A mini-review of a Narnia-like book without the magical wardrobe
Set in England during WWII, three siblings find themselves orphaned and are sent to the country to be removed from a bomb threat while really searching for a new family. A far-fetched plot, maybe, but with quick pacing and relatable characters, readers will be happy to cozy up with William, Edmund, and Anna as they search for a family.
The war is a backdrop for the action, but removed enough from the plot so this book doesn’t have a ‘scary’ or ‘ominous’ feel to it, which is nice for sensitive or younger readers. There is talk of a character’s husband who died and a scene where the boys have to kill rats for money, but the author is able to do both in a way that give William, Edmund, and Anna challenges but is still conscientious of her audience.
The three siblings face numerous obstacles, but with Albus’s amazing characterization, I was immediately rooting for them. Both brothers and sister are distinct with their own strengths and irritating, yet lovable qualities.
And the author creates just enough suspense to keep me engaged as I had to know which family the siblings end up with (although some readers might be able to guess).
Bottom Line: With an emphasis on family, loveable characters, and a bit of suspense, A Place to Hang the Moon would make a great family read-aloud or individual read for kids who like historical fiction that’s not too scary!