A 2012 World Book Night selection.

One of the best crossover children/adult books I have read since The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.  It has the sort of old worldly feel of I Capture a Castle which suddenly turns into a novel of survival and violence when Britain is invaded.  It's a coming-of-age tale, a story of love and endurance but it's real charm is in its style.  Big ideas simply told, it is utterly hypnotic.

Comparison: Dodie Smith, Sue Fletcher, Mark Haddon.
Similar this month: Deborah Lawrenson, Jodi Picoult.

Synopsis

It would be much easier to tell this story if it were all about a chaste and perfect love between Two Children Against the World at an Extreme Time in History. But let's face it, that would be crap.

Daisy is sent from New York to England to spend a summer with cousins she has never met. They are Isaac, Edmond, Osbert and Piper. And two dogs and a goat. She's never met anyone quite like them before - and, as a dreamy English summer progresses, Daisy finds herself caught in a timeless bubble. It seems like the perfect summer. But their lives are about to explode.

Falling in love is just the start of it. War breaks out - a war none of them understands, or really cares about, until it lands on their doorstep. The family is separated. The perfect summer is blown apart. Daisy's life is changed forever - and the world is too.

About the Author

Meg Rosoff was born in Boston, USA. She has worked in publishing, public relations and most recently advertising, but thinks the best job in the world would be head gardener for Regents Park. Meg lives in Highbury, North London. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation