Book Blurb
It's 1943, and World War II is raging. To escape the terror of the Blitz, ten-year-old Wesley and fourteen-year-old Charles were evacuated from England to America. After a few near misses with German U-boats and a treacherous ocean crossing, the brothers arrived in Virginia. The culture shock is intense as the London boys adjust to rural farm life and have to learn new sports, customs, and spellings, plus contend with racial segregation and bullying.
As time goes by, the brothers begin to adapt to their new reality and blaze their own trails, writing letters home, making new friends, and pitching in to the American war effort. But just when Wes and Charles think they are safe from the terror of the battles raging thousands of miles across the sea, they encounter the very brand of soldiers they were trying to escape: Nazis, from a POW camp right around the corner and U-boats torpedoing American ships off the nearby Atlantic coastline. Suddenly, Charles, Wesley, and their new Virginian family must face the dangers of a foreign war coming too close to home.
Award-winning author L. M. Elliott brings a rarely told story of World War II on U.S. soil to light in this gripping and meticulously-researched novel, a companion to the beloved Under a War-Torn Sky.
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Toot's Review by Stacy Sabala
Charles and Wesley Bishop lived in London during WWII. They were a part of the groups of children that were evacuated from the country as Nazi Germany attacked England. The boys were offered a safe haven in the United States. The Ratcliff family invited them in to stay as the war raged in their home country.
It is difficult for the boys to fit in with the Ratcliff family and the American culture of the time. It is very different from what they are used to. School is more lax and Wesley has been moved up a grade. He is now in the same class as Ron Ratcliff who has decided to bully Wesley. Wesley is constantly watching his back and wishing to go home.
Charles is older and has fit in better with the older boys. He has joined the football team and found a way in through sports. He is fitting in with the culture and trying to provide Wesley with advice. Charles doesn’t understand why Wesley can not be the proper Englishman and maintain a stiff upper lip.
The boys are immersed in the thoughts of the time and Wesley finds it difficult when he befriends a Negro boy named Freddy. He doesn’t understand how the Ratcliffs leave him out because of the color of his skin. He also encounters prejudice when he meets Paul Johns, a real live Indian. He is sworn to keep it a secret that they met under the circumstances that they did.
Charles spends his time fitting in and getting along well with Bobby Ratcliff, the oldest son. However he is always thinking of a way to return home and join the fighting against the Nazis bombing his home. He is finding any way he can to get involved helping with the war efforts.
Both boys are hanging on every word about the war along with their host family. Home sickness and guilt remain in their hearts as they stay in their safe haven.
This was an interesting book. The point of view the book takes is through the eyes of both British boys. They are torn and trying to fit in. It is a creative story with eye opening details. I didn’t realize what it was like then. So any teen reading this book would be pulled in, especially for the historic references and way of life during WWII for those left home in the United States. It was fascinating to see how they lived and coped with what was happening a world away yet involving their young men. It was a great read. I give it a 4 out of 5.
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