A review by pkadams
Crossing Stones by Helen Frost

4.0

As a verse novel, Crossing Stones tells the coming-of-age story of 4 teenagers who live on adjacent farms connected by crossing stones in a river. Narrated by 3 of the 4 teenagers, Muriel, her brother Ollie, and her best friend Emma, the story is about how WWI and the outside world change these 16 and 18 year olds. Frank, Emma's brother, is the first to leave when he joins the army and is sent to France. During these tumultuous times, Ollie and Muriel's aunt becomes involved in the suffragette protests drawing in the family while they also must cope with the influenza pandemic.

I enjoyed the verse and though it was painstakingly crafted, it read quickly and easily while covering so many topics from the war, Espionage Act, universal suffrage, and influenza outbreak of 1918. This book is a great book club selection for kids as it touches on so many topics perfect for discussion.