The Last Wolf

July 1, 2011
Twelve-year-old Stroma and her brother love summering in 1936 on the diamond-shaped island of Islay in the Hebrides with their grandparents, living in Craigmore, a large estate with one spigot and no electricity. One day a two-masted yacht arrives, piloted by a WWI U-boat commander revisiting the cove that had sheltered his sub for repairs, and with him are his two teen boys. Seventeen-year-old Reinhard is charmed by Stroma, first encountered as a dirty girl in ragged boy's clothes but who cleans up well enough to inspire their ensuing Hamburg-London correspondence. Authentic details permeate this well-paced wartime romance and tale of suspense, attracting WWII buffs as well as Mayhew's fans in this engrossing narrative journey of a young couple forced into opposing camps. She joins the British WRNS, or Wrens, the Women's Royal Navy Service, helping destroy the German wolf pack subs, one of which he commands, and an unlikely reunion results. Many will happily come aboard for this satisfying voyage.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)