This title is a Joan's Pick.
Ostensibly written for an audience much younger than me, this is a terrific example of how the very best storytelling can transcend age, and find an audience amongst anyone who loves great writing.

Already an award winner, (the 2016 Newberry Honor Medal) it's set amidst the evacuation of children from London during the Blitz - but Ada's mother won't allow her to go. She loathes her club footed daughter and has made her life a misery, but nine year old Ada has become resourceful, and she and her younger brother Jamie manage to get onto the evacuees' train. On arrival in the countryside they're taken in by a childless woman who resents their intrusion, but slowly shows them another way to live. Free from fear, they discover a world where anything is possible, food and warmth are in good supply, and they start to forget the horror of life with Mam.

But Mam turns up one day and drags them back to London, with other ideas for their future.

This is a simple story, beautifully told. About triumph over adversity, family, identity, the bonds of love and the power of the human spirit, and it had me completely hooked from start to finish.

Joan.

• Format: Paperback / softback
• Publication Date: 13/05/2016
• Publisher: Text Publishing
• Country of Origin: Australia
• Edition: UK ed.
• Pages: 328
• Weight: 304g