A time to wait by Michelle Blackbird

Set in England, A Time to Wait is a World War Two story about Basil, a young boy alone in the world and an abandoned border collie puppy that he found. Basil raises Wimbledon under difficult and cruel circumstances and their bond is unbreakable.

Sadly, Basil has been taken in by a nasty cousin after his parents go missing in Europe. She treats him cruelly and when children are encouraged to evacuate London, she immediately sets about to do this and have Wimbledon put down at the same time. Fortunately, a kind and wise vet saves Wimbledon and is instrumental in setting him on his arduous journey to find Basil.

Meanwhile heartbroken Basil is placed on a train and begins a long journey to the town of Rye. On the journey he befriends Maisie and their connection is another layer central to this story.  Basil finds himself billeted with a kind older gentleman who served in World War One and who helps Basil search for Wimbledon over many weeks. Basil and Maisie form a close bond and both will not give up the dream of finding Wimbledon alive.

Throughout this story, there are adventures for both Basil and Wimbledon that see them move further away from finding each other but also help to share glimpses of what life was like in 1940’s England. The language used is descriptive and the steady pace and changing subplots of the narrative will keep readers engaged. The ending is particularly satisfying and resolves many of the storylines.

Themes: World War Two, Dogs, Family, Evacuees, Adventure, Danger, Friendship.

Kathryn Beilby