North Carolina, WWII, and the Brown family is missing two of their local boys who shipped off to help America win the war. Lucy Brown, one of the narrators of alternating chapters, is thirteen, smart, and aching to be like Nancy Drew and have her own adventures. Enter Allie Bert Tucker on a bus from the eastern part of the state and with her own back story. Bert finds her way into the Brown family and into everyone's heart and is the other narrator.
The girls find adventure in totally unexpected places. A community dance teaches lessons about making decisions. A Nazi prisoner-of-war camp teaches about human kindness. Working bee hives teaches about patience and determination. A crazy lady turns out to maybe be not so crazy, but brilliant. Aunt Fanniebelle teaches about manners, Ouija boards, and standing up for yourself when it's most important. Oh, yes, and three men go missing. Can the girls figure out why?
The pacing is great. The dialog is pitch perfect. The girls are unforgettable. Read this book.
PS I admit that I looked at this ARC several times and thought, "Oh, it's another WWII book about two girls." When I finally picked it up and started it, I was enchanted. This is probably my favorite historical fiction of 2021! These are MY people! Just don't miss this one.
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