Sunday, July 29, 2012

Lizzie and the Guernsey Gang book one Channel Islands Resistance by April W. Gardner

About April

A military spouse, April has performed the art of homemaking all over the world. Currently, she lives in Georgia with her two children, and USAF spouse. She is unashamedly a child of the King. In her free time, April enjoys reading, solving her Rubiks Cube, and DIY. In no particular order, she dreams of owning a horse, visiting all the national parks, and speaking Italian.



She is the founder and senior editor of the literary site,Clash of the Titles, and the author of the award-winning novel, Wounded Spirits.



LIZZIE and the GUERNSEY GANG book one 
 CHANNEL ISLANDS RESISTANCE 
 NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK
DIGITAL VERSIONS ONLY .99 cents! Kindle Nook 

An island occupied by Nazis makes life hazardous, but for an adventurous nine-year-old girl bent on escape, it could be deadly.

Lizzie Browning loves nothing more than her tiny, island-home of Guernsey, but when German bombs drop on her crystal beach, her peaceful world is shattered. For months, the big war on the continent has been nothing more than stories in the paper, but as the enemy takes over Guernsey, the war rushes to her doorstep. For Lizzie, younger brother Andre, and cousin James, the time to escape is now, and they know just how to do it.

Phillip Seifert, the odd boy from down the street, has all the markings of a genuine Nazi-lover. Lizzie knows better than to trust him, but he somehow manages to weasel his way into James’ good graces. Phillip joins the gang in their audacious escape plan, and Lizzie can do little more than pray he doesn’t get them all shot. But Lizzie soon learns that God doesn’t always answer prayers in the way she expects. He might actually plan for them to live under Nazi rule…forever.

What? You didn't know the Germans occupied British soil for five years during WWII? Don't feel bad. I didn't either. Not until I met Ruth, a dear friend from our church in England, who lived the experience.

Ruth is a wonderful story teller. And the best part? Her stories are true. Like Lizzie, the main character in my book, Ruth was nine with the Germans bombed her beautiful beach, but that was only the beginning of five long years of fear and faith.

Lizzie and the Guernsey Gang is founded on Ruth's life experiences and constructed with a healthy dose of my imagination. It's the first in a series of historical adventure books geared toward children ages 9-12.



My Thoughts

Lizzy is only nine years old is facing the reality of War with Germany. They have taken over her beautiful Guernsey Island leaving all of it's residents cut-off in every way from the rest of the world. Lizzy, her six year old brother and her best friend James love to play on the beach but now there are restrictions, rules and curfews to abide.

Lizzie believes that God will only be on England's side and not the German's. She does not like Philip the weird boy that lives in the same hotel the German's have occupied. In her opinion he is a German Nazi traitor. But he has always been kind to her. She will not be kind to him or the other German's.

In order for Lizzy, her brother and James to play they go to James garage and play under, in and all over an old boat that is in need of repair. They are on a cruise or they are pirates while at play. No matter how much they play the fact that they could be killed at any time by the German's never leave there young minds.

Lizzie can see the stress and fatigue in her parents faces. She can also hear them whispering and she knows it has something to do with the war. Her father is a preacher and tells them that God has a plan and they should trust God and not be afraid because He is with them always.

To find out this story is about an actual girl named Ruth but has been given the fiction name Lizzie making the book even better.

This book and series will be an eye opener and interesting read for children. What a wonderful way to learn about WWII. History is not an easy or fun subject for some kids and this I am sure will peak their interest to learn more. Teacher's need to share this series with their students.

I am looking forward to reading more about Lizzie and the Guernsey Gang.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure
I was given a free digital copy of this book from the author and Astraea Press for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.

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