Starred Review for THE WAR LANTERN in School Library Journal

 

I'm incredibly honoured that THE WAR LANTERN has received a Starred Review in School Library Journal! Thank you to my amazing publisher, DCB and to the SLJ.

More from the SLJ Review: "As the novel progresses, the three storylines gradually intersect and overlap in deeply satisfying ways that may prompt rereads ... a well-rounded and immersive portrait of life during World War II."

THE WAR LANTERN is inspired by a bombing in England in 1941 that my father survived at age 15, while at work at a local aircraft factory, and research took me to England and to museums across Canada. This middle-grade book told over 24-hours is the most challenging writing project I've ever tackled; historical fiction for children is extremely demanding (and kudos to all who do it). Thank you to everyone who has helped me on this 7-year journey, and thank you to my father for sharing his survival story with me one night in 1996.

I'll add more on writing, researching, and creating THE WAR LANTERN in this space soon.

For now you'll find ALL CURRENT POSTS ON THE WAR LANTERN here.

The Lancaster Bomber at Canadian
Warplane Heritage Museum, Hamilton, ON

Thank you to the Canada Council for the Arts for their generous Research and Creation grant, and to the Ontario Arts Council for their support of this project.

Introducing THE WAR LANTERN, historical fiction for middle grade readers ...

 

The War Lantern is coming October 2026 from my publisher, DCB Young Readers. Consider this amazing cover revealed!

Here's more about the book: 

"On February 27, 1941, bombs fall, families vanish, and the war lantern burns …

In England, fifteen-year-old schoolboy Marcus isn’t supposed to tell anyone about his work at Parnall’s Aircraft Factory, not even his mother, for fear of Hitler’s spies. 

In Germany, fourteen-year-old Gisele’s baby brother is about to be taken away by Nazi officials, who deem him “life not worthy of life.” 

Overhead, Tail End Charlie, an underage Royal Air Force rear gunner, flies for a German steel factory behind a squadron of bombers.

Each lead seemingly separate lives, struggling to survive amid World War II, until the roar of bombs — and the silence in the aftermath — connects them all.

Inspired by her family history, Governor General’s Literary Award–winning author Philippa Dowding delivers a carefully researched and powerfully moving wartime story for young readers about family, connections, and resilience."

The author's father,
England, 1941

PRE-ORDER! I'm delighted to also announce that Indigo, the national bookseller, has just selected The War Lantern as a Most Anticipated Book for Fall 2026 in the children's category! (You can pre-order your copy now, and pre-orders =  book 💕!)

I'm just delighted to have this book ready for the world; it's been a 7-year project but really a lifetime in the making. My thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts for their generous Research and Creation grant, as well the Ontario Arts Council for their support. Most of all, thanks to my wonderful publisher for making it happen and to my father for sharing his wartime survival story. 

In the coming months, I'll be posting about the journey of writing historical fiction for children, some of the most challenging writing I've ever done. I'm grateful for all the help I've had along the way.

The Love Song of Mr. Byrd is a TELLING TALES Reading List Selection for 2026!

 

The Telling Tales Festival has named THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD to their festival reading list for 2026! Thank you to them, I'm delighted to see Mr. Byrd and Bat in such great company with other Canadian books for young readers

From the Telling Tales Festival 2026 Selection Advisory committee:

"The Telling Tales Reading List is a digital archive of great Canadian children’s literature. It is a resource for parents, guardians, and educators. This curated list of books is used to program our events throughout the year, including the annual Festival."

Find The Love Song of Mr. Byrd here.

The Telling Tales Reading list for 2026. 

The Love Song of Mr. Byrd BOOK TAILER

Keep reading everyone, we are in deep, deep summer, the perfect time to meet your best friend on the branch at twilight. Or if you can't do that, then read a book about it!

THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD is a CCBC Best Book Spring 2026!

Hurray for Mr. Byrd! He and Bat are in great company with these wonderful books from publisher DCB Young Readers. ALL four books been named to the Canadian Children's Book Centre BEST OF BOOK list for  Spring 2026!

Thank you to DCB, to the CCBC, and congratulations to all authors and publishers named. Inclusion on this important BEST OF list will ensure that top quality Canadian books get into the hands of young readers, coast to coast. READ ON, everyone!

For the entire Spring 2026 CCBC Best Books