The FitzOsbornes at War

by Michelle Cooper

Overview

Michelle Cooper completes her heart-stealing epic drama of history and romance with The FitzOsbornes at War.

Sophie FitzOsborne and the royal family of Montmaray escaped their remote island home when the Nazis attacked. But as war breaks out in England and around the world, nowhere is safe. Sophie fills her journal with tales of a life during wartime. Blackouts and the Blitz. Dancing in nightclubs with soliders on leave. And endlessly waiting for news of her brother Toby, whose plane was shot down over enemy territory.

But even as bombs rain down on London, hope springs up, and love blooms for this most endearing princess. And when the Allies begin to drive their way across Europe, the FitzOsbornes take heart—maybe, just maybe, there will be a way to liberate Montmaray as well.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780375970504
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	10/09/2012
Series:	Montmaray Journals Series , #3
Pages:	560
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	1010L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

MICHELLE COOPER works as a speech pathologist. She specializes in learning disabilities and reluctant readers, so she's passionate about getting children and teenagers interested in books. You can learn more about Michelle and her books at MichelleCooper-Writer.com.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Kirkus Reviews Best of Teen's Books 2012

Starred Review, Booklist, November 15, 2012:
“…this makes a perfect choice for teen devotees of Downton Abbey and other period dramas.”

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2012:
“Absorbing, compelling and unforgettable.”

Editorial Reviews

Kirkus Reviews Best of Teen's Books 2012

Starred Review, Booklist, November 15, 2012:
“…this makes a perfect choice for teen devotees of Downton Abbey and other period dramas.”

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2012:
“Absorbing, compelling and unforgettable.”

From the Publisher

The final book in The Montmaray Journals chronicles the exiled young royals as they endure the war years, 1939 through 1944. Earlier, readers met young teen Princess Sophie, her siblings, Toby (the king), Henrietta (known as Henry), and their slightly older cousins, Veronica and Simon. Having escaped to London after Germany occupied their Channel island kingdom, they were taken in by their wealthy Aunt Charlotte who attempted to integrate them into British society. With the advent of WWII, Charlotte takes Henry to her country estate while the older royals all jump into war work. Sophie and Veronica find work in government departments while Simon and Toby begin flight training with the RAF. As the tide turns in favor of the Allies, Toby and the others continue their efforts to liberate Montmaray. Sophie's journal allows readers to learn much about the difficulties of everyday life in wartime Britain, but the main draw is Sophie—her romantic longings, her take on government dealings, her devotion to family. The book captures her despair, fatigue, hope, and fear while living in wartime—not even royalty escapes the horror of war. There is a bit of name-dropping as Sophie hobnobs with the Kennedy family, especially JFK's sister Kathleen, but there is also intrigue, romance, action, even humor; and while the ending might be a tad too tidy, it remains a captivating story. While prior knowledge adds much depth and understanding, this book could stand alone. This is a thoroughly satisfying conclusion to the FitzOsbornes' story. Reviewer: Debbie Wenk

VOYA - Debbie Wenk

War has been declared, and the young, royal, exiled FitzOsbornes are immediately in the thick of things as Cooper's Montmaray Journals trilogy comes to its conclusion. Their island kingdom of Montmaray was captured by the Nazis several years earlier, and they have been living in London ever since. Teenagers at the start of the war, they are flung headlong into adulthood; Simon and King Toby are in the Royal Air Force, Princess Veronica does something secret in the Foreign Office, and Princess Sophie works in the Food Ministry, where she churns out information regarding rationing. It is her voice, as true and clear as ever in her long-running journal, that paints a detailed and nuanced portrait of life in the madness of war, with its deprivations, bombings and disruptions; devastating damage to life, property and spirit; constant fear, heartbreaking loss and brief moments of giddy laughter. The family is foremost in the narrative, but the wider cast of characters includes Churchill, the Kennedys and several other historical figures. Seamlessly weaving fiction with fact, Cooper makes it all personal. Modern readers, whether or not they know more than a few basic facts about that era, will be completely caught up in Sophie's nightmare and will gain an understanding that only the best historical fiction can provide. (Readers are advised not to peek at the family tree, as it contains spoilers.) Absorbing, compelling and unforgettable. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 12 & up)

Kirkus Reviews