Before Halloween, I tried 2 different middle grade reads – The Blitz Bus by Glen Blackwell and My Cat Called Red by Jane Lightbourne. Let’s take a look at each of them:

This book is definitely recommended for middle grade readers in the UK, and for others, if and when they learn about WWII. The story is told about 2 kids who are learning about WWII in school, and when they get on a red bus, they are somehow transported back in time to when The Blitz has occurred. They meet children who were moved from their homes to new families to try and keep them safe, and experience what life was like during that time, as they try to find their way home.

Last year I read Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah, and that was the first time I heard about the children being sent away from their families to try and stay safe. Had I not read that, then this book would have been confusing for me. The ending is very abrupt though – I do wish that there was a bit more to it in order to see what each child learned. This would be a great companion piece to a project about WWII.

This will be a good book to read if your child is having a lot of emotion that they cannot put into words that are festering. Robin is a boy who has gone through a lot at such a young age. Bullied at school for his red hair, becoming an orphan and being moved from house to house because his anger caused him to act out. He ends up with his grandfather, who does not engage with his bad behavior. When he goes to pull a red cat’s tail, his grandfather begins to tell him the story about where the red cat came from, and why he lost his purr.

Every scar and scratch on the cat’s body has a reason for it. Robin’s grandfather tells everything, from when he was born, how he lost his mom and his skirmishes with both rats, other cats, and naughty boys who are cruel to animals. Robin begins to see the parallels in his life with the cat as they learn more about him.

This is one of those books that I would love to expose my kids to when they are older. While we have 3 rescue dogs, my kids do not understand the full extent of what having a rough life can be like. Also, there is a great underlying message that you are never alone, no matter how much you feel that you are.

Both of these books are out now!

Thank you to the publishers for providing free copies via NetGalley in order for me to review!