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When We Were Young & Brave cover art

When We Were Young & Brave

Written by: Hazel Gaynor
Narrated by: Rosie Jones, Imogen Church
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Publisher's Summary

"Gaynor's story of courage and strength will make you believe in the heroic spirit in each of us." (Lisa Wingate, number one New York Times best-selling author of Before We Were Yours

The New York Times best-selling author of The Girl Who Came Home sets her unforgettable new novel in China during WWII, inspired by true events surrounding the Japanese Army’s internment of teachers and children from a British-run missionary school. Their motto was to be prepared, but nothing could prepare them for war. 

China, December 1941. Having left an unhappy life in England for a teaching post at a missionary school in northern China, Elspeth Kent is now anxious to return home to help the war effort. But as she prepares to leave China, a terrible twist of fate determines a different path for Elspeth, and those in her charge. 

Ten-year-old Nancy Plummer has always felt safe at Chefoo School, protected by her British status. But when Japan declares war on Britain and America, Japanese forces take control of the school and the security and comforts Nancy and her friends are used to are replaced by privation, uncertainty and fear. Now the enemy, and separated from their parents, the children look to their teachers – to Miss Kent and her new Girl Guide patrol especially – to provide a sense of unity and safety. 

Faced with the relentless challenges of oppression, the school community must rely on their courage, faith and friendships as they pray for liberation – but worse is to come when they are sent to a distant internment camp where even greater uncertainty and danger await.... 

Inspired by true events, When We Were Young and Brave is an unforgettable novel about impossible choices and unimaginable hardship, and the life-changing bonds formed between a young girl and her teacher in a remote corner of a terrible war. 

©2020 Hazel Gaynor (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about When We Were Young & Brave

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Courage, resilience, and strength

What a wonderful book. I enjoyed every chapter and lived along side the many characters as they braved their way through their hardships and successes. There were moments of tears and tender moments of reflection on my own childhood which was nothing compared to the journey these characters endured. Well done.

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A Great Story of Resilience

This author never disappoints! The story illustrated how loyalty, commitment, rituals and hope offer in building resilience to surviving a very difficult time. The narrators brought the characters to life in a compelling listen. Enjoy!

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A Beatiful Story of Triumph

This was a beautiful story of triumph over the great hardships endured in a pow camp. The way they kept themselves together and tried to keep this the same.

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