Our Castle by the Sea

Our Castle by the Sea
Lucy Strange
Chicken House, 2019 321 pages
Grades 4-7
Historical Fiction/Mystery

Petra lives with her parents and older sister Magda in a lighthouse on the British Kent coast in the early days of World War II. Often called Pet, she feels that her name is short for "petrified", as she literally freezes when under pressure, turning into one of the legendary "sisters of stone" gracing the cliffs of her beloved beach. Life turns upside down as suspicion becomes directed towards her German mother. Eventually Mutti is arrested and taken to an internment camp, where she confesses to spying and aiding the Germans. Is she actually covering for someone else? Meanwhile, Magda is acting strange, sabotage is happening in her little town and Pa confesses secrets of his own. The battle of Dunkirk arrives and with it the challenge of rescuing stranded British soldiers. Pet's family must help the cause, crossing the channel in small fishing boats--with disastrous results. More secrets are revealed as Pet's family implodes and her personal danger increases. Who is the saboteur? Will Pet's family survive the war? All is revealed as this well-crafted piece of historical fiction unfolds.

What a great book! This is British author Strange's second middle grade novel to hit American shores and it is well worth the time spent reading. I knew very little about the Kent home-front and the Dunkirk rescue. I also did not know that the British forced their German and Italian born citizens into internment camps, much as we did shamefully with the Japanese. Although set eighty years ago, messages about racial prejudice and immigration, unfortunately, are still relevant today. Petra's story is exciting and adventurous. She attempts to uncover the German spy and in doing so walks into many dangerous situations, some of which take a dark turn. Surprises abound within the plot, keep pages turning and readers focused. The ending is satisfying, yet not without realistically permanent losses. Petra's challenges and personal growth will inspire young readers, as she pushes herself out of her comfort zone to help her family and conquers her fears. I feel as if the cover may not help the book and it could use some hand-selling, as it will be enjoyed by most readers who give it a try. That said, of the nineteen libraries in my consortium who picked it up, ten copies are out. Give to fans of The War Who Saved My Life or anyone interested in a different side of World War II.