Alternating stories set from the late 1920s to 1947 follow Erik and Hans, best friends from Berlin, and Ruby and Kate, British pen pals. Growing up, Erik and Hans share adventures and dreams. Neither boy likes the changes in their country as Hitler rises, but both end up Luftwaffe pilots, even as Erik’s mother harbors a Jewish woman in their home. When war breaks out, Ruby, living in Plymouth, and Kate, in Oxford, are 12. Ruby has never gotten along with her older brother, Will, who has often been unkind about her facial birthmark and many other things. It was a relief when he joined up and left home; then he goes missing in France. Kate, youngest of six, wants to do something meaningful for the war effort, like her older siblings, but isn’t sure what that might be. The girls share a godmother, Clarry, who brings Kate to a farm outside Plymouth to pick up Ruby, who is coming to stay with Kate’s family. A fifth main character is a mistreated, abandoned dog who, with Clarry’s help, finds his way to Kate’s family. All of the storylines converge when Erik and Hans end up in a dogfight with British fighters over the Plymouth farm. These singular primary characters, all white, are surrounded by richly developed secondary characters, mostly family members with whom they have distinct relationships; all of them are an essential part of this story about friendship and family, growth and change, and, especially, compassion and kindness. (Ages 8-12)

“A triumph.” —Philip Pullman, bestselling author of the His Dark Materials saga

Four young lives are forever changed at the dawn of World War II in this “stirring and unforgettable” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) novel from award-winning author Hilary McKay.

In England, Ruby has no friends because of the speckled blotches on her face that kids say look like dirt. And Kate is sickly all the time, her older siblings each taking turns looking after her. Ruby and Kate’s first meeting is nearly disastrous, but the two lonely girls soon strike up a friendship. Their connection becomes all the more important when England joins the war against Germany and the blitz begins overhead.

In Germany, Erik and Hans are best friends filled with plans for their future: Erik taking over their beloved local zoo, and Hans serving pastries right outside the gates. They never expected to be forced to join the national service, training as pilots and tasked with hurting people.

And in London a mistreated dog roams the streets looking for handouts, and for a friend.

All of these lives will cross in the most surprising ways in this heartrending tale of war and compassion, and hope that can be found in even the most unexpected friendships, brought to life by award-winning author Hilary McKay.