Abrams Books for Young Readers A Place to Hang the Moon Children’s Book

One of the best historical fiction

This book has it all: history, characters you can’t help but love, perfect pacing, & a setting that grabs your heart. This is a book you’ll never forget.

Rajiv

September 29, 2021

A gorgeous historical middle-grade novel

There are specific stories you read that make you immediately become fond of them. I loved reading “A Place to Hang the Moon” and thought the author did a fabulous job executing the tale.

Firstly, I adored all the three characters from the first page. Edmund, William, and Anna all have likable traits that make them stand out. I loved how close they were to each other. The three of them endure few hardships and learn the ways of the world. William was my favorite because of how he took over the responsibility. He wanted to manage everything with the three of them to not feel in debt with anyone. I loved how the author progressed with the characters in that there is never any harm in asking for help when required. You feel protective towards the children, especially when they encounter meanies like Jack and Simon and even the Griffiths. On a side note, I loved how the children have a fondness for books and loved the various references and selections the author put in on their conversations.

I also cherished the children’s bond with Mrs. Müller, and their scenes together were the highlights. Another reason that I applaud the author is for using the backdrop of WWII for the plot. You get to see how the situation impacts the evacuees and the harsh realities that the children have to endure. The author also added complex terms like capitulation that would encourage younger readers to enhance their vocabulary. The author beautifully paces the story in a heartwarming manner as the children search for the perfect place they can call home.

Overall, “A Place to Hang the Moon” is a gorgeous historical middle-grade novel that I feel proud of reading.

Loved it!!!

Absolutely enchanting family read aloud! We all loved it!

Absolutely AMAZING!!

What a read! This was phenomenal! It got a big book hug when I finished, & it left me with all the happy feels. I was 12% through this when I picked it up yesterday-then I finished the rest in 2 separate sittings yesterday. I didn’t want to put it down.

These kids are each amazing in their own right. I loved the sibling dynamic in this story. As the oldest, William has had so much on his shoulders that no 12 year old should have to bear. My heart ached for all of them, but especially him. Mrs. Müller has my heart. What a classy, loving, amazing woman. My heart broke for her too for so many reasons. I absolutely loved that she was a librarian, & loved all of the cozy library scenes. I felt like I was curled up w/a book right along side them.

This had amazing characters obviously lol, amazing historical detailing, a great plot, great character development, & amazing writing. This feels like an instant classic. I can see people 100 years from now still reading & talking about this like A Little Princess is. It FEELS like a loved classic already. Watching these kids go through what they do, how the story develops, & the ending-all done in such a way, & built up perfectly in a such a way, that you just become so invested & in love w/these characters & story.

I’ve never rolled my eyes so hard as I did when a certain character worries if she will still be able to get French perfume when France falls to the Germans. Lol Even stuff like that added so much to the story. Ignorant people like that & the horrible people we encounter in the book really existed-not these literal people, but people LIKE them. Sad. These frightened kids evacuating & leaving their family & their homes..the way some people treated them & the things they said-makes me so angry. Or the ones that only cared about the payment they got for taking in evacuees. Ugh! The Ratting broke my heart in a million pieces-what a scene. Such a powerful 1 at that. I also love that the question is asked why so many authors write orphan stories, because I’ve always wondered too lol not that I’m complaining-they seem to be some of my favorites.

There are many characters that could be seen as the “villains” to the story, but I don’t think you could have a story including WWII & not say Hitler is the real villain. Still infuriates me how some people were treated for simply being attached in some way to someone who happened to be German(not Nazi, just German), or were German but hadn’t been there or lived there in ages. Or even if they were from a country that fell to Germany they were treated like they were Nazis themselves. Ignorant & absurd! All of those poor people all affected by the war in horrible ways, & all so many different ways. From the horrific Holocaust itself all the way down to evacuated children, & all of the others in between the two.

Anyway, the ending chapters til the end itself gave me such a warm happy feeling, I never wanted the book to end. I can’t recommend this enough. I think it hung the moon! I need more from this author! Absolutely beautiful cover by Jane Newland too! Stunning!💜

LCRF

May 12, 2021

Absolutely FANTASTIC WWII Historical Fiction for Readers of All Ages

When your favorite book of ALL TIME is The War That Saved My Life, a WWII Historical Fiction featuring two children trying to find a home during the uncertain times that war brings, any book with any similarity whatsoever automatically moves to the top of the list - which is exactly what happened with Kate Albus' A Place to Hang the Moon.

In the tiniest of tiny tiny ways, loving and rereading TWTSML so many times impacted my full enjoyment of the wonderful middle grade book that is A Place to Hang the Moon - at least in the beginning, when I was busy subconsciously comparing the two. Once I separated them out in my head, I was fully able to enjoy the ways that this book is such an excellent addition to the WWII Historical Fiction MG genre (and there were so many!!).

I loved the relationship between the siblings, I loved the relationship between the siblings and Nora. I loved the relationships between the siblings and their solicitor (although it was somewhat ridiculous, and gave me A Series of Unfortunate Events vibes). Basically, I loved the relationships.

This is a perfect book for so, so, so many readers. Definitely one I will find myself recommending over and over again! (And if you liked this book, I cannot (I simply CANNOT) recommend The War That Saved My Life highly enough! Both that and the sequel, The War I Finally Won, are all time favorites!)

Nancy T

April 20, 2021

Instant Classic

Beautifully written, instant classic, unforgettable characters -- I loved this book!!!

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Syd Young

February 24, 2021

All the feels! Want for all my young friends (and you g at heart!)

This book made me feel so much!!! Loved it and want all my young friends to read it.

What happens when three young siblings—doubly orphaned—are left without anyone to care for them? Especially on the eve of WWII?

Well they go to the countryside, of course. They go with the idea, suggested by their solicitor, that perhaps they will find a forever family. Of course, that’s easier said than done.

So you see the premise. When you crack open the book you will see the precocious characters of these children—as well as the interesting souls they meet along the way. Some tragic things happen, but these three are tough, and they have each other. Still, it would be nice to be cared for just once, wouldn’t it?

I can’t say more without giving it away, but this book made my heart swell with the perfect resolution. Hence wanting to get it in the hands of all my little friends. Kate Albus has written a wonder debut novel! Also, somewhere I encountered the personality quiz for this book. Excellent quiz and I’m happy to report that I am Anna! ❤️📚

Read this book in 24 hours...I could not put it down!

Kate Albus has written the perfect book. Combining the heart behind Narnia, the horror of the Dursley family in Harry Potter, the frigid attic in The Little Princess, the adorably solemn play in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the imagination in Peter Pan, the courage to face dragons in The Hobbit, and many more; A Place to Hang the Moon is a book you just want to hug and carry around with you everywhere.

I immediately connected with Anna, Edmund, and William; seeing parts of myself in each of them and at the same time aching to care for them and love them as my own. I can’t help but wonder how many children shared similar fates during World War 2. My heart ached with these siblings in their hardships, laughed with them in their moments of lightheartedness, and rejoiced with them when love won! I think deep in the heart of every person, our greatest desire is to be loved back…for someone to think we hang the moon.