I liked the first book in this series a lot. The historical setting made so many aspects of the war and living through it interesting and memorable by making them personal in this story setting.

The storyline of book 1 had a nice wrap up, with the kids being reunited with Mrs. Smith and the crazy circumstances having saved their lives. Happily ever after ... but is any story really HEA? Here, while Ada comes to realize that she is so much better off even amidst all the struggles of surviving through war. For so many others though, life has become drastically different, much harder. It's interesting to see the changes in people, especially Mrs. Thorton.

Bless dear Mrs. Smith's heart, she is so patient and kind. At times, I'd get a little frustrated with Ada, but then I'd remind myself that she is just a child (and an imaginary child *Ü*) with a very limited upbringing.

I think I might have liked this second book even more than the first. Maybe it was just already being attached to the characters. I was always anxious to return to the book when I had to put it down. Like with the first book, I listened to the audio edition. The narrator is WONDERFUL. I remember not being sold on her voice (Ada's/general narration) in the very beginning (book 1) as it seemed "older" than Ada - who was just 9 or 10 as the book began. But I very soon became adjusted to the voice, perhaps as an "older Ada" reflecting on this time from her childhood and telling her story. The other "voices" (same narrator) were also excellent and so consistent and I was able to tell them apart easily by sound. Kudos to the narrator! The English accent also of course adds to the ambiance of the whole thing. I'm just not sure I would have been so fully enveloped if I'd read it on my own.