Author(s): Gill Arbuthnott; Darren Gate (Illustrator)

Non-Fiction

What was World War One really like? Step into the boots of 14-year-old James Marchbank and experience the most important, incredible, peculiar, poignant, remarkable and revolting bits of the war.

Inspired by the real-life diary of a Scottish boy soldier, each easy-to-read chapter mixes James's story with timelines, letters, diagrams and illustrations to create a fact-tastic account of the First World War, which is both fun and emotionally engaging for younger readers.

Take a journey through time to find out...

• Why rat hunting became a popular hobby in the trenches
• How parachuting pigeons helped at war
• Why a really good friend would rub whale oil on your feet
• What it actually felt like to be a teenager at war

A Secret Diary of the First World War is the first in a new brilliant series, which blends together intriguing facts and fascinating fiction to bring the most exciting, gruesome and crucial moments of Scottish history alive for young readers.