A Place to Hang the Moon

Product Description A heartwarming story about three siblings, evacuated from London to live in the countryside, looking for a permanent home--and a new meaning for family. A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year It is 1940 and William, 12, Edmund, 11, and Anna, 9, aren't terribly upset by the death of the not-so-grandmotherly grandmother who has taken care of them since their parents died. But the children do need a guardian, and in the dark days of World War II London, those are in short supply, especially if they hope to stay together. Could the mass wartime evacuation of children from London to the countryside be the answer? It's a preposterous plan, but off they go-- keeping their predicament a secret, and hoping to be placed in a temporary home that ends up lasting forever. Moving from one billet to another, the children suffer the cruel trickery of foster brothers, the cold realities of outdoor toilets and the hollowness of empty stomachs. But at least they find comfort in the village lending library-- a cozy shelter from the harshness of everyday life, filled with favorite stories and the quiet company of Nora Müller, the kind librarian. The children wonder if Nora could be the family they've been searching for. . . . But the shadow of the war, and the unknown whereaouts of Nora's German husband complicate matters. A Place to Hang the Moon is a story about the importance of family: the one you're given, and the one you choose. Filled with rich, sensory prose, allusions to classic children's stories like A Little Princess, Mary Poppins, and The Story of Ferdinand, this cozy tale with a classic feel is sure to warm your heart. An ALSC Notable Children's Book An SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Winner A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection A CCBC Choice From School Library Journal Gr 4–7—It's 1940 in London, and William, Edmund, and Anna have found themselves orphaned for the second time in their short lives. With the Nazis breathing down England's neck, the children are sent, with hundreds of other children, to the countryside to live with a billet, a foster family that takes them in temporarily and protects them from the war. Their family's solicitor has advised them to be on the lookout for a family that could be a forever home for them while there. The oldest, William, has the best memories of their mum and dad and often tells stories about them to his siblings, one being that the children were so loved that they could probably hang the moon in the heavens if they wanted to. With that in mind, the three of them know that only a family that thinks the children "hang the moon in the heavens" will be the right fit. While away in the countryside, the children stay with a variety of families, some more traditional than others. With the solace of the little library as their only constant and the town librarian their only friend, the children learn to piece together a family until a real one is found. Told in third person, Albus's rich character descriptions and quick story pace will keep tweens turning the pages until the very end. Vivid details of World War II-era England are written from a child's perspective. Characters are white. VERDICT For fans of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's The War That Saved My Life, this is a highly recommended purchase. Readers will laugh, cry, and root for the three siblings as they endeavor to survive in this endearing tale.—Tracy Cronce Review "With its traditional arc, valiant young characters, and attention to culinary detail ('slices of warm bread flecked with currants and slathered with butter'), this is an assured and satisfying story."—The Wall Street Journal ★ "Both touching and genuine, the historical novel A Place to Hang the Moon speaks to the power of stories and families, both of which can be found in the most unexpected places."— Foreword Reviews, Starred Review ★ "The narrative is fresh, lively, and captivating. The characters are drawn with conviction and a