This is a book of imaginative fiction that takes place during WWII around London. It uses many true historical elements and weaves them with fantastical elements to result in an adventure story with much depth.

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The storytelling is gripping and readers are carried by an action packed plot. The book however is written to work on many levels - it is not a simple action story. It is a book about grief and loss, about dealing with despair and tragedy. It is about the darkness felt by people during the great wars; it is about endurance, perseverance and the prevailing of hope. It is about the importance of family and love.

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This book is the most 'intense' and stressful of all the books on this list. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, going from one dangerous or unfortunate event to another, with only a little comic relief to allow the reader breathing space. It also shows a very vivid and true depiction of the aggressiveness of fear and despair on a child that as lost his loved ones. Somehow though, it is well written, and light and hope prevail through the book. It comes together well and overall it is a very worthwhile book.

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It may be a good idea to read this book together with your children (or to listen to it as an audiobook together) because if you share the feelings of the book they will not be overwhelming. There is a lot t learn from this book, but it can be intense.