Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

For the United States, involvement in World War II is just beginning, and 13-year-old Louisa June is experiencing the first effects back home in Tidewater Virginia.Nazi U-boats have been torpedoing American ships in the busy waters off Chesapeake Bay, although the War Department is censoring any reports, but Louisa hears the rumors and then finds a charred life preserver. Then her father's tugboat is torpedoed and her beloved brother Butler is killed. Although her father survives, he is guilt-ridden, and Louisa's mother, who suffers from depression, blames him for the death. Louisa's older sister, Katie, moves to Newport News to learn to weld and help build desperately needed ships, while her older brothers Will and Joe join the Merchant Marine and the Navy, respectively. Left behind at home, grieving for Butler, and with two debilitated parents (but thankfully a strong elderly cousin nearby, the delightfully indomitable Cousin Belle, who sets the record straight for Louisa on the nature of depression), Louisa does her best to pick up the slack and, in the trying, finds her own strength. Evocatively threaded with the scents and sounds of Tidewater Virginia coastal communities, this story presents a fascinating, lesser-known aspect of the war told from a young girl's perspective. Successfully tackling the devastation of depression on family relationships, the bitter cost of war, and the uplifting strength of no-nonsense friendship, this story has impressive depth. Main characters are White.Superb. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 10-13)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

An infrequently explored aspect of WWII history-German submarines torpedoing U.S. cargo ships along America-s East Coast-underpins Elliott-s (Walls) well-crafted novel narrated by 13-year-old Louisa June, youngest of five in a loving, cued-white family in coastal Tidewater Virginia. The story begins in March 1942, soon after America-s entry into WWII, as the Chesapeake Bay and waters off Tidewater become the submarines- -favorite hunting grounds- (though local civilians are unaware). Louisa-s three oldest siblings depart to help the war effort, leaving her to monitor Mama-s -melancholy,- a frequently contained depression. When Louisa-s beloved college-bound brother is killed by a German submarine-s fire on the family-s tugboat, and her father is injured, then overtaken by guilt and grief, her mother falls into a deep depression, laced with anger and blame. Louisa, also bereft, struggles to keep the household afloat and care for them. Welcome help comes from elderly, worldly, and spirited cousin Belle, who offers no-nonsense emotional support, plus food, books, and kittens. Louisa-s growing understanding of the devastation that the German submarines are causing propels her to find a way to join the war effort. Evocative descriptions of the region-s natural life--egrets and blue herons wading through the feathery inlets--ground this realistic depiction

Starred Review ALA Booklist (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Starred Review As the U.S. is drawn into WWII, life on the East Coast changes drastically for Louisa June and her family. Her older brothers and sister enlist in various forms of service to support the war efforts, and Louisa June puzzles about how she can help. Then her favorite brother ntle, poetic Butler es out with their father on a boat that gets torpedoed, the blast killing Butler and seriously injuring Dad. This sends her fragile mother into a deep depression, while the reality of U-boats trolling the nearby waters galvanizes locals to protect their homes and country. Louisa June and her friend Emmett persist in their efforts to find a way to help as she also manages home life, stepping up while her parents are incapacitated in their own ways. Elliott weaves a deeply moving historical tale, including small but significant details that flesh out the situations and characters, even the secondary ones. Louisa June and Emmett ong with her elderly, adventurous cousin, Belle rry the story with their spunk and individualism. Additionally, the extensive and fact-filled backstory shared in the author's note gives readers even more context for understanding the times on the home front during WWII and includes black-and-white photos. An excellent middle-grade read that balances adventure, emotions, and family.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

For the United States, involvement in World War II is just beginning, and 13-year-old Louisa June is experiencing the first effects back home in Tidewater Virginia.Nazi U-boats have been torpedoing American ships in the busy waters off Chesapeake Bay, although the War Department is censoring any reports, but Louisa hears the rumors and then finds a charred life preserver. Then her father's tugboat is torpedoed and her beloved brother Butler is killed. Although her father survives, he is guilt-ridden, and Louisa's mother, who suffers from depression, blames him for the death. Louisa's older sister, Katie, moves to Newport News to learn to weld and help build desperately needed ships, while her older brothers Will and Joe join the Merchant Marine and the Navy, respectively. Left behind at home, grieving for Butler, and with two debilitated parents (but thankfully a strong elderly cousin nearby, the delightfully indomitable Cousin Belle, who sets the record straight for Louisa on the nature of depression), Louisa does her best to pick up the slack and, in the trying, finds her own strength. Evocatively threaded with the scents and sounds of Tidewater Virginia coastal communities, this story presents a fascinating, lesser-known aspect of the war told from a young girl's perspective. Successfully tackling the devastation of depression on family relationships, the bitter cost of war, and the uplifting strength of no-nonsense friendship, this story has impressive depth. Main characters are White.Superb. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 10-13)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2022)

Gr 46 Middle grade lovers of World War II historical fiction will find this title engrossing. Thirteen-year-old Louisa June lives along the coast of Virginia at the start of American involvement in World War II, as Hitler begins sending U-boats to attack U.S. ships. Her father and brothers work on boats, and will soon be signing up to help with the war effort. Louisa June's family is directly affected by a torpedo, sent into a tailspin after her father's tugboat is sunk by the Nazis. Her parents deal with their grief, while she figures out her place in the war and how a teenage girl can be of any help like her older siblings. Cousin Belle proves to be a bellwether figure to the family and an advocate for Louisa June while her mother suffers from depression and debilitating anxiety. Many readers will be surprised to learn about German U-boats torpedoing the East Coast of the United States after Pearl Harbor. Elliot's story delivers facts and a thoughtful approach to characters experiencing grief and depression, while adding some maritime adventure in a segment where the family comes together to rescue a British sailor. The conclusion happens swiftly, possibly leaving readers disappointed in not knowing what happens next to Louisa June and her loved ones after the daring rescue. Elliot provides a thorough author's note to dispel any doubts about the authenticity of the events written about in the course of the novel. Main characters are cued as white. VERDICT A must-have for all middle grade historical fiction collections. Recommend to those who enjoyed Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's The War That Saved My Life and Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch's Making Bombs for Hitler. Kim Gardner