In this moving and timeless story award-winning author L. M. Elliott captures life on the U.S.
homefront during World War II weaving a rich portrait of a family reeling from loss and the
chilling yet hopeful voyage of fighting for what matters perfect for fans of The War That
Saved My Life. Days after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 Hitler declared war on the
U.S. unleashing U-boat submarines to attack American ships. Suddenly the waves outside Louisa
June's farm aren't for eel fishing or marveling at wild swans or learning to skull her family's
boat-they're dangerous swarming with hidden enemies. Her oldest brothers' ships risk coming
face-to-face with U-boats. Her sister leaves home to weld Liberty Boat hulls. And then her
daddy a tugboat captain and her dearest brother Butler are caught in the crossfire. Her
mama has always swum in a sea of melancholy but now she really needs Louisa June to find
moments of beauty or inspiration to buoy her. Like sunshine-yellow daffodils good books or
news accounts of daring rescues of torpedoed passengers. Determined to help her mama and aching
to combat Nazis herself Louisa June turns to her quirky friend Emmett and the indomitable
Cousin Belle who has her own war stories-and a herd of cats-to share. In the end after a
perilous sail Louisa June learns the greatest lifeline is love. * A Children's Book Council
Notable Social Studies Trade Book * CDE Recommended Reading 6th-8th Grades * 2023 Capitol
Choices * VLA Cardinal Cup for Historical Fiction * Bank Street College Best Book
