Our Street

The World Around Us series introduces children to complex cultural, social and environmental issues in a straightforward and accessible way. These illustrated nonfiction picture books tackle global concerns and initiate conversations about subjects that are difficult, sad or overwhelming with school-aged children who are just beginning to observe the world outside their homes. A gentle introduction to the issue of poverty, On Our Street explores the realities of people living with inadequate resources. Using age-appropriate language, this book addresses mental illness, homelessness and refugee status as they are connected to this issue. Insightful quotes from individuals and organizations such as UNICEF are included throughout to add further perspective on the issue. An invaluable section on how kids can help empowers readers to take what they have learned and use it to make a difference. Child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts created this series to guide parents/caregivers through conversations about difficult issues in a reassuring and hopeful manner and help children understand their expanding awareness of the world around them.

If ever a book had an unusual genesis. It belongs to that hybrid category 'faction', but the choice wasn't a literary contrivance, it was dictated by life-threatening circumstances. In the author's own words: 'I know what will happen to me if I fall into the hands of the Nazis with these records. I didn't write at all this week. I came to close to burning everything. The difficulties just seemed too great. I have been trying to find another place to live where I can write, but it would have to be with comrades, and they are just as involved in underground work as I am. There could be a sudden a house search at their homes too. The place where I keep the written page is not absolutely safe either. But during this last week when I didn't write I couldn't find inner peace either. I was weighed down by a spiritual urgency that has compelled me to go on writing now. I must write all this down! We must manage to get this manuscript abroad. It must help to shake people's consciences awake.' Our Street is an account of left-wing resistance to Nazism in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin between January 1933 and June 1934, in other words, from just before Hitler became Chancellor to the early days of Nazi government. The street in question is Wallstrasse. It suffered particular brutality in revenge for the killing of a Stormtrooper. At the beginning of the book the names of eighteen victims are printed, 'The Charlottenburg Death List'. These names are real but they don't tell the whole story. As the translator, Betty Rensen, says in her foreword, 'But many more murders and executions have taken place: they could not all be recounted here, because of the possible repercussions on relatives and friends. The author had, therefore, to be content with the names in the death-list. These names are all well known in Berlin-Charlottenburg, and in some cases the families have emigrated beyond the reach of Nazi ''justice''.' The story of how the manuscript was smuggled out of the country is almost one of tragi-comedy. The author dressed as if going for a ski-ing holiday. The customs examination was thorough until, that is, it came to checking the rucksack. It appeared to contain two enormous cakes. Feigning embarrassment, Jan Petersen, explained, 'Well, you know what women are, don't you? I told my wife I was only going away for three days, but she would go and bake me two whopping big cakes. It'll take me a week to eat one. Just look at the size of them.' The official was all smiling complaisance, his wife being just the same, he said. Inside the cakes the manuscript had been baked! The English translation of Our Street was published in 1938 in Gollancz's Left Book Club. Victor Gollancz himself called it 'vivid and exciting'. It still is.

One World War. One unlikely friendship. One bitter rivalry. The power of friendship, love and jealousy is vividly portrayed in Victor Pemberton's moving wartime saga Our Street. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Harry Bowling. 1944, North London. Fifteen-year-old Frankie Lewis feels as if the war will go on forever. But one night in the blackout, his life takes an extraordinary turn. Whilst playing a vindictive prank on the German-Jewish widow who lives nearby, Frankie finds himself hauled across her doorstep into a world of books and culture. Fascinated by Elsa's stories of life before the war and her late husband - a British officer - young Frankie becomes good friends with Elsa, helping her out in her shop and confiding his troubles to her - from his crush to his sister's unwanted pregnancy. So, when Elsa suddenly dies of a heart attack, Frankie is devastated. He is almost as shocked to discover that Elsa has left her shop to him - a legacy that her brother-in-law is determined to deny him... What readers are saying about Our Street: 'Another very good story from Victor Pemberton, his books are so true to life' 'Keeps you wanting to read more and more' 'Well written and it takes you back to the time he's writing about, interesting characters and a good story too - a very enjoyable read'

With a double wedding on the cards, Liverpool's best-loved neighbours plan for an unforgettable day. In Down Our Street, Joan Jonker brings us another instalment of her hugely popular Molly and Nellie series, as the two friends get up to more mischief in their beloved Liverpool. Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Lindsey Hutchinson. 'Hilarious but touching' - Woman's Realm The Second World War is finally over and best friends Molly Bennett and Nellie McDonough are bursting with happiness. Their beloved sons are coming home at last and their eldest children are planning to marry each other. When a double wedding is announced, Molly is determined to give her two beautiful daughters a day to remember for the rest of their lives. Meanwhile Nellie's daughter Lily has a boyfriend whom no one likes. When he brings trouble to their door, Nellie's friends in the street are ready to face it. And there's a handsome young chap just waiting in the wings for Lily... What readers are saying about Down Our Street: 'This book is like a breath of fresh air, never have I laughed so much and also cried at the antics of Molly and Nellie' 'A lovely story that will make you laugh out loud and shed a tear. A story that will touch every emotion. It's so well written that it makes you feel a part of the families'

A gentle introduction to the issue of poverty, On Our Street explores the realities of people living with inadequate resources. Using age-appropriate language, this book addresses mental illness, homelessness and refugee status as they are connected to this issue. Insightful quotes from individuals and organizations such as UNICEF are included throughout to add further perspective on the issue. An invaluable section on how kids can help empowers readers to take what they have learned and use it to make a difference.

'A real East-End tale . . . brilliant!' - 5-STAR reader review Golden-haired, sunny-natured Amy, youngest and dearest of Annie Flanagan's lively brood of thirteen, is the apple of her mother's eye. But with the outbreak of World War II, the Flanagan family is torn apart, shaken from their crowded nest in London's East End. While the young ones are evacuated from the war-torn capital - the girls to Devon and the boys to a school in the Midlands - Joe is soon made a sergeant, fighting in France. Billy volunteers for the Army Transport, and young Dan fulfils his dreams and joins the RAF. The war brings tragedy - even the old home is in ruins, bombed and shell-splintered. It's Amy, with her fierce courage and determination, who must pull the family back together. But when a man full of wicked charm and Cockney banter walks into her life and wins her heart, more turbulent years are sure to follow . . . **************** What readers are saying about DOWN OUR STREET 'What a wonderful story from beginning to end' - 5 STARS 'I could not put the book down' - 5 STARS 'A fabulous read' - 5 STARS 'I will tell all my friends to read it' - 5 STARS 'I really enjoyed this book from start to finish' - 5 STARS

The Cleavers Didn't Live on Our Street chronicles one man's tales of growing up on the other side of the tracks in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, where father didn't always know best and the Cleavers never came to visit. J.V. Trott, a former humour columnist, shares his witty pie-in-the-face childhood reflections that illustrate his innate ability to laugh at his family's antics even as they co-existed in the sticks without a refrigerator, furnace, telephone, or car. His essays detail once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as building a Christmas tree from scratch, celebrating Thanksgiving with a "best friend" on the menu, taking driving lessons in a garbage truck, inviting a drunken Santa to spend Christmas Eve with the children, and babysitting in a tomato field. As Trott cleverly illustrates the value of family and the importance of humour, his anecdotes will transport others back to a time when a previous generation both lived-and laughed-through their own set of unique challenges. "Utilizing humour, emotion and wit, John engages the reader with his many hilarious, sentimental and sometimes painful anecdotes from his childhood memories. His family stories will remind you of your own childhood adventures and misadventures." -Nora Zylstra-Savage, Instructor, Hailburton School of Fine Arts

The World Around Us series introduces children to complex cultural, social and environmental issues in a straightforward and accessible way. These illustrated nonfiction picture books tackle global concerns and initiate conversations about subjects that are difficult, sad or overwhelming with school-aged children who are just beginning to observe the world outside their homes. A gentle introduction to the issue of poverty, On Our Street explores the realities of people living with inadequate resources. Using age-appropriate language, this book addresses mental illness, homelessness and refugee status as they are connected to this issue. Insightful quotes from individuals and organizations such as UNICEF are included throughout to add further perspective on the issue. An invaluable section on how kids can help empowers readers to take what they have learned and use it to make a difference. Child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts created this series to guide parents/caregivers through conversations about difficult issues in a reassuring and hopeful manner and help children understand their expanding awareness of the world around them.