Archives

The Blitz Sisters by Judith Eagle

Apr27

Captivating

The Blitz Sisters by Judith Eagle is a powerful historical children’s novel that absolutely captivated me. It is suitable for ten years and over.

As the title suggests, the book is set during World War II as we follow three sisters from 1939-1947. The tale is divided into three sections as we follow the action from each sister’s point of view. Lydia’s view point covers the start of the war; Peggy is the middle years; and Teddy is the war’s end and peacetime. The sisters are similar but different and what shines through is their love for each other.

There are various scrapes throughout the years as each sister is reckless in a different way. Each sister is motivated by love, as modelled by their mother. “Warm, forgiving arms. Mum.”

Each sister has a personal battle to fight. I felt very sorry for Peggy whose dyslexia wasn’t understood. “Couldn’t endure another lesson with endless numbers and letters and words jumping up and down… in a horrid unintelligible jumble. She couldn’t bear the fear she felt… She had to make herself invisible in case she was asked to read out loud.” Her frustration is easy to empathise with. “School didn’t understand her. Home didn’t understand her.” But Peggy has a gift – she is very artistic.

Continue reading →

Sisters Of The Storm by Lana Kortchik

Apr23

The Bonds Of Love

Sisters Of The Storm by Lana Kortchik is a powerful World War II novel that I just couldn’t put down.

The reader joins twin sisters, both of whom are nurses, doing their bit for the war effort. The plane carrying them across Albania crashes and the book tells of their fight to survive in enemy-occupied land. They are befriended by partisans and by the people of Albania who are kind, sharing what little they had. “You stay in my house, you are family.” The Albanian people were kindness personified. “What they lacked in material possessions, they more than made up with unconditional love.” With no thought to personal safety, they helped the crashed Americans. “Every step of the way, they were met with kindness. They were welcomed by strangers like they were family.”

We learn about the daughters lives before the war. “Marrying his daughters off was a business deal for their father.” A daughter is cast out when she marries the man of her dreams, who turns out to be a nightmare.

We witness domestic abuse. It’s not always punches; it can be words. “Since they got married, there was a voice inside her head that sounded just like his, hissing and angry and terrifying, telling her she wasn’t good enough or smart enough.” A character believed the lies her husband spoke over her, and is determined not to be that person again. “One of these days I need to stop making excuses for him.” It takes guts to stand up to her husband, and to refuse to be brow-beaten any longer.

You never forget your first love. Although miles from home, there is a chance meeting for a couple who vow never to be parted again.

Continue reading →

The Weight Of Courage by Alex Baranda

Apr12

Gripping

The Weight Of Courage by Alex Baranda is a gripping historical novella. It is the prequel to A Jane Doe Program series.

The story is set in 1942-1943 in Nazi-occupied France. We see newly recruited female agents parachuted into France. Their mission was to set up a resistance network.

All the action is seen through the eyes of Madeleine and in the first person. This enables us to ‘experience’ the action.

At the end of each chapter, we hear Madeleine repeating her undercover agent’s name, and her mission.

We witness the bravery needed to set up safe houses and to recruit people to the Resistance. How to hide in plain sight, right under the nose of the Nazis.

Continue reading →

The Turnkey Of Highgate Cemetery by Allison Rushby

Apr11

Unique, Exciting & Engaging

The Turnkey Of Highgate Cemetery by Allison Rushby is an entertaining children’s novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is perfect for ten years and over.

The action is set during World War II in London. We join a young girl who is deceased and who also looks after the dead in Highgate cemetery. She is the turnkey. She witnesses the destruction of London, and stumbles upon a deceased Nazi officer with evil intent.

There are battles between good and evil as the veil between ‘now’ and the afterlife grows thin.

Family is important. Family make a difference. We all want someone to love us.

Continue reading →