momma_needs_to_read's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book. Wow. It is incredible, beautiful, heartbreaking! I was completely captivated by this story. This is, without a doubt, my favourite book of the year so far. It was so hard to put this book down and all I could think about was, what happened to Flora. There wasn’t a single moment in this book that I didn’t find myself completely absorbed in. I felt like I was on this journey with Hazel.
This is historical fiction, which is my favourite genre and this partially takes place during WWII. It is a dual timeline, 1960 and around 1939-1945. I’ve read a lot of WWII historical fiction novels but not many of them where it shows the war through the eyes of a young teen, aged 14/15. It’s a completely different point of view for a child, especially a young teen. They are old enough to know what’s happening but not necessarily old enough to really understand it all. This book also taught me about Operation Pied Piper, which I had not specifically known about. As a parent, I couldn’t imagine sending my children away to live with another family for years, but I also couldn’t imagine having them in constant danger of bombings.
Throughout this book I felt that the way it was written really helped me build a connection to the characters and the story. The way Patti Callahan Henry built this story was perfection. The character development for Hazel was done so beautifully. She learned so much about herself and how she wanted to see her life in such a short period of time.
The Lost Book of Flora Lea is full of love and hope. Hope that somehow, someway Flora might still be alive. Hope that throughout all of this, there will be clear answers to what happened that day. The love of a sister, that kind of love that never goes away. The love of books, stories and storytelling brings.
If you’re a book lover, if you love magical and whimsical stories, if you love fairytales, this book is for you. This book is also for you if you love historical fiction, romance, and mystery.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is historical fiction, which is my favourite genre and this partially takes place during WWII. It is a dual timeline, 1960 and around 1939-1945. I’ve read a lot of WWII historical fiction novels but not many of them where it shows the war through the eyes of a young teen, aged 14/15. It’s a completely different point of view for a child, especially a young teen. They are old enough to know what’s happening but not necessarily old enough to really understand it all. This book also taught me about Operation Pied Piper, which I had not specifically known about. As a parent, I couldn’t imagine sending my children away to live with another family for years, but I also couldn’t imagine having them in constant danger of bombings.
Throughout this book I felt that the way it was written really helped me build a connection to the characters and the story. The way Patti Callahan Henry built this story was perfection. The character development for Hazel was done so beautifully. She learned so much about herself and how she wanted to see her life in such a short period of time.
The Lost Book of Flora Lea is full of love and hope. Hope that somehow, someway Flora might still be alive. Hope that throughout all of this, there will be clear answers to what happened that day. The love of a sister, that kind of love that never goes away. The love of books, stories and storytelling brings.
If you’re a book lover, if you love magical and whimsical stories, if you love fairytales, this book is for you. This book is also for you if you love historical fiction, romance, and mystery.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Child abuse
Spoiler
description of kidnapping, memories of being kidnapped, taken from family, sent to a new family again will
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