It was the 1940s. Children were to be seen and not heard. Until now.

Here are their stories of war, internment, polio, tuberculosis, loss, bullying, prejudice, faith, love, resiliency, overcoming, and normalcy amid the abnormality of childhood during this decade.

While the characters and narratives are fictional, all accounts are inspired by actual circumstances and events of the 1940s. These stories told through the eyes of children living in the United States, Poland, Germany, and France culminate in a multicultural anthology.

• Nicolette discovers evidence of a British soldier living in her French mansion's attic.
• Junior writes letters to his dad stationed at Pearl Harbor.
• Casimer hides from Nazis in a Polish cave with his family for many months.
• Addie falls in love with a German POW working on her father's farm.
• Nora contracts polio and fights for freedom to soar above the pain and confinement.
• And more children tell their stories . . .

Here are the Innocents at Home. Hear their stories. Hear their voices.

Lovers of historical fiction, Baby Boomers, and high school English and History classes will be drawn into the characters' lives and back into the 1940s.

Offering an extensive Discussion Guide at the end of the book, this historical fiction collection promises to be a great book club pick.