A wonderful and hopeful look at World War II from a perspective sometimes absent in middle-grade fiction: the children of the soldiers fighting the war. The cover is still the stand out aspect to me, but the book is lovely and sweet, just right for this age range.

This book captures an era that is not often spoken of, post WWII recovery. Before reading this book, I had no idea that the US has sent a "friendship Train" to France and Italy full of food and supplies, or that France later reciprocated with their own "Merci Train" full of wedding gowns, books and trinkets for the people of the US.

The story follows an 11 year old girl (Glory Bea) whose daddy never came back from fighting in France. She holds out hope that he was injured or got amnesia and will return to her on the Merci Train, and she sabotages the best efforts of her father's army buddy to get to know her and her mother, and eventually court her mother. She is not against romance in general. She tries to emulate her grandma as a matchmaker. Grams has wedding photos of 40+ couples, that she set up, hanging on her wall. Glory Bea tries to set up her best friend and her next door neighbor, only to find out he has eyes for someone else.

This is perfect for tween readers, and would be enjoyable for teens and adults as well.

Beautiful, emotional and real. As hopeful and comforting as a warm hug from a friend after a heartbreak. Unforgettable!

Highly recommend!

What a sweet, wonderful book! Glory Bea believes in miracles and she believes that her father, who died-in-action during the Omaha Beach invasion, will miraculously return when the Merci Train passes through her small Texas town of Gladiola. Glory Bea was told her father died a hero, but deep down inside, she knows he would never leave she or her mother and he is on his way home to them.

I loved the beauty of the story, even as Glory Bea defied rules, she does so with charm and humor, and her mother and grandparents were continually kind and understanding. Every child deserves an upbringing such as Glory Bea had, even if it occurred 70 years ago. Glory Bea's grandmother is a matchmaker, and Glory Bea wants to follow in her footsteps, attempting to match together her two best friends. This story runs along side Glory Bea's quest to prove the existence of the miracle which will bring her father home, and her resistance to the appearance of her father's combat friend.

Every word of this book made my heart feel a little lighter. It is a balm in a world filled with rife and confusion. A walk back into simpler times - not easier, and Glory Bea has her own share of sadness, but there were so many people who were willing to help her along her way. A complete feel-good book to read.

Audacious hope. Glory Bea Bennett's overflows and spreads to readers. Hope, family, friendship, love and acceptance. Set in a small town in Texas after World War II, Blue Skies shares optimism and interesting, little known parts of history.

OH MY HEART. What a beautifully written book, and sassy and savvy main character Glory Bea is a character you'll never forget. Be prepared for laughs and longing, heartbreak and hope in this middle grade book that's a must-read for all ages. Bonus: what a wonderful piece of post WWII history is explored in the story of the Gratitude Train. I had no idea and fully intend on learning more.

Blue Skies is a unique bit of historical fiction in that it is accessible for younger middle-grade readers and also takes place after a major historical event, in this case WWII, Glory Bea lives in the tiny (fictional) town of Gladiola, Texas. Her father was Missing in Action while fighting in France, and everyone seems to have accepted his death, except for Glory Bea, who is certain he is alive. When the Merci Train plans a stop in her town, Glory Bea is positive her father will be on it, returned to her and her family, alive and well. Glory’s voice as narrator is funny, sweet, and honest, although the reader will see that there are many things that Glory does NOT see because she chooses not to. I loved her determination, her unshakeable faith, her devotion to her father and her family, her hilarious friendships, and her quirky little town. This story is heartwarming, but not overly sweet; hopeful while still keeping its feet on the ground. I look forward to sharing this book with my 3rd graders. It is a perfect introduction to the historical fiction genre.

Blue Skies

by Anne Bustard

Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Children's Fiction
Pub Date 17 Mar 2020


I am reviewing a copy of Blue Skies through Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing and Netgalley:


Glory Bea Bennett knows that in Gladiola Texas, with its population of 3,421 miracles happen. In fact her Grandmother is responsible for thirty nine of them.



Right now Glory Bea needs her very own miracle.



The Second World War ended three years ago, but Glory Bea never returned home from the front in France. When her Mom, Grandmother and Grandfather tell her that her father died on Omaha Beach she understands but somewhere deep down she believes her Father is still out there.


When the local newspaper the Gladiola Gazette reports that one of the Boxcars from the Merci Train a train that is filled with gifts is stopping in Gladiola, Glory Bea is certain that her Daddy will be its surprise cargo.


This middle grade novel would be a perfect tool to get children to talk about their feelings of grief.


I give Blue Skies five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

It's 1948 and the war has been over for three years, but not for 11-year-old Glory Bea Bennett. She's been hoping for a miracle - that her beloved MIA father, who was last seen alive storming Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944 and is now presumed dead, will someday still come home. And it looks like Glory Bea is going to get her miracle...at least that's what she thinks.

Grateful to the United States for helping to liberate France from Nazi occupation, the French people have are sending 49 boxcars* on what is called the Merci Train, all filled with gifts for the United States. And one of those boxcars is going to travel through and briefly stop at Glory Bea's small town of Gladiola, Texas. Slowly, as the town begins to prepare a celebration for the train's arrival, Glory Bea allows herself to become more and more convinced that her dad will be on that boxcar stopping on Valentines Day, which also happens to be her parent's wedding anniversary. She's sure just wants to surprise her and her mom. After all, why else would the Merci Train stop in Gladiola, and wouldn't it be just like her dad to plan a big surprise like that? she thinks.

There's only one problem - now her dad's best Army buddy, Randall Horton, has arrived in town to visit with the Bennett family and Glory Bea is not happy about the fact that he is spending a lot of time with her mother, laughing, going out, and just enjoying each other's company. Angry and resentful, it seems the more Glory Bea tries to make his visit unpleasant, the longer Randall stays.

Glory Bea keeps her idea about her dad's return to herself, only telling her best friend Ruby Jane about it. Meanwhile, she begins to prepare for his homecoming, but now it looks like Randall is planning to settle down in Gladiola. Well, once her dad is home, her mother will lose all interest in Randall.

But when the Merci Train finally arrives in Gladiola, Glory Bea's miracle is definitely not what she expected.

Blue Skies is an interesting work of historical fiction that really shows the extent to which WWII impacted the lives of those who lived through it long after the fighting ended and that finally by 1949, people were beginning to finally move on with their lives. And while I loved the idea of bringing the Merci Train into the story, I did have a hard time with Glory Bea's holding on to the idea her dad was still alive but just hadn't come home yet for such a long time.

That being said, I still really liked this novel. There's so much going on beside Glory Bea's obsession. Her grandmother is a matchmaker, and she's trying to follow in her footsteps matching Ruby Jane and neighbor Ben Truman, and totally missing Ben's real crush.

An important side story in the book is that of Ben's father who returned from the war a changed man, suffering from PTSD. When Randell Horton arrives in town, and goes to visit Mr. Truman, just being able to talk about the war with someone who was there finally begins his healing, but there's no doubt he has a long road ahead of him.

One of the things I really enjoy when reading historical fiction are the little everyday things that are included, giving the reader a real sense of what life was life for kids back then. For example, the way movies play such a big part in the lives of Glory Bea and Ruby Jane, and the tradition of going to the soda fountain for Dr. Pepper floats afterwards.

Bustard has also really captured the patriotic spirit of places like Gladiola after the war. It's a small, friendly community where everyone knows and look out for each other. This is very evident in the parade that is being planned for the Merci Train's stop there or when Glory Bea and Ben hop on a train without a ticket.

I have to admit that at first I found Glory Bea an annoying, self-centered character, but as I read on I began to feel more empathy for her. I can understand the difficulty of losing a parent that you feel so attached to as a child. It happened to me, and it happened to my Kiddo, and life is hard for a long time. Coming to terms with loss can be a hard, sad journey, but Bustard allows Glory Bea to have her journey her way.

If you have read or are planning to read Blue Skies, you can find a list of interesting resources and links, including an Educator's Guide, HERE. There's even a playlist of songs from that time period (one of my favorite things is an author's playlist for historical fiction).

If you are looking for a compelling middle grade book about WWII and its aftermath, you can't go wrong with Blue Skies.

This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was gratefully received from the publisher, Simon & Schuster

* There were 49 Merci boxcars in all - one for each state and a 49th for the District of Columbia and Hawaii to share. The Merci train, also called the French Gratitude Train, was sent as a thank you not only for America's part in the liberation of France, but also for the more than 700 boxcars of much needed supplies on The American Friendship Train sent to France in 1947.

This isn't exactly a comfortable read. We see the protagonist indulging in increasingly far-fetched fantasies about the circumstances that have kept her father away, refusing to accept the reality of his death. This is contrasted with the neighbor who has returned but is utterly changed by PTSD. Is a fairly straightforward plot with a predictable arc.

I loved this book! I liked the hope that she has in the face of all the other worries in her life. I understand her feelings toward Randall and I too wanted her father to come back to her. I was not surprised at the ending--just disappointed that her miracle didn't happen. The publisher's blurb was misleading because the matchmaking seemed to be minor to the story. It is a superb book!

Wow. I am speechless. What an absolutely beautiful and touching tribute to such a heartbreaking time in our world's history.

Eleven-year-old Glory Bea believes in miracles, and though her father has not returned from the fighting that occurred at Omaha Beach, she is convinced that he is coming home with the Gratitude Train as it makes its stops across Texas. I had a feeling I was in for some tears, but when the moment happens, and you'll definitely know when, I was overwhelmed with so much emotion for not only this young girl understanding her father's absence, but also as the spouse to a service member who has been on many combat tours where the threat of death is very much a possibility. I couldn't help but feel instantly connected with Glory Bea and her hopeful assurance that everything was going to be just as it once was. Over the course of my husband's deployments, most recently while having a 4 year-old, 2 year-old, and newborn on my hands, I have constantly been asked "How do you do it?" And the answer has always been, I just do. Like Glory Bea, you hold onto a miracle as tightly as you can. The resonating and steadfast strength of faith beats strongly because there simply isn't time for anything else. While death or disability is something that you can conceptualize, your mind won't allow you to go to that place, but God forbid that it should ever happen to my family, I pray that my children and I can face it with half as much grace as Glory Bea and her family.

Stepping back from my emotional attachment to the story, this is very much a testament to fantastic middle grade literature. The historical setting shines in the background, allowing young modern readers to focus on Glory Bea and her own coming of age as she navigates life, love, and loss. Change is coming for Glory Bea whether she is ready for it or not, and it's a breathtaking delight to walk beside her while it happens. The family dynamics across all characters are incredible to witness. Glory Bea's grandparents are amazing role models for the entire community and do their best to fill in the gaps left by an entire generation of young adults still reeling from the horrors of war.

The gorgeous and whimsical cover can't help but lure you to pick up the book, but the precious story of Glory Bea and her family will undoubtedly captivate you to the very end. I would love to see more of these stories from the author featuring engaging and spunky main characters during monumental historical moments. This poignant novel celebrates the love between a parent and child that never ends, the promise of new connections, and is highly recommended to all readers young and old.

Glory Bea believes her daddy will return from the War, even though it has been three years since WWII has ended. Her town has been chosen as a stop for the Merci Train, one of 49 boxcars sent from France to thank the American people, and she just knows her daddy will be on it. This sweet middle grade novel is told from the perspective of the spunky Glory Bea and portrays small town Texas in a way that I believe will capture the attention of young readers. This is one I'll be buying for my library.

Reading this book during a pandemic gave me a feeling of hope. I spent the day hearing about fights in grocery stores and then read about Glory Bea's small town. A town where strangers are offered to join the dinner table and everyone knows everyone else's favorite recipe. Set years after WWII Glory Bea is still waiting for her dad to come home from the war. Even though it's been several years you throw logic out the window and start keeping your fingers crossed with her. Glory Bea believes her father is coming home on a train from France that is filled with gifts for the American people. Regardless, of what is going on around her, her best friend in love, her neighbor always going out of his way to be there for her, her grandmother's match making, and even her mom's new date nights she stays focused on the countdown. The countdown to arrival for the Merci Train is what is keeping her grounded while she pushes out all competing opinions. At moments the story felt a little stagnate because everything is changing in Glory Bea's world except for her. The sense of small town community sucks you in like a comfy chair. Children ages 9 and up will enjoy learning about the Merci Train which is a real act of kindness from history.

I really enjoyed this graphic novel because of its art style and entrenching plot. I would highly recommend this to fans of middle grade fiction and interesting stories.

I loved seeing Glory Bea and her family. From their loving relationship, I could see how George Bennett was raised and how he became the man his daughter would long for to return home and the rest of the family mourned. He loved surprises, sang his daughter awake every morning and loved to play hide-and-seek with her but also was a normal, mischievous boy who, along with his father, played some practical jokes on his mother that she still remembered with a smile.

Gladiola comes alive with small town life after World War II. Glory Bea’s best friend has a crush on neighbor Ben which Glory Bea tries to help with, everyone is on a party line and has their own “ring,” the town might be small but is filled with enthusiasm and patriotism. The samples of the town newspaper take you back to a simpler time and Glory Bea’s last letter made me smile while blinking back a few tears. In fact I was crying quite a bit at the end. This is a charming book of second chances, seeing what is before you, and the extraordinary love with which we remember those dear to us. B+

This is a very sweet story about ten-year old Glory Bea's belief that she will be reunited with her father who is missing in action. Glory Bea struggles when her father's best friend moves to her town and shows interest in her mother. This story is filled with historical details that transport the reader to a small town and a time forgotten. This book is perfect for a book discussion or classroom read. Loved the ending!

Readers are sure to want to grab up this one and fall in love with a young girl and her amazing outlook on life and dreams.

Glory Bea is ten-years-old and lives in a small, farming town three years after World War II has ended. Unlike every other family in town, her father never returned home after the front in France, and instead, is marked as missing. Her family, including grandparents, have held on to hope, and when there's an announcement of a special train coming into town with gifts from France as well as a extra-special surprise, she's sure it's her father. But as her excitement and hope builds, other things start happening. Still, she knows she'll see a miracle.

This is a novel with tons of heart. Glory Bea is a wonderful character, full of passion and life. She's not overly outspoken but is, by no means, someone to be ignored. Her friends trust her and adults like her. She has a special interest in match-making...thanks to her grandmother, who holds a talent in this area...and that makes for a fun, sweet twist in the tale as she tries to match up two of her best friends. She's simply the kind of girl, who would be fun to be around, and a person hard not to cheer for. Readers are sure to see a best friend and sympathize with Glory Bea.



Although historically set, this story flows very naturally and presents the time and tale in a very interesting way. Every page brings something new, making it hard to put the book down. Little details bring the time to life without feeling laid out or forced. The author has done a superb job at bringing the time frame, people and happenings across in a way readers will connect to.

I absolutely loved reading this and believe that its not a book only for younger readers. Actually, I wouldn't even recommend it to readers until the age of eleven or so. While ten, Glory Bea often comes across a little older (more like twelve or thirteen). Not only are many of her thoughts and interactions a bit mature for ten, but the interest between boys and girls and how they interact, go to dances together and such, would suggest a slightly older age group. But this doesn't hurt the story in any way, and I'm sure upper middle graders and tweens will adore it.

This is definitely a read to recommend!

This book was received as an ARC from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing - Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I could not get enough of this book and the message that was carried throughout the book. Glory Bea Bennett is very inspiring to all people with her grandmother being the biggest miracle worker and with the war ending and Glory Bea's father not returning, it is easy for Glory Bea to be scared and negative about the whole situation but it is the image and representation of blue skies that keeps her personality shining. Glory Bea knows her father is still out there and miracles work in their own magical ways. I could not help but fall in love with the optimism of Glory Bea and there were many parts of the book where I couldn't hold back my tears. I know this will be a book in every classroom and even based on a whole unit that children should learn. I know our teachers and children will love this book.

We will consider adding this title to our JFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

This is such a slice of life for small-town Texas in the days after WW II. When I finished, "The Yellow Rose of Texas" was on my mind. Glory Bea Bennett is eleven years old and her daddy is MIA after Omaha Beach. Glory Bea is certain that her daddy is just lost, not dead. As the famous Gratitude Train makes its way to her little town of Gladiola, Texas, she is certain her daddy will be the promised surprise guest. Throughout the book, we live life with Glory Bea and her family. They go to church, enjoy sodas at the drugstore, put together a parade for Mercy Train Day, and so much more. It was a refreshing change from modern life to go back to a party line and see Grandma Bennett in all her matchmaking glory. So many passages in the book capture the heart and hope-filled flavor of Texas in that time period. I loved it!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.