Book Review #12 - A Place to Hang the Moon

Thoughts:

Y'all, I'm back. I've managed to kick Raya Lee out for the time being and have regained control of my blog! 

*deep breath* However, I am eternally grateful for her assistance the last couple months, as life was... not fun for a while and I couldn't keep up with reviews. *gives a deep bow* Thank you, my good Raya.

Alright! We have a quick announcement before you get to read this book review! I come to you with a link that you may enjoy clicking on. 'Tis a google form that you can fill out if you have a book you'd like to see reviewed! Someone please actually suggest something I need new books to read 

Clicky here for the form

And now, for the actual book review! 

Today we have A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus. This is one of my absolute favorite WW2 fiction books ever. Or just favorite book ever. 

Two brothers and a sister. A cozy library. What could be better? 

The whole story had a cozy feel to it that warmed my heart as I read it. I loved the characters, the setting, and the whole storyline. The story came alive as I read. The love between the siblings was sweet and inspiring and the messages the book portrayed were powerful. There's a feel of hope woven throughout the entire story which adds to the quaint, cozy feel. 

I also adore how not only is there a library, but actual book titles are mentioned! So many, many of which I've read and enjoyed! It's just *squeals* I have no words for how amazing this book is. Just, yeah, go read it.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Series: Stand alone novel
Time Period: World War Two
Setting: England

Summary: 

"Anna, Edmund, and William aren't terribly upset by the death of their not-so-grandmotherly grandmother. But the children do need a guardian, and in the dark days of second War War London, those are in rather short supply. Could the mass wartime evacuation be the answer? It's a preposterous plan, but off they go - keeping their predicament a secret - and hoping to be placed in a temporary home that ends up being more... forever-ish. Moving from one billet to another, the children suffer the cruel trickery of foster  brothers, the cold realities of outdoor toilets, and the hollowness of empty tummies. The only place they find can refuge is the village's lending library and its kind librarian."  

(Summary from author's website)

 

Characters: 

William- age 12

Edmund- age 11

Anna- age 9

Writing Style: 

written in third person. Simple writing sprinkled with engaging sentences, lively characters, and interesting vocabulary words.

Character Development: 

The characters themselves are just beautiful. The children's' relationship feels like a true sibling relationship. They each have their flaws, their strengths, their fears, and their goals. Readers get to know the characters likes and dislikes, struggles and victories. 

I found their character development to be slight, but just the right amount. Especially for William. Then again, I just love characters named William, so don't take my word on that. 

More of the development was in the plot and the siblings needing to work together, however each character did have their own little plot line to overcome their personal struggles.

Plot Development: 

The plot is intriguing, slow enough to be enjoyable and cozy but fast enough to keep the reader's attention. The stakes in this plot are high; the reader wants to know how the children are going to handle each new situation. Will they make it through alright? Will they respond peacefully or will they choose to fight? 

Overall, the plot is just perfect, holding the right amount of fascination and mysteries to keep a reader flipping the pages!

Theme of the Book: 

Second chances, the importance of family- biological, emotional, or adoptive

Spiritual Content: 

A good portion of the book takes place during Christmas, however the Christian meaning of Christmas is not touched on. Instead, Father Christmas is mentioned. 

Mentions of church, a nativity play, praying before meals

Warnings: 

One blasphemy, foster children are neglected/mistreated, characters are forced to go ratting and must kill rats by hitting them with wooden boards- semidetailed, characters suffer verbal abuse and bullying, slight verbal and physical fighting, slight racial and situational prejudice, lying, a teacher tells students a legend where a woman is said to have ridden nude on a horse to protest unfair taxation- barely detailed

Age Rating: 

9+

Pre Teens:

Young Teens:

Older Teens:

Personal Rating:

Remove a star for children or teens who are sensitive to hard or cruel foster care situations