Review Detail

This book had me instantly.

We don't often get WWII fiction set in Asia, especially written for a middle grade audience, so it was already a highly anticipated book in "The Pile". Then I fell in love on the first page. Abendanon's prose is lyrical and sprinkled with delightfulness, even when tackling tough situations. I ended up reading this aloud to my husband in the evenings after the 3-year-old was in bed; we both laughed and cried and will always remember Emmy and her story.

11-year old Emmy is a Dutch girl enjoying her father's appointment in Batavia (modern-day Jakarta). WWII is raging in Europe and Japan is gobbling up lands in Asia. When Japan's invasion of Batavia seems inevitable, Emmy's father wants to send her to safety, but she foils his plans and stays. She ends up captured and sent to a POW camp with other women and children. Terrified and full of guilt for the consequences of her actions, she must find a way to survive.

This is both a wonderful and an important read that I have recommended to my middle school librarian peers and historical fiction fans. I do caution those with younger or sensitive readers from this one, as it definitely gives you the feels! If you enjoy Ruta Sepetys, Alan Gratz, or Jennifer A. Nielsen, put this on your must-read list.