Lizzie and the Lost Baby

Reviewed by: Joanne Libby - Freeport Community Library, Freeport, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 25, 2015

Review

This book takes place in England during World War II when children were sent from their homes in cities to live with families in the countryside. Lizzie and her brother Peter are sent to live with Elsie, who appears very depressed and does not speak. Although the children miss their parents, they appreciate the landscape and animals which surround them. One day while outside playing, Lizzie finds a baby abandoned under a tree. She takes the baby with her and Elsie is overjoyed and thinks the baby is her daughter Alice who died the previous year. The story of Elijah, a Gypsy is interspersed with that of Lizzie and we learn why he leaves his baby sister under a tree. We read of the discrimination that Gypsies endured and how Lizzie wants to do the right thing and give the baby back but is discouraged from doing so. This book would be appropriate for children in grades 4 to 6. It is quite a page turner and the conflict is resolved successfully.

Overall Book Score: very good