About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their child begins asking deep, difficult questions about the morality of war, the nature of revenge, or the heavy weight of losing a parent. It is a profound choice for the middle-schooler who is ready to move past sanitized history and engage with the messy reality of grief and retribution. Set in wartime England, the story follows Sonny as he navigates the devastating loss of his mother to a German bomb. Through his father's letters from the front lines, Sonny attempts to reconcile his personal anger with the broader concept of justice. This is a gritty, realistic historical novel that explores complex emotions like resentment and the desire for payback. It is best suited for ages 10 to 14, providing a safe space to discuss how we process tragedy without losing our humanity.
