“A courageous journey of survival and loyalty through the eyes of children during WWII.” –S.A. Larsen, author of Motley Education
Eleven-year-old Joyce and her little sister hide in their bomb shelter during the German Blitz on London, during World War II. After nights of bombing, it’s decided that they’ll join the over 800,000 children who’ve already been evacuated during Operation Pied Piper. … evacuated during Operation Pied Piper. They board a train not knowing where they’re going or who will take them in.
The long, crowded train ride is less than pleasant. Thankfully they make two allies, Sam and Molly. Upon arriving in Leek, the evacuees are herded off the train and paraded down the street like sheep. Joyce and her sister are terrified they won’t be chosen.
Eventually, a family welcomes them. As they adjust to all the changes, they find the people of Leek aren’t so accepting to all the evacuees. Sam’s host is dark and abusive. As the girls help plan his escape, they discover this sleepy little community holds a dark secret…
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This presented me with a new view of the horrors of war. I did not know about the places the children were sent.
Pre teen level
it was just ok If I were younger it would have been ok
nice premise for subject matter but could not finish: too many grammatical errors (missing subjects, different verb tenses), local jargon a bit off-putting as only certain characters would talk in the vernacular (even within the same family), poor character development (i.e., how could a child be having a tantrum about having to leave the family in one scene and then act very practical and grown up in the next remembering calmly how to use a lever and a fulcrum).
It needed to have been completed in one book. It was a short reed with no ending.
I love to learn and become better informed while enjoying a good read. Great info about WW 2 and moving the children into the countryside.
It’s a good book. One you can read to your children.
A rather abrupt ending with many unanswered questions. Good for young teens, I think.
What a wonderful book. It is always very interesting to read about this time in history but to hear it from Joyce’s perspective and to see her concern for not only her little sister and her parents but also for other evacuees was heartwarming. Add in a touch of mystery reminiscent of Nancy Drew and you have this clever, interesting, or perhaps I should say ‘smashing’, book! I highly recommend it.
A courageous journey of survival and loyalty through the eyes of children during WWII.