After the outbreak of the Great War, boys as young as twelve were caught up in a national wave of patriotism and, in huge numbers, volunteered to serve their country. The press, recruiting offices and the Government all contributed to the enlistment of hundreds of thousands of under-age soldiers in both Britain and the Empire. On joining up, these lads falsified their ages, often aided by parents who believed their sons’ obvious youth would make overseas service unlikely. These boys frequently enlisted together, training for a year or more in the same battalions before they were sent abroad. Others joined up but were soon sent to units already fighting overseas and short of men: these lads might undergo as little as eight weeks’ training. Boys served in the bloodiest battles of the war, fighting at Ypres, the Somme and on Gallipoli. Many broke down under the strain and were returned home once parents supplied birth certificates proving their youth. Other lads fought on bravely and were even awarded medals for gallantry: Jack Pouchot won the Distinguished Conduct Medal aged just fifteen. Others became highly efficient officers, such as Acting Captain Philip Lister and Second Lieutenant Reginald Battersby, both of whom were commissioned at fifteen and fought in France. In this, the final update of his ground-breaking book, Richard van Emden reveals new hitherto unknown stories and adds many more unseen images. He also proves that far more boys enlisted in the British Army under-age than originally estimated, providing compelling evidence that as many as 400,000 served.

Stories of Army life, WWI and earlier.

“Captures the ways that war can forever alter a child’s sense of order, morality, and security in the world. Strongly visual scenes . . . will long resonate in readers’ minds.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) Twelve-year-old Patryk knows little of the world beyond his tiny Polish village; the Russians have occupied the land for as long as anyone can remember, but otherwise life is unremarkable. Patryk and his friends entertain themselves by coming up with dares — some more harmful than others — until the Germans drop a bomb on the schoolhouse and the Great War comes crashing in. As control of the village falls from one nation to another, Jurek, the ringleader of these friends, devises the best dare yet: whichever boy steals the finest military button will be king. But as sneaking buttons from uniforms hanging to dry progresses to looting the bodies of dead soldiers — and as Jurek’s obsession with being king escalates — Patryk begins to wonder whether their “button war” is still just a game. When devastation reaches their doorstep, the lines between the button war and the real war blur, especially for the increasingly callous Jurek. Renowned master of historical fiction, and award-winning author Avi delivers a stark, fierce account of the boys of one war-torn village who are determined to prove themselves with a simple dare that spins disastrously out of control — now out in paperback with a newly imagined cover.

In his highly acclaimed middle-school class "Great Battles for Boys," author Joe Giorello has ignited a love of reading and history in hundreds of boys. Now your son can experience that same thrilling adventure in learning with this engaging non-fiction series written specifically for boys ages 8-14.In this installment of the bestselling history series, young readers will learn about World War I's major battles, leaders, tactics and modern inventions such as airplanes and tanks that were crucial to "The Great War"-named not because the conflict was so good, but because its losses were so devastating. It's an unforgettable journey into history.Among the battles covered here: Battle of Tannenberg: outnumbered German soldiers pull a sneak attack and destroy Russian forces, capturing 150,000 prisoners of war. Battle of the Somme: Among military history's worst follies, this battle ended with more than one million casualties-and yet achieved almost nothing for either the Allies or the Central Powers. Battle of Cantigny: A little-known battle that proved late-arriving and novice American forces came to the Western Front to win this long-suffering war.Other chapters cover WWI's most fascinating figures, such as Lawrence of Arabia, Sergeant York, and the Harlem Hellfighters. Boys will also gain an understanding of the world events shaped by this monumental conflict, including the Russian Revolution of 1917.Filled with historic photographs, maps, and notable biographies of ordinary soldiers who accomplished extraordinary feats against all odds, Great Battles for Boys: WWI explains the weapons, tactics, and strategies that helped the Allies topple the Central Powers. Each chapter also concludes with suggestions for further age-appropriate books, internet sites, and movies that the whole family can watch together.