SOLVED. WW2 British Evacuee boy runs away and tries to make his way home. Possibly childrens or YA genre, but some adult themes. Read in approx 1998. [s]

[Steventhesteve]

WW2 story, read in school as part of class, I was in year 8 so it may be classed as children's or perhaps YA. This would have been in 1998 or early 1999, but I suspect the book was older. I think the boy ran away from where he had been sent due to cruelty, but I could be wrong.

One particular story event I do recall, was that the boy had interactions with the home guard/army when he passed by a base. Two corporals had a fight over him as one of them was heavily implied as a pedophile (hand feeding the MC chocolate and generally being a creep) and the other defended the MC. I remember at the time thinking it was quite an adult theme to be covering at the age of 12!

If I remember more I'll add it.

[Becca]

The Kingdom by the Sea by Robert Westall, maybe?

[Steventhesteve]

I've checked the blurbs and reviews for that and I think you're right. The dog rings a bell too.. it's described as episodic, which makes sense for a class covering a bit each lesson!

thanks very much

[Rainbowheart]

The Kingdom by the Sea for Becca's link.