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I’m getting a couple of these books anyway, there are a lot of kids (old and young) in my parish, who would benefit from them, as well as me.

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I'm glad, Gregory! You won't be disappointed.

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I’m quite sure I won’t. You just help me pick out some Christmas presents. :-).

Have a great day and God bless.

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I really need to proofread what I write.

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Don't worry; as my friend always says, I speak Typo fluently!

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Thanks for sharing this interview Dixie! It sounds like a unique and well-researched book that would certainly be of interest to my youngest son. I like how Mary Rose integrates the home front as well and seems to end on a hopeful note; several of the historical fiction book series "My Story" end in utter tragedy, with main characters dying, and offer little hope or redemption. One of my favorite war time books is "Unbroken" (the story of Luis Zamperini) - an absolutely stunning story of redemption.

Wishing Mary Rose all the best with spreading news of the book and in her future writing!

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I loved "Unbroken," too!

Yes -- Mary Rose does an excellent job of portraying the war accurately without making it too much for younger readers. There are real descriptions of injury and fear and despair, for example, but never in a way that is without hope. And no prostitutes and such!! So a very good introduction to the realities of war for a young person.

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This sounds fascinating! Reminds me of Hilda van stockum's novels, my favorites as a pre-teen, though they focused on the Home Front and not combat, they strove to depict the complexity of deeply Catholic families dealing with war in a similar fashion.

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Agreed! We recently read "The Winged Watchman." The realities are not dumbed down or sanitized, but it's still appropirate for children. Much like The Cross Our Compass.

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Oct 18, 2023Liked by Dixie Dillon Lane

What a great interview - and what a great piece of historical trivia that (at least some) Catholic soldiers were advised not to rush into marriage in order to avoid the risk of separation after the war.

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It's a really interesting book.

Yes, there was so much divorce right after the war. How interesting that a baby boom came, too, right?

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Oct 18, 2023Liked by Dixie Dillon Lane

So interesting! I really enjoy WWII stories.

I am beyond thankful that my father-in-law, Joe, came home safely from the European front , even after his emergency crash landing in Switzerland. He courted and married a wonderful woman from his hometown after the war. Together they raised a beautiful family of ten children. My husband is number nine! Joe was a hero in so many ways.

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Amazing.

My godfather was at D-Day and was captured. He lost 60 lbs in a POW camp. He would never speak of it. We owe so much to his generation.

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Oct 18, 2023Liked by Dixie Dillon Lane

Fascinating interview! My 16 year old son is fascinated with WWIi history. I’m going to purchase one for him anyway. I think he would enjoy the perspective of this novel.

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Let us know how he likes it!

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Oct 19, 2023Liked by Dixie Dillon Lane

As a homeschooling family, we love books like this! Thanks for posting.

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I hope you'll really enjoy it, Josh. Let me know what your kids think!

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Oct 19, 2023Liked by Dixie Dillon Lane

Also, I bought the book, so no need to enter me in the drawing. I'd love to see someone win who doesn't own a copy.

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Roger that!

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Oct 19, 2023Liked by Dixie Dillon Lane

One of my friend's sons (11 years old) absolutely loves WWII and has passed that interest on to my 7 and 5 year old. I love that this author is bringing her love of history and work with primary sources to build something for families!

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She's an example of putting your mind to something and then doing it well!

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Thanks for this terrific interview, ladies!! I'm a WWII history nut, so this was great fun. The book sounds marvelous, with so much research and thought behind it!

The remark about the sustained anxiety on the homefront really hit me... One of my grandfathers was on the USS Augusta, which was part of the Normandy invasion. In my box of family treasures, I have the maps my grandmother had pinned up in her kitchen - maps printed in newspapers to help those at home follow the progress of the invasion. Especially at a time when communication was so much more limited, I can't even imagine the anxiety and fear she - and everyone else on the homefront - lived with daily.

Have ya'll ever seen "The Best Years of Our Lives"? It's about the adjustment of soldiers, pilots, etc. returning home to civilian life, and it makes me cry every time. One of the best films I've ever seen.

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I haven't seen that! I'll have to check it out...sounds really compelling.

Your grandparents sound like amazing people.

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Recommending as Christmas gifts- boys that age can be hard to buy for, so thanks for sharing!

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