A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

Reading this book over the last couple of days has been a joyous and absorbing reading journey. I read the final chapters on the train this morning - hopefully no one saw me crying when I reached chapter 17.  

I had a totally wrong impression from the cover of this book. The front of this house looks quite Japanese to my eye but in fact this is a story set in England featuring children evacuated from London and sent to stay with rural families from 1940 onwards.  The title comes from a fragment of memory.

"Mum always said her children hung the moon."  "you know you've got the right mum when you find one that thinks you hung the moon."

These three children come from a wealthy family. Sadly both of their parents are dead and up until now they have been in the care of an austere grandmother and a series of housekeepers. Their grandmother has now also died and so the three orphans are evacuated to the country. They had no parents in their childhood but they did have a wealth of books and these are mentioned all through the story and then helpfully listed at the back of the book.

In the first home they encounter two brothers who are dreadful bullies. Kate Albus creates so much tension during these scenes. After one dreadful incident the children are sent to a different home with a woman, her three very young children and a baby. Her husband is off fighting in North Africa and she is living in poverty. The family used torn up newspaper in their outdoor toilet.  William, Edmund and Anna are cold, hungry and neglected. In one truly awful scene the boys are sent to work with a local farmer - killing rats. (warning this scene will distress sensitive readers). 

Finally, after months of worry and neglect the children are taken in by the town librarian. Her library has been their safe haven ever since their arrival. Now they all hope that Mrs Muller might consider letting them all stay - forever! This is the solicitors preposterous plan. 

Here are a few text quotes:

The Library - "Inside, the children were greeted by the sort of cool and reverent silence known only to places that house books ... they were home."

Changing the baby - "Removing the pins, she peeled the fetid thing back an inch or two, unwilling to inspect the scene to closely, (she) used the diaper to clean the baby's bottom as best she could ... Hesitating over the writing little body, the children learned a valuable lesson about the importance of speed when diapering a baby. A stream suddenly arced from the exposed infant, hitting Edmund squarely in the chest."

"The children pressed their straw pallets together for warmth but still slept fitfully. In the wee hours of the morning sleeting rain began to pelt the room, and the children awakened to find that all three of their mattresses were damp."

A wartime drama with enough depth and psychological complexity to satisfy budding bookworms. Kirkus

Publisher blurb: It is 1940 and William, 12, Edmund, 11, and Anna, 9, aren't terribly upset by the death of the not-so-grandmotherly grandmother who has taken care of them since their parents died. But the children do need a guardian, and in the dark days of World War II London, those are in short supply, especially if they hope to stay together. Could the mass wartime evacuation of children from London to the countryside be the answer? It's a preposterous plan, but off they go-- keeping their predicament a secret, and hoping to be placed in a temporary home that ends up lasting forever. Moving from one billet to another, the children suffer the cruel trickery of foster brothers, the cold realities of outdoor toilets and the hollowness of empty stomachs. But at least they find comfort in the village lending library-- a cozy shelter from the harshness of everyday life, filled with favorite stories and the quiet company of Nora Müller, the kind librarian. The children wonder if Nora could be the family they've been searching for. . . . But the shadow of the war, and the unknown whereaouts of Nora's German husband complicate matters.

Awards:

• An ALSC Notable Children's Book
• An SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Winner
• A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
• Named to the Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice List
• A CCBC Choice

You can hear an audio sample here. Here are some discussion questions. 

Kate Albus has a new book coming out in September.

Here are some other books that explore the evacuation of children from London during World War II. 

The war that Saved my Life

When the Siren Wailed

Vinnie's War

When the Siren Wailed by Noel Streatfeild

It is 1939, and the Clark family live in South London. Although they are poor - and often hungry - they have a happy home. One Saturday morning the children are taken to the Town Hall to be given gas masks, which they must carry with them at all times. Then evacuation rehearsals begin: the war is probably going to happen, and when it does, all children in danger London are to be sent to the country. All the children practice going to school with carrier bags, plus their gas mask and a piece of paper (pinned on with a safety pin) with their name, address and the name of their school on it.

The evacuation takes place on September 1st, 1939. Laura, Andy and Tim are taken to a village called Charnbury in Dorset. They are billeted with Colonel Launcelot Stranger Stranger and his servants, Mr and Mrs Elk. A new life begins for the Clark children - one in which they must take a bath every day, help the Elks, and go to bed early. They also get new clothes, and regular meals. Change is hard, especially for Andy, but over time the children adapt to their new life and they begin to thrive with better food and outdoor activities but the war is continuing and coming closer to their village. Sadly the Colonel dies and so the children are set to be sent to live with Miss Justworthy. The children met her when they arrived in Charnbury and they are so frightened of this woman who is is rumoured, feeds children cat food.

Andy decides they all need to run away back to London, back to their mother, and hopefully back to their father who has joined the Navy. Their journey is quite an adventure but the scene when they finally reach their street will break your heart.

"There was Mansfield Road, SE8 stuck up on the wall. But where was Mansfield Road? Where all the condemned houses had been there was nothing. Nothing at all. It was impossible to see where number 4 had once stood. There was just a large open space covered in rubble."

This book was first published in 1977 but my copy (cover above) is a reissue from 2021. What a discovery. If you loved Goodnight Mister Tom you must hunt out When the Siren Wailed. Noel Streatfeild (Ballet Shoes) creates such authentic characters in this book - especially the three young children - Laura, Andy and Tim. I love the way she is able to write their South London accent.

I read in the author notes that Noel Streatfeild worked as an aid raid warden, ran a mobile canteen for air raid shelters and saw her own flat destroyed in the bombing of London during World War II. These experiences absolutely shine through in her writing. I did find this review, with lots of plot details, where the writer thinks this book won't appeal to a modern child but I completely disagree. 

Here is the letter Laura sent her mother when they arrived to live with the Colonel:

Dear Mum and dad it is a bit of airite ere there is flars in the garden what Mrs Elk says what I can pick I have luvly new cloes you did orter see my blue flock luv Laura.

Here are some of the older covers, one with a slightly different title:

Here are some other books about children evacuated during World War II:

Evacuation and it's consequences:

• Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian
• Vinnie's War by David McRobbie
• The War that saved my life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
• Carrie's War by Nina Bawden
• Letters from the lighthouse by Emma Carroll

While the Storm Rages by Phil Earl

It is September 1939 and Britain is on the brink of being attacked by Germany. The government declares all pets, that cannot be evacuated to the countryside, must be euthanized. So as you can see the premise of this story is based on real events.

Image source

Noah is determined to save his precious dog Winn especially since as his father left for the front line Noah made a promise to look after their dog, mum and their old boat - Queen Maudie. 

"Don't let anything happen to her, you hear? ... We've been through a lot, me and Winn. And knowing that the three of you are safe is all I'll need to keep me safe. Can you do that for me, Noah?"

Noah is also worried about his best friend Clem and her old dog Frank. Noah and Clem make a plan to save their pets by taking them to the Battersea Dogs home but when they arrive hundreds of other people are in a line ahead of them. Battersea cannot help all the pet owners but then someone in the line suggests the Duchess Nina Douglas-Hamilton lives on a large estate and she cares for animals. The directions are vague but Noah, Clem and a boy from their school named Big Col decide to set off in Queen Maudie - it might be the only way to save their precious companions.

"From what I was told she lives on some estate west of London. Big old place with huge grounds."

It's Clem who suggests this lady might be connected with royalty and that surely means she lives near Windsor. 

Along the way they pick up a donkey, two crazy kittens and they find a way to cope with Big Col who viciously taunted and belittled Noah in the past. Adding to the tension Big Col has bought along an enormous python called Delilah. And yes the name Noah is of course a perfect choice for this young boy and his boat full of animals that he knows must be rescued. 

Inspired by true events, this poignant tale is full of heart. It provides a moving insight into the everyday effects of war on young children and demonstrates the importance of compassion, friendship and determination. Beautifully balanced with moments of humour, this compelling historical novel is a joy to read. Book Trust

Here is a video where Phil Earle talks about While the Storm Rages. I picked this book out at my local bookshop because I loved a previous book by Phil Earl - When the sky Falls. 

While the Storm Rages moves slowly at times so readers (aged 11+) will need quite a lot of reading stamina. The final scenes are filled with action and there is that all important happy ending. I will give a warning that sensitive readers, especially those who love animals, may find some scenes in this story quite distressing. I did wish this book had come with a map so I could follow the children's journey along the Thames. 

Reviews - Books for Keeps; A Library Lady; and this very detailed one from The Kids Book Curator. 

Phil Earle mentions these adventure stories in his video:

The Good Thieves

The river journey (with animals) of While the Storm Rages, reminded me of this book:

The Great Elephant Chase

Saving Hanno: The story of a refugee dog by Miriam Halahmy illustrated by Karin Littlewood

Rudi is nine years old. He is living in Frankfurt. The year is 1938. Hitler is on the rise and daily life is changing for Rudi and his Jewish family. Things are becoming very dangerous. His parents make the heartbreaking decision to send Rudi and his sister Lotte on the Kindertransport to England. 

Rudi has no English. Rudi has witnessed terrible violence. And now Rudi is told he cannot take his best friend Hando to England. 

"He's my little dachshund, and he's the best dog in the whole wide world. I've had him since he was a puppy. He's two years and one month old now. He goes everywhere with me ... Hanno's coat is very smooth and a sort of chocolate brown. His ears feel like the velvet on Mutti's best dress. His legs are quite short, but he can walk and run long distances."

Luckily there is a solution. Someone offers to take the little dog to England. It will be a while until the friends are reunited because Hanno will need to stay in quarantine but eventually Rudi will have his special friend by his side. Rudi is sent to live with a very kind older couple. His sister is not so lucky. She is forced to work as a servant but this will only be for a short time Lotte has plans to leave as soon as she turns seventeen but the war intervenes and as this story ends Lotte and Rudi are evacuated again so they can be safe away from the bombs that are about to drop on London.

Publisher blurb: Nine-year-old Rudi and his beloved dog Hanno escape from Nazi Germany, but Rudi soon learns he’ll have to protect Hanno from an entirely new threat in this thrilling reimagining of a little known World War II event. What if you had to leave your dog behind when you fled? Nine-year-old Rudi has a chance to leave the dangers of Nazi Germany on a Kindertransport to England. However, he cannot bring Hanno, his wonderful dachshund. Luckily, his family finds a way to smuggle Hanno to London. But with England on the brink of war, Hanno is still not safe. As a German invasion of England becomes imminent, many British people decide their pets will suffer as well as drain limited resources, and thousands of pets are euthanized. To save Hanno, Rudi joins a group of scrappy London children who hide their pets away in a vacant lot. Just as London’s children are about to be evacuated to the countryside, the group finds a wealthy animal lover willing to care for the menagerie on her country estate. This fast-paced and accessible novel is full of courage and excitement.

Chil­dren who are bond­ed to their pets, as well as oth­er sym­pa­thet­ic ani­mal lovers, will appre­ci­ate Rudi’s love of Han­no and the efforts he makes to save him, and will under­stand that war is a painful and com­pli­cat­ed time. Jewish Book Council

Rudi’s direct, child-centred narrative voice compellingly portrays the feelings of a child refugee facing the loss of everything familiar. It has a modern resonance for the plight of child refugees all over the world. Books for Keeps

Here is a video with the author Miriam Halahmy where she talks about her book. Here are some teachers notes to use with this  book.

Companion reads:

Anna at war

What about me?

The little Riders

Vinnie's War

Honey Cake

Catching falling stars by Karen McCombie

Bombs are falling on London. Children have been evacuated but not Glory (Gloria) and her young brother Rich (Richard). A year ago their parents worked in the sweet factory in their neighbourhood but now it is 1940 and factory has been changed over to munitions. Mum now works in a parachute factory. Dad stayed with the factory and at night he works with the civil defence force. As this story opens The air raid siren sounds. Mum, Glory and Rich race to the Anderson shelter in their backyard. A bomb is dropped and their neighbour is killed. Glory and Rich are badly injured and so mum makes the heart wrenching decision to send the kids to stay with strangers in the country.

People in the village of Thorntree seem distant and unkind. Glory and Rich move in with Miss Saunders. Glory is sure this strangely distant lady does not want them to stay especially with Rich being such a nervous kid. Glory tries to understand the other kids in the village - Jess is another evacuee and so is a silent boy called Archie. Lawrence is the son of the farmer Mr Wills. Miss Saunders does not like Jess, Archie or Lawrence and she avoids Mr Wills. Glory needs to find out why? She also needs to re-examine her own reactions to the villagers. When she stops to listen to Jess, Archie and Lawrence she discovers they are not teasing her precious brother and they are not laughing at her behind her back. Making peace and acknowledging mistakes are important milestones for Glory.

"Please call me, Glory, Miss Saunders,' I say softly, words tumbling form my mouth before I can stop myself. Miss Saunders studies me carefully for an unnerving minute or two. 'Very well, Glory,' she says finally. 'But only if you will call me Auntie Sylvia."

Life in the country is especially good for little Rich. He overcomes some of his fears and is able to melt the heart of Miss Saunders. The war has changed everything for Glory and Rich and their arrival in the village precipitates a series of events which help undo the misunderstandings and hurts of the past. This is an emotional story especially the final chapter which is set in 2015 - seventy years after the end of WWII. It felt so good to learn what happened to Glory, Rich, Jess, Archie and Lawrence. Such is the power of this writing that I found myself really caring about these kids.

Read some reviews for more plot details:

Books For Keeps

The Bookbag

If you loved Goodnight Mr Tom; The War that saved my Life; and Vinnie's War you will most certainly want to add Catching falling stars to your "to read" list.

I had not heard of UK author Karen McCombie but she has written over ninety books. I certainly need to hunt out some of her middle grade titles.

Letters from the lighthouse by Emma Carroll

Following on from books such as Goodnight Mister Tom, Carrie's War, Vinnie's War and The War that saved my life we now have Letters from the Lighthouse.

Olive and her brother Cliff are living in London. The bombs are falling. Their father has died while serving with the air-force and then their older sister goes missing. Sukie had taken the younger children to the movies. She leaves them on a pretense of needing the toilet then the air raid sirens sound. Olive rushes outside looking for her sister but she sees her with a young man.

"It didn't look like a normal chat about the weather either, because their heads were close together and the man kept glancing behind him. He gave Sukie a piece of paper before taking her hand and squeezing it in both of his."

Olive grabs hold of Sukie's coat and at that moment a bomb falls nearby. When Olive wakes up she finds herself in hospital. Lying in a box under her bed is the coat - actually it was her mum's coat, that Sukie had mysteriously chosen to wear for their outing. Sukie is now missing and things have become very dangerous so mum decides to send Olive and Cliff to Devon. The children are set to stay with Sukie's pen pal and Olive imagines Queenie will be waiting for them with a warm welcome, delicious food and a comfortable home. Their reception is completely the opposite. The two children climb the stairs to their attic room feel sad, displaced and very hungry. Cliff falls asleep but Olive is restless and cold so she puts on her coat and reaches into the pocket only to discover a note in the lining. It is coded message. It is important. Now Olive just has to discover the truth.

Here is an interview with Emma Carroll. If you use this book with a class the chapter headings would make interesting discussion and research points:

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON
DO YOUR DUTY
KEEP IT UNDER YOUR HAT
WHEN IN DOUBT, LIGHTS OUT
V FOR VICTORY

I do love the cover of this book and when you pick it up you will discover the title is embossed.

Illustration by Julian De Narvaez http://www.juliandenarvaez.com/read-me-3/

You probably know I do love lighthouses too and this one is quite perfect.

"It was perhaps the nicest room I'd ever seen. For one thing, there was so much light. I counted at least six windows - little ones, arched at the top and set deep into the walls. Everything was painted white, even the floor. On either side of the room two bed hugged the curved lighthouse walls. Above each was a shelf of books from which hung beautiful, sea-blue lanterns."

I would recommend this book for readers 10+. Pages 190-194 could be used as an extract especially if you are discussing the plight of refugees both in WWII and in our modern context. Click these review quotes to read plot details. Here are a set of chapter by chapter questions. Listen to an audio sample which begins part way through Chapter One. The comments below from Just Imagine are especially good.

This is historical fiction at its best and would sit nicely alongside wartime study including the subjects of evacuation, rationing, use of animals, spies, codebreaking and even military tactics alongside ill-treatment of the Jewish population.   Just Imagine

This book should be in every school library and shared with as many children as possible. If children are to understand the world around them, it is books like Letters From The Lighthouse that will set them on the way. I really cannot recommend this book enough! Mr Davies Reads

As Olive's story unfolds, Carroll also provides the reader with a window though which to see and understand just what it means to be a child and live in a country at war and under siege, realistically depicting the fears and the privations, as well as the importance of family. the value of friends and neighbors, and need to learn trust and tolerance. Heading each chapter with expressions, warnings, and advice that were common during the war also helps give the novel a sense of authenticity. The Children's War


I did enjoy another book by Emma Carroll - In Darkling Wood.  You might also look for Children of the King by Sonya Hartnett and The Amazing Mind of Alice Makin.

Paper Faces by Rachel Anderson

I keep reading about school libraries where fiction collections are being heavily culled and yes we have done this at my school but I do worry about little treasures like this one - Paper Faces.  This book has been in our school library for 12 years but it was first published in 1991.  Our copy is printed on great paper and shows no signs of yellowing and the cover is in good shape too. I am glad it has not been culled.  Perhaps by writing about it here it will be saved into the future.

I recommended this book to a young student the other day and then when it was returned I thought I should re-read this book which I remembered enjoying many years ago.  I sat down, read and read and lifted my head when I reached the last page.  This is such a terrific book set in London just as the war ends.

This story is told through the eyes and with the voice of six year old Dorothy (Dot).  She is living with her mum in the basement of a boarding house.  Her father has not returned from the war.  To Dot he seems to be a strange and frightening figure.

As the story opens Dot and her mum are celebrating the end of the war.  On this day they break their daily routine and do not visit the hospital to see Dot's baby brother. A few weeks later the baby dies and Dot thinks this is because they missed their visit - really it is due to pneumonia.  Gloria takes Dot to the country to visit the home where they were evacuated at the beginning of the war.  Dot has no memory of the earlier visit.  It is in this home that Dot finds genuine warmth and love and some really good food.  Back in London she has only been fed twice a day on stale bread and dripping. Dot becomes ill and after a short stay in hospital, which she finds terrifying, she is sent back to the aptly named Mrs Hollidaye.  It is only Mrs Hollidaye who actually speaks to Dot and who tries to answer her questions.  Gloria is so preoccupied with her own life.

Food is such a comfort in this book.  Mrs Hollidaye offers Dot a delicious breakfast on her first morning :

"On the table was a vase of flowers, a square honeycomb oozing liquid honey from its wax holes onto the dish, three jars of jam, each one a different colour of dark red and a jug with a muslin cloth over the top."

Here is the Kirkus review. Paper Faces won the Guardian Children's book Award in 1992.

I would follow this book by reading Vinnie's War and The war that saved my life.

Take a look at all the different covers for this book.

Vinnie's war by David McRobbie

When I read The War that saved my life I was browsing through our school library catalogue exploring the subject headings we had assigned to this excellent book.  I clicked on the subject World War, 1939-1945 - Evacuation of civilians - Fiction.  I know this is quite a narrow subject but it was worth exploring because it led me to twelve books in our library including Vinnie's War which is the perfect book to read after The War that saved my life.  I read Vinnie's war yesterday all in one sitting.  One of the things I enjoyed in this book is the inclusion of posters, ration cards, advertisements and newspaper articles from this period in history at the start of each chapter. Oddly I could not find any further details about these pages such as a reference or source list. I have included one at the end of this post.

Vinnie lives in London with him mum - "there had been no father in Vinnie's life."  When he was eleven Vinnie's mum died.  Vinnie is taken in by Aunt Vera but she is not his aunt and life in her home is unbearable.  Vinnie finds himself a job in a local pub and there he finds the family he has longed for.  The Rosen's take in a Jewish boy called Isaac.  Vinnie fears he will be kicked out.

"It was settled over breakfast.  Vinnie would keep working in the pub, but better still, he and Isaac could share the spare bedroom upstairs."

Isaac becomes a truly wonderful friend to Vinnie, especially when he teaches Vinnie to play the piano then one night the unspeakable happens.  Vinnie is away on an errand for Mr Rosen.  Bombs are falling all over London and one destroys the pub and his new family.

Vinnie is now sent to the small country village of Netterfold.  On the train, Vinnie makes three important friends.  Sister and brother Kathleen and Joey and Dobroslaw Szsczepanski better known as Dobbs.  Vinnie is sent to live with a reclusive former concert pianist.  Kathleen and Joey are placed with a greedy woman who just wants their ration cards. Dobbs finds a place in the local shop.  You can probably guess the happy experiences in store for Vinnie and you will cheer as Kathleen and Joey find a way to put a stop to mean and criminal ways of Mrs Watney and her son Dennis.

Here is a detailed set of teaching notes from the publisher.

If you want to do some wide reading about the experiences of evacuated children here is a selection of titles in our school library.

Vinnie’s War plunges readers into wartime England and takes them on a path of self-discovery with their protagonist.   A dramatic, beautifully narrated story.

The war that saved my life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

If I could walk, maybe Mam wouldn't be so ashamed of me.  Maybe we could disguise my crippled foot.  

Maybe I could leave the room ... 

That's what happened, though not in the way I thought it would. 

This book is really only suitable for the most mature readers at my school but I do hope I can put in into the hands of a senior student who finds this poignant tale as engrossing as I did.

This is another one of those books that I started one night and almost finished in one sitting - not bad for 314 pages.

Perhaps you have read the classic story Goodnight Mister Tom.  The war that saved my life follows the same historical period and evacuation experience of children sent from London to stay in rural England.

Ada has been born with a club foot.  Her ignorant and abusive mother did not allow any medical intervention when Ada was a tiny baby.  She regards Ada as a cripple and stupid.  Children are being evacuated all over London.  Ada decides she and her younger brother Jamie must leave.  They board a train filled with children bound for Kent.  Reluctantly a lady called Susan Smith takes in the two children.  Very, very gradually the three form a strong bond but for Ada the most special part of her new life is the pony in the field beside the house.  Ada's care of the pony called Butter and her determination to learn how to ride and jump, mirror the persistence and care of Susan and gradually Ada, Jamie and Susan form a little family unit.

There are several very violent scenes in this book especially early in the story when Ada is locked in a small cupboard by her abusive mother.  While I do highly recommend this book I feel it is only suitable for mature students.

It is very easy to tell the author adores horses.  This is the scene when Ada meets Butter for the first time :

"I toddled and stumbled.  Everything hurt.  The pony watched me.  When I reached the stone wall I sat on it and swung my legs over to the other side.  The pony stepped toward me, lowered his head, sniffed my hands, and pressed his neck against me. I put my arms around him.  I understood how he go his name.  He smelled like butter in the hot sun."

Here is the Kirkus review.  Here is a video interview with the author.  Here is a detailed review in the School Library Journal.  Here is an excellent set of teaching notes from the publisher.  I also found a sample of the audio book which runs for ten minutes.

You might also enjoy Carrie's war, An elephant in the garden, Children of the King or Vinnie's war by David McRobbie.  Mosst importantly though, when you have read The war that saved my life you must read Goodnight Mr Tom.

The children of the King by Sonya Hartnett

When you pick up a book by Sonya Hartnett you know you are in the safe hands of a master story teller.  Sonya Hartnett seems to get right inside her characters and landscapes.

Most of the action takes place in the final chapters of this book but I did enjoy the slow build up. I agree with Maurice Saxby when he says "the characterization, free of present-day-gimmicks, has all the solid qualities of an English novel at its best. The same can be said of the style, in that every page has a telling phrase, a startling image that carries weighty implications."

The setting for this book in London in World War Two with the blitz about to begin.  Cecily Lockwood aged twelve, her brother Jeremy aged fourteen and their mother Heloise leave London for the safety of the North country moving to the estate Heron Hall  the home of Uncle Peregrine brother to their father who stays behind in London to assist (in some undisclosed way) with the war effort.

Travelling on the train with the family are a large number of children who are being evacuated out of London and sent to live with strangers in the country.  Here is a description of the station :
"The village station was usually a lonely place, having been built too ambitiously for the town it served; normally five or six souls wandered the oversized platform, and the distances between them could be so vast that they might each have been waiting for different trains on different days. .... but perhaps the grandiose station had been built, so long ago, for this singular day."

Cecily watches the bewildered children as they are herded off the train and into the local town hall and then she sees the children being led one or two at a time away from the town hall by different women and a few men. "Cecily's heart stretched its tether" and she asks her mother if they can take a child, an evacuee, to Heron Hall.  Jeremy joins in with rational arguments supporting this idea and so they go into the town hall and Cecily 'selects a child' a little girl called May Bright aged ten.

The three children settle into life at Heron Hall and one day the girls wander off to explore the ruins of a castle which is on the estate.  While they are there they meet two boys and a sharp reader will immediately see that things are not quite as they seem.  At the same time Uncle Peregrine has agreed to tell the children the story of this castle. It is the story of King Richard and power and two small boys who are locked in a tower - perhaps you recognise this story from history.

This is a story primarily about Cecily, who is a fairly precocious little girl but ultimately it is Jeremy undergoes a transformation.  As a fourteen year old boy he is desperate to be useful to the war effort but of course too young. He is a very intelligent boy and he feels trapped by life at his uncle's estate.  He wants to fight, he wants to be with his father in London and above all he wants to be part of the action so he can understand this war.

Here is an example to show how Sonya Harnett really gets into the psychology of her characters.  Heloise becomes so furious with Jeremy one evening she threatens to send him away to boarding school.  Cecily finds her brother and tries to comfort him :

"In common with most siblings, Jeremy and Cecily Lockwood had a thousand grievances against one another.  But, again in common, for one to realise the other was hurt roused a lion-like concern and sympathy ... Despair had overtaken him so thoroughly that he couldn't make the traditional denial of anything being wrong.  He wiped his face but the tears kept dropping as they will when a heart has received a deep wound."

Here is an excellent review from the Sydney Morning Herald, one in the Age and here is an interview with Sonya Hartnett about this book - I recommend reading this.  This is a book for Upper Primary students and their parents and after reading this one you should look for Midnight Zoo and The Silver Donkey.