Sarah Mackenzie from Read Aloud Revival recommended this book recently. Of course, I immediately requested it from the library.
I absolutely loved reading this book. The characters were well-developed. Even the minor characters had distinct personalities and depth. The word choice and quality of writing were superb. As I read it, I was reminded of the elated feeling I had while reading The Incorrigble Children of Ashton Place or The Penderwicks . . ."Now THIS is quality writing...why don't they publish more books like this??!!" So many books today are published because of an agenda. As a result, the quality of the story and character development is minimized for the sake of agenda.
Humor, loyalty to family, and book titles abound! Although the ending is predictable, not all of the questions the reader may have are answered.
When William, Edmund, and Anna's grandmother dies, they are orphans with large inheritance. Their lawyer decides to send them into the countryside with other evacuees during WWII. He thinks maybe they can find a family who will adopt them, but requires them to keep their inheritance a secret. After living in two awful billets, the children wonder if they will ever find a family who will be their family. Thankfully the library and the librarian provide solace during this tumultuous time.
Points to discuss/warnings: WW II, death (book opens at the grandmother's funeral), bullies-some boys are physically and verbally cruel to the kids, prejudice (The librarian's German husband is missing. Rumors abound about him deflecting to the Nazis), Edmund speaks without thinking and is sometimes rude, the boys have to kill rats to make money (the killing is described), lying
**Highly, highly recommend.
-I own it.
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