Summer of the war

It may offer a thoughtful way to discuss how public events reach private lives, including changing family roles, uncertainty and the difficulty of responding well to someone who feels out of place.

The wartime setting includes the attack on Pearl Harbor, radio reports and references to work connected with the war.

How might Belle and the other children understand the difference between a war heard on the radio and conflict they experience within their own family?

Read alongside the child, pausing when Caroline’s behaviour creates tension. Invite discussion about inclusion, family responsibility and how wartime change affects people differently, without demanding agreement about any character.