ARC Review: The Skylark’s War by Hilary McKay

Clarry and her older brother Peter live for their summers in Cornwall, staying with their grandparents and running free with their charismatic cousin, Rupert. But normal life resumes each September – boarding school for Peter and Rupert, and a boring life for Clarry at home with her absent father, as the shadow of a terrible war looms ever closer. When Rupert goes off to fight at the front, Clarry feels their skylark summers are finally slipping away from them.

Can their family survive this fearful war?The Skylarks’ War is a beautiful story following the loves and losses of a family growing up against the harsh backdrop of World War One, from the award-winning Hilary McKay.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a Physical copy of the book by Pan Macmillan India in exchange for an honest review. However, all the thoughts, feelings and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Skylark’s War is a middle grade / juvenile fiction told in the POV of Clarrisa aka Clarry (& sometimes her brother and cousin as well!) – and its told in the backdrop of the turbulent times of the world war.

Clarry is a wonderful inquisitive young girl who grows up in the shadow of the fact that her mother died mere days after her birth & coupled with a neglectful father – it should have had quite the negative impact on her psyche. But she is wonderful, loyal and loving girl who not only dotes on her brother, Peter and her cousin, Rupert.

They have an idyllic childhood – summers with their grandparents; wherein they have the most fun – it is where they all; Clarry, Simon and Rupert have felt the most loved.

I adored the relationship Clarry had with her brother, cousin and the friends that she cared about – it’s a journey of all these young children into the turbulous times they have to live in their adulthood.

A poignant look at the world through the eyes of the innocent children; who grew up in the world, doing the best they can in the circumstances they have been living in – it is full of hope, faith, loyalty and a hint of despair! Ms. McKay has done a brilliant job of capturing my attention with The Skylark’s War and I am looking forward to reading more from her!