
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the silent weight of a family member's illness or feeling a loss of control over their domestic life. It is a poignant choice for children who are acting out from homesickness or struggling to understand why they have been sent away from a parent in crisis. The story follows Milly and Ben, who run away from their guardians in France to trek back to England to find their mother, who is recovering from a mental breakdown. Through their harrowing journey, the book explores themes of sibling loyalty and the fierce desire for stability. It is best suited for children ages 8 to 12, offering a realistic look at how children process adult problems with bravery and a touch of desperation. Parents will find it a valuable tool for discussing family crises and the importance of open communication.
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Sign in to write a reviewThemes of parental mental health struggles and family separation.
The book deals directly with parental mental health (a breakdown). The approach is realistic and secular. While the children's flight is dangerous, the resolution is hopeful but grounded: the mother is still recovering, and the family's problems aren't solved overnight, but they are reunited.
An older elementary student who feels responsible for their family's happiness or a child who is currently separated from a parent due to medical or personal circumstances and needs to see their own resilience reflected.
Parents should be aware of the scene where the children stow away on the boat, as it highlights significant physical danger. It is helpful to discuss the mother's illness beforehand to provide context for why the children were sent away. A parent might see their child becoming overly protective of siblings or expressing a deep, frantic need to be 'home' even when they are safe.
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the 'escape' and the excitement of the journey. Older readers (11-12) will better grasp the emotional nuances of the mother's breakdown and the children's psychological desperation.
Unlike many 'runaway' stories that focus on rebellion, this is a story about the profound pull of home and the competency of children when they feel their family unit is threatened.
Milly and Ben are sent to stay with friends in France while their mother recovers from a nervous breakdown. Feeling abandoned and deeply homesick, the siblings decide to run away. They navigate the French countryside, stow away on a ferry, and rely on their wits and each other to cross the English Channel and return to their home in England.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.