When We Were Two, by Robert Newton, is a heartbreaking adventure story about two brothers who escape their abusive father and their stagnant hometown of Gunnedah in NSW Australia to walk all the way through the mountains to the glittering seaside town of Port Macquarie, and hopefully, their long lost mother. Along the way, they encounter a drunken cart driver, a kindly couple, and a group of would-be soldiers, off to fight in world war I. The people they meet and their experiences will all shape their future and mission beyond recognition. When We Were Two is a story based on World War I, so some elements of racism and sexism are present, but nothing is too strong. There are references to alcohol, drug addiction, and abuse featured prominently in the storyline as well. Because of these, although this story is for the most part, childlike and innocent, I would recommend it for ages 12 and up. The vocabulary is easy and the book is very short, only 193 pages long, so this book is perfect for a beach read or a little read before bed every night. One final thing to note, this book has a very sad and unexpected ending so expect a tearjerker. Enjoy! (Anna. Grade 7)

Rating: 5/5

Vocabulary Difficulty: 1/5