1918 should have been the ‘year it all ended’ for 17-year-old Tiney Flynn and her family, as the Great War finally comes to an end and family and friends eagerly await the return of loved ones. But Tiney’s battles have just begun as her beloved family fractures.

Struggling to make sense of her brother’s death, she embarks on a courageous journey from the safety of Adelaide to the devastation of war-torn Europe as she seeks her brother’s grave and uncovers a family mystery. In searching for the pieces of the puzzle, Tiney attempts to gather her shattered family back together, and although her courage ensures it will flourish, she knows that things can never be the same.

Tiney’s story is of one young woman’s battle to rebuild a family broken by war; it’s the story of those who were left behind to make sense of a senseless tragedy. Award-winning author Kirsty Murray has taken on the heroic task of bringing history to life by successfully condensing into one book what was surely material for three! Highly recommended for ages 14 and up.

Athina Clarke