ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Leo Arnold is desperately unhappy. His father has remarried a nice woman who has two thuggish bullying sons of about his age. He has lost his home, his mother died two years previously, he has to start in a new school where he doesn't know anyone except his step-brother who is determined to make his life a misery. He does make one new friend, and also discovers a talent for running and an elderly coach who trains him for competitions. But one day as he is trying to find a quiet space of his own in the new house, Leo uncovers a locked storeroom and more importantly, the musical box that belonged to his German mother. In turning the key, Leo suddenly finds himself in 1934, where he meets Ivan, a young boy from Prague; but just as suddenly finds himself back in his own time. As Leo tries to escape his unhappiness, he seeks the solace of the music box, which sends him back to Ivan's increasingly dangerous times... An engrossing, well-crafted, historically accurate novel that doesn't underplay the horrors of WWII but which celebrates true friendship, courage and determination, and which has a satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended for ages 10-13. Lindy
Yearning to escape the new family he never wanted, thirteen-year-old Leo Arnold is transported to wartime Europe where he must draw on his courage to save himself and those around him.
SUZANNE LEAL is the author of novels The Teacher's Secret, Border Street and The Deceptions, for which she won the Nib People's Choice Prize and was shortlisted for the Davitt Awards and the Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award. A senior member of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal and facilitator at community, corporate and literary events, Suzanne is the host of Thursday Book Club, a relaxed, friendly book club connecting readers online. www.suzanneleal.com
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Leo Arnold is desperately unhappy. His father has remarried a nice woman who has two thuggish bullying sons of about his age. He has lost his home, his mother died two years previously, he has to start in a new school where he doesn't know anyone except his step-brother who is determined to make his life a misery. He does make one new friend, and also discovers a talent for running and an elderly coach who trains him for competitions. But one day as he is trying to find a quiet space of his own in the new house, Leo uncovers a locked storeroom and more importantly, the musical box that belonged to his German mother. In turning the key, Leo suddenly finds himself in 1934, where he meets Ivan, a young boy from Prague; but just as suddenly finds himself back in his own time. As Leo tries to escape his unhappiness, he seeks the solace of the music box, which sends him back to Ivan's increasingly dangerous times... An engrossing, well-crafted, historically accurate novel that doesn't underplay the horrors of WWII but which celebrates true friendship, courage and determination, and which has a satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended for ages 10-13. Lindy