This is a well done historical fiction about an aspect of WWII that I knew some about but was unfamiliar to me in many ways.. This book describes a missionary school in China during the war that soon is taken over by the Japanese. I really liked that the story is told from multiple characters to give the reader different perspectives of what it is like to be a teacher caring for children under dire circumstances and what it is like to be a child in an interment camp while far from family. We experience all their emotions as they try to cope with their horrid conditions.
The saga begins at the school before the Japanese soldiers arrive, follows the characters through their hardships in internment camps, and covers liberation with a glimpse into the years to come.
Really well written and a great look into another side of the war.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

A five star book to read! I can't speak highly enough of this book. A must read for anyone who loves historical fiction.

Enjoyed very much and learned about an event I had never heard of. Thisbook will be enjoyed by many

The story of private school children and their teacher, as they are sent to an internment camp during WWII. The author is known for her historical fiction and this does not disappoint.

Wow! A historical fiction novel that address a little known or little talked about part of World War II; children on Chinese soil and the invasion of Japanese soldiers. It was refreshing to read about a new topic and to be spurred to do m ore in depth research into this subject. The writing was excellent and took the reader into the lives of the characters. Highly recommend.

When We Were Young & Brave follows the hardships of Christian teachers and students at a missionary school in China that falls under Japanese territory during World War II. The story is told from multiple characters to give the reader perspective of what it is like to be a teacher caring for children under dire circumstances and what it is like to be a child in an interment camp while far from family.

The saga begins at the school before the Japanese soldiers arrive, follows the characters through their hardships in internment camps, and covers liberation with a glimpse into the years to come.

This is a well done historical fiction about an aspect of World War II that was unfamiliar to me.. This book describes a missionary school in China during the war that soon is taken over by the Japanese. We learn of all the atrocities as the internment camp is depicted. The author tells her story through alternating chapters between a young student and a teacher. We experience all their emotions as they try to cope with their horrid conditions. #WhenWeWereYoungAndBrave #HazelGaynor #NetGalley

Set in China during WWII, this historical fiction relates the story of a missionary school whose teachers and students come under Japanese rule. The novel is told in alternating chapters from the point of view of British school teacher Elsbeth Kent and school girl Nancy Plummer, who is 10 at the start of the novel. Thing progress from almost bearable at the original Chefoo School location to a final move to an internment camp where they must strive for survival. It is the story of childhood friendships, hardships and tragedies and the resilient children who survive desire being separated from their families in wartime. It is the story of the brave teachers who risked all to keep their charges safe. Based on the true story of Chefoo School in Northern China this novel brings to light wartime events that are not well known. Highly recommended.

A group of Girl Guides making life better for prisoners in a Japanese internment camp during World War II is the kind of terrifying but feel good story we all need right now. What better way to try to understand how to be a good person in terrible and unprecedented times? Set first in a school, then in the Weixian Internment Camp, this novel follows one young teacher and one young student from a British boarding school for children of missionaries and diplomats in China through the years of Japanese occupation. Through hunger and violence, they continue to see the good in others and work to make life better, despite personal tragedy and suffering. Based on historical events. Definitely some teary moments in this one - bring your hankies.

This truly amazing historical fiction novel is set in China during WW II during the Japanese occupation. The story begins in a missionary school in China, and is told alternately by a young teacher, Elspeth, and a young student, Nancy. The story tells of their captivity, interment and subsequent liberation at the end of the war. The author completely captured the mood of each place they were forced to live and the conditions they lived with. The ongoing life of the main characters as they turn to each other for support, and reach out to others in the same camp, is well depicted. I especially liked the fact that the end of the novel had closure, as the book ends with information about the lives of Elspeth and Nancy after liberation. I was thrilled to read another well-done book about a part of WW II I was not familiar with. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers. All opinions expressed are my own.

It was refreshing to see a WWII historical fiction taking place in China with the characters being enemy combatants detained in camps in China. Characters you fall in love with, beautiful sense of each place the characters journey to, and wonderful life words of wisdom expressed from their experiences. Also, a reminder, again, of what previous generations of many cultures have suffered in war and the amazing human spirit that endures through such tragedy.

Since I have been sheltering at home, I have read some excellent books, but this book is amazing. I know other readers will welcome the chance to learn about detention camps in WWII China. The two main characters, student, Nancy Plummer, and teacher, Elspeth Kent, are vividly brought to life.

I really cannot wait to get back to work and to our book group so I can recommend When We Were Young & Brave!

I just finished this beautifully written novel and cried at the end. I read it in one sitting, eagerly reading, and turning the page.