Across A War-tossed Sea - Tapa dura

This follow-up to Under a War-Torn Sky (2001) picks up the story of British brothers Charles, 14, and Wesley, 10, as they learn to live as Yanks in Virginia following their escape from the firebombings and Uboat disasters of the UK. As the battle in Europe continues to rage, Charles struggles to understand American culture while looking out for Wesley, whose usually cheery nature is punctuated with traumatic memories. The book feels like it could have been written 50 years ago-and that's not a bad thing-as Elliott leads us through a series of misadventures and straight-up adventures as the boys go hunting, hold a haunted house, contribute to the war effort, and even conduct a few acts of outright heroism. Serious issues of intolerance (religious freedom in Europe, racism in America, cruelty to German POWs) permeate the story without overwhelming it, making this a breezy and enlightening read. The occasional letters from the brothers to their father overseas are a nice touch, portraying an accurate kid's-eye-view of a terrible time in history. - Daniel Kraus Booklist"

In the companion to Under A War-Torn Sky (2003), 14-year-old Charles and his 10-year-old brother, Wesley, feel stranded in the United States after having fled the London Blitz. The Ratcliff farm in Virginia is a far cry from London, but the Bishop boys are safe from nightly bombs and have survived an ocean crossing fraught with the danger of lurking Nazi submarines. Charles is making the best of his new life with school, girls and football, but Wesley is wretched. He's homesick, nightmares of firebombs disturb his sleep, and he's being picked on by Ron, the Ratcliffs' middle son. The theme of outsiders fitting in grows complicated as Wesley befriends an African-American boy and learns the ways of segregation in Virginia at the time. His image of cowboys and Indians doesn't hold up when he meets Paul Johns, who is Chickahominy and lives in a regular house, not a tepee. And the German prisoners of war working the Ratcliff farm, Wesley and Charles learn, can't be lumped together as evil Nazis; some aren't even Nazis. An extensive afterword fills in the historical context, though no bibliography is included. Likable protagonists and a fascinating historical backdrop combine for a story well-told. (Historical fiction. 10-14) Kirkus"

Gr 5-8 Ten-year-old Wesley and fourteen-year-old Charles Bishop evacuate London during the Blitz, trading bombs bursting in air for the perils of fitting in at a new school in rural Virginia. While Charles makes friends easily, Wesley struggles to find a place in their foster family, the Ratcliffs. It isn't until he meets Freddy, an African American boy living with his grandparents while his father builds ships for the war effort, that the true plot really takes off. Elliott uses the backdrop of World War II and the horrors of Hitler's plans to illuminate an entirely different picture of the racial divide in the United States. At every turn in this well-plotted novel, readers see an example of prejudice and preconceptions coming from white American characters. The author's attention to detail is evident, as the facts of World War II come through clearly in each chapter, just as they did in Under a War Torn Sky (Hyperion, 2001). This historical novel would be a perfect fit for any collection seeking to engage readers in conversations around race, culture, and equality in America. Pete Smith, Pioneer Valley Performing Arts CPS, South Hadley, MA SLJ"

3Q 3P M J In 1943, fourteen-year-old Charles and his ten-year-old brother, Wesley, were sent to the United States from England to escape the horrific bombing raids in London during World War II. They are placed in the Ratcliff's "already crowded" farmhouse in Virginia and become part of the Ratcliff family for the duration of the war. Charles and Wesley write letters home recounting their experiences in the United States during the war. Interspersed with the letters are the normal preteen adventures of adolescent boys growing up in a war-torn country. The teens deal with snake bites, girls, adventure, prejudice, and civil rights, with the big issue of divided loyalty just under the surface. Social interactions between Germans, Native Americans, African Americans, and the English are included. Charles feels guilty that he is safe in America and his family is suffering in Europe. Boys would appreciate the adventure, references to Huck Finn, and trouble the characters get into. The dialogue seems a little dated, but it does reflect the time period. The reader would need some background knowledge of World War II to really understand all the nuances of the book. Useful for a discussion on what life was like for the civilian population and especially the effect of war on young children and teens, this book has a detailed afterword explaining all the historical references.-Ellen Frank. VOYA"

PRAISE FOR UNDER A WAR-TORN SKY, UNDER A WAR-TORN SKY
Awards for Under A War-Torn Sky
Notable Book in Social Studies for Young People (NCSS/CBC), 2002
Jefferson Cup Honor Book, 2002
Winner, Borders' Original Voices Award for Young Adult Literature, 2001
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2002, Bank Street College of Education, CBC
Maryland Black-eyed Susan Award, finalist, 2004-5
Iowa Teen Award, finalist, 2003-4
Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice, finalist, 2002-3
South Carolina Jr. Book Award, finalist, 2003-4
Books About Trauma, Tragedy and Loss, 2002, CBC ."""

PRAISE FOR UNDER A WAR-TORN SKY
Elliott's fluid style is woven together with vivid historical details from WWII, appropriate for adolescents who seek suspense-filled adventures. Inspired by true stories of WWII, Elliott captures the courage, self-sacrifice, and bravery of the French Resistance forces. Fans of history, culture, language, or just good storytelling will definitely want to read this. "BookPage""

PRAISE FOR UNDER A WAR-TORN SKY
Henry Forester, a young B-24 flier, is a complex mix of insecurities, unresolved feelings about his punitive father, and heroic aspiration. On his fifteenth mission, he is shot down, having no idea where he has landed. His journey back through Nazi occupied Europe and his involvement with the French Resistance are depicted with chilling realism. Small details (bike wheels in France were made of wood because the Germans had confiscated all the rubber) add both credibility and appeal to this gripping adventure. ...It's packed with action, intrigue, and suspense, but this novel celebrates acts of kindness and heroism without glorifying war. "Booklist""

PRAISE FOR UNDER A WAR-TORN SKY
A powerful debut novel of adventure and salvation. Readers, young and old, will be moved by this fine book. "Children's Literature""

PRAISE FOR UNDER A WAR-TORN SKY
An emotional, action-packed gem! ...Elliott paints a picture of war that we don't often see, one that is away from the battles, showing life and death in a war-ravaged land. She illustrates through her well-planned story lines how one can prevail through the most adverse of conditions, bringing up many ethical and moral questions. ...An engrossing thrill-ride. "KLIATT""

The adventures and cultural experiences that occur when two young boys are transplanted from London to Virginia during World War II are wonderfully portrayed. The Bishop boys survive a treacherous journey across the ocean as part of several convoys to remove children from Hitler's Blitzkrieg. They are taken in by the Ratcliff family. Elliott does a fabulous job of giving a British perspective to American viewpoints during the war. Charles turns from a boy into a young man during the book, conflicted by wanting to serve his home country while also experiencing the joy of playing sports and developing a crush on Patsy Ratcliff. Ten-year-old Wesley, traumatized by flashbacks of London bombings, learns to stand up for himself. He also fulfills his dream of meeting a "real Indian" and learns about race relations after befriending a sharecropper's son. The book's climax occurs on D-Day. Gayla Parks, Library Media Specialist, Kearney Middle School, Kearney, Missouri Recommended Library Media Connection"

A companion to Under a War-Torn Sky finds brothers Wesley and Charles adapting to a new culture and rural farm life after being evacuated from England to America only to encounter a Nazi threat to their family in Virginia. 50,000 first printing.