The lively, lovable lass from Nottinghamshire, whom we first met in Private - Keep Out!, is back again. She is dismayed when she learns that she must spend a whole year in an Open Air Hospital, but you can't keep our heroine's spirits down for long. This is what she said about it afterwards:
I've written this book to remind me of all the horrible things that have happened over the last year. Not as I'll need reminding. I can practically see them tattooed on my forehead.
One thing I have learnt is that it's a good job elephants never forget because it looks as if they're the only ones in the entire world with any memory at all. Everybody at our house seemed to have forgotten me by the time I'd got one foot over the front doorstep.
When I woke up this morning, I laid and stared at our Lucy, waiting for her to open her eyes and say, "Hello, dear little sister!" She woke up, looks straight at me, and goes, "Aagh! Who're you?" I told her who I was and then she leaned over and prodded our Rose in the back. '"Ere," she says. "Do you know who this long, thin lass is in our bed?" Our Rose turns over, opens one eye, looks at me and says, "Never seen her in my life."
She thinks she's so funny.
Next time I have to go away from home, I'm going to make a graven image of myself like it says in the bible and stick it on top of the wireless in the front room with my name written right across it. At least then they'll know I've been. Or they could read this book.
PRIVATE - KEEP OUT!
KNOCK AND WAIT
ONE WAY ONLY
‘PRIVATE-KEEP OUT! ... The funniest children's book ever written. I laughed so hard I choked' Lucy Mangan The Guardian
The Observer Review of Books wrote
Gwen Grant's doughty narrator in ONE WAY ONLY is 12 or thereabouts, and savours the delights of feeling badly-done-by in a jolly working-class setting, 1950.
The book is generous with its social detail and amiable domestic discord keeps it lively.
'JUNIOR BOOKSHELF wrote... Publishers speak of books which will make you want to both laugh and cry, for once this one really does. Gwen Grant's completely authentic recreation of her native North Nottinghamshire speech, thought and humour, unifies the everyday events of a year in the life of a girl, the youngest of five, growing up in the poor area of a market town with a colliery nearby. The pathos comes unsought in the hardships of family life on a low income and the frustrations of the youngest trying to assert her identity in constant clashes with her older brothers and sisters, and the parents who must discipline her. The reader senses the underlying bond of affection which ties together the family, even the older members who attempt to break away into adulthood.
PRIVATE-KEEP OUT is what the heroine writes on her box of treasures, including this book, written on clean paper bought for her by her mother at a jumble sale for three pence and therefore not to be wasted. The characters are bursting with life, cheerfulness and a sense of humour constantly breaks through, and there is compassionate understanding of the adults, the chorus of the neighbours and above all, the narrator herself, dogged, naive, accident prone and delightful. Children will enjoy the escapades of this female William but it is the adults who will see the significance of the picture painted and appreciate the minute observation which makes adventures out of little.
PRIMARY HISTORY 16. wrote... 'Gwen Grant's PRIVATE-KEEP OUT is the story of a high spirited girl, the youngest of six children, growing up in the Midlands just after the war. First published in 1978, the book is well worth seeking out - not solely because its plot centres around the device of the author's diary. However, if you are looking for a counterpoint to ADRIAN MOLE, ANNE FRANK or SAMUEL PEPYS, look no further than this. KNOCK AND WAIT sees the return of the heroine of PRIVATE-KEEP OUT, this time sent off to hospital in the first days of the NHS. Again the text is simple and appealing and will be well within the compass of many upper KS2 pupils.'
Shortlisted - The Carnegie Medal
Shortlisted - The Other Award
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GWEN GRANT
writer