Hollow Chest
As World War II is drawing to a close, Charlie’s older brother, Theom returns to their home in London after being wounded in battle. Charlie, who is white, has missed Theo; he’s also counting on Theo’s return to help ease the burden of responsibility Charlie’s felt since their dad died. Their mom is working hard to support the family, while their grandfather has days when he’s confused. Despite Grandfather’s warning to not expect Theo to be the same, Charlie expects exactly that. But Theo isn’t the same; he’s distant and angry. Charlie discovers that Theo is at the mercy of War Wolves, beasts that steal and eat the hearts of vulnerable soldiers who’ve seen too many horrible things. Determined to recover Theo’s heart, Charlie sets out to track the War Wolves down. He’s helped by Mellie, an older woman dealing with her own trauma; a young soldier at the nearby convalescent center; his cat, Biscuit; and two retired carrier pigeons, Bertie and Pudge. Individual War Wolves represent the most challenging aspects of human nature and behavior, and they, along with the reality of what’s happened to Theo and other soldiers, make for a sobering look at the impact of war. This spellbinding quest makes clear that Theo’s recovery is dependent not just on Charlie’s success, but on help from the human world, too.©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 9-12
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
Animals (Fiction)
British and British Americans
Brothers
Grandfathers
Historical Fiction
Journeys and Quests
Mental Health and Illness
Scary Stories
Soldiers/Military
Supernatural
Trauma
World War II
Publishers:
HarperCollins, Walden Pond
Publish Year: 2021
Pages: 337
ISBN: 9780062870742
CCBC Location: Fiction, Sandstrom