Lizzie and the Lost Baby

When WWII begins, 10-year-old Lizzie and seven-year-old Peter are sent to the Yorkshire countryside to live with strangers as part of England’s evacuation program. Lizzie’s story alternates with that of Elijah, whose clan of Travelers camps near the village. While exploring their new surroundings, Lizzie and Peter discover a baby in a field. Blackford’s debut is an atmospheric, emotion-filled journey for worried Elijah (who unwillingly left his baby sister under a tree) and sympathetic Lizzie, who wrestles with her conflicted feelings when the family she and Peter are staying with decides to keep the baby—even after they know where she really belongs. Blackford portrays the townspeople as well-meaning but misguided, letting their prejudice against Elijah’s people blind them from doing what’s right. She ties the narrative threads together with Elijah persuading Lizzie to help him get his sister back. Blackford alludes throughout to The Secret Garden, Lizzie’s favorite book, and this promising novel has a similar setting and thought-provoking plot written in simple but affecting language. A glossary of British terms is appended. Ages 10–12. [em]Agent: Tina Wexler, ICM. (Jan.) [/em]