KIDS’ BOOK OF THE WEEK

WHEN THE WAR CAME HOME

By Lesley Parr, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, £6.99 (ebook £5.59)

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This second novel from the author of The Valley Of Lost Secrets is just as good as the first. Suitable for children from about the age of eight, the story follows Natty as she is forced to move to a new village after her mother loses her job.

There, with the help of her extended family, Natty learns the effects of the First World War are still having a strong hold over some of the young men. Soldier Huw cannot get terrible sights and sounds out of his head, while Johnny does not know who he is despite the kindness of strangers.

As Natty battles to help the men, unravel a mystery and fight for everything she believes in, she learns friendship will take her a long way.

Full of easy-reading dialogue, the novel is a good one to read aloud to children if they don’t fancy having a go themselves.