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."
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| 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.
