• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 7 to 12

Then I hear the whistle of the train, and the sound takes me back to the farm near Cornell, back to the winter of 1930...

All his life, Blaine has dreamed of being somewhere else. Growing up on a farm during the lean years of the depression, he must be content to watch the trains thunder past his home, count the cars, and pray that one day he will escape his life of poverty. It isn't until World war Two that Blaine sees his chance. He lies about his age, volunteers, and is shipped off to England. A brilliant coming-of-age novel by a master storyteller.

In a novel with panoramic, historical sweep, a young boy's growth to manhood is recorded with warmth and insight. Through his memory, Monica Hughes offers an exceptionally evocative story.

Monica Hughes
A writer of international acclaim, Monica Hughes published over 35 books and many more short stories and articles during her 29-year career. She was often honored for her work; Hunter in the Dark and Keeper of the Isis Light both won the Canada Council Children's Literature Award. She was the recipient of the Vicky Metcalfe Award for a body of work, the Queen's Jubilee Medal and the Order of Canada.

Monica Hughes' profile page

"Monica Hughes has written a brilliant historical novel that recreates life in rural Ontario from 1930 to 1942."
— CM Magazine

"This wonderfully written story pulls you in from the first page and never let's goes. It would be a great choice for even the most reluctant readers, as it is easy to read and has engaging characters. The author manages to write a deep story including loss, tragedy, and war without the story seeming dark or dismal. This wonderful four star paperback would be a great buy for any library in need of fiction."
— Lane Education Service District (5 out of 5 Stars)