Doreen by Barbara Noble is a poignant piece, written in clear simple prose, about belonging, the responsibilities of love, and growing up. Written shortly after the end of the Second World War in the 1940s, the book tells the story of Doreen, a London child of 9, who is sent to live with a family in the country during the bomb raids in London.

Doreen is taken from the cold, working world of her mother where she was sure of her role in life to a privileged country house where she has her own room, learns to laugh, and is invited to sit at the table with those out of her class. But since the war will not last forever—and Doreen will return home to her original world and social class—the adults begin to disagree about what is the proper way to treat her: Is her experience spoiling her for her future or is it better to experience this freedom for once even if it most likely won’t last? Will loving other adults lessen her love for her mother? By taking steps to prevent losing Doreen to the bombs, is her mother, Mrs. Rawlings, losing Doreen to the childless Osbornes?

Everyone wants to do what’s right by Doreen. As Mrs. Osborne remarks at one point--"I only want to make her happy, what’s wrong with that?" The painful realization the adults come to face is that harm can come through the best of intentions. And while they begin to understand that lesson, Doreen takes her first step out of the protection of childhood when she realizes that "growing up was finding out that grown-ups suffered." ( )

Such a lovely book. My only criticism is that it is too short - I wanted more. Doreen is a such sweet little child, and who couldn't identify with a child thrust into an entirely new sort of world, and feel the confusion that comes with it. The Osbornes are of an entirely different class, their world one of quiet village life and an awe inspiring trip to an Oxford hotel. Doreen's mother slowly becomes aware that this is a world she can't compete with. ( )