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Synopses & Reviews
The Newbery Award-winning author of Catherine, Called Birdy and The Midwife's Apprentice tells a heartfelt and humorous story of WWII on the homefront.
Millie McGonigle lives in sunny California, where her days are filled with beach and surf. It should be perfect — but times are tough. Hitler is attacking Europe and it looks like the United States may be going to war. Food is rationed and money is tight. And Millie's sickly little sister gets all the attention and couldn't be more of a pain if she tried. It's all Millie can do to stay calm and feel in control.
Still — there's sand beneath her feet. A new neighbor from the city, who has a lot to teach Millie. And surfer boy Rocky to admire — even if she doesn't have the guts to talk to him.
It's a time of sunshine, siblings, and stress. Will Millie be able to find her way in her family, and keep her balance as the the world around her loses its own?
Review
"Transforms grim history into a light for dark times." Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Review
"A lively choice for historical fiction fans." Booklist
Review
"Newbery Medalist Cushman melds historical detail and generous humor in this gently paced novel of family travails and sociopolitical tensions set in 1941 California." Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Karen Cushman is the Newbery Award-winning author The Midwife's Apprentice and the Newbery Honor book Catherine, Called Birdy, amongst many other popular novels for young readers. She was born just a few months before the United States entered World War II, and parts of the book are based on her husband's experiences growing up in California during the war. Today she lives on a soft, green island near Seattle, Washington.
Karen Cushman on PowellsBooks.Blog
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For 50 years, I’ve been listening to my husband’s stories about growing up on San Diego’s Mission Bay when it was more of a small fishing village than the popular resort it is now. The warm bay water lapped at the sand when the tide was in. There was swimming and surfing. Phil went without shoes from June until September, and his feet grew calloused and summer-wide...
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