ABANDONED. Boy in WWII nighttime scene during a bombing, in which the neighbour's house is hit. The lady of the house asks for help for her husband who has been hit badly. While the boy is helping him, she quietly sits by watching

[Janelle]

Anyone who can figure this out is a super sleuth, as I remember very little about this book. It's either a YA or a kid's book, and it's set in Britain during WWII. The boy has a friend about his age. The only thing I clearly remember is a nighttime scene during a bombing, in which the neighbour's house is hit. The lady of the house asks for help for her husband who has been hit badly. While the boy is helping him, she quietly sits by watching, leaning against the fence or something. When the boy goes to talk to her, he finds her dead. She had a small wound on her leg that must have bled out and killed her. A comment is made that this was not surprising. She had been quiet and unselfish in life, and was this way up to the end.

[Kate]

I'm moving this down to the Unsolved folder, where you will get more views, and hopefully someone will know your book.

By the way, could this be Dawn of Fear?

[Janelle]

Thanks so much Kate. I can't believe I did that... and twice too! I was sure I picked the unsolved folder. I'll go check out your suggestion now. Thanks!

[Janelle]

It's quite possible that's the book but I won't know without finding a copy. Thanks!

[Alicia]

Even if it isn't the right book, Dawn of Fear is worth a read!

[Kris]

Janelle, around what year did you read this book?
Who does the boy live with?
Is the story set in London?

[Janelle]

Hi Kris, I read this sometime in the 80s. I'm sure that it is set in Britain, and given that there are air aid bombings it seems likely that he's in London. But I can't be sure.
I've had a look at Dawn of Fear courtesy of Open library and I don't think it's my book. Nothing in it rings a bell and I couldn't find the scene where the neighbouring lady dies.

[Kris]

Does the boy get separated from his family as in, for example, Exeter Blitz by David Rees

What do you remember about this family or who he's staying with?

[Janelle]

I actually remember very little about this book Kris, except for the scene that I mentioned in my first post. I don't think I'd remember this book at all if it weren't for that scene, as it's the only thing that's clearly stuck with me. However, I'm pretty sure the MC is living at home during the novel with his family. The bombing that kills the neighbour takes place at night and I think it occurs somewhere near the end of the book.

[Janelle]

Oh and thanks for the suggestion, but looking at the Goodreads description it doesn't look likely.

[Railyn]

There was a movie with a similar plotline in the late 80's called "Hope And Glory", and I see that it's called "autobiographical" but I can't find that it was based on a book. But maybe it will help jog a memory.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_and...

[Janelle]

Thanks Railyn, but it didn't really spark anything.

[Janelle]

bump bump

[Ayshe]

I don't remember that scene, but another suggestion won't hurt, will it: Out of the Shelter?

[Janelle]

Thanks for the suggestion, Ayshe, but it doesn't look like my book.

[Janelle]

Still looking

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Janelle, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Janelle]

Hi I haven’t found it yet, although I’m no longer actively looking for it. Thanks for asking :)

[Rainbowheart]

There is a novelization of Hope and Glory, but I don't recall that scene being in the movie.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Janelle left the group. Moving to Abandoned.