First thank you to the author and the publisher for the ARC of the book. When I first heard about the story, I knew I wanted to read it, so I felt fortunate to have the opportunity to receive an ARC of the book.
The story follows Elspeth Kent, a teacher at the Chefoo Missionary School in Yantai China and Girl Guide leader as well as student Nancy Plummer, aka Plum, from the beginning of the Japanese occupation of the Shandong region of China through liberation of Weihsien Internment Camp in Weihsien, China. It talks about the hardships that they endured as well as how the managed to stay to positive throughout the grueling experience.
Many fiction books have been written about WWII, but there are few out there that address the Pacific theater of the war and the hardships faced by ex-pats of Allied countries in these occupied regions. The author does a great job sharing the hardships from both an adult and child's perspective without getting too much into the graphic details of the horrors that these people faced. She also clearly did a lot research to make sure that the book was historically accurate. For example, Scottish Olympian Eric Liddell was interned and died in Weihsien, and he was known as Uncle Eric to the children and taught science and physical education.
The other thing I appreciated about the story was tying in the Girl Guides. Having grown up participating in Girl Scouts, it was a bit of a stroll down memory lane for me--sans the war aspect--as well as an education into the history of how the program has changed over the years.

I would definitely recommend the book to others. Solid 4 stars.

Just when I think I've read every type of book written about WWII I'm surprised again! This story is set in China where Japanese officers have taken control over a private school full of British and American children. The teachers become surrrogate parents to the children as they all try to find their way through and survive the best way they can through the years of occupation. This author is always such an amazing and talented writer and you truly bond with these characters.

Gaynor does it again!

I have come to expect excellence from Gaynor's novels and this one did not disappoint - not in the slightest.

The date is 1941. Fear is running rampant. It's a toxic feeling that is running wild in the streets and can be catching.

This book explores the internment camps. I thought it was a more unique stance to delve into considering many WWII books focus on a different angle. I felt a tremendous sense of loss while reading this book. For anyone interested in reading something a little different, but still set in WWII, this book is for you.

A new vantage point of WWII in Chat I had not read about before. It follows the saga of a small school in China teaching missionary children . They face some difficult times as Japan invades China and removes them from their school and takes them on a bit of an odyssey. Main characters - Nancy the student and Miss Kent the teacher are very likable. It moved very slowly at times and dragged in the middle.

Read if you: Enjoy WW II historical fiction, but want a unique setting.

What this has going for it: A compelling story of courage and survival, with a Girl Guides (Girl Scouts in the US) angle.

Drawbacks: Multiple perspectives keep the reader at a distance and unable to fully delve into a specific character or point of view. This is reportedly based on a true story--where are the author notes and/or research notes? Very disappointing that none were included.

Librarians/booksellers: Your WWII historical fiction readers will want to pick this one up.

Many thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Inspired by real life events this book tells the story of a British run missionary school in China during World War II. It is told through the voice Elspeth Kent, a teacher and Girl's Guide leader, and Nancy Plummer, a student. "Be Prepared" was their motto but they were challenged by the events of war that entered into their lives. The school is seized by the Japanese Army and moved to an interment camp. Wherever they go the teachers and students try to make the best of the situation. Kindness, resilience, friendship, endurance and hope abound in the historical fiction. Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy of this remarkable book!

It's not that there was particularly anything wrong with this book, but it is not that there was anything great about it either. I DNF at about 40%. Whenever they start killing animals, I tend to give up on a book. It just seemed extremely cliche and forced. I saw it coming from the second the author mentioned "kitten." I didn't really care about the characters or their journey. It just seemed like a book I've read a hundred times before. I was hoping for a new perspective from the Chinese aspect of the war, but it fell flat for me. I had no desire to read on, so I decided to pick up another book.

I have just finished this exceptional book. I was engaged from the beginning and couldn’t wait to read more about the wonderful characters and their harrowing experiences. And yet there was an ever present feeling of hope.I loved the fact that the story was told from the perspectives of a child/young lady and an adult. There were enough characters to make the story interesting, and yet not so many characters that made the story confusing. One knows the basic end of the internment, however there is a sweet twist at the end that will have you reaching for your tissues.

It’s been awhile since I’ve had a book hangover, but this one hit the spot.

A dual narrative story surrounding young Nancy Plummer, an eight year old girl sent to a boarding school in China and her teacher Elspeth Kent. The book takes us through the outbreak of World War II and deep into the unspeakable trials of life inside a Japanese internment camp. There is a heavy theme of Girl Guides (Girl Scouts) running through the story and at first I though it might be cheesy, especially for someone with limited scout experience. In fact, it was nothing to cringe over and worked just fine, helping to further and strengthen the plot line.

I enjoyed the fact that the story was told from the perspective of a child and adult and thought that their past experiences and current struggles gave the book more depth than that of a single narrator. The characters were relatable and easy to empathize with, which led me to become deeply invested in each of their stories. The sentences were beautifully composed and the author was not heavy handed when writing the most provoking scenes. She allowed the reader to read her words and formulate their own emotions toward even the most harrowing events.

This was a refreshing take on the overdone WWII genre, with its focus on the Pacific Theater and the harsh realities of life under Japanese occupation. I wish more authors would would follow Hazel Gaynor’s example and make the extra effort to research and craft unique stories about the little know aspects of WWII.

Thank you to Hazel Gaynor, William Morrow Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy.

Hazel Gaynor's book transported me to occupied China during WWII. I loved the way the narrative was told through one student and one teacher at a western missionary school. First the Japanese allow them to stay n their own school. Then they are marched across town to a more dilapidated building. Finally, they are sent to a concentration camp, where survival is tenuous. But survive many of them did, until the Americans liberated the camp.
But the characters are what really makes this book shine. Little Nancy and Miss Kent not only tell the story, but their resilience, even in the face of horror, IS the story.

In December 1941, Elspeth Kent plans to leave her teaching position at a missionary school in northern China and return home to England. But before she can do so her school is taken over by Japanese forces after Britain and America declare war on Japan. Nancy Plummer is a 10 year old student and daughter of missionaries who has formed a special bond with Miss Kent. As their lives quickly change, Miss Kent and the other teachers take on the role of caregivers and do their best to keep the children safe as they are forced to leave their school and travel to an internment camp.
This was a historical fiction, wartime novel full of pain and sorrow but also of hope and kindness. With war as a backdrop, teachers and students showed how love, strength and courage can help bring you through even the most difficult and heart-wrenching times. This my third book by this author and she never disappoints. Four stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Book Club Girl and Hazel Gaynor for the advanced e-copy of this book.

This was originally declined but was an early read from BCG. Thank you BCG.. Will purchase this book....Another great book by Hazel Gaynor..

When you read, “When We Were Young & Brave”, you will realize that being under “stay @ home” orders, for Covid 19 is nothing compared to what the teachers and children at the, China Inland Mission School experienced during WWII! I have read numerous historical fiction novels that take place during WWII, but nothing compared to this one. It is based on true happenings, but none that I or many of you may have knowledge of.
In 1941 the 124 students (most whose parents were wealthy or missionaries) were left in the care of their teachers during the Christmas holidays, as a journey home would be too dangerous due to the ongoing Sino-Japanese war. The storyline begins with the declaration of Japan and Britain going to war. The characters could never imagine what the war will initiate in their small world, and what would happen next. The key characters form relationships that will help them endure all the trials, tribulations and life changing events that develop throughout the story. Forgotten and cut off from the rest of the world, these children and teachers undergo situations/conditions that only perseverance, ingenuity and true kindness will allow them to survive.
The subject matter is serious, but the humorous and uplifting moments presented by the interesting characters keep you turning the pages until you reach the very last one. I would recommend this beautifully written, uplifting, and inspiring book to everyone!

"Books are feasts for the imagination. Who cares if there's barbed wire around the walls. This is our escape. Right here, in all these glorious words. Between these pages, we can be free as the birds. We can go anywhere we please!"

Some books are simply entertaining while others, forever change their readers. "When We Were Young & Brave was the latter as Hazel Gaynor guided us along with her troops. During World War II, Japan invaded China and students from around the world were interned. Equipped with only a trunk of their belonging, the children were led by their brave teachers facing six years of being locked away from their families.

Taking control over her Girl Guides, Elspeth Kent marches into action and demonstrates a love for her students that transcends the classroom. Bravely she created bonds that allowed them to face oppression, find strength in solidarity and unearth kindness despite cruelty.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition in exchange for an honest review. #WhenWeWereYoungandBrave was a roller coaster read filled with steep hills, overcoming obstacles and trepidation of life's bumpy road. Through the characters' courageous actions, readers will travel along with them depicting a historical account of remaining brave during the darkest circumstances.

"We might not have the same liberties we once had, but freedom doesn't end with high walls and guard dogs...freedom is here girls, in the mind."

Full disclosure, if I could give When We Were Young & Brave four and a half stars I would. It's not quite the gut-wrenching, emotionally wrecking, vibrant story that something has to be for World War II historical fiction for me to rate it a full five stars but it is very good and has several things going for it. The biggest thing is that it isn't young women working as spies or for the war effort in Europe. These can be very well done, but are a dime a dozen now. Instead, this story takes place in China, where a school of missionary and diplomats' children are interned in several different locations by the Japanese as enemies of war. Second, this story is not told back and forth between the past and a younger descendent or stumbler upon a piece to the past. While it does feature a few brief chapters of one of the narrators later in life, it primarily alternates back and forth between Elspeth Kent, a teacher at the school, and one of her students, Nancy Plummer. This is great and the third big advantage the book has, because it gives you two distinct points of view of a horrific experience, and how it affects two women at different ages. Considering the time period and the circumstances, the story is not without heartbreak, but it is a wonderful view into a lesser known part of World War II history that shows experiences of Chinese, British and Americans by the Japanese and does so with a personal touch, with unique elements like kingfishers and sunflowers incorporated in.

Deeply resounding characters and a powerfully thought-provoking time in history combine in Hazel Gaynor’s story of a Chinese missionary school overtaken by the Japanese army during WWII. A sprawling story of endurance and resilience of the human spirit when confronted by a slow progression of suppression, the novel alternates between two central characters, a teacher at the school and her young student, giving the reader the dual perceptions of internment from the adult and child perspectives. Both characters navigate the new world they are cast into while clutching onto the principles and ideals of their beloved Girls Guide (UK’s equivalent of the US’s Girl Scouts). WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND BRAVE brought to life an aspect of WWII history that I was not familiar with before reading the book. Gaynor’s writing brought this unknown period of history to life for me through her enduring characters as they braved their new roles as enemies of the state. I’m leaving this book much richer in my understanding of this tragic time in WWII history. Based on true events in history, I’m giving this book a much deserved five stars. If you love historical fiction driven by compelling female characters, this book is a must for you!

What a heartbreaking story! I received this free book & I am thrilled. The storyline is so interesting. I love stories about countries I have visited & history & this book did not disappoint! The way the characters were described, you felt you knew them & experiencing everything they were. A definite must read book!!

What a great book! I was given an ARC to read, and could hardly put it down. Thank you to NetGalley and goodreads.

When We Were Young and Brave follows the story of a teacher and a student in a Chinese boarding school for the children of missionaries and diplomats. Their school is taken over by Japanese soldiers during WWII. Their lives turned upside down, the novel describes the ways they work to overcome many obstacles during the occupation. I found the story lyrical and mesmerizing. This story had me very tearful near the end, but it really shows a profound triumph of the human spirit. I loved it.

This author is already on my must buy list. She is wonderful as was the novel. The characters are well written and engaging. It is smart and well written and well researched as you would expect. This is a must read for all lovers of historical fiction.

The review is based upon an advance reader copy of the book. I was provided this book in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

Their motto was to be prepared, but nothing could prepare them for war. . .

Once again, Hazel Gaynor has created a moving story. So many WWII historical fiction novels have focused on events in Great Britain and Europe. However, When We Were Young & Brave reminds us that war was also waged in other parts of our world. Based on true events, the story focuses on an international school located in Chefoo China. The students are children of diplomats and missionaries and include children from the United States, Great Britain and Australia.

December 7, 1941. One of the Chefoo school teachers, Elspeth Kent is preparing to turn in her letter of resignation so that she can return to England and join in the war effort. Her mind weighs heavily on the news that her beloved brother Alfie has been reported missing in action. Nancy Plummer, one of Elsepeth’s students has just heard the news that she and her brother Edward would not be reunited with their missionary parents for Christmas. While Nancy loves Chefoo school and her friends, Mouse and Sprout, she misses the mother that she hasn’t seen in two years. But when Japan attacks Pearl Harbor and declares war on Great Britain and the United States, Elspeth Kent’s and Nancy Plummer’s lives, as well as the lives of everyone at their school, is catapulted into a direction none of them could have imagined.

Chefoo school immediately comes under the control of the Japanese military. Faced with the relentless challenges of oppression, the school community must rely on their courage, faith and friendships as they pray for liberation – but worse is to come when they are sent to a distant internment camp where even greater uncertainty and danger await.

The story unfolds under the author’s masterful use of alternating viewpoints. The reader gets to experience life for the Chefoo school students and teachers under military control as seen through Elspeth’s and Nancy’s eyes. I believe that this makes the story more realistic and gives a perspective that would not be gained if it had only been told through one character.

As one expects from a Hazel Gaynor novel, characters are well developed. Even the secondary characters of the story come to life and are as unforgettable as the story itself. The detail is rich and is evidence of the author’s depth of research in writing this story. Lovers of WWII historical fiction will definitely want to make this their next read.