Annie’s War. The Story of One Boroondara Family’s Wartime Experience
Lucy Bracey, illustrated by Gregory Mackay
City of Boroondara, Melbourne, 2019
In 1916 Edward Slade enlisted in the First World War, and set off for the front, leaving behind his wife and three young children. His story is told from the viewpoint of his daughter Annie, who makes sense of the tumultuous events of wartime through her own experience of the homefront in suburban Melbourne. Drawing on official military records and private family letters, Annie’s Story is a personal and at times moving account of one family’s experience of the war and its aftermath.
Telling this story from a child’s perspective adds a particular poignancy. It touches on the social and political tensions of life during wartime, people’s hopes and fears, and childhood innocence set against the grim four years of hostilities when communication was slow and losses were high.
Annie’s War is beautifully designed with original illustrations that are sensitive and complementary to the text. It makes a significant contribution to a growing range of children’s books about Australian history.
239 A'Beckett Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 
03 9326 9288 
office@historyvictoria.org.au 
Office & Library: Weekdays 9am-5pm
