Stay Where You Are and Then Leave

Five-year-old Alfie Summerfield's father leaves to fight in World War I on the day of Alfie's birthday in 1914. Four years later, Alfie works secretly as a shoeshine boy at King's Cross Station in London while his mother holds down multiple jobs to support them. Alfie learns his father is not fighting in France as he had been told, but is instead in a hospital near London. This discovery sets Alfie on a mission to find his father and bring him home, navigating through a city transformed by war. Through Alfie's perspective, the story captures how war impacts families and communities on the home front. The narrative engages with themes of loyalty, trauma, and a child's determination to reunite his family during one of history's darkest periods.

Readers note this WW1 children's novel handles complex themes like PTSD and family separation in an age-appropriate way. Many found the young protagonist Alfie relatable and praised how the story builds understanding of war's impact on families. Liked: - Clear, accessible writing style for young readers - Historical details woven naturally into narrative - Balanced portrayal of conscientious objectors - Strong father-son relationship Disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more depth on supporting characters - Several noted it feels less emotionally impactful than Boyne's other works Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "Perfect for helping kids understand WW1's effect on ordinary families" - Goodreads reviewer "The ending feels rushed compared to the careful build-up" - Amazon reviewer

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo The story follows a horse through World War I and presents war from a unique perspective while exploring themes of loyalty and separation.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne A child's perspective on World War II unfolds through the story of two boys on opposite sides of a concentration camp fence.

Soldier Dog by Sam Angus The bond between a boy and his dog intersects with the harsh realities of World War I as they serve in the messenger dog service.

The Machine Gunners by Robert Westall Children in World War II Britain find a crashed German bomber and create their own war effort, leading to consequences beyond their understanding.

Letters from the Lighthouse by Emma Carroll A sister and brother evacuated to the Devon coast during World War II become involved in a mystery involving coded messages and missing refugees.

🌟 John Boyne wrote this novel after extensive research into shell shock (now known as PTSD) during World War I, including visits to military hospitals and reading soldiers' letters. 🌟 The book's title comes from a common instruction given to soldiers in the trenches during WWI, warning them not to move from their position even under heavy fire. 🌟 The story takes place in London's Highbury district, which was significantly impacted by German zeppelin raids during WWI - the same raids depicted in the novel. 🌟 Author John Boyne wrote his famous novel "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" in just 2.5 days, but "Stay Where You Are and Then Leave" took considerably longer due to the complex historical research required. 🌟 The treatment of shell shock victims during WWI, a central theme in the book, was controversial - many soldiers were accused of cowardice and some were even executed before the condition was properly understood.