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The Book Cat by Polly Faber

Jun8

Enchanting

The Book Cat by Polly Faber is a most charming historical tale for ages eight to twelve years, and also for anyone who loves cats.

The book is set in London during World War II. It has its’ roots in fact as T.S. Eliot opened his doors to Morgan, a stray kitty, who then lived in the offices of Faber and Faber.

Starting off in the wider London area before moving to the docks and then to Russell’s Square next to the British Museum, the reader is delighted by the antics of Morgan, a stray cat. Polly Faber has brought him to life with her words as the reader almost ‘believes’ his antics.

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The Singer Behind The Wire by Shari J Ryan

Jun8

Songs Of Hope

The Singer Behind The Wire by Shari J Ryan is a powerful historical novel that will simultaneously horrify and also break your heart as you witness man’s inhumanity to man.

The action is set in Warsaw during World War II before moving to Auschwitz. We see that there were those who could not stand by and do nothing. When they witnessed the persecution of others, they felt compelled to act, regardless of personal safety.

Life was hard for all, but especially for the Jewish population. We witness the erosion of their liberties until they were squashed behind the ghetto walls – 400,000 in the Warsaw ghetto.

We see that love can still happen – even ‘banned’ love. A young couple meet where they can – even eventually forced to meet in a sewer. “They can force us to behave in a certain way, but they can’t control the way we think.” When minds are free, there is still hope.

Hope is what kept people going. A hope for a better tomorrow – but also aware that today was all they had. “Anything can happen tomorrow, so today is important.”

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Under A Fire-Red Sky by Geraldine McCaughrean

May28

Friendship & Futility

Under A Fire Red Sky by Geraldine McCaughrean is a powerful historical novel for ages ten years and over.

This is a novel that explores a diverse friendship as a small group of teens decide not to get evacuated from London during the phoney war.

It is a coming-of-age novel as the teens have to grow up very quickly. They go from the classroom to the Blitz in fairly quick succession, making new friends along the way.

As London burns, there are some horrific sights. “The sight would never leave her. She could no more forget it than forget her name.” Some things once seen, cannot be unseen.

There are conflicting emotions. “My Bible tells me to love my enemies. I didn’t realise until now how annoyingly difficult that is.” But when the teens come face to face with a German who is shot down, they realise that he looks just like them, and that somewhere in Germany, a mother is praying for her son’s safe return.

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The Emerald Twins by Helen Fripp

May24

Elastic Time

The Emerald Twins by Helen Fripp is a powerful dual timeline novel that I absolutely adored. It consumed my every waking moment.

The novel is set in 1944 and present day. The earlier period also jumps forwards in time at pivotal moments in the character’s life.

We witness the unbreakable love that transcends time and space, as we see the invisible bond that links twins – twins that were cruelly wrenched apart in Paris in 1944 by a greedy S.S. officer.

Throughout their lives, both twins searched for the other. “I’m only half when she’s not here.” They kept each other alive in their thoughts, often speaking out loud. “I don’t know where you are, but I’ve kept you alive all this time in my thoughts.”

There are some truly heart-wrenching scenes. The mother inside me wept for lives torn apart. And there were near-misses, but not close enough.

Black hearts were born, and continued in a similar vein to their father.

The reader witnesses the building of the Berlin wall in 1961. We see the far-reaching and underhand tactics of the Stasi.

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