A Homecoming for Kezzie

Kezzie #2

by Theresa Breslin

For Kezzie, the war begins when German planes fire at her cruise liner as she returns home from Canada to Scotland with her young sister Lucy. Once home, she is reunited with the grandfather in the Clydebank before the war starts in earnest. Soon however, the family spirit is put to the test once again. First, she has to save an Italian family from the racial hatred they encounter, then she rescues her old school friend Peg after her home is destroyed in a bombing raid. Tragically as the Clydebank becomes a burning inferno, Kezzie's grandfather is killed and the girls are forced to move to England to live with a family friend Lady Fitzwilliam. Here Kezzie's medical skills are called into action as she works tirelessly in a local field hospital, and is fatefully reunited with her Irish friend Michael who arrives there with severe injuries.

Genres: Young Adult

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Theresa Breslin is a Scottish author of over 50 books, known for her contributions to children's and young adult literature. She won the Carnegie Medal in 1994 for Whispers in the Graveyard, which tells the story of a dyslexic boy overcoming personal struggles. Born and raised in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, she started writing as a teenager and later worked as a librarian before becoming a full-time author.

Her works often explore historical and social themes, as seen in Divided City (2005), which addresses sectarianism in Glasgow, and The Medici Seal (2006), a historical novel featuring Leonardo da Vinci. Her book Prisoner of the Inquisition (2010) was shortlisted for another Carnegie Medal.
Breslin has received numerous accolades, including the Scottish Book Trust's Outstanding Achievement Award and an Honorary Fellowship from the Association for Scottish Literary Studies. In 2019, she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to literature.

Reviews

[Fern A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another childhood favourite that was brilliant as ever. The Clydebank Blitz is rarely discussed and I knew little about it until I lived there, so it was interesting to see it in this book. Some brilliant characters, fast paced plot and impossible to put down. Does require a box of tissues.

[CLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempted to give this 5 stars - second in a compelling two book series - required lots of Kleenex!

[Bilal Shakir · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can never forget the torment I had to go through reading this actual piece of trash.

[rori ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

good enough

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off: this is not a cheerful book. I don't mean that it's grimmer than Grimsville, but it was never going to be happy seeing as it's set in the Second World War. I cry every time I read this book. But that's what makes it so wonderful. You feel for the characters so much that they take over your emotions until after you've finished the book, and sometimes they don't even let go then. This book is one of those odd ones. It's not one you rave about when you read it, but it's not one you rant about either. Somehow the story is too special to rave about it, but to rant would be a huge discredit. I would never take this book on holiday with me, but when I've got a spare day on my own, I will take it down from my shelf and relive every moment with an overwhelming sense of honour.

[Iona Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I didn't realise that this was the sequel to 'Kezzie', a book I haven't read. Despite this, I loved it. The story was amazing and the characters were great. Everything was described in great detail and - myself living in Scotland - could imagine the setting perfectly.

[Splash · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's just like kezzie amazing and she finnaly gets to make real her dream of being a docter but sadly her granddad dies tring to rescue someone