I read this book in two days, I just couldn't stop. It is wonderfully written. It is about a foreign national school in China that is over taken by the Japanese in WW2 when they invade China. It is a book about courage, hope, strength.

Another excellent piece of historical fiction from Hazel Gaynor. Once again, she has ferreted out a little-known piece of history and developed an engaging story around it. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Custom House Publishing for the ARC of this intriguing novel. The story of Becky’s double life was very interesting and I enjoyed the book. However, there were many slow and predictable parts throughout the story. I expected more drama and excitement surrounding her capture.

This is the story of the internment of a missionary school, in japan during WWII. The story is mainly told by alternating between one of the young girls and one of the teachers. I read a lot of historical fiction and had never read something that dealt with this topic. It was very interesting to learn about Japanese internment camps. I read the book quickly and thought there were several emotional parts I found it well written and would definitely recommend it.

World War II comes to a school in China for missionaries’ children. This story interweaves between a student and teacher’s perspectives on the events. Interesting and monotonous, just like life in a civilian prisoner camp.

Nancy Plummer was hoping to go home for Christmas, but her mother wrote she wouldn't be able to.

Elspeth Kent was hoping to hand in her resignation, but wasn't able to.

What kept them from their wishes is that in 1941 the Japanese army took over their British-run school, Chefoo, after Pearl Harbor was bombed.

The students and teachers were confined to the premises for a year and then made to move to another school. The new school was in terrible condition, but they made the best of it and hoped every day that they would be rescued by their countrymen.

After being moved to the second school, they were again moved but to a camp. Life was pretty normal except for being kept inside with guards and the lack of sanitation and food.

The book is told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of Nancy a student and Elspeth a teacher.

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND BRAVE is based on true events which I never was aware of, but it shows the resiliency and creativity of human nature to work with what you have.

Ms. Gaynor portrayed the characters perfectly, and you could feel what they were feeling.

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND BRAVE was a bit slow at first, but once you get to know the characters, you will be drawn in as I was.

This book is about friendship, courage, hope, and endurance. It is a beautiful book that will have you appreciating your freedom and your family.

Miss Gaynor’s meticulous research had me looking for more information about the lives of the teachers and students and more about the Chefoo school. 4/5

This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Hazel Gaynor writes beautiful involving storieS This one drew me from the beginnings .Students under Japanese control during ww11 the characters come alive the young student Nancyand her bond to her teacher Elspeth their points of view their survival.This story is based on fact is one I will be highly recommending,#netgalley#harpercollins,

Book Review
The Girl They Left Behind

The historical novel, THE GIRL THEY LEFT BEHIND, also published under the title THE GIRL IN THE BAMBOO CAGE, was written by Hazel Gaynor. Ms Gaynor has written several books of an historical nature.
The events recounted occur during the Japanese occupation of mainland China from December 1941 until the liberation of China by the Allies in 1945. The novel is set in the city of Weifang, Shandong, China and in a Japanese-run internment camp created to hold civilians of Allied countries who were caught in China after the Japanese invasion.
The narrative begins at the China Inland Mission School, Chefoo in December 1941 and the events of the next several years are recounted in alternating chapters from the perspective of Nancy, an elementary student at the school and from the perspective of her teacher and Girl Guides (Scouts) leader Elspeth. The pacing of the narrative conveys the slowness of the passage of time as felt by the internees who are completely cut off from the outside world. The narrative also recounts the many privations to which the internees were subjected. The reader experiences them all.
The details are historically correct. Included are the details of the imprisonment of Eric Liddell, an Olympic gold medal, winner who was imprisoned at this camp and was instrumental in supporting his fellow internees.
It has been said one can understand and learn history from a well written novel. This is true with THE GIRL THEY LEFT BEHIND. The reader will want to know more and will continue to study these historical events.

We Grow Anywhere With Strong Roots

This was truly a wonderful book to read. It was such a different WWII story than all the other's I have read and I have read many. If you are looking for a different WWII story than look no further, you have found it here.

This story begins in Chefoo China the China Inland Mission School for children of Missionaries in China December 1941. The main characters are two teachers Miss Elspeth Kent (Miss Els), Miss Butterworth (Minnie) and three students Nancy, Joan, and Dorothy. The three girls were best friends and nicknamed Plum, Mouse and Sprout. Two Chinese servants were also prominent in the story the gardener Wei Huan and the housekeeper Shu Lan.

When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor is when Things started changing for the school occupants. The Japanese soldiers moved them from Chefoo school to an abandoned missionary camp called Temple Hill, they just got established there when they were moved to the Internment camp Weihsien.

In all these years the children and the teachers did their best to keep life going as normal as possible. They still had their brownie and girl guard meetings, assemblies, sports and schooling as much as possible even in the internment camp where they fought dysentery, cholera and Typhoid in the summer and Pneumonia, tuberculosis, chilblains and cold related illnesses in the winter. They fought hunger continually throughout their entire occupation under the Japanese Army.

There were other notable characters, the bad guard they called trouble, the good guard they called home run. The lady with the bird in a cage they called Mrs. T.

The courage and fortitude of both the teachers and the children is admirable. Those that made it until they were liberated by the American's and those that did not and were left in China. The Epilogue should be read as it is important to what happened after liberation.

This story is one of the one that I will remember for a long time. I would recommend this book, once you read it you will not forget it.

Thanks to Hazel Gaynor, Harper Collins Publishers, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

At a school in China for diplomat’s and missionaries children, the start of World War 2 erupts with much confusion and fear. Elsphep Kent is a young woman running from her own personal misfortunes when the war isolates them from the rest of the world. Left to care for over a hundred young charges Ms. Kemp and a fine group of devoted teachers (Minnie and Charles) try to keep hope and the children alive using her training and influence from Girl Guide Patrol, The friendship and connections are so earnestly beautiful and the interactions between each relationship is truly uplifting!!! The author manages to weave a wonderful storyline that kept my interest and pulled me into each character. Although this is distressing it also speaks of hope, faith and the most inspiring dedication of teachers and friends that become family! The history and cultural tones are enjoyable as you learn that You Can Rise From the Mud and Bloom!!#NETGALLEY#WHENWEWEREYOUNG&BRAVE

An enlightening tale about the Japanese invasion of China during WWll. A whole school, teachers and students, are moved so that Soldiers can occupy their school. They are eventually moved to an internment camp. The theme is upbeat as teachers and students keep their hopes and spirits up by routines of honor and hard work. Great characters.

Inspired by true events surrounding the Japanese Army’s internment of teachers and children from a British-run missionary school. China, December 1941. Having left an unhappy life in England for a teaching post at a missionary school in northern China, Elspeth Kent is now anxious to return home to help the war effort. But as she prepares to leave China, a terrible twist of fate determines a different path for Elspeth, and those in her charge. Ten-year-old Nancy Plummer has always felt safe at Chefoo School, protected by her British status. But when Japan declares war on Britain and America, Japanese forces take control of the school and the security and comforts Nancy and her friends are used to are replaced by privation, uncertainty and fear. Now the enemy, and separated from their parents, the children look to their teachers – to Miss Kent and her new Girl Guide patrol especially – to provide a sense of unity and safety. They were forced from one school to another by the Japanese and finally to an internment camp until they were liberated. The story is told in alternating chapters through the eyes of Elspeth and Nancy.

I have read many historical fictions stories about the war in Europe, but I have never read one about China, and it was eye opening. The author is a very good writer bring her characters and setting alive. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this amazing book.

4.0 stars

I received a complimentary Kindle copy of this book from William Morrow Paperbacks through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Hazel Gaynor, William Morrow Paperbacks, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is my first book by this author and the first book, I believe, about the PACIFIC arena during WWII. I have read a lot of books about WWII, but they have seemingly taken place in the EUROPEAN theatre. I had no idea of what to expect in this book, but it was historical fiction and based on a very true story. The story was fascinating, most especially as my daughter is currently taking an entry-level Asian-American Studies class in her first semester of college. One of their recent questions was WHY was WWII in the PACIFIC and the EAST not known as well as EUROPE. I don't know the answer to that question, but this book definitely educated me.

There are some incidents of extreme violence, horrible conditions, and two very non-detailed rape scenes. I think that everything in the book was necessary and non-gratuitous, but I wanted to mention it in case someone could be triggered.

This book had very descriptive and beautiful language even though the story was difficult. It was not a pleasant story to read, but it was a VERY good book.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

I don't usually read to much along the historical genre, but this book interested me. It was actually a pretty good read. I think the bond that was formed throughout the book until the end between 10 year old Nancy Plummer and teacher Elspeth Kent made the story unforgettable and inspiring! Based off of true events and the history being apart of WWII make the historical aspect pull you in if you are interested in history. The resilience in this story is so heartwarming yet gur wrenching at the same time you want to be happy and sad all at once. While out of my comfort zone it was a really good read, thank you Netgalley for the copy to rate and review with my honest opinions.

This was the first Hazel Gaynor book that I have read and I was in tears.
It is rare to see war fiction books that shows other parts of the world that were greatly affected by the war and to be honest, this book gave me an urge to research more on what transpired in many countries in Asia during the World War II.
The story was told in 2 different perspectives: teacher and student. The tone was light but it sends out a heavy vibe because the author described famine and survival… by that I meant, mentally and emotionally as well.
The Brownies (I think these were similar to student officers) were as brave as any soldier in battle. Despite missing their parents, they stood up against horrible treatments. The teachers and students’ spirit and resourcefulness are described very well in the novel.
I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who would want to read any historical fiction!

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book from NetGalley.

This was a wonderfully told story of survival during WWII of the occupation and internment of a Chinese Missionary School by Japanese soldiers. This was a different WWII perspective that focused on what happened in China but it was not necessarily about the war itself but more about dealing with a horrific situation while forming unbreakable bonds, and never giving up hope.

The author’s focus on finding simple joys and hope in a life of despair made the book very heartwarming and memorable. The simple act of planting a sunflower seed and watching it grow strong and beautiful from the mud was great symbolism on how anything can survive under the harshest conditions. I also especially loved how the tenants of the Girl Guides and the principles helped them endure and keep on going. The alternating viewpoints between teacher and student keep the reader captivated due to each of their unique perspectives and different ways of looking at the same experiences.

This story of courage and strength will make you believe in the heroic spirit in each of us.

I have read several of Hazel Gaynor's books...this one is now my favorite. She likes to tell her stories with each chapter from a characters view point. The way she describes the feelings and emotions of the characters really shines thru in her writing. I felt like I got to know Nancy and her friends and the emotions that teenagers go thru. Her description of the camps made me feel like I was there and could picture the demeaning years they had in their interment.
Best book I have read in a long time!!!

While this book offers a fresh perspective in regards to WWII historical fiction, I just couldn't really get into it. It tells the story of a group of privileged children and their teachers who initially live a sheltered life at a missionary school in China but are then sent to a Japanese internment camp once the war breaks out. Despite the atrocities going on around them, the teachers always manage to put on a brave face and maintain optimism for the sake of the children. It was heartwarming to see how the teachers became surrogate parents for the children and protected their welfare and education at all costs. However, I never felt fully invested in the story, maybe because the characters seemed kind of one-dimensional and surface level. I would have liked to see more about the Chinese natives who were "servants" at the school. Since this is based on a true story, I would have also appreciated an author's note explaining which parts of the book are based on true events.

This tale set in China during WWII is told in the alternating voices of a 10 year old student and a young teacher who work to survive in a boarding school during the Japanese occupation. I was intrigued because I have never read anything about these events, and I was not disappointed.

A heartwarming story of bravery and perseverance by a teacher and a student in a Japanese POW camp. The attack on Pearl Harbor and declaration of war in the Pacific had direct impact on a Chinese based British boarding school for Children of missionaries and Diplomats. The story is told alternatively by a teacher and a student. Besides the school the teacher and student are bonded by Girl Guides (Girl Scouts). As the captivity stretches over 4 years, the hardships, fears, griefs, and daily events are shared.