Bert and his sisters Meg and Betty live in a small town in New Zealand during World War II. Bert is eleven when he discovers a secret entrance to the old Geronimo Bakehouse which is completely boarded up and deserted. He decides to clean up the old bakehouse so that his family can use it as a bomb shelter if necessary and the children start going there to play. Soon an adventure begins which is both dangerous and exciting.

One of the best elements of this book is the way the author places the reader in the time and place beautifully. The language is of the era, and we get an understanding of living on rations, of how life changes in the town when American soldiers move in, and of the very real fear of enemy invasion. This is an engaging story for those who enjoy realistic historical fiction. Recommended for readers aged 10 and up.

Kate Campbell