June 10, 2022

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

Genre/Categories/Setting: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, WWII, Found Family, Siblings, Books About Books, Books About Libraries/Librarians, England

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

During WW11, Anna, Edmund, and William are evacuated from London to the countryside where it is safer from bombing. The children are seeking more than safety from bombs as they have just lost their grandmother, their only guardian, and are in need of a “forever” home. The children encounter cruelty, cold, and hunger. They find one place of comfort and refuge in the library; The librarian, Mrs. Müller becomes a significant person in their lives. With her, they experience cozy fires, hot chocolate, hot buttered thickly-sliced toast, bedtime stories, and someone who thinks they “hang the moon.”

My Thoughts:

What is the most important job of a mom?

Are you looking for Middle-Grade recommendations for summer reading?

Read Alike or Companion Read: If you LOVED The War That Saved My Life and the sequel The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley as I did, A Place to Hang the Moon explores the same general setting, circumstances, and similar themes.

Well Written: Engaging from the first page as well as funny and smart, A Place to Hang the Moon has some difficult content but it is gently told, always with a sense of HOPE that something better is ahead. I love how the themes of unconditional love and safety and the needs of children are explored. The content and writing are just right for this age group, not too simplistic, troublesome, or graphic. Delightful imagery and vivid descriptions, likable children (with three delightfully distinct personalities!), and the mention of a few books all add to the enjoyment.  Both girls and boys might enjoy these characters and situations. It would make an excellent read-aloud or buddy read with your children or grandchildren. Lots to discuss!

Thoughtful and Poignant Themes: Death of parents {an event in the past), the passing of the grandmother (this is simply mentioned at the beginning of the story and it isn’t emotional because they are not close to her), orphans, found family, kindness and cruelty, wartime circumstances. compassion, the most important job of a mom, sibling loyalty and support, second chances, overcoming adversity, bullying, handling conflict, hope, and resilience.

Enthusiastically Recommended: A Place to Hang the Moon is highly recommended for fans of The War That Saved My Life, for those who appreciate Middle-Grade literature and WW11 historical fiction, and for teachers and parents with middle-grade readers in their lives. This will definitely be on my “most recommended” list!

Answer to the question: What is the most important job of a mom? The most important job of a mom is that she thinks her children “hang the moon.”

My Rating:  5 Stars

A Place to Hang the Moon Information Here

Meet the Author of A Place to Hang the Moon, Kate Albus

Kate Albus writes historical fiction for young people. She loves getting to know new characters, both by writing and reading about them. Kate grew up in New York and now lives with her family in rural Maryland. Other than writing, she loves baking, reading, knitting, and other activities that are inherently quiet.

A PLACE TO HANG THE MOON is her debut novel. Set in England during the early days of World War II, it’s the story of three orphaned siblings who hope the wartime evacuation of London will be their chance at a forever home. The story was inspired by Kate’s lifelong fascination with the WWII evacuations. Appropriately enough, she first learned of these historical events in a story… C.S. Lewis’ THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE.

Visit Kate online at katealbus.com.

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QOTD:

Is A Place to Hang the Moon on your TBR or have you read it?
Have you read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe?

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Happy Reading Book Buddies!

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~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

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