The Skylarks' War

A Boston Globe Best Book of 2018
A Horn Book Best Book of 2018

"Vivid, hilarious, and heartbreaking." --Elizabeth Wein, New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Verity

"The best children's book I've read this year." --Katherine Rundell, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award-winning author of Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms

"A near-miraculous balance of light and joyous touch with sometimes serious and even heartbreaking material." --BCCB (starred review)

From award-winning author Hilary McKay comes a "wholly satisfying" (Booklist, starred review) story full of wit, heartbreak, and hope as a girl fights for her independence during World War I.

Clarry Penrose finds the good in everyone. Even in her father, who isn't fond of children, and especially girls. He doesn't worry about her education, because he knows she won't need it. It's the early twentieth century, and the only thing girls are expected to do is behave.

But Clarry longs for a life of her own. She wants to dive off cliffs and go swimming with her brother Peter and cousin Rupert. And more than anything, she wants an education. She helps Peter with his homework all the time, so why can't she manage it by herself? When war breaks out, Clarry is shocked to find that Rupert has enlisted. Then he is declared missing, and Clarry is devastated. Now she must take a momentous step into the wide world--for if she misses this chance, she may never make it.

This is an inspirational, funny, and heartwarming story about a girl who dares to open doors that the world would rather keep closed.


About the Author
Hilary McKay is the award-winning author of The Time of Green Magic (which received five starred reviews), The Skylarks' War (which was a Boston Globe Best Book and received three starred reviews), Binny Bewitched (which was a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year and received two starred reviews), Binny in Secret (which received three starred reviews), Binny for Short (which received four starred reviews), and six novels about the Casson family: Saffy's Angel, Indigo's Star, Permanent Rose, Caddy Ever After, Forever Rose, and Caddy's World. She is also the author of The Swallows' Flight, Rosa by Starlight, and Wishing for Tomorrow, the sequel to Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess. Hilary lives with her family in Derbyshire, England. Visit her at HilaryMcKay.co.uk.