Written from the point of view of a child, this book covers a very disturbing topic and really should be read by high school age and above, not by younger children. Set in London during WWI, which England joins on Alfie's fifth birthday, we see the effects of the war on the women and children, the men who were unwilling or unable to serve, the foreigners in London and on the soldiers themselves. Because his father is away at war, Alfie has no choice but to grow up early and become rather independent. The story skips from when he was five to when he was nine years old as Alfie worries about what has happened to his father since they stopped receiving letters from him over a year ago. His mother says that his father is on a secret mission for the government, but Alfie knows that is not true. When he discovers the truth, it is more shocking and heartbreaking than he could have imagined, yet as an optimistic nine year old, he is determined to make things right. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.
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