THAT BURNING SUMMER

Lydia Syson, Sky Pony Press Hardcover $17.99 (314pp), 978-1-5107-1172-3

In July 1940, 16-year-old Peggy finds a crashed plane and its injured pilot Henryk in the marsh off the south coast of England. The Polish airman expresses fear of the war, telling Peggy he cannot go back to RAF, the Royal Air Force. Taking pity on the soldier, Peggy hides him in a nearby church, though neither has any idea of what the future might hold, or how they might save Henryk from going back to RAF in the long-term. Complicating their plans is Peggy’s rule-following 11-year-old brother Ernest, who discovers Henryk’s parachute and soon catches on to the mystery—and who may unintentionally destroy the temporary sanctuary that Peggy was able to offer.

The novel, told from alternating points of view, address the complicated moral grounds of desertion, cowardice, and compassion. Peggy, Ernest, and Henryk all have layered emotions about the war and each other that they must work through in the aftermath of Henryk’s accident. Trust at times runs thin, and shifting loyalties complicate their relationships. Despite the characters’ obvious sincerity, the culture of the war leads to an aura of suspicion that further disturbs the precarious peace between the characters. And while the novel starts off slow, it picks up pace quickly, rapidly moving towards a final, explosive conclusion.

That Burning Summer is a thoughtful and surprisingly sweet read ideal for fans of historical fiction. The book takes a serious tone, but will pay off for those willing to take the thoughtful, complicated journey with Peggy, Henryk, and Ernest.