Synopsis and Themes
Synopsis:
Soldier Boy is a true story of a boy named Jim Martin who is the youngest ANZAC to go off to war at Gallipoli. At just fourteen Jim got accepted into the Australian Army after lying about his age. Although Jim's story does not last very long, as he is counted among the dead after only four months of service, this story is as much about the impact Jim's decision has on his family. Jim just wanted to get in on the action, excitement and adventure that he saw the war to be.
Themes:
Soldier Boy is a true story of a boy named Jim Martin who is the youngest ANZAC to go off to war at Gallipoli. At just fourteen Jim got accepted into the Australian Army after lying about his age. Although Jim's story does not last very long, as he is counted among the dead after only four months of service, this story is as much about the impact Jim's decision has on his family. Jim just wanted to get in on the action, excitement and adventure that he saw the war to be.
Themes:
- Family Relationships
- Mateship
- The Enemy
- Honour/patriotism (Anthony Hill, ND)
Rationale
This book was chosen because it is not only a story about Jim Martin, but a story about the affects that the war and losing these young men has on their mothers and families back at home. There are many opportunities for comparison on life today and life back in 1914 when boys and girls learnt different things at school, and only men were allowed to be in the Army. Soldier boy gives an insight into the social and economic impacts that world war 1 had on Australian life during and after the war ended.