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The Summer We Found the Baby
The Summer We Found the Baby | Amy Hest
8 posts | 3 read
Set during World War II, this poignant, briskly paced historical novel relays the events of one extraordinary summer from three engaging points of view. On the morning of the dedication of the new children's library in Belle Beach, Long Island, eleven-year-old Julie Sweet and her six-year-old sister, Martha, find a baby in a basket on the library steps. At the same time, twelve-year-old Bruno Ben-Eli is on his way to the train station to catch the 9:15 train into New York City. He is on an important errand for his brother, who is a soldier overseas in World War II. But when Bruno spies Julie, the same Julie who hasn't spoken to him for sixteen days, heading away from the library with a baby in her arms, he has to follow her. Holy everything, he thinks. Julie Sweet is a kidnapper. Of course, the truth is much more complicated than the children know in this heartwarming and beautifully textured family story by award-winning author Amy Hest. Told in three distinct voices, each with a different take on events, the novel captures the moments and emotions of a life-changing summer -- a summer in which a baby gives a family hope and brings a community together.
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quote
Kylenbosworth

“The soldiers played cards and blew smoke out the open windows. They talked to Pop and how they would soon be shipped overseas any day now and were missing that girl of mine already, and my grandma's apple pie.“

blurb
Kylenbosworth

This book makes many historical connections to what life was like during World War 2. During this time many people encountered economic challenges. Many women went to work while their husbands served, leaving many children without consistent adult supervision. This also made it hard for single mothers which may have been why the baby was left on the staircase. This story helps students understand economic hardships, fear, and loss of loved ones.

review
Kylenbosworth
Pickpick

The Summer We Found the Baby by Amy Hest (2020) is a children's historical fiction book that is about three kids who discover an abandoned baby on the staircase of a library. This book is based on the time period of world war two. Amy Hest focuses on factual information by describing what life was like during this era. She focuses on fiction by the fictional narrative of three children discovering and taking the baby for themselves.

quote
Kylenbosworth

“I just wanted to hold her awhile I didn't mean to take the baby.“

quote
Chloeeberlein

“Sometimes, doing the right thing means taking a leap of faith.”

blurb
Chloeeberlein

Two friends find a baby abandoned during their summer adventures. They take care of the baby while trying to find its family. This heartwarming story teaches about friendship and kindness, showing that even small acts of love can make a big difference.

review
Chloeeberlein
Pickpick

This is a sweet story about two friends who find a baby left in a box on a hot summer day. They decide to take care of the baby and figure out where it came from. As they help the baby, they learn about friendship and being kind. This gentle story shows the special bond between friends and how caring for others is important.

review
heidisreads
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Pickpick

Told through the voices of three children, this beautiful story captures snapshots and feelings of one life-changing summer. I'd hand this to anyone who is looking for an emotional story with an uplifting ending.