My Secret War Diary, by Flossie Albright

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

A fascinating diary account of the Second World War, as seen through the eyes of a young girl.Flossie is just nine years old when, in 1939, Britain declares war on Germany and her father leaves the family home to join the army. Flossie is left to bring up her baby brother and to face a whole host of new experiences on her own. Her diary becomes an outlet for relaying all the news from at home and abroad. From the first evacuees arriving to her sweetheart's being killed in Normandy in 1944, Flossie has to endure much hardship. But her own special blend of courage, humour and fighting spirit sees her through to the Armistice, when she can welcome her dad home at last.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

Gr 3-6-Following Archie's War (Candlewick, 2007), a fictional scrapbook of World War I, Williams offers an intricately designed and intimate look at World War II, as seen through the eyes of Archie's daughter. In her "secret war diary" that chronicles the years 1939 through 1945, motherless Flossie shares her thoughts in entries filled with humor and angst. She lives in the Dorset countryside in the gardener's cottage on a small estate with her great uncle and younger brother while her father is serving in the British army. Children will quickly come to enjoy Flossie's energetic delivery and endless doodling. They will love poring over the extras-asides, sidebars, and letters found under flaps and in envelopes, that Williams has compiled to give the book the feel that one has stumbled into a real girl's private keepsake. The book's font-called Flossie-is a mix of printing and cursive that adds to the authenticity but may pose a challenge for some readers. While many American children will not be familiar with Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and singer Vera Lynn, they will come away with a great appreciation for the sacrifices of the English people as well as their resolve to carry on until peace reigns again. Children who enjoy history will be fascinated by Flossie and will undoubtedly be inspired to learn more about the events she describes.-Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.