Secret Soldiers - by Keely Hutton (Paperback)

About the Book

In 1917, Thomas, a thirteen-year-old coal miner seeking his missing brother, James, joins the Claykickers, who tunnel beneath the battlefields of the Western Front as they learn to be men.

Book Synopsis

Over a quarter million underage British boys fought on the Allied front lines of the Great War, but not all of them fought on the battlefield--some fought beneath it, as revealed in this middle-grade historical adventure about a deadly underground mission.

Secret Soldiers follows the journey of Thomas, a thirteen-year-old coal miner, who lies about his age to join the Claykickers, a specialized crew of soldiers known as "tunnelers," in hopes of finding his missing older brother. Thomas works in the tunnels of the Western Front alongside three other soldier boys whose constant bickering and inexperience in mining may prove more lethal than the enemy digging toward them. But as they burrow deeper beneath the battlefield, the boys discover the men they hope to become and forge a bond of brotherhood.

Secret Soldiers is another stunning story of strength, perseverance, and love from Keely Hutton.

This title has common core connections.

Review Quotes

"[An] affecting story of endurance, valor and brotherhood." --Wall Street Journal

"The narrative seamlessly blends historical fact with the intense personal experiences of the four boys . . . A captivating tale of down-to-earth heroism and a personal exposé of life in the trenches from the perspective of likable, engaging characters." --Kirkus Reviews

"Hutton has done an excellent job of capturing the claustrophobic condition of life underground, evoking the horror of WWI, and creating characters who are individual and fully realized. There is no secret that this is an excellent addition to the surprisingly scant literature of the First World War." --Booklist

"The relationships among the main characters are well developed, and readers will particularly enjoy the camaraderie between the new recruits and the more experienced soldiers. Hutton engages readers from the first page with the sights, sounds, and vibrant feel of the era." --School Library Journal

Soldier Boy:

"A visceral indictment of man's inhumanity to man, while also celebrating human beings' ability to empathize and to rescue those who desperately need saving." --Booklist, starred review

"Eye-opening and relevant." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A compelling tale . . . with a message of hope . . . A must-purchase for teen collections." --School Library Journal, starred review

About the Author

Keely Hutton is a children's book author and former English teacher. She worked closely with Ricky Richard Anywar to tell his story in her debut novel, Soldier Boy, which Booklist named one of the top ten first novels of the year and one of the top ten historical novels for youth the following year. Her second novel, Secret Soldiers, was a Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year and a Children's Book Council Notable Social Studies Book for Young People. She is also the co-author of Achut Deng's coming-of-age memoir Don't Look Back, which recounts Deng's journey from South Sudan to America. Keely lives in Rochester, New York, with her husband, two sons, and adorable dog, Maximus.