, growing up in the early 1900’s, realises the opportunities for girls and the expectations put upon them, are different than those for boys, but she fights against that.

I think that The Skylarks’ War by Hilary McKay is an enchanting exquisite book because of its moving story. identified better population performance in areas with extensive winter stubble, presumably because overwinter survival is relatively high.

The Skylarks’ War by Hilary McKay | Goodreads

Summers in Cornwall, with cousin, Rupert, himself left in the grandparents’ care when his parents moved to India, hold special memories for the children.I love the story of Clarry's education - how she gets herself into high school, and then into Oxford - and yet that's something that tripped me up, too: she doesn't fit as a compatriot of Harriet Vane. The story gives readers a vivid glimpse into the trials and tribulations of life on the Home Front during the First World War, from the fears for relatives fighting overseas through to the more daily practicalities such as food shortages and children having to take on jobs in their home as their mothers went out to work to fill the roles vacated by the men away at war. Skylarks' War won the Costa Book Awards for children's literature in 2018 and it was thoroughly deserved. I really learned a lot about the time period and what family connections with men in the war were like. The characters in this book were brilliant, details such as how their daily Mrs Morgan had wanted to be a blacksmith and learnt from her father how to make horse shoes but hadn't been allowed to take over the business, and how the rag and bone man Mr King was seen in a bad light until how in an hour of need his better side is brought out and Rupert just couldn't say what was happening at the front so when he could joke no more he just stopped writing.