Our Castle by the Sea

Petra is a girl growing up in England during World War II. Her full name is Petra Zimmerman Smith, but she feels that it is too big for her little self, so she prefers Petra. But Petra is more afraid of the Wyrm, a terrifying beast that lives under the waves that she knows is real, than the war. But even though it seems far away now, it will soon come frighteningly close. Her mother is German, and people are starting to get suspicious. Her father is distracted and seems to be hiding something. And what is going on with her sister? Petra doesn’t feel strong, brave, or very stealthy. But she must push past her old fears and keep her family safe.

I really enjoyed this book. Lighthouses, love, and loss are all part of this book, which is soon to be a classic. I think that mainly it would be an appropriate book for younger readers looking to learn about WWII. Unfortunately, there is one paragraph that describes two people rescuing soldiers, and it does mention dead bodies. You’ll have to decide if this is something you can handle, or if you want to wait a while. But it isn’t just about war. It is also about life and overcoming your fears. Another thing that I loved was that it was unpredictable. This book has more twists that a roller coaster, but luckily it is much easier for the stomach! It is quaint, cute, poetic, and a must-read for anyone searching for WWII books or just a fun read. Read it. You must. I insist.