The Drummer Boy's Battle: Introducing Florence Nightingale (Trailblazer Books)

great story

My 14 year old daughter loved it.

Have had this book before. It was damaged and needed to be replaced. Great introduction to history for children to read.

This book was a great addition to our study of world history this year. It's a story of conviction, gentleness and dedication that we won't soon forget.

It is 1864, Robbie's father has died and along with his older brother he joins the British Army to be able to send wages home to support his mother, brother and sisters. At 12yrs he is enlisted as a drummer boy, his older brother into the lancers, nobody expects war but they are both sent to Russia to fight in the Crimea war, Robbie has a shrapnel wound to his hand and his brother is killed in that famous charge of the light brigade into the Russian guns. Being sent to Turkey to hospital Robbie meets Florence Nightingale, a woman he has met briefly before whilst nursing his sick father. He becomes a messenger and helper to Florence whilst transforming the hospital eventually returning to his mother. This is a brief outline of this story you will have to read the rest for yourself, excellent book and a very good read, would recommend for children and adults.