mat_tobin's review
5.0
In the midst of World War Two, a bombing in London becomes the explosive catalyst that sees two sisters separated. Along with her younger brother, Cliff, Olive is evacuated to the Devonshire town of Budmouth Point with no answer as to what happened to her older sister. Yet amongst this close-knit community, she discovers a mystery which ties Sukie to a plot as dangerous as it is mysterious. In Letters from the Lighthouse, Carroll not only captures the past with an engaging and affecting narrative but shows herself to be a leading historical novelist for children.
More of my review here.
More of my review here.
select_snozberry's review
4.0
Right up there with Carrie's War. Am going to save a copy for a little girl called Olive (like the protagonist) who will love this when she's old enough.
rebeccadanielle's review
4.0
I love Emma Carroll’s storytelling and she’s fast becoming a new favourite of mine. Letters from the Lighthouse is a middle-grade book set during world war 2, Olive and her younger brother Cliff are sent to Devon when London becomes too unsafe for them to remain. Once there Olive begins to unravel the mystery of her missing sister Sukie. I loved the sense of adventure and mystery in this book as well as the serious side to the story.
samiya_xoxo's review
3.0
This book follows two siblings set to leave London during WWII and leave for the countryside. This book was refreshing to read because it was another POV about the war from a child's perspective while on the journey to the countryside. This is a great read for younger children learning about wars.
_booksandnetflix's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Having studied history (and both world wars within that) for over six years, I was pleased with how factually correct this book was compared to others I’ve read.
tidywendypop's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
Easy read (yes I am aware I'm 18 and it's made for younger readers) and really interesting! Couldn't put it down towards the end. Brilliant storytelling with an important message.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Death of parent and Xenophobia
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, and War
chrissireads's review
5.0
I absolutely adore Emma Carroll’s writing. I don’t know why I didn’t get around to this book any sooner, because my goodness it was amazing. It didn’t take me long to devour. As soon as I get started on an Emma Carroll book, I’m instantly gripped and Letters From The Lighthouse was no exception. I cannot recommend Emma Carroll’s books highly enough. I can’t wait to teach juniors again so I can expose them to her beautiful writing. I will, however, pass this book onto our Year 5/6 teachers, especially because their topic is going to be World War II. This book would be incredibly for those older children to explore.
Letters From The Lighthouse centres around Olive and her little brother Cliff, who are evacuated to the Devon coast after a bomb raid in London. During an air raid, their older sister Sukie goes missing. Olive finds a coded message which seems to link Sukie to Devon. Olive is determined to find out what’s going on with Sukie, but she never expects to find out what she does…
This book does have light and dark moments. I loved the lighter moments, but it was the darkness of humanity around that time that struck a chord with me. It always makes me feel so disheartened whenever I read about what Jewish people went through. I wish things had been different.
I loved the characters Emma Carroll has created. As ever, they are so well rounded and developed. There wasn’t a character that I didn’t feel for in one way or another. There are some genuinely touching moments. I shouldn’t have been surprised, as Emma is a wonderful writer, but the poignancy of this story really touched my heart.
This book may be intended for children, but it’s a pleasure for adults to read as well. It will stay with me for a while, I know that.
Letters From The Lighthouse centres around Olive and her little brother Cliff, who are evacuated to the Devon coast after a bomb raid in London. During an air raid, their older sister Sukie goes missing. Olive finds a coded message which seems to link Sukie to Devon. Olive is determined to find out what’s going on with Sukie, but she never expects to find out what she does…
This book does have light and dark moments. I loved the lighter moments, but it was the darkness of humanity around that time that struck a chord with me. It always makes me feel so disheartened whenever I read about what Jewish people went through. I wish things had been different.
I loved the characters Emma Carroll has created. As ever, they are so well rounded and developed. There wasn’t a character that I didn’t feel for in one way or another. There are some genuinely touching moments. I shouldn’t have been surprised, as Emma is a wonderful writer, but the poignancy of this story really touched my heart.
This book may be intended for children, but it’s a pleasure for adults to read as well. It will stay with me for a while, I know that.
emmap2023's review
5.0
Well what can I say Emma Carroll has brought an enlightened and heart wrenching version of events during WW2 with the poignancy of Good Night Mr Tom and the sad reality of the plight of Jewish refugees trying to flee to the UK.
This book portrays both the light and shade of humanity in its truest form. I had no idea the difficulties Jews faced trying to enter our country at such a time and wish that our laws would have done more to help.
The book is based on a family whose father a pilot was losted in the fighting. We meet three siblings during an air raid in London and follow Olive and her brother Cliff on the hunt for the truth to their sister going missing.
This book takes you to a rural seaside village and the secrets it holds from them and each other.
This fictionalised story is as memorable as Michael Morpurgo's Private Peaceful and as beautifully written as Warhorse. I thoroughly enjoyed it and could give it nothing less than 5 stars.
Although this is childrens fiction as an adult I found it both interesting and heart wrenching.
This book portrays both the light and shade of humanity in its truest form. I had no idea the difficulties Jews faced trying to enter our country at such a time and wish that our laws would have done more to help.
The book is based on a family whose father a pilot was losted in the fighting. We meet three siblings during an air raid in London and follow Olive and her brother Cliff on the hunt for the truth to their sister going missing.
This book takes you to a rural seaside village and the secrets it holds from them and each other.
This fictionalised story is as memorable as Michael Morpurgo's Private Peaceful and as beautifully written as Warhorse. I thoroughly enjoyed it and could give it nothing less than 5 stars.
Although this is childrens fiction as an adult I found it both interesting and heart wrenching.