For fans of Kate DiCamillo’s Louisiana’s Way Home, this heartwarming novel tells the story of ten-year-old Glory Bea as she prepares for a miracle of her very own–her father’s return home. Glory Bea Bennett knows that miracles happen in Gladiola, Texas, population 3,421. After all, her grandmother–the best matchmaker in the whole county–is responsible for thirty-nine of them. Now, Glory Bea … of them.
Now, Glory Bea needs a miracle of her own.
The war ended three years ago, but Glory Bea’s father never returned home from the front in France. Glory Bea understands what Mama and Grams and Grandpa say–that Daddy died a hero on Omaha Beach–yet deep down in her heart, she believes Daddy is still out there.
When the Gladiola Gazette reports that one of the boxcars from the Merci Train (the “thank you” train)–a train filled with gifts of gratitude from the people of France–will be stopping in Gladiola, she just knows daddy will be its surprise cargo.
But miracles, like people, are always changing, until at last they find their way home.
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This was such a sweet and beautiful little book. Glory Bea is 10 years old, and she and her family are on the cusp of some big changes. However, Glory Bea is NOT ready to move on.
Four years ago, in 1945, Glory Bea’s father was declared Missing in Action after landing on Omaha Beach. Since then, she’s never stopped believing that one day he’ll come home to their small town of Gladiola, Texas, and make their family whole again.
Unfortunately, she seems to be the only one who still believes. There’s a new gentleman in town who has won the heart of her mother, Grandparents, and pretty much everyone else in town. Not to mention she’s failing miserably at setting her best friend up with the boy she really likes. This is just not a good time for Glory Bea.
Overall, while I knew exactly how this story was going to end, I still loved it. The ending was absolutely heartbreaking…but growing up and learning that life isn’t always fair can be a sad and painful lesson. I absolutely recommend this book to young readers. Its message is sad but important. That while change sometimes may not be welcome, it’s not always a bad thing.
I was instantly drawn into Blue Skies by the whimsically gorgeous cover art and premise. I was unprepared, however, for just how much the book would tug at my heartstrings. World War 2 stories have always resonated with me deeply, thanks to growing up hearing the experiences shared by my grandma. Grandma was an army nurse in both England and France during the War. She often told stories about the people she met in France, the songs they sang while overseas, and the horror of what was left of France after the Nazi’s were pushed back. And Grandma especially loved sharing stories about her “boys,” the soldiers wounded in battle, and the ones who didn’t make it home.
Blue Skies is the story of Glory Bea, a precocious eleven-year-old girl whose daddy never returned from the war. Blue Skies was the song her daddy sang every morning, and just how she pictures the day when he finally makes his way back to her. Her mother and grandparents do their best to move on with their lives, though they keep Daddy’s place at the table and haven’t moved his things one single inch. Everything is ready for his return, and Glory Bea is convinced this will happen the day of the Merci Train parade. Until Daddy’s best friend in the army, Randall Horton arrives with his songs, charm, and unwelcome ability to make Mama smile again. Change comes to Glory Bea’s life with Mr. Horton and the Merci Train, whether she’s ready for it or not.
It’s impossible not to love Glory Bea and her unwavering faith in miracles. You want her dreams to come true, no matter how unlikely. As with most middle-grade fiction, this is as much a coming of age as it’s about overcoming impossible odds. Glory Bea’s wishes are only part of the charm, and author Anne Bustard’s talent for drawing you into the world of her characters is this novel’s greatest strength. Other favorite characters include Glory Bea’s neighbor and current victim of her matchmaking aspirations, Ben Truman. After having grown up watching her grandmother make perfect matches for much of the town, our heroine is convinced she has the same talent. Glory Bea’s attempts to pair Ben with best friend, Ruby Jane, is hilarious and endearing.
Though Blue Skies takes place in the late forties, there is a timeless feel in the way each character processes the grief of the war and seeks a new beginning. I confess to feeling almost tongue-tied attempting to convey all the little things I love about Blue Skies. I love the history the author included on the Merci Train, and all the tiny details of life after the war. I love how I couldn’t seem to stop reading until I learned if Glory Bea’s greatest miracle would come true. Blue Skies may be a quick read, but it carries surprising weight and poignancy through its themes. This is Glory Bea’s story as much as it is ours as a country and a love letter to all the soldiers who did and didn’t come home.
**I was provided with a copy of Blue Skies by the publisher and this is my voluntary and honest review.**