The FitzOsbornes at War
The Montmaray Journals: Book Three
"A cold numbness had settled upon me the moment Mr Chamberlain had begun to speak. I'd been praying for a last-minute miracle. For Stalin to change his mind, for the Americans to intervene, for Hitler to fall under a train . . . anything. Now I understood how stupid I'd been."
Sophie FitzOsborne and the royal family of Montmaray escaped their remote island home when the Nazis attacked. But now that war has come to England and the rest of the world as well – nowhere is safe.
Sophie fills her journal with tales of a life in wartime. Stories of blackouts and the Blitz. Dancing in nightclubs with soldiers on leave. And desperately waiting for news of her brother Toby, last seen flying over enemy territory.
But even as bombs rain down on London, hope springs up in surprising places, and love blooms. And when the Allies begin to drive their way across Europe, the FitzOsbornes take heart. Maybe, just maybe, there will be a way to liberate Montmaray – to go home again at last.
Sometimes heart-stopping, sometimes heart-breaking, Sophie's story will, as always, capture readers' hearts.
★ Listed in Best Teen Books of 2012 by Kirkus Reviews
Read an excerpt from the novel
Read historical background information
Download teaching notes
Available in hardcover, paperback and ebook editions. (There's no audiobook edition of this book. Sorry about that.)
For those who've read all three books about the FitzOsborne family and are curious about what happens after The FitzOsbornes at War:
Read questions and answers about the trilogy at the Montmaray Q & A page
Look at the 1955 FitzOsborne family tree
Read a short story about the FitzOsbornes, The Mystery of the Dashing Widower
Reviews of The FitzOsbornes at War
★ "A detailed and nuanced portrait of life in the madness of war . . . Absorbing, compelling and unforgettable."
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Sophie’s journals provide readers with a fascinating view of wartime Britain . . . a perfect choice for teen devotees of Downton Abbey."
Booklist, starred review
★ "Sophie is the perfect narrator for a young person's account of the war . . . fascinating and thoroughly engrossing."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review
"This is historical fiction at its most engaging . . . The trilogy is highly recommended, with this volume arguably the best of the three."
Lyn Linning, Magpies
"This book is even more of a treat for history lovers than its predecessors . . . This is a book (and series) worth gushing over. Quite simply, terrific."
Read Alert
"Highly recommended . . . This is a wonderful but often heart wrenching conclusion to a fascinating series that should be in every library."
Pat Pledger, Read Plus
"Suspenseful and heartbreaking, The FitzOsbornes at War will leave you breathless. I cannot recommend this series highly enough . . . An essential addition to any secondary school library!"
Tehani Wessely, Western Australian School Library Association Book Reviews
"Cooper does an admirable job of walking readers through the general progress and some specific features of the war, and Sophia brings a light touch and warm heart to her accounts, whether she’s describing personal tragedy, comic incident, or romantic encounter."
The Horn Book
"Cooper writes with an appealing style, which encapsulates a nineteen-year-old's inner dialogue perfectly. Taking her characters on an emotional journey from the beginnings of youth to adulthood, over three books in three settings, has been done exceptionally well."
Soo Lee Tan, Viewpoint
"A beautifully realized account of life in Great Britain during World War II."
Sarah Bryan Miller, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"This is a cathartic conclusion to a brilliant trilogy; a tale of endurance and hope and bitter change. I dearly loved The FitzOsbornes at War, and will cherish it as one of my favorite reads in the years to come."
The Book Smugglers
"The FitzOsbornes at War is my favourite book of the series, perhaps because it’s the most complex, the most difficult, and the most emotional . . . Overall, I think the Montmaray Journals are classics in the making, and their value will be enduring."
Wordchasing
"Cooper's books are a great example of what YA fiction should be - as challenging and informative as they are entertaining. Older teens and adults with an interest in World War II are sure to enjoy The Montmaray Journals, particularly if they're in the mood for a fact-rich, creative, intensely personal take on historical material."
Wordcandy
"If you have any interest in historical fiction at all, I urge you to take a look at this series. Each book is better than the last, and this volume is an incredibly satisfying conclusion to the series."
Slatebreakers