Whistling in the Dark by Shirley Hughes is the story of 13-year old Joan and her family living in Liverpool, England during the Blitz. Unsettling nightly Nazi air raids are common, and strict rationing is a part of daily life. As if war with the Germans isn't enough to worry Joan, her mother and three siblings, there are other risky occurrences that hit very close to home. One is a mysterious man who is lurking around their home in the evenings. Another source of stress is the phony, creepy captain who visits frequently to woo Joan's mother. Finally, Joan discovers that locals are selling food and clothing on the black market for profit. Fortunately, Joan has a strong friendship in Doreen, and the two of them are able, at least in the early years, to escape to the cinema.
Shirley Hughes actually lived through the Liverpool Blitz as a young teen, and her remembrances of resilience and the bonding of family and friends comes through in her writing. The illustrations that open each chapter are informative and charming. This meaningful novel will be loved by young fans of historical fiction and World War II. Another book to recommend to young readers about this time and place would be The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
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