All is Fair, by Dee Garrettson

This is an excellent young adult reader novel. It gives a very balanced look at life in England during World War 1 through the eyes of a young teenage girl. Lady Mina Thretheway is at boarding school which should keep her safe from war.

But her father and brother are heavily involved. The brother is declared missing and presumed dead. Mina has grieved over him for months.

One day she receives a telegram from her father. It is written in code, but only she knows that. Her father wants her to come home and help a "family member" with an issue.

Through a completely believable set of circumstances she finds herself aboard a war ship headed to the Continent and into the war. No teenager should be doing such. She goes in naive, but comes out with her eyes opened and understanding the truth about war, it is hell.

I love the character development. I love the story line. I really love the way you come from a state of disbelief and naïveté to a state of complete understanding how hard war can be.

Lady Mina is young, but smart. She is innocent. She is brave. She is completely loyal to her father and her country.

Your young adult reader will love the story and learn some truths about the first World War.

Enjoy!