The Silent Stars Go By
Sally Nicholls
This is a beautifully written book full of poignancy and nostalgia. Set in December 1919, it tells the tale of nineteen-year-old Margot who fell in love, had a baby, gave up her son to her parents and now (over the Christmas period) needs to tell her former fiance, Harry, that he is a father. The interaction between the traditional harmonious Christmas and Margot’s confused but deep feelings of love, create an atmosphere of warmth with an undercurrent of sadness.
It is a story full of emotion but it is not sentimental. It is, however, an intelligent retelling of the consequences of wartime life which teenagers will love. I can see this becoming a Christmas story to reread every year.
Published by Anderson Press
