A haunting but hopeful novel chronicles the experiences of four white teens at the advent of WWII. Two boys and two girls wait on a train that will evacuate them to the safety of the countryside, but in a spontaneous moment they decide to return home instead. They crawl out the train window, each to their own destiny. Superb writing captures the distinct essence of each character while also masterfully interweaving their stories. Lawrence is an intellectual, a dreamer and thinker, whose teachers said he was too “intense.” Olive is observant, kind, and endlessly irritated by her mother’s nagging. Franklin wants to be a firefighter but gets turned away because of his age and inexperience. The Gremlin is a girl with a difficult past who decides to live in an abandoned van in the woods rather than return to her abusive father. The four teens find themselves spending time together, taking long rambles with the plausible excuse of wanting to learn local history. In time, they become friends, of sorts, and name their group “The Meridians.” When the bombing of London begins, the friends experience the horrors of war: the fires, destruction, and trauma. Their individual lives crisscross and intersect in impossible and beautiful ways, and their circle widens to include connections unbelievable outside of wartime. In part based on some of her father’s history, Geraldine McCaughrean’s well-researched novel is a masterpiece.

"Masterful story of Blitz Britain...a beautifully told coming-of-age story." The Telegraph, Children's Book of the Week "An emotion-packed tale of survival, heartbreak and hope." Lancashire Evening PostFrom the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Geraldine McCaughrean comes an utterly immersive and unforgettable novel set during the London Blitz, inspired by her firefighter father.With the Second World War looming, four young people sit on a train waiting to be evacuated to a safer place...but they don't want to go. They climb out of the carriage and head back home to Greenwich, forming an unlikely friendship. They spend their days trying to be useful. Laurence is building a secret machine. Gemmy searches bombed-out homes for things of value - only to find an adorable mutt she can't even give away. Franklin wants to join the Fire Service, although it means lying about his age. Olive looks after her father, who is broken by the deaths of his fellow firefighters. And together, the four roam the streets of London, discovering their resilience amongst the secrets of the city.But as the Blitz unleashes a barrage of bombs on London, turning the sky ragged with flame, can the friends keep each other safe and survive?