There is never a time that this book wouldn't be relevant...and yet that's not exactly reassuring. It speaks to readers about war and how impossible it seems to be at ends with an entire people. How can the acts of one condemn them all? How can someone that looks just like you or me, be the enemy? How can we create things that cause utter destruction to end wars and not think of the consequences of using that force? It will raise a lot of questions, and answer several of them too, but it also passes on a message of peace, a message to look for the other solutions before turning to such a final act.


**ARC received for review; opinions are my own ( )

Living in England during World War I, his father away fighting and his mother at work in a munitions factory, it’s hard for John to understand why he can’t be friends with Jan, a German boy his own age who he’s heard about from someone who had been to Germany before the war broke out. It’s hard for children, and even many adults, to understand the reasons for war. This book helps children think about and perhaps discuss with the adults in their lives the answer to this question: If the adults in a nation are at war, does that mean the children must be at war, too? I would suggest that adults read this book either with or before their children in order to have that discussion. The book is poignantly illustrated in black and white, which given the subject matter, seems appropriate, though perhaps a touch of color could have been introduced at the end. Beautiful artwork, nonetheless. ( )

WW1 stetting where a child learns the 'reasons' for war.
Simple illustrations and story
Received tiny ARC copy instead of the regular release by publisher

I received this copy in an Early Reviewers Giveaway in LibraryThing in exchange of an honest review. ( )

This is set in Britain during the 'Great War'. Young John struggles with the ideas his stern teacher promotes, particularly that the children are in the fight too. Other characters portray a range of viewpoints, from anti-war, pro-war, and those who have questions like John. Short yet thought-provoking. ( )

It's 1918, and war is raging.

John's father is fighting in the war and John's mother is working in a munitions factory at home in England. John is confused. He is just a child. His teacher tells him that we are at war. But he is just a child. Is he at war?

In what feels like a dream, John meets a German boy, Jan, and a feeling of hope comes over John, a feeling of hope for a better world someday.

Sometimes it's children's books that tell things best. ( )