How Long to Read A Boy Amidst the Rubble

By George W. Porter-Young

How Long Does it Take to Read A Boy Amidst the Rubble?

It takes the average reader 3 hours and 13 minutes to read A Boy Amidst the Rubble by George W. Porter-Young

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

A Boy Amidst the Rubble is a tale of war as seen through the eyes of a young boy growing up in the heart of the London Blitz. The author weaves his tale by relating events he experienced during this tragic time in history. The story begins with our main character, Barry, who, along with his family, hears Neville Chamberlain declare over the airwaves that England is now at war with Germany. While young Barry does not completely understand the implications of his country engaging in war with Germany, he soon learns the seriousness of the situation through first-hand experiences. From erecting a pre-fabricated air raid shelter with his father to hiding out in the shelter during the raids, Barry learns that war is much more than just a game of "us versus them." Throughout the book, one sees how war affects not only young Barry, but every aspect of his once normal life, including his home, neighborhood, friends, family and country. The death and destruction that the Nazis brought upon England during this time was immense, and this book offers the rare chance to relive this moment through the eyes of an innocent child. Although Barry manages to have a somewhat normal life of a young boy, exploring and playing with his friends, collecting fragments of bombs and shrapnel, and engaging in childhood mischief, he must also learn to deal with situations that many adults do not have to experience until much later in life. After one particularly heavy bombing, Barry ventures down his street only to find the body of his young friend lying dead in front of the vacant lot where his house once stood. Because his father is away much of the time, one can see how Barry grows closer to his mother and otherfamily members for emotional and moral support. It is not just the nightly air raids endured by Barry and his family that are relived in this book, however. The reader is immersed in the cultural nuances of living in the British countryside in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Lacking an indoor water closet, like many homes from that era, Barry's experiences in the unheated outhouse mirror many a young person's experiences in such a situation. The minimal plumbing in the house also allows one to see just how people survived in this time of history, boiling water for everything from the revered English Tea to heating large kettles for bathing and washing clothes. There is also the rationing of food, which makes such simple things as a chocolate bar a rare luxury for the characters in the book. The inconvenience of food rationing also hits home when young Barry helps himself to large helpings of such restricted items as marmalade and butter. In spite of the fact that this book was written to allow the reader to see the horrors of war, there is also a softer side to the narrative. The loyalty and respect given to one's elders and family members in this book are often missing in the modern family. The book allows the reader to see that normal corporal punishment, given in moderation, was an accepted practice for disciplining children. Given the state of affairs in the world today, one could argue that this book is also a proposal to return to some of the former child-rearing practices that helped to not only build character, but also to teach the children respect for rules and authority. As with any remembrance of war, the book gives the reader a rare glimpse into what it is like to live in acountry under siege. The nightly air raids, the mornings after cleaning up the destruction, and living in constant fear and uncertainty are just a few of the aspects of living in a country at war that the reader will experience through this book. While Hitler's invasion of England is the main focus of this book, The Boy Amidst the Rubble could also be described as an anti-war book in general. By focusing on the experiences of a young boy like Barry, one gets to see the negative impact war has on everything it touches without pulling any punches.

How long is A Boy Amidst the Rubble?

A Boy Amidst the Rubble by George W. Porter-Young is 192 pages long, and a total of 48,384 words.

This makes it 65% the length of the average book. It also has 59% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read A Boy Amidst the Rubble Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 4 hours and 24 minutes to read A Boy Amidst the Rubble aloud.

What Reading Level is A Boy Amidst the Rubble?

A Boy Amidst the Rubble is suitable for students ages 10 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy A Boy Amidst the Rubble?

A Boy Amidst the Rubble by George W. Porter-Young is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

To buy A Boy Amidst the Rubble by George W. Porter-Young on Amazon click the button below.

Buy A Boy Amidst the Rubble on Amazon