After the War - Tom Palmer (Released 6th August)

Friends Yossi, Leo and Mordecai are part of a group of three hundred children who have been brought to the Lake District having survived the atrocities of the Nazi concentration camps during WWII.  The story, set in the summer of 1945, is the tale of how these boys adjust to a life of freedom, having been treated with such brutality for so long.

Based on the true story of the Windermere Boys, the characters in the book are fictional, 'composite characters' based on Tom's extensive research for the book; however, they feel very real and you can't help wanting to reach out to them.  It's Tom's attention to the small details that I feel makes the difference and helps you to understand just exactly how difficult such an adjustment must have been for these boys who are very different characters but whose shared experiences bond them.

Told primarily from Yossi's point of view, the story switches between Windermere and the war and the events that lead the boys to Windermere.  By using flashbacks, the reader is able to understand exactly what these children experienced without having to dwell too much on the details which can be quite harrowing - Tom gets the balance just right.

I know how many schools study WWII as part of their curriculum and I can highly recommend this book.  Using a language that's accessible, the story allows readers to fully understand what these children experienced (Barrington Stoke and the authors they use for their books do this so well) and at 188 pages, it's a great length for studying in the classroom.  There are also very useful links on Tom's website that can be used in conjunction with the book.

After the War is a heart-warming story of survival, friendship, hope and moving on, and is a story that we must continue to share.