Dear Canada: Exiles from the War

Any work by famed author Jean Little is a treat, but Exiles from the War: The War Guest Diary of Charlotte Mary Twiss is a particular delight. Part of Scholastic Canada’s Dear Canada diary series, Exiles is Charlotte Mary Twiss’ 12-year-old view of life in 1940. Charlotte’s family in Guelph, Ontario, is very involved with a number of War Guests — children evacuated from Britain in an effort to protect them from German bombing. One little girl who lives with them becomes a ‘sister’ to Charlotte. The story gives readers the varied experience of the War Guests community — some homed successfully, some less so. Without confusing her audience for an instant, Little also richly expands readers’ knowledge of WWII by presenting other characters’ points of view: such as those of Charlotte’s Jewish friend, Barbara.

The author uses intimacy of the diary format to her advantage: including bouncy humour and the honesty, naivety and curiosity many girls have. This could be the reader’s diary, but for the wonderful collage of unfamiliar 1940s textures, sights, sounds and topics — radio broadcasts, buttoned underwear, Land Girls, lemon snow pudding, and Guy Fawkes’ bonfires. Little has done a tremendous job of balancing the diary format with a story shaped with excitement and uncertainty. Charlotte’s warm, secure family love symbolizes the core setting and theme — belonging and home. Will Terry, the unhappy War Guest, return to his family in London? Will the War Guests’ parents live through the Blitz? And, importantly, will Charlotte’s precious sailor brother return safely? Exiles goes high on my list of essential books on Canada’s participation in WWII for this age group.