In this compelling novel readers will encounter despair, torture, death, courage, hope, and compassion in a World War II story beyond the borders of Europe. Thirteen-year-old Gwen, along with other children, are imprisoned by the Japanese at Wekhsien Internment Camp in China. There is not enough food or water, and they are forced to do hard labor. But Miss E organizes a Girl Guide troop to help the girls stay positive and keep their chins up. Girl Guides promise to stay positive in the most challenging of times and to be kind to others.

Author lives in Canada.

Canada. Originally published in English by Orca in 2019. Published in the United States by Orca.

It is 1945, and thirteen-year-old Gwen has been a prisoner at the Weihsien Internment Camp in northern China for nearly two and a half years.

Gwen is one of 140 children who were enrolled at a boarding school in Chefoo when the Japanese Imperial Army invaded China. Life in the camp is difficult. There is not enough food or water, and even the children are forced to do hard labor. But Miss E., one of their teachers from Chefoo, has come up with an unusual scheme: she will follow the Girl Guide Code, treating Gwen and her friends as if they are part of a Girl Guide troop. Girl Guides promise not only to stay positive in the most challenging situations but also to do good turns, meaning they must be kind to others without any expectation of reward. Gwendolyn hopes that when she grows up, she will be as courageous and optimistic as Miss E.

But then Gwen learns that Miss E. is not as full of answers as she seems, and she realizes that in order to protect a friend, she will have to do something that could never be considered a good turn.