I found this story about ten year old, Tracy and her older brother, Stan’s, relocation to South Carolina after World War II to not only be entertaining but very educational as well. A combination that is not easily found in most new fiction writing in my recent memory. There are so many new adventures for Tracy and Stan to experience everything from a new rowboat to secret caves and beaches. All of this leads to curiosity and that curiosity gets Stan in to a bit of trouble when it goes too far. It is a different perspective watching Tracy experience her brother’s punishment from the outside looking in.
The character were very easy to identify with and this story would be a great fit for children from about 8-12 years old. There may be some young children who can understand the book as well. This book would also be a great selection for a teacher looking for a book about post World War II to explore with a classroom. The book brings a lot of topics out that would be excellent for group discussion.
My favorite part of the book is that the author includes her memories from her post World War II childhood which bring authenticity to the book in a way that is genuine and honest. I think that because of this it allows children the opportunity to as questions about World War II and some of the curious adventures that Stan find himself on. A great opportunity for family research and discussion outside of the classroom environment.
This book can be found at many retailers or directly from Tell Me Press. I hope that you will take the time to explore with Stan and Tracy!
