About This Book
Set in the French countryside during World War I, this poignant chapter book introduces readers to sisters Marcelle and Coco, who discover a lost English soldier. Suffering from psychological blindness due to post-traumatic stress, the soldier is a deserter trying to return to his brother. In exchange for the girls' help and food, he shares a series of moralistic fables, each tied to his small, silver donkey charm. The narrative beautifully explores themes of kindness, loyalty, courage, and the power of storytelling, while also subtly inviting readers to ponder the soldier's truthfulness, offering a nuanced perspective for both children and adults.
In France during World War I, four French children learn about honesty, loyalty, and courage from an English army deserter who tells them a series of stories related to his small, silver donkey charm.
war_themes
peril_danger
mental_health_themes
Discussion Prompts
1
Why do you think the soldier tells the girls stories? What do his stories teach us?
2
The book mentions the soldier has 'psychological blindness.' What do you think that means, and how does it affect him?
3
Do you think the soldier was telling the truth about everything, or do you think he might have made some things up? Why?
4
How do Marcelle and Coco show kindness and bravery in the story?
5
What does the silver donkey represent to the soldier and to Coco?
6
How does this story make you feel about war and the people who fight in it?
External Reviews
If Your Family Enjoyed This
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share how this book landed with your family.