A Review By Frances

Alex is an orphan from Bosnia, adopted by a British family when he was seven.  Grandad is his hero and his friend, but is suffering from Alzheimer’s and his son and daughter-in-law want to send him to a home for his own safety and well-being.  For Alex this would be disaster as no-one else in the family really seem to want him.  He starts to help Grandad remember things in order to prevent or delay the move, and as he delves into the old man’s memories and keepsakes, he realises that there is much more to him than any of his family could ever guess.  Will these secrets make things better or worse?

The story is exciting and fast moving with food for thought about what it is like to be adopted, about war and pacifism and different kinds of bravery. Recommended for age 10+