My Friend the Enemy opens with a German plane crash landing and bursting into flames in a small Northumberland village in 1941. Two of the occupants are burnt to death but a parachute was seen descending into the woods where Peter Dixon, the 12 year old narrator, was setting traps for rabbits. Any hope of finding a souvenir is dashed when the home guard arrives along with soldiers and most of the village including Kim, a newcomer to the area.
Kim speaks – and acts – differently and comes from the city, Newcastle. A fearless tomboy, she stands up for Peter against the local bully and their friendship begins. They plot to get a souvenir from the ruined aircraft at night-time but eventually find much more than they had bargained for – a wounded enemy soldier.
Author Dan Smith recreates war time Britain so that the reader can almost taste the tripe Peter is forced to eat, hear the planes overhead, feel his desolation when they don't hear from his father fighting in Africa and smart at the taunts he receives because the owner of the estate, Jack Bennett, is friendly towards his mother. There is an attention to detail – like lining shoes with cardboard when they get holes in the soles – and the bliss of dissolving a (rationed) sugar cube in your mouth.
The friendship which develops between Peter and Kim is nicely observed as is their reflections on war and the adults around them. The innocence of youth is counterbalanced by the horror of war and the dilemma the two children face: should they help they enemy?
Dan Smith has created characters you care about, a drama you want to see resolved well, and a narrative that is fast paced and exciting. Although the cover suggests a "boys book" girls will also love My Friend the Enemy.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
My Friend the Enemy