"Out of the Dark" by Julie Lawson is a heartwarming and inspiring tale of resilience and hope set amidst the backdrop of the Great Influenza Pandemic in 1918. The story follows Jane, a young girl who faces the challenges of fitting in with her upper-class peers and navigating the threat of the pandemic. With the support of her best friend Livy and Livy's brother Will, Jane finds solace in her work at the school newspaper. As the pandemic spreads, Jane's strength and determination are put to the test.
I personally found this book to be an engrossing and emotional read, with well-developed characters and a gripping plot. The historical setting was meticulously researched, transporting me to a different era. I highly recommend "Out of the Dark" to anyone looking for a powerful and uplifting story about the human spirit.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I decided to review this book as my father just returned from Halifax and went into great detail about the explosion and I thought it would be interesting. Little did I know it would be one of my favorite books of the year. I love history and the attention to detail Julie Lawson has is amazing.

The reactions, personalities, and situations are so spot on that this reads like an autobiography. The idea of adding Conner's journal entries is aaa nice addition.
Great for the grade 6 Manitoba curriculum.