Great book for “tweeners.” Sofarende is at war. For twelve-year-old Mathilde, it means food shortages, feuding neighbors and bombings. Even so, as long as she and her best friend, Megs, are together, they’ll be all right. But the army is recruiting children, and paying families well for their service. If Megs takes the test, Mathilde knows she will pass. Megs hopes the army is the way to save her family. Mathilde fears it might separate them forever. A touching and suspenseful novel that is a brilliant reimagining of war, where even kindness can be a weapon, and children have the power to see what adults cannot.