Southwark Book Award

Author: Joan Lingard

Title: Trouble on Cable Street

More Info: See Shortlist 2015 page

You have sent us 13 reviews of this book so far. Keep them coming by letting us know what you think of Trouble on Cable Street on the Have your Say page!

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Mabbina from Notre Dame R C Secondary School said:

This book was very interesting. It taught me a lot about World War Two and different people's opinions of war. I think Isabella has true friends and I learnt a lot of things happened to 14 year old girls during this time. I was shocked to find her brother, Arthur hanging out with the British Union of Fascists and her older brother, William going to war. This book was very engrossing and dramatic. Must reads for WW2 readers. Sat 13th Jun 2015

Marks out of 10: 10

Anna from Other School said:

Anna O'Daly St Saviours and St Olaves.rnThis book was surprisingly good. Its about a family's life in WWII and the daughter Isabella, who is trying to keep her family together, while one of her brothers run away to fight for revolution in Spain and the other brought in by the powerful Fascist movement, while Isabella face troubles of her own. Its a very powerful book that makes you laugh and cry all at the same time. rnThe only thing I didn't like was the front cover. It was very unappealing to me and that's why I was so surprised that it was such a good book. The front cover didn't stand out at all and if I was in a book shop looking for a good read I probably would of past it. rn Sun 7th Jun 2015

Marks out of 10: 7

Hameed from St Thomas the Apostle School said:

I liked this book but, it is too non-fictional for me. If you are a fan of real life events turning into fiction, this book is good for you. But, overall, i like the whole plot of this story and how a certain bad guy sees justice. The only other thing I don't like is that it has no sequel. Thu 4th Jun 2015

Marks out of 10: 8

Ella from Notre Dame R C Secondary School said:

Trouble on Cable Street focuses on a family living in London in 1936. The Blake brothers, are always fighting; while one brother is being brain-washed by the Fascist movement, the other feels so strongly for the other side that he goes to fight for revolution in Spain!rnAs the story goes on Arthur (who stayed in London) is secretly sneaking out early in the morning & late at night. One night, Isabella (his sister) goes into Arthur's room & finds a wristband saying that he is part of a Fascist group!rnIt is a historical book which is based on things which really happened e.g the Fascist organisations and the Spanish Revolution. The story makes you fill mixed emotions; one page joyful, the next page dismal.rnMy favourite part of the story was when William came back from the war in Spain. He wasn't hurt, just bruised & the whole family & the village all had a welcome home party!rnI would recommend this to anyone who likes stories with historical reference! Thu 28th May 2015

Marks out of 10: 9

Freddie from Other School said:

Freddie Bessemer Grange-This book is a great book for people who love books, set around war time beacuse it is set during the Spanish revolution.This book is very interesting and engaging, it makes you want to read other books like it. Thu 21st May 2015

Marks out of 10: 9

Freddie from Other School said:

Freddie Bessemer Thu 21st May 2015

Marks out of 10: 9

Naomi from Other School said:

Naomi year 7blue st Saviours and st olaves rnThe book I read was called Cable Street and is an amazing book .It was written by Joan Lingard and published by catnip. I think that the book is fantastic .It is about a girl called isabella and she has two brothers. She is part spanish and part English and lives during 1936 but with a brother off at war in spain and another joining the the Fascists group she struggles to keep her family together. Wed 20th May 2015

Marks out of 10: 10

Naomi from Other School said:

Naomi year 7blue st Saviours and st olaves rnThe book I read was called Cable Street and is an amazing book .It was written by Joan Lingard and published by catnip. I think that the book is fantastic .It is about a girl called isabella and she has two brothers. She is part spanish and part English and lives during 1936 but with a brother off at war in spain and another joining the the Fascists group she struggles to keep her family together. Wed 20th May 2015

Marks out of 10: 10

Britney from Charter School said:

Britney TandohrnSt Saviours & St OlavesrnThis book wasn’t as good as the title sounded. When I first saw the book I thought that there would be a lot of mystery and danger. And also that it was a scary book. But when I finished reading it I found it very unenthusiastic and boring. I mean sure it vividly evoked the 1930s and is historical. I am not into historical stuff. i mean most kids at my age would find it boring. The author should have made it more interesting by adding something imaginative like ghost haunting the place etc. I would recommend this book to people who like boring historical stuff because they would enjoy it unlike me. The author hasnt made the book fun or as scary as i would like it. It is almost like he/she didnt put their shoes into a kids shoe. If THEY HAD DONE THAT YOU WOULD SEE A BIG DIFFERENCE.rn Tue 19th May 2015

Marks out of 10: 5

Mubina from Other School said:

Mubina Rahman St Saviours & St Olaves rnrnThis book is about a family's life during WWII. The daughter, Isabella, has her own problems and she hears that her older brother was going to fight against the Nazis. Than she finds out her other older brother fights for the Nazis. At the end they all come back and is happy. It was very intriguing and appealing to some. The cover of the book grabs your attention as it is simple and nice. It was quite good. Tue 19th May 2015

Marks out of 10: 5

Fatima from Notre Dame R C Secondary School said:

Trouble on cable street is a fantastically well written book that relates into history extremely well. I generally enjoyed reading this book, Joan Lingard has done a very good job with this book and I would recommend it to any one who loves travelling back and exploring with the past. Mon 18th May 2015

Marks out of 10: 9

rebecca from Other School said:

Rebecca Olatokun year 7 yellowrnrnst saviors and st olavesrnrnTROUBLE ON CABLE STREETrnrnThis book was such an amazing book I was so happy to open it every time I was going to open it to read it, this book brought me so many emotions it made me laugh, cry and it also puzzled me ALOT!!rnIt was a very appealing book it was as if I was there it was as if an arm came out of the book. The arm grabbed me into the book and made me feel like I was there. rnI give it a 10/10.rnrn Fri 15th May 2015

Marks out of 10: 10

Pablo from Charter School said:

This book takes place in London,1936, two brothers fighting in war, one sister trying to face her own conflict, as she battles to keep her family from falling apart.It's an appealing story. Thu 30th Apr 2015

Marks out of 10: 9