Lucas lives in an orphanage in a French village. The Nazis have invaded, making life hard for everyone. Lucas is soft-hearted, making him a target of bullies. The story begins with him rescuing newborn kittens and hiding them in a stable where he meets a girl who is rescuing a racehorse. In addition, Lucas makes a little money making deliveries, and on his route is a German-run home for pregnant teenagers. He discovers that the Germans are taking these babies, fathered by German soldiers, back to Germany to be raised to be the next generation of Nazis. These storylines intersect and Lucas finds ways to be courageous that involve much more than saving kittens. It sounds complicated and like more than a 4th-6th grader might want to handle, but Sara Pennypacker makes this story accessible, compelling, and inspiring for young readers. As a middle school librarian I was hoping that it would lean toward older readers, but it is solidly in the young middle grade sphere and I'm sure it will find many readers who will learn a lot from this story, both about history and about how ordinary young people can be heroes.
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