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From School Library Journal

July 1, 2022

Gr 5 Up-Jack Bailey became a hero to Danny Timmons the day he dove into floodwaters to save two girls while the adults stood by and watched. That was three years ago, but a lot has changed in that time. It's now 1943, and Danny's father is off fighting in the war, his pregnant mother is editing the local newspaper, a Black family has had to move away from town, and another family is being treated badly because of their son's desertion. One thing that hasn't changed is the bullying Danny has faced at the hands of a classmate. When 15-year-old Jack defends Danny, his hero status grows in Danny's eyes, and the two become friends of sorts. They share a paper route, go fishing, and Jack tells Danny of a magical place called Yonder. Then Jack disappears. Danny is determined to find out what happened to him-even if it means putting himself in the sights of Jack's abusive father to do so. Danny's quest to discover what happened to Jack opens his eyes to the bullying and prejudice all around him and make him question what it means to be brave, and what really makes a hero. VERDICT This is a quiet yet powerful, story told through flashbacks over the span of several years. Recommended for general purchase.-Heather Webb

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From Booklist

Starred review from May 15, 2022
Grades 4-7 *Starred Review* When his friend Jack disappears, Danny fears the worst. Though Jack is considered a hero in the town of Foggy Gap for rescuing two kids from drowning in the Great Flood of 1940, he was regularly beaten and neglected by his father. After Danny's concerns are dismissed by adults, he takes it upon himself to find out what happened to Jack. Could he have been killed, enlisted in the war, or did he runaway to Yonder, a magical place with no war that Jack once mentioned to Danny? As he follows the clues with the help of a former friend, Danny begins to challenge his cozy assumptions about Jack, the residents of Foggy Gap, and even himself. While there are many books about WWII for young readers, stories about life on the American home front are less common. Yonder is a heartfelt tale about what it means to be a hero and take a stand against injustice. By drawing parallels between events in Foggy Gap and those happening in Nazi Germany, Standish (The Ethan I Was Before, 2017) challenges readers to explore the irony of Americans supporting the war effort abroad while denying the humanity of many back home. Highly recommended for any fan of WWII-era fiction.

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From Publisher's Weekly

Starred review from March 14, 2022
Set in small-town Appalachia during WWII, Standish's (The Mending Summer) uplifting mystery tackles big themes of abuse, bullying, heroism, mental health, and prejudice. Life has recently felt tumultuous for observant narrator Danny Timmons, 13, who delivers the local newspaper that his mother edits. Danny's father is fighting in Europe, his mom is expecting a baby, and a longtime friendship has recently changed. And Foggy Gap, N.C., has also had its share of news latelyâ€"a Black family forced out of town, another ostracized for their son's desertion. Danny sees good in courageous 15-year-old Jack, who protects him from the town's bullies, once saved local twins from a flood, and tells Danny about a magical-sounding place called Yonder. When Jack suddenly goes missing, Danny is determined to find him, no matter the cost. Through an elegant voice and a series of flashbacks, the mystery of Jack's disappearance unfolds alongside the story of Danny's friendship with him, the increasing clarity with which Danny sees life as far from perfect, and the small but meaningful steps he takes to discover what bravery means. Most protagonists are white. Ages 8—12. Agent: Chelsea Eberly, Greenhouse Literary.

From Kirkus

Starred review from March 1, 2022
Three years ago, Danny Timmons witnessed young Jack Bailey rescue two little girls from floodwaters while adults stood by, too afraid to help. Now it's 1943, and Danny is describing his sharp observations of wartime life in the Appalachian town of Foggy Gap. Unlike his hero, Jack, Danny, almost 13 and a victim of persistent, merciless bullying, sees himself as weak and helpless. But Jack has a difficult home life with a damaged, abusive father. Danny's parents offer Jack, now nearly 16, help and comfort, and he becomes Danny's friend, mentor, and protector, especially after Danny's dad goes to war. Jack helps him gain confidence and wistfully shares stories his mother told him about a perfect, peaceful place called Yonder. Danny is devastated when Jack suddenly disappears, and, in trying to find answers, he discovers that Jack has deep-seated fears that cause him to make an irrevocable, life-changing decision. Danny's perceptions change as he recalls his mother's insights and wisdom concerning ugly cruelties perpetuated in his town: People are ostracized, tormented, and even driven away through prejudice, hatred, and war-related distortions. Danny carefully guides readers through nonlinear developments utilizing flashbacks, each time viewing events more clearly and deeply. Danny's narration is direct, with unassuming humility as he matures. His voice is true, strong, loving, and hopeful, and readers will recognize him as a hero in his own right. Most main characters are White. Multilayered, moving, and tremendously powerful. (author's note, historical notes, discussion questions) (Historical fiction. 10-16)

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