This book is one of the best middle grade novels I have read in a long time! Ms. McKay creates interesting, credible characters with distinct personalities and stories. The reader is introduced to the British girls, Ruby and Kate, when they are first born, and the German boys, Erik and Hans, when they are ten-years-old, and experience their lives into adulthood. These four main characters are living life after World War I and during World War II.
Ms. McKay adroitly weaves together many families and their stories. She even includes a scrapyard dog and how he impacts the characters' stories! I am thankful that Ms. McKay included family trees because without the family tree, I would have been confused at points. The chapters alternate the points of view.
Ms. McKay is a superb writer. She also included aspects of WWII that I have never considered or have learned. Although this marketed as a middle grade novel, I think junior high and even high school (although they may cringe at reading "middle grade novel") would enjoy this book immensely.
*Highly recommend.
A previous novel, The Skylarks' War, includes some members of the family in this novel. The Skylarks' War takes place during WWI. Unfortunately, my county library system only has a digital.
Warning: The grandfather, Charles Penrose, likes his whiskey and is probably an alcoholic. Kate's brother, Charlie, grabs alchohol on Christmas and becomes drunk, grandfather Charles gives Ruby some of his alcohol when she is having night terrors, which promptly puts her to sleep, Will and his friend drown kittens, some characters die.
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