Okay so I know Judith's books tend to be aimed at readers younger than me but I still enjoy them and this was a late entry into my 'best books of 2025' list because it was perfect.

I love that Judith hasn't hidden anything from her readers. We have a tendency to talk down to children, but we don't need to. Sure it needs to be age appropriate but it is important that children know about what happened in the war, and I think she's pitched that perfectly.

I don't know Judith's background but her expert knowledge on the war is impressive. I can't imagine the amount of research she would have had to do.

It can be hard as an adult to relate to young characters or understand them. But Judith has got it right. Sure, I don't know how a 12 year-old (Lydia) felt during the Blitz, but she is such a powerful character that I instantly loved her. The three main girls are all very well written and we see them at a variety of ages, and we see how they've changed from before the war, during, and after. Lydia's sisters Peggy and Teddy were equally as wonderful, particularly in their own sections. There is a reasonably large cast of other characters that again are well written and work well in their own stories a well as alongside our protagonists.

I loved how beautiful the interactions were with the children. Adults tend to see things in black and white whereas children have more colour. For instance, why shouldn't' an English child be friends with a German child, just because their countries are at war? Adults might be stricter but children just love, and that was wonderful to read.

It's not the happiest of books - I mean, it's following three children during the war, so it's not surprising - but you never feel to morose. It is filled with the truth and horror that war brings, but there is an undercurrent of hope running through it which makes it a pleasure to read.

It's so full of heart and love, it's about friendship and family, sisterhood, loss and grief, the sense of community and the sense of belonging somewhere.

For a book that is almost 500 pages long, it really zooms by. It's fast paced and exciting but not overwhelming and it still manages to give enough time to detail.

I could see this being a wartime classic, like Michael Morpurgo's War Horse, or Michelle Magorian's Goodnight Mister Tom. Both adults and children will absolutely love it. I know I did. One of my favourite books of 2025 for sure.

Another brilliant example of an outwardly children's book that should be read by everyone so they can have their minds blown like I did. Absolutely stunning!!!

This is a wonderful and engaging story about three sisters set in the World War 2 period. Lydia, Peggy and Teddy are still recovering from the loss of their father when they are separated from the mother and sent to stay with their late father's sister Phoebe, a writer, for safety during The Blitz.

Adjusting to life with their unfamiliar aunt in the countryside is hard enough, but the girls face other challenges too - Lydia feels burdened with too much responsibility as the eldest, Peggy struggles with an impetuous temperament and learning issues, and Teddy is not always pleased to be characterised as the family boffin.

The author brings the three main characters, as well as a whole host of individuals who make up a vibrant supporting cast, vividly to life on the page. Very enjoyable indeed and decidedly reminiscent of Little Women!

This is a wonderful, engaging and realistic story set around WW2 in England. We first meet the sisters in 1939, when they are living with their mother in London, still recovering from the loss of their father.

Without giving away too much of the plot!…

The first part of the book is from the POV of the eldest child, Lydia. With the threat of bombings, the children are sent to stay with their aunt in Sussex. Life as an evacuee is not always easy, especially for Lydia who feels the responsibilities of being the oldest sibling.

The second part of the book is from the POV of Peggy and starts from 1943 when the family find themselves back in London. There is lots about the changes that have happened in London at this time and what it was like to live there as a young teenager.

The third part of the book the family find themselves living in Ambleside in 1945 and is written from Teddy’s POV.

There is also an epilogue which ties everything up and notes that include resources at the end.

I really enjoyed this as an adult and know that it would have become one of my favourites if I had had the opportunity to read this as a child (who was very interested in what it would be like to live during WW2.). It really could have been 3 separate books in a series and I know I would have wanted to continue the series after the first! However I am glad it was all in one book too!

There was so much information given in each story that led me on to doing some more researching of my own as we met all the different characters. In particular, I so enjoyed finding out more about the different art and artists that were mentioned and I had not been so aware of. So thank you Judith Eagle for that joy. It has introduced me to some amazing artists who I continue to find out more about every day.

I can see much coming from this if it was used in a classroom - especially for children choosing to go on their own research journeys. However it is not a book that hides from the realities of living at that time and also with the family trying to cope with grief from the start it needs to come with a trigger warning for anyone that this could affect.

This is a very well researched book, and any errors I could see were discussed at the end of the book with reasons!

I thoroughly recommend this book and am very grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to get an eARC.