I would recommend this book for children aged 9+ and those with an interest in historical fiction. With parallels to Goodnight Mr Tom and Carrie’s War this book would be a welcome addition to anyone’s bookshelf. I loved all of the characters in this book and think that the writer did an exceptional job of balancing an eclectic mixture of interesting personas – I was particularly endeared by Florence’s character. In a hollow tree-trunk, Jimmy finds a human skull and much of the story hinges on the mystery of who it belongs to and how it got there. We do know, of course, that not all the evacuated children had happy experiences and we cannot begin to comprehend how overwhelming or unnerving the whole exercise would. Weaved alongside the boys’ journey to settle in with their new home and negotiate their new and changing friendships is a gripping mystery. The secrets of the valley are gradually revealed as Jimmy and his little tribe work together to solve a decades old mystery, and bring much needed comfort to a long-held grief. For example, Ronnie’s obsession with toy cars and the boys’ excitement and enthusiasm when gifted with a stack of Beano and Dandy comics, I think, will allow young readers to understand that the boys are just like them – that history might separate them but that the childhood experience does not.

This novel successfully enables the reader to empathise with these boys and draw comparisons with their own modern-day lives. There they reside in the Thomas’ home – a warm and endearing couple, who welcome them with open arms. We are so thrilled to have The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr as our Children's Book of the Month in January. Set in the midst of the Second World War, two young brothers, Jimmy and Ronnie, are evacuated from London to a mining town in Wales’ valleys.

I thought that this debut novel written by Lesley Parr was just brilliant, reading it in one sitting.

Valley of the lost secrets