Wait for Me

October 1, 2016
With a workforce decimated by World War II, farms throughout the United Kingdom begin relying on Land Girls and prisoners of war for help, but when a German soldier arrives at Lornas family farm, he ends up being both an answer to prayer and a source of trouble for the Anderson family.Seventeen-year-old Lorna dreams of seeing the world, but until the war is over and her brothers return, she is stuck working at Craigielaw. Her prospects for romance look equally bleak. At least until the army truck arrives delivering Paul, the quiet son of a German clockmaker. The two begin an uneasy friendship, which slowly morphs into something more. However, even if her father grudgingly approves of their relationship, the same cannot be said of the local villagers. Clandestine meetings and stolen kisses will satisfy die-hard romantics, while history buffs will be drawn in by the details of war-torn (and unsurprisingly largely white) Scotland. Further, the themes of prejudice, anger, and violence will resonate with readers familiar with current events. A few missteps, such as one-dimensional characters and a simplistic resolution, are not enough to destroy the magic of first love. Sweet romance at its (nearly) best. (Historical fiction. 12-16)

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November 1, 2016

Gr 8 Up-In 1945 Scotland, Lorna Anderson is tending to the family farm alongside her father while her older brothers are fighting in World War II. Her mother passed away when she was young, leaving Lorna to grow up quickly and assume many of the household responsibilities. After Paul, a German prisoner of war with a badly burned face, is assigned to work at the farm, Lorna's initial uneasiness turns into respect, friendship, and, finally, a forbidden romance. Tension between Lorna and her best friend, Iris, increases as each falls in love for the first time. Lorna longs for the war to be over, but the end is bittersweet, as her future with Paul is uncertain. Though missing his mother and younger sister, Paul is unsure whether he will have a home to return to after Dresden is left in ruins. Leech creates a fast-flowing narrative that immerses readers in the couple's complicated love story. Historically accurate details, along with a helpful appended section of notes, deepen the sense of time and place. Fans of Ruta Sepetys's and Laurie Halse Anderson's historical works will enjoy this debut novel. VERDICT Historical fiction, forbidden romance, and a coming-of-age tale combine into a memorable story. Recommended as a first purchase for all YA collections.-Laura Jones, Argos Community Schools, IN

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