Kathy is in her first year at boarding school in northern China when Japanese soldiers arrive to take the children and teachers to a prisoner of war camp, where they were to remain for several years. Kathy and her older brother face hardships, disease and discouragement, but their teachers remind them that “The soldiers cannot take God out of this camp” and encourage them to find joy in small things. During her imprisonment, Kathy befriends a Japanese guard, and they celebrate together when the war ends. Although it is not expressly stated, the girl in the story is almost certainly an MK. Her experience as a prisoner of war, of course, is not especially typical, and her friendship with the guard is not given much attention. The focus of the book is on Kathy’s courage in the midst of frightening circumstances. Questions at the end of the book can initiate discussions with elementary aged children about dealing with fear, how to live peaceably with others, and why countries have wars.
Reading level: age 8-11 years