ONE YEAR, ONE NIGHT

Roman’s YA historical novel follows a girl whose hometown was bombed during World War II.

Twenty years following the bombing of her hometown, Annie returns to Millside, England, for a ceremony to memorialize the war, to grieve the loss of her “brother,” Ben (a young evacuee taken in by her family), and to visit the home of Mrs. Bassett, the generous widow who gave her family and soldiers refuge. She is devastated to learn that actress Suzie Bell, whose past is intertwined with Ben’s, will also be visiting their memorial. At Mrs. Bassett’s home, Annie finds her old diary and reflects upon it: During her 16th year, Annie endures blackouts and rationing. Children are evacuated to Millside from other war-torn communities to have a chance at survival. It is then that she meets Ben, a young boy who becomes a true brother, who has endured traumas of his own. Soldiers are also transported to Millside and given meals and baths before returning to their work—at a community dance, Annie falls for Remy Russell, a French and English soldier. As the year progresses and her love for Remy unfolds, Annie must assume adult responsibilities as her community is ultimately destroyed. Each detail—from propaganda slogans to holiday blackouts—demonstrates the horrors of World War II and supports this well-researched and humanistic account of the period (“no children knocking at the door singing carols and holding their candles. I cannot believe I would miss them and their noise!!! Well, I do but I certainly don’t miss Grace Cummings’ smug face as she leads the little choir”). The story centralizes a female perspective on war, focused on what girls and women had to do to survive during such times, making it accessible and relatable to a young female readership. Although Hopgood’s illustrations are presented infrequently and the late-in-the-story discussion about who Suzie Bell is feels a bit lengthy, this is a heart-wrenching and beautiful story that inspires both curiosity and empathy in its audience.

A vivid chronicle of the lives of girls and women during World War II.