The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch - ADVISABLE

The Nazi Conspiracy: the secret plot to kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch, 384 pages. NON-FICTION. Scholastic, OCTOBER 2025. $20

Violence: PG-13 (Holocaust deaths and cruelties)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL; ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Everything about WWII was not set in stone - the Axis powers - America, Russia, and England - are not always on the same page. In fact, the trio could fracture if the leaders can’t meet together and iron out their differences and agree to a plan. Meanwhile, Hitler and his spies would give anything if they could take these three world leaders out.

Very interesting - especially for those who know a lot about WWII already.  It is a LOT of book for a novice.  Meltzer goes back into the origins of WWII to set the scene, which can quickly become unwieldy for a middle school reader - even many high schoolers. If you know you need this for a specific class, go for it. Otherwise, tell your teachers about it.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Escape From the USS Indianapolis by Andy Marino - ESSENTIAL

Escape From the USS Indianapolis by Andy Marino, 192 pages. Scholastic, SEPTEMBER 2025. $9 (pb)

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (many deaths mentioned, some described shark attack deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12 yo Albie was supposed to wait in Guam for his older brother Joe to return from his tour on the USS Indianapolis during World War II.  Instead, Albie sneaks aboard and is discovered just before a Japanese submarine splits two holes in their side - sending the ship to the depths.  Now Albie and Joe are clinging to a potato crate - hoping they can still survive this nightmare. 

Marino dumps us right into the middle of the Pacific Ocean near the Japanese battleground. THen he dumps into the water to battle dehydration madness, and multiple, persistent shark attacks, among other dangers. You will barely have time to breathe before the next danger arrives.  All of it is very plausible - you can tell Marino was careful with his research and found the right experts to guide on the historical events. And I like these because they are just a little longer than the I Survived series.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Standoff (Kidnapped from Ukraine #2) by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch - ESSENTIAL

Standoff (Kidnapped from Ukraine #2) by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, 288 pages. OCTOBER 2025. $26

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (single and mass war deaths, some described, mentions people forced to strip)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

When Russia starts the war with Ukraine by bombing the major cities, Rada and her Dad are separated from Rada’s twin Dariia and their Mom. While Rada and Dad make it to the safety of the Azovstal steel plant, Rada huddles in a bunker while Dad is off fighting for Ukraine’s freedom.  As bombing continues for months, life in the bunker goes from desperate to dire.  Rada has formed a family of sorts, but she won’t find happiness until she can find Dariia and Mom and a new life.

Skrypuch brings us the other side of a family caught in Russia’s most recent war against Ukraine.  Reading this book is better than any news story you could see, especially as the war continues today. And remember - Russia started it.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Enemy’s Daughter by Anne Blankman - OPTIONAL

The Enemy’s Daughter by Anne Blankman, 288 pages. Penguin, 2025. $19

Content: PG (dead bodies mentioned as the ship sinks)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

In 1915, 12yo Marta and her father used false papers to board the Luisitania to hurry home to Germany to persuade Marta’s brother not to join the German army during WWI. Just as her father’s deception is discovered, the boat is hit by German torpedoes - sending it to the bottom of the ocean. Marta and her father barely survive, but while he is dragged off as a prisoner, Marta is left to find her own way home.  In enemy territory.  She is taken in by a Irish family living in London, but she knows if anyone kearns her true nationality, she will become an outcast and a target.

The potential is there for an exciting book, and the beginning is pretty great.  Once Marta settles in London, however, it drags and drags.  I get that the point is for Marta (and us) to learn that whom we are at war with isn’t necessarily our enemy, but since Marta has to flee when everyone turns on her, the point is not made. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Under Attack (Kidnapped from Ukraine #1) by Marsha Skrypuch - ESSENTIAL

Under Attack (Kidnapped from Ukraine #1) by Marsha Skrypuch, 320 pages. Scholastic, 2025. $26

Language: G (0 swears, 0  “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (deaths mentioned, blood mentioned, shooting mentioned, bombing mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

When Russia attacks Ukraine in 2022, 12yo Rada and her mother are separated from her twin sister and their father. Rada and Mom hide for weeks in an overstuffed basement, with little food and water, with others risking their lives to go scrounging for what they need to survive. When their haven is bombed, they are captured by soldiers and separated.  Rada is taken to a school (kidnapped) where the Russians are trying to re-educate (indoctrinate) the children into good Russian citizens, ready to join decent Russian families.

Skrypuch takes us into the present day with her latest book, ripped from today’s headlines, about life in Ukraine as they are, again, attacked by Russia. The back matter explains that the events are from reports by eyewitnesses who experienced them, though the names are all invented. According to the back matter, more than 700,000 Ukrainian children have been kidnapped by Russia - a number reported by Russia, though they call it rescuing. I have many students who love Skrypuch’s novels - can’t wait to show them the latest. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Trajectory by Cambria Gordon - OPTIONAL

Trajectory by Cambria Gordon, 304 pages. Scholastic, 2024. $20

Language:  (25 swears, 4  “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

17yo Eleanor is worried about her Jewish relatives who are still living in Europe as Hitler is trying to take over the continent. She has been hiding her math skills, but someone in the army finds out anyway and she takes the offer when they recruit her for a secret project. First she works with other women in the Computing Corps, but then she heads alone into a California desert army base, where her skills are needed for a top secret project - creating a new bombsight for more efficient killing. She encounters prejudice against her, casual cruelty towards her Black coworkers, and racism.  

Gordon tries to make a single-POV look at the importance of math to WWII efforts, but Eleanor needs more support and opportunities for drama to make this really appealing.  I would point math students interested in WWII at Candace Fleming’s Enigma Girls instead. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Lifeboat 5 by Susan Hood - ESSENTIAL

Lifeboat 5 by Susan Hood, 228 pages. Simon, 2024. $18

Language: G (0 swears, 0  “f”); Mature Content: PG (some deaths); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Bess and Beth meet on the SS City of Benares as they are being evacuated from London to the safety of Canada during World War II. At the moment they relax into the voyage, a German U-boat torpedoes the ship and all are sent into the water - to survive or not as they desperately hope for rescue.  All the girls have is each other for comfort and strength.

After reading the girls’ story, I really wonder why Hood started with the story of Lifeboat 12 - Lifeboat 5 is much more intense and heart-aching. Also written in free verse - not my favorite, but I couldn’t turn my eyes away.  I'm not sure I could have taken an entire novel length story!

The characters are white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

They Saved the Stallions by Deborah Hopkinson - ADVISABLE

They Saved the Stallions by Deborah Hopkinson, 163 pages. Scholastic, 2024.  $10 (paperback)

Language: G (0  swears, 0  “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (some danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL; MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

During World War II, the Lipizzaner horses of Austria were in constant danger - first from bombing, then from being conscripted into the war once Hilter seized Austria, and then the stallions were in a different country from the mares and foals. It took the school’s dedicated director and a daring group of American soldiers to keep all of the Lipizzaners safe, preserving 400 years of tradition.

Hopkinson always does meticulous research when she presents a book. The size of this one (under 200 pages) means that it may find a wider audience than some of her larger works. As an adult, I loved learning about this aspect of WWII - and students who love horses will too. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden - OPTIONAL

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden, 327 pages. Del Rey (Random House), 2024. $18 

Language: R (93 swears, 3 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (drinking by adults); Violence: R (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

24yo Laura receives her brother’s dog tags and uniform in the mail. This means that Freddie has died in World War I. She’s devastated but has a feeling that he isn’t dead. She leaves her Canadian home and travels back to World War I and takes up her mantle as a war nurse again to search for any information she can find about Freddie. What she discovers will change her life forever.

Laura’s strength, perseverance, and love for her brother makes her a great character. My heart warmed as Freddie and the German soldier helped each other and became like brothers. I appreciated the World War I setting and learned quite a bit about its history. I didn’t know about the Halifax explosion before I read this book.

The ethnicity defaults to white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah 

An Ocean of Courage and Fear by Jerry Borrowman - OPTIONAL

An Ocean of Courage and Fear by Jerry Borrowman, 239 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2024. $27.

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Salt Lake City participated in battles across the Pacific during WWII. From Lieutenant Commander Justin Collier on the bridge to Lieutenant Riley Bracken in a scout plane to Al Jowdy swabbing the deck, no one knew when the war would end—or whether they would live to see it.

Borrowman includes real events and first-hand accounts throughout the book (including Jowdy’s experiences), though the main characters (like Collier and Bracken) are fictional. Points of view from all over the Naval ship, and even a couple from different branches of the military, are included and give readers a good idea of what it would have been like to fight in WWII or be the loved ones left at home, even while Borrowman spares readers the gory details. While reading of the sacrifices can be heartbreaking, those who continued to move forward in doing their duty are all heroes.

The characters are American and Japanese. The mature content rating is for alcohol use and kissing. The violence rating is for blood and gore, assault, gun and bomb use, discussions of war, death, corpses, and mentions of suicide.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly - OPTIONAL

Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly, 274 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2024. $27.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The longer the Nazis occupy Belgium, the more of Andrée’s students go missing—Jewish students. Ida isn’t a practicing Jew, but the Germans don’t care and still make her life difficult—despite Ida’s marriage to a non-Jew. Taking on false names and risking everything, Andrée (21yo) and Ida (40yo) join the Belgian resistance and hide Jewish children, taking them from their families to keep them safe—they hope.

Connolly highlights the experiences of these two remarkable women doing dangerous work amidst Nazi occupation, and the suspense is palpable—by the end, I became as paranoid as those in the resistance. The story feels more like a collection of experiences than a typical novel with a plotline, but I was still invested in wanting to know what would happen next. Honestly, I still want a couple more chapters talking about what happened next when the Germans pulled out of Belgium and how reuniting families was handled. The stories told are heart-wrenching and heartwarming, with enough details to get the reality—and cruelty—of the Nazis across without being graphic.

Most of the characters are Belgian, Jewish, both, or German—and a couple are even Jewish Germans. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol and for nudity. The violence rating is for gun use, assault, and mentions of war, bombs, child abuse, gas chambers/ovens, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Wild Poppies by Haya Saleh - ESSENTIAL

Wild Poppies by Haya Saleh, 178 pages. Levine Querido, 2023. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (child brides mentioned, taking drugs to cope mentioned, beating mentioned); Violence: PG-13 (some deaths undescribed, corpses mentioned, children using guns)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

15yo Omar and his 12yo brother Sufyan could not be more different - Omar is the timid, quiet one, while Sufyan is reckless and brash - always causing trouble. Their Syrian family was chase out of their village by war, and then the war came to the new village where they were living with family. Now Mother and 3 children live in a refugee camp. When Sufyan disappears, Omar finally takes to courage to see if he can save him. Walking through the desert with his best friend, 13yo Salma, they brave danger from the elements and humans alike. Meanwhile, Sufyan has been tricked into joining a rebel group that is bent on bringing strict Islamic order to Syria and killing everyone they suspect is working against them - traitors and infidels are the same in their eyes. 

While harsh, Saleh is not brutal in her portrayal of life in Syria during the Syrian Civil War. This would pair extremely well with Refugee and/or Ground Zero by Alan Gratz. Selah brings the brain-washing tactics and brutality of the rebels to light in way that I haven’t seen before. The title and cover don’t do a good job of selling the contents - so make sure you introduce this to a few key students and teachers. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Under the Java Moon by Heather B. Moore - ADVISABLE

Under the Java Moon by Heather B. Moore, 384 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2023. $27.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

When Rita was four years old, her world started changing. Changes began with the building of a bomb shelter in the backyard and the word “war.” Then her father leaves in the middle of the night with the navy, and Rita joins the rest of the neighborhood in a long walk to become prisoners of a war they’ve only heard about on the radio.

Moore’s writing bleeds. Not only does her writing illustrate the time and energy she has put into research to give readers the right context and the most accurate information to tell the story in a real way, Moore’s writing also pulls at the emotions of readers. The miracles feel more miraculous and the terrors feel more terrifying because of the reality shared in these pages. It’s hard to believe that such a favorable outcome could come from a WWII story. I learned things about WWII and about hope that I never knew before.

Rita and her family are Dutch. The majority of characters are Dutch, Javanese (and, more generally, Indonesian), and Japanese. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, drugs, and bordellos as well as for innuendo. The violence rating is for assault, gun and bomb use, death, discussions of war, mentions of torture and genocide, physical abuse, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Along a Breton Shore by Arlem Hawks - OPTIONAL

Along a Breton Shore by Arlem Hawks, 368 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2023. $27.

Language: PG (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The French Revolution has torn families, communities, and the country apart for the sake of unifying under a new government. Armelle (20yo) and Maxence (25yo) meet on opposite sides of a musket but help each other anyway—a moment of compassion that results in weeks of consequences. While they stubbornly defend their political beliefs, the two must find a way to reconcile if they are to reach their destination.

Armelle and Maxence appear to be very different people, but they share several qualities, including throwing verbal barbs in anger. Most of the development of their relationship felt like a constant back and forth of saying something mean and then apologizing until the next time, which became tiring for me as a reader. I love Hawks’ attention to historical detail, though. The things I learned from her notes in the back of the book and in doing some story-inspired research was fascinating.

The characters are mostly French, with a couple being Caribbeans. Armelle is described as white, and Maxence is described as having “olive” skin. The language rating is for French swears; the mature content rating is for alcohol use and innuendo; the violence rating is for gun use, mild battle scenes, and discussion of war casualties.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit by Colby Smith - ADVISABLE

Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit by Colby Smith, 576 pages. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2021. $22

Language: G (2 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (bloody soldiers in war hospital, undescribed amputations)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Mary, a 16yo American lives during The Great Depression (1933); Giorgos (Gio), a teenage Greek boy lives right before The Great War (1915); and Jeanne, a teenage French girl is also struggling to help during World War 1 (1915). The story primarily follows Mary as she struggles to be a "good Greek girl." She yearns to have independence, but her family's extreme poverty drives a wedge between the future she wants and the future her parents need her to have. Meanwhile, readers go back in time to learn about why Gio has to flee Greece and if Jeanne's family is ever reunited after the war, knowing all the while that somehow Gio, Jeanne, and Mary's stories must connect.

I found this to be an extremely powerful novel in verse of youth during the Great Depression. Its exploration of immigration, feminism, arranged marriages, poverty, motherhood, independence, etc. are beautiful on their own, but the way the three stories connect and reflect back to one another within those themes made the story truly impactful. The voices of the three characters aren't uniquely their own and sound pretty similar, but I still enjoyed the way the author used Mary, Jeanne, and Gio woven together to emphasize themes. This could be a great book to pair with classic 1930's curriculum, or it could be a nice pick for fans of historical fiction, novels in verse, or to diversify your bookshelves. While it is kind of a niche topic, anyone who picks it up will zip through it. 

Mary is first-generation American with French and Greek parents. Gio is Greek. Jeanne is French.

Lisa J, ELA HS Teacher NOVEL IN VERSE

Under the Cover of Mercy by Rebecca Connolly - OPTIONAL

Under the Cover of Mercy by Rebecca Connolly, 282 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2023. $27.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Germany is now occupying Brussels, Belgium as the Great War (WWI) rages on. Edith Cavell will not abandon her role as matron of the medical institute nor will she abandon her morals to do what she believes to be right for the soldiers in her care—no matter which side of the war they fight on. The risks grow, but Edith will not be dissuaded.

There is no doubt in my mind that Edith Cavell was a hero, even knowing that she did not want to be seen that way. Edith did what she believed was right and was her duty, and there is beauty in the suggestion that we can do great and meaningful things even when we don’t see it that way at first. Unfortunately, the story as a whole was bland. I wonder if the lack of a more thrilling plot line comes from Connolly’s desire to stay as close to the truth and of documented events as possible.

The characters mentioned are American, Belgian, British, Dutch, German, and Welsh. The violence rating is for gun use and mentions of murder and war.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai - OPTIONAL

Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, 352 pages. Algonquin Books, 2023. $29.

Language: R (77 swears, 29 “f,” 1 “c” + Vietnamese swears); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Phong is desperate for the better life that America promises for his family, but his visa is continually denied without proof that he is Amerasian. Dan has returned to Vietnam with his wife, Linda, hoping to heal his memories of the war. As these families search for the truths that were lost to war, they must also accept that war and truth are not pretty.

My understanding of the Vietnam war has always been small, glossed over between lessons on WWII and the Cold War. Nguyễn forces her characters and readers to face the effects of the Vietnam War on the people who stayed long after the bombs stopped. I enjoyed seeing how Vietnamese culture changed over time, even as I wanted to weep for all those who lost loved ones and struggled to make the best decisions they could. These intertwined stories are engrossing because they are gritty and real, even when they are uncomfortable.

Phong is half Black and half Vietnamese, Dan and Linda are white, and the majority of the other characters are Vietnamese. The mature content rating is for mentions of drugs and pornography, alcohol use, nudity, masturbation, sexual harassment, prostitution, mentions of rape, and oral and vaginal sex. The violence rating is for mentions of bombs, grenades, gun use, child abuse, domestic violence, suicide, self harm, war memories, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Race Against Death by Deborah Hopkinson - ADVISABLE

Race Against Death: The Greatest POW Rescue of World War II by Deborah Hopkinson, 320 pages. NON-FICTION Scholastic. April 2023. $20. 

Language: PG (28 swears 0 'f') Mature Content: G; 

Violence: PG (non-described violence. Hopkins writes "the atrocities that were committed . . ." rather than graphic depictions of what was happening to them) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Shortly after the Japanese military bombed Pearl Harbor, they also destroyed the airbases in the Philippines, leaving the American and Filipino armed forces without adequate firepower. By April 1942, Bataan had fallen, the American generals had surrendered and thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were taken as prisoners of war. Conditions in the camps were dismal at best, and survival rates were very low, their only hope was a bold rescue. 

Race Against Death is a mix of literary non-fiction and true non-fiction. Hopkins tells the stories of several who experienced the battles, were POWs, or had other involvement at that time. She has used interviews, primary sources as well as memorial and heritage sites to put together this account. I loved the vignettes but didn't love that the stories were often interrupted by historical information. However, all of that was important because the culminating rescue needed that context. I especially loved that one of the maps was labeled "Your Briefing Map" and instructions were given on how to read it - it made me feel a part of the rescue. I would recommend Race Against Death to a reader looking for a non-fiction book about World War II that isn't graphically violent but is engaging and exciting. There's dysentery, diarrhea, the presence of lice, maggots, bedbugs, eating things that are barely food, etc but no graphic descriptions of violence. I loved all the pictures, and maps. Includes a great timeline, sources, and resources for more information. The main characters are adults, mostly Americans, and some Filipino 

Lisa Librarian

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - OPTIONAL

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, 438 pages. St. Martin's Press. 2015.  $28 

Language: R (63 swears 3 'f'); Mature Content: R (fade to black sex, drinking, undescribed nudity) Violence: R (people killed in various violent ways, torture and rape.)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Isabelle is 18yo at the beginning and Vianne is a little older. It is 1940 and war is coming to France. In a small village in northern France, Vianne and her daughter say goodbye to her husband as he heads off to fight. Soon enough, the Germans invade the little town and Vianne is forced to share her home with these brutal foreigners. As the food in town disappears, along with the Jews, Vianne will be pushed to her limits as she does what she must to protect her family. Meanwhile, Vianne's sister, Isabelle, is harnessing the vivacious spirit that had gotten her kicked out of so many schools. She becomes an integral part of the resistance. 

Warning: you will cry. This novel paints a painfully brutal picture of wartime France, including the carnage, atrocities, and bleak hopelessness experienced by so many. I consider it a job well done when a book can make me cry, but this one had me sobbing. The story is so immersive and well-composed that the loss portrayed cut me straight to my core. This is a story about bravery in its many forms and the powerful and yet powerless force of love. 

Mature content includes scenes of torture, brutal but not overly descriptive death, fade-to-black rape, and vague, undescribed sex. Nearly all characters are French or German. 

Sierra Finlinson 

When The Sky Falls by Phil Earle - ESSENTIAL

 When The Sky Falls by Phil Earle, 308 pages. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2022. $17

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: ; Violence: PG (war, blitzkrieg)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In England in 1940, Joseph is sent out of his town to go live with Mrs. F. while his dad serves in the war. Mrs. F. does not especially like children, and Joseph finds her to be cold and unfriendly. When bombs fall from the sky, they run and hide in the shelter outside. Usually Mrs. F. leaves and Joseph does not know where she goes. One time he decides to follow her. He discovers that she takes care of the animals still left in an abandoned zoo. Joseph wants to help, and soon he makes friends with the most dangerous animal in that zoo, an old silverback gorilla named Adonis. Will Joseph and Mr. F. find common ground and be friends? And will they be able to save all the animals from bombings and this horrible war?

A most awesome and amazing book. I loved it and I could not put it down. The relationship between Mrs. F and Joseph is very strained to start with but gets a little better. Joseph really takes to working at the zoo with all the animals, especially with Adonis. The story is warm hearted and at times heartbreaking. It is definitely a "must read." Characters are white British.

Ellen-Anita, Librarian