Hide and Secret

 

Hide and Secret follows the story of Ruth and her mum as they move from Egypt where her mum has been working as an expat nurse until the hospital closes. They return to her mum's home city of Edinburgh.

Ruth's parents - before her dad died - worked in various places in the Middle East. One of the friends they made was a man called Joe though they lost touch as they moved around.

As Ruth and her mum settle into life in Scotland, a Syrian patient is brought onto her mum's ward in the hospital. He speaks very little English and is suffering from amnesia and various physical injuries. Ruth's mum recognises him as her husband's old friend Joe. She is concerned that he is in Scotland illegally and is reluctant to entrust him to the immigration system while he remains mentally and physically vulnerable. 

She finds Joe a flat to stay in while he recovers and young Ruth is sworn to secrecy.

Meanwhile, Ruth is beginning to make friends of her own, including a lad called Chris. She tries hard to keep the secret of harbouring an illegal immigrant without resorting to lies but it slips out. Chris, too, is sworn to secrecy. The pair of them spend time with Joe, teaching him English and helping him settle down in Scotland. 

But the secret weighs on all of their minds. Especially when the church youth group Ruth and Chris attend discuss the importance of telling the truth. What should they do? Do they tell the authorities about Joe when that may mean him being sent back to Syria? Or should they lie to protect him, knowing they are doing wrong? 

Helen Parker has written a gripping and thought-provoking young adult book which has biblical truth at its heart with its threads of caring for the vulnerable, honesty, bravery, love and friendship. I enjoyed reading this review copy sent to me by Instant Apostle and award it 4*.

The Children who Lived in a Barn

It was a kind aunt years ago who introduced me to Eleanor Graham's The Children who Lived in a Barn.

When Mr and Mrs Dunnet receive a telegam saying Mrs Dunnet's mother has had a serious accident, they arrange to fly at once to her. Set pre-WWII, they have no qualms about leaving their five children to look after themselves for a few days. Thirteen-year-old Sue is more than capable of caring for her younger brothers and sister.

Only the Dunnets are gone for much longer than a few days. In order to avoid problems with the landlord as well as the village busybodies interfering with them, Sue and her 11-year-old brother Bob along with twins Sambo and Jumbo and 7-year-old Alice take refuge in a local barn.

The children quickly realise that if life in the barn is going to work for them, they must have rules.

Rule Number One is: no begging, borrowing, scrounging or stealing.

Rule Number Two is: eat fair.

On pain of homes, orphanages and adoptions.

This is the fascinating story of how the children work hard to keep their independence while avoiding their enemies the dreaded DV (District Visitor), GP's wife Mrs Legge and the vicarage. But they find unexpected friends and help in the most unlikely of places along the way.

I love this book and was delighted to find a good quality secondhand copy. This is a story I enjoy coming back to over and over. It definitely deserves 5*.