Margaret Rostkowski

"For Annie and her family, World War I is over. Her father, a doctor, had returned home. But for the wounded men Annie sees being carried from the train, the war will never really be over. It's time to forget the fighting, her mother tells her 'It brought so much misery. I won't have it touching you.' But it's already touched Annie - her favorite uncle was killed in France. In addition, her father decides to continue his work with the wounded soldiers and, despite her mother's disapproval, Annie too is drawn to the hospital. There she meets Andrew, a bitter and withdrawn young veteran. Annie helps to bring Andrew out of his shell, and in the process, not only learns to stand up to her mother's anger but also bravely confronts the ironies of heroism and war."

I read this book when I was younger and it spoke to me, saying that I should care for more than the people I know, I should care for the people I don't know and that is what Annie did to Andrew. She cared for him when he told her to go away and leave him alone, but she didn't because she cared enough for him, a perfect stranger, to help him get over his terrible wounds. To help him see beautiful things again. That is what I love most about this book.

If you have never read this book, go out and buy a copy, I recommend it wholeheartedly!… (more)