Angel of Grasmere

“Angel of Grasmere” is my new children’s historical fiction adventure, set in the English Lakes in the Second World War.

In the darkest of days, that’s when the miracles begin …

July 1940 – Tarn struggles to come to terms with the loss of her beloved brother in the chaos of the British retreat at Dunkirk and she and her friends scour the hills around their Westmorland home, watching for any signs of the long-dreaded Nazi invasion.

But as the war drags on, with little good news from the front, the locals become aware of someone carrying out anonymous acts of kindness. With no one claiming credit, the village come to think of this unidentified stranger as a kind of guardian angel, but when his identity is finally revealed can Tarn come to terms with the truth…?

Published by Barrington Stoke on May 9, 2024.
Press Release here
Read Chapter 1 here

“In this powerful new novel, Tom Palmer conveys the devastating impact of war both for those who fight on the frontlines and those who are left at home to worry and grieve. Angel of Grasmere is another brilliant example from Tom of how history can be brought vividly to life for young people today in a way that they can relate to and empathise with.” Ailsa Bathgate

A limited number of FREE Special Angel of Grasmere souvenir reader’s packs are still available, order yours here.

Awards

Angel of Grasmere has been nominated for the 2025 Carnegie Medal for Writing and shortlisted for the 2025 York Book Award and shortlisted for the Dudley Children’s Book Award. Thank you!

Signed and dedicated copies of my books make an ideal Christmas gift.

They are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.

And each order made through the Thoughtful Spot will come with a special Christmas Card and bookmark.

The exclusive illustration was designed by our good friend James Innerdale to mark the publication of Angel of Grasmere.

Books can be simply signed by me or using their website you can specify a message like “To Nadiya, Happy Christmas” for me to add.

Order now here.

More here

Christmas in Fiction : Angel of Grasmere

Discover how young Tarn Fothergill celebrated Christmas Day 1940 with her family, farmer’s boy Peter, evacuee Eric, and Land girls Margaret and Kathleen.

Christmas crafts, blackout poetry challenge, read the special Christmas chapter or watch Tom reading it all here.

Angel of Grasmere Trail Map

If you are visiting Grasmere, you can use this special commemorative map with the key book locations through the village, beautifully illustrated by James Innerdale.

Angel of Grasmere Commemoration Special film

Dunkirk Anniversary – A Commemoration Special with Mr Dilly and Tom Palmer

Catch up now here

Join Tom Palmer speaking on location from the beaches of Dunkirk and the Grasmere Fells
Interview and conversation with Mr Dilly and Tom Palmer
Watch footage of the Dunkirk evacuation
Listen to pre-recorded interviews with some of the Dunkirk veterans

Angel of Grasmere Book Launch

Catch up on the Radio Interview here https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0hq5gz2

Watch the ITV report here https://www.itv.com/watch/news/bringing-the-story-to-life-youngsters-step-back-in-time-to-second-world-war/bkqqf9x

Reviews

“Engaging. Atmospheric. Thought-provoking. Another stunning Tom Palmer. Exploring war memories, PTSD, bullying, friendship and acts of kindness.” Teresa Cremin

“Tom’s assiduous research into time and place creates a moving story of the life of friends, Tarn, Peter and Eric in the fells of wartime Cumbria.” Jane Broadis

“I am reading this book – and it is excellent.”Tom Percival

“One of our finest children’s writers.”Miranda McKearney

“Tom’s books are full of empathy and thoughtful understanding.” Anne Thompson

“Strong characters, great emotionally engaging plot and fascinating historical content woven with great skill into a fine novel telling a little known story from WW2” Nicola Davies

Resources

First Chapter

Cover Prediction Worksheet There are no wrong answers so let your imagination go wild. Download here

Playscript download here

Author’s research scrapbook below and here

Settings Map Worksheet

Identify and colour in the key aspects of physical and human geography of Grasmere village and its Lakeland surroundings where Tarn and her friends live. Download here

A Little Lakeland Nature

Read along, spot me and colour in…

From Herdwick sheep to stiles

Download and print on to 2 sheets, cut and fold and stick to make a minibooklet here

Paper Angels to cut out and decorate with more ideas:

Think of an act of kindness each angel could do to make the world a better place. Write it on the back
Make a display of them against a backdrop of the Lake District’s mountains and lakes or make a display of them where you think your angels are most needed to help the world today

Download here

Herdwick Sheep Craft Activity

Download full instructions here

WW2 Cumbria Quiz download here

Interview with lovereading4kids

Posters – click on the image to download

Films

Trailer

Angel of Grasmere Commemoration special film

Dunkirk Anniversary – A Commemoration Special with Mr Dilly and Tom Palmer

Catch up now here

Introduction

Chapter 1

Dunkirk, the miracle

Defeat at Dunkirk

Dunkirk and the Angel of Grasmere

Story of a deserter

Dorothy Wordsworth, my inspiration

Using a ww2 historical artefact to write a story

Q&A with Tom

Firstly, can you tell us a bit about Angel of Grasmere and what first inspired you to write the book?

Tom : It is set in Cumbria – known then as the English Lakes – during WW2. I had heard that – during both wars – some men hid in the mountains to avoid going to fight. I also read that there were genuine fears the Germans could invade by parachuting and landing in gliders on the higher fells. The two things came together and I started thinking what impact that would have on children who lived there then. Angel of Grasmere is the result.

How did you find striking the balance between fact and fiction when telling the story?

Tom : Normally I am very focused on basing all scenes on actual events and on the testimony of those who experiences them. This book – although based on real events that happened – is more fictional. I’d say it’s 50/50 real/fiction. It was a lot of fun to do.

The story casts a spotlight on the experiences of ordinary Cumbrian people during the early days of World War Two. What made you want to write about here during this particular period of the war? Were there any aspects that were especially important to you to show?

Tom : As wars rage today we see on TV their impact on civilians. I think – as well as showing the horrors of war in aeroplanes, the trenches and at sea – we need to understand what war does to civilians too. I hate war. I want to show how awful it is if we allow it, don’t stop it, even cause it. Civilians are suffering around the world now and I wanted to do what I could to draw from the past so we can think about the present and maybe make a better future.

How did you go about your research for the book? What was the most interesting discovery you made?

Tom : Books, films, interviewing very old people who remember the war when they were children. Museums, hikes up mountains. I even spent one night in a tent alone on top of a mountain just so I could get a sense of what my characters might see and hear and how they would feel in such an extreme place. From all of that the most interesting thing for me was how even in a small country like ours you can walk and camp for hours and hours and not see another person and how lovely that is sometimes.

Researching and Writing Angel of Grasmere

I am very grateful to Kendal Libraries for access to their historical records and to Grasmere School and their pupils for their help.

My writer’s diary – tweet version

Curriculum links

Battle of Britain history topic

“We shall fight on the Beaches” Winston Churchill’s speech here
Battle of Britain Facts here iwm.org.uk/history/8-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-battle-of-britain
Battle of Britain Dates here iwm.org.uk/history/8-important-dates-in-the-battle-of-britain

Rivers topic

Buy Books

Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.

With an extra special Christmas or birthday card from me on request!

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USA : Indigo books

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