Title: Come from Away
Author: Genevieve Graham
Publisher: Simon and Schuster, 2022
Grade Range: High School
Book Summary
Inspired by a little-known World War II legend, a young woman and a stranger “from away” are caught on opposite sides of war in this enthralling novel about love and second chances from USA TODAY and #1 bestselling author Genevieve Graham.
In the fall of 1939, Grace Baker’s three brothers, sharp and proud in their uniforms, board Canadian ships headed for a faraway war. Grace stays behind, tending to the homefront and the general store that helps keep her small Nova Scotian community running. The war, everyone says, will be over before it starts.
Three years later, the fighting rages on and the harsh realities of war come closer to home when rumours swirl about “wolf packs” of German U-Boats lurking in the deep waters along the shores of East Jeddore, a stone’s throw from Grace’s window.
Then, one day, a handsome stranger ventures into the store. He claims to be a trapper come from away, and, as Grace gets to know him, she becomes enamoured by his gentle smile and thoughtful ways. But after several weeks, she discovers that Rudi, her mysterious visitor, is not the lonely outsider he appears to be. He is someone else entirely—someone not to be trusted.
When a shocking truth about her family forces Grace to question everything she has so strongly believed, she realizes that she and Rudi have more in common than she had thought. And if Grace is to have a chance at love, she must not only choose a side, but take a stand.
Set against the tumultuous years of World War II, Come from Away is a mesmerizing story about strangers, enemies, and friends—and the power of love to transcend the barriers that keep us apart.
Thoughts on Come from Away by Genevieve Graham
Canadian historical fiction can be a difficult genre to find. When I was asked to review Come from Away by Genevieve Graham, I was curious to read a book by a Canadian author I hadn’t heard about before.
Come from Away is set in Nova Scotia during World War Two. The main focus of the book is how a German soldier happens to come to Nova Scotia and hides out there. I really like the way that the author chose this topic as the focus for the book because of the way it made me think about the perspective of the German Solider and main character, Rudi. Oftentimes in Canadian history we focus on the Canadian heroes and all that they stood for and how they served. We don’t stop to think about the soldiers on the other side and how they became who they are and what they think about it. War is far more complicated than it first seems. This book really gets you thinking about just how complicated it is.
At my library, Genevieve’s books are in the adult section. I would say that this book is definitely for older kids in high school and up, although perhaps some mature children in the later middle school years would be fine with reading it. Come from Away does focus on the romance that develops between the two main characters, although nothing inappropriate happens. There were also a few minor word choices that some parents might find offensive, but overall very minor and only a few. The fact that the book deals with war and its tragedies along with the romance theme would cause me to recommend it for high school and up.
I enjoyed Come from Away and also put some of the author’s other books on hold at our library to check them out. My daughter in Grade 11 also read and enjoyed the book and would like to try some more of Genevieve’s books. I think Come from Away would make a great addition to high school studies about World War 2 and Canadian history!
Are you looking for more resources for teaching about World War 2? Check out our Canadian History Living Book List, available in our shop, which includes a section of books about World War 2. We also have other Canadian history products available!
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