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When We Were Young and Brave
When We Were Young and Brave: A Novel | Hazel Gaynor
27 posts | 11 read | 21 to read
Their motto was to be prepared, but nothing could prepare them for war. . . The New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Came Home sets her unforgettable new novel in China during WWII, inspired by true events surrounding the Japanese Armys internment of teachers and children from a British-run missionary school. China, December 1941. Having left an unhappy life in England for a teaching post at a missionary school in northern China, Elspeth Kent is now anxious to return home to help the war effort. But as she prepares to leave China, a terrible twist of fate determines a different path for Elspeth, and those in her charge. Ten-year-old Nancy Plummer has always felt safe at Chefoo School, protected by her British status. But when Japan declares war on Britain and America, Japanese forces take control of the school and the security and comforts Nancy and her friends are used to are replaced by privation, uncertainty and fear. Now the enemy, and separated from their parents, the children look to their teachers to Miss Kent and her new Girl Guide patrol especially to provide a sense of unity and safety. Faced with the relentless challenges of oppression, the school community must rely on their courage, faith and friendships as they pray for liberation but worse is to come when they are sent to a distant internment camp where even greater uncertainty and danger await . . . Inspired by true events, When We Were Young and Brave is an unforgettable novel about impossible choices and unimaginable hardship, and the life-changing bonds formed between a young girl and her teacher in a remote corner of a terrible war.
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TheSpineView
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Eggs On Mount TBR! 11mo
TheSpineView @Eggs 👍🤩📚📚📚 11mo
63 likes2 comments
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Picking_Books
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28 likes1 stack add
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SilversReviews
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Thanks to these Litsy folks for today‘s prompt:

@Eggs
@AlwaysBeenALoverOfBooks
@LitsyEvents
#LitsyEvents

Today‘s Prompt: WITH YOUNG/YOUTH

HISTORICAL FICTION - WWII

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND BRAVE is based on true events which I never was aware of, but it shows the resiliency and creativity of human nature to work with what you have. 

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/bdhjwt94

@hazelgaynor

Eggs Stacked 👏🏻👏🏻 11mo
SilversReviews @Eggs Enjoy!! 11mo
33 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Deblovestoread
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 👍🏻 11mo
Eggs Well done 👍🏼 11mo
42 likes2 comments
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Karisimo
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This WWII novel is based on true events and takes place at a British missionary school in China as it comes under Japanese occupation. It was a side of the war I was not acquainted with before reading! #temptingtitles #withyoung

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Sounds captivating 11mo
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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WriterAtHeart
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Pickpick

I have not read many WWII books set in China, but I am so glad that I have read this story about a group of Britosh school girls and their teachers during Japanesse Internment.

A well written story with a history I am still trying to learn more about.

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MittenGirlPeach
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The pre-opening! One of my favorites parts. Ahhhh I love Litsy and Litsy swaps!

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AmyK1
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Pickpick

More history that I knew nothing about. Students and their teachers are taken prisoner in China by the Japanese during WWII and eventually end up in an internment camp.

34 likes3 stack adds
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AmyK1
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“We didn‘t talk about it afterward.”

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

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OutAndAbout
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Pickpick

Took us awhile to listen to this one only because it was such an emotional ride. The story of young girls and their teachers taken prisoner in China during WW II, told in alternating viewpoints between one of the girls and a teacher. The audio was well narrated and the story was captivating. A definite recommend.

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OutAndAbout
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(Tagged audiobook that we are working through. It‘s a tough listen because you can just sense the horrible things to come. )

Looking for some inspiration. My reading life has improved so much since I started building and constantly reviewing and editing an active #TBR list. I don‘t really reread much fiction but I‘d like to start. Do you have a #TBRR (to be reread) list? What fiction books are on it and why do you want to reread them?

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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

Im crying 😭 Real tears!! I was not expecting that. A beautiful story based on actual historical events, some I was never aware of. At times overwritten but always heartfelt and compelling. A definite must listen/ read for those who love historical fiction 🌻🌻🌻🌻 #ReadingAsia21 #China

Cinfhen Grab it on a #kindledeal @TrishB 😀 3y
Cinfhen I think you‘d like this book @Crazeedi but look to borrow 3y
Cinfhen Audio narration was very good!!! 3y
See All 21 Comments
Megabooks Glad you enjoyed this one. 💜 3y
TrishB Funny cos Amazon just saying not available to purchase! In any format. 3y
Librarybelle I‘ll definitely have to look for this! 3y
Blackink_WhitePaper Beautiful photo and nice review. 💐 3y
BarbaraBB I‘ll have to check this one out. Thanks for bringing it up! 3y
Cinfhen It‘s a little sappy @BarbaraBB but I found it very heartfelt. I know it‘s more inline with what @Librarybelle likes to read...a sentimental richly told historical fiction 3y
Cinfhen Thanks @Blackink_WhitePaper the narration really elevated the storytelling 🎧🧡 3y
Cinfhen @TrishB it‘s sooooo expensive in UK but really cheap in US. I‘ll pick u up a used copy from Amazon US And mail you the book😁 3y
Crazeedi @Cinfhen thank you! I've read this author and a couple were good, a couple not as good! Sounds like one I'll like! 3y
TrishB Aww thank you 😘 no rush! 3y
Cinfhen It‘s being sent to Florida @TrishB hopefully I get there as the airport in Israel is still closed 😫 3y
TrishB I can‘t keep up with the rest of the worlds lockdowns now 😞 it‘s so depressing! I‘ll keep my fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻🤞🏻 We‘re still supposed to be in full lockdown but you wouldn‘t have thought it by the crowds in the park yesterday. 3y
Cinfhen I purchased tickets on January 5 and then on January 7, Israel shuttered the airport. No flights in or out. Shutdown was meant to last until February 21. Then it was extended through March 6. I‘m hoping the airport will open as I have tickets for March 15. It‘s so frustrating @TrishB I do understand the urgency in closing our boarders but I don‘t understand why I can‘t leave the country. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 3y
Blackink_WhitePaper @Cinfhen great !!! I have this audiobook 💃 will definitely listen this 🥰 3y
TrishB These things are never explained properly by governments. I‘m assuming they don‘t want people congregating etc but that‘s just second guessing. 3y
Cinfhen I guess the fear is once I leave I have to come back and that means I could potentially be bringing in a new strain of Coronavirus @TrishB So I don‘t think I‘ll have difficulty leaving the country but what people are being told is there is no guarantee you‘ll be allowed re-entry. You may have to wait up to 60 days!! That‘s a long time to be away but it‘s a risk I‘m willing to take at this point. Hubby & son are not as willing 😉 3y
Cinfhen @Blackink_WhitePaper lmk if you listen 🎧 ❣️❣️I‘m curious to hear your thoughts 3y
TrishB It all has a risk 😞 I‘ll keep my fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻 3y
82 likes5 stack adds21 comments
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Cinfhen
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An hour to go on audio 🎧 a fascinating piece of true history I wasn‘t aware of. A British run expat Christian school in China is overtaken by the Japanese during WWII forcing the children & staff to be held as prisoners of war. It‘s a terrifying piece of history #China #ReadingAsia21
A little overwrought but still very compelling and engaging.

TrishB Sounds like may be worth a read 👍🏻 3y
Librarybelle I was not aware of this part of history, either. 3y
Centique A purple rose!!!! (I‘m on brand - always paying more attention to the flowers 😂😂😂) 3y
Cinfhen 💜💜💜 @Centique 3y
70 likes4 comments
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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Pickpick

In China in wwii, a group of expat school kids lives under Japanese invasion.

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Daniella.Richardson
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Pickpick

Wonderful book written from two perspectives. Sitting here in tears as I just finished it. A part of WWII that I wasn‘t aware of, and one that I won‘t now forget. Book #3 of 2021

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SilversReviews
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Thanks to:

#INSPIREDNEWYEAR
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@TheKidUpstairs

Today‘s Prompt: BRAVE

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND BRAVE is based on true events which I never was aware of, but it shows the resiliency and creativity of human nature to work with what you have.

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/yyawxk54

TheKidUpstairs Sounds really good! 3y
SilversReviews @TheKidUpstairs it is excellent. 3y
40 likes2 comments
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Crystal83
Pickpick

I love this book!!!! It was a great historical fiction about World War II.

Nute Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a warm and friendly community. I know that you will enjoy yourself here. I‘m looking forward to getting to know you!🙂 3y
Crystal83 Thank you!!!! I am already enjoying it so much!!!! 3y
3 likes2 comments
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Roxanareads
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Bookmail 📖

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bookishkai
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I‘m hooked after the first sentence! This will be the perfect read to occupy me while my BOTM box takes the scenic route around Denver. I mean, come on, people. It‘s been “in transit” since Monday. I could have driven to the central processing center in half an hour. I think my box may actually be lost.

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SilversReviews
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Pickpick


HAPPY PUB DAY!!

Based on true events which I never was aware of, but it shows the resiliency and creativity of human nature to work with what you have.

This book is about friendship, courage, hope, and endurance. It is a beautiful book that will have you appreciating your freedom and your family. 4/5

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/yyawxk54

@hazelgaynor
#hazelgaynor
@williammorrowbooks

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TheSpineView
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Pickpick

This was not an easy book to read. The story is set in China during WWII. A British run missionary school is now faced with an occupying enemy and the teachers and children are forced into an internment camp. They face unimaginable hardships and the teachers must put on a brave face for the children despite the fear and anxiety that engulfs their daily lives. FYI: trigger warning for rape. 4⭐

literacassandrature I enjoy reading sagas about China, history. 4y
TheSpineView For got to mention this book was one of my #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks picks for August. 4y
75 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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TheSpineView
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#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

"We didn't talk about it afterward."

Cathythoughts Well , that‘s a great line !!! 4y
TheSpineView @Cathythoughts Sure is! It catches your attention right away. 4y
52 likes2 comments
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TheSpineView
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📚 When We Were Young and Brave 😁

📚 The Witches of New York 😔 thinking of bailing but only have about a third left so we'll see.

#TalkAboutItTuesday @BayouGirl85

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TheSpineView
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#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

"We didn't talk about it afterwards."

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SilversReviews
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TheSpineView
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I received #BookMail today! Getting a new book always makes my day! This one looks good! 💙📚💙📚💚📚

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robinb
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Just won this in a Goodreads giveaway! Coming out in October and will probably break my ❤️. Beautiful cover.

#coverlove

Jaimelire Sounds like an interesting story. 4y
robinb @Jaimelire it does! 🤞🤞🤞 4y
60 likes1 stack add2 comments