This is the story of the friendship of Simone Lyon, daughter of a Belgium national hero, and Hava Daniels, daughter of a devout Jewish family who meet just before the outbreak of the Second World War. We follow their attempts to escape from the Nazi invasion of Belgium all the way to Dunkirk. They are very likeable, and their characters have been written very well. Simone, however, seems very naive for an 18 year old, especially for the daughter of a military hero. Hava seems years older but the threat to her Jewish life doesn't seem part of her. Their attempts to escape the Nazi invasion of Belgium are headed by real-life quotes from the likes of Hitler, Churchill, or facts as to the background of where they were and what was happening. I could see what the author was doing but it felt a little forced to me a situation arising just to clarify the quotes. I'm a bit puzzled by how they managed to travel so much without having to buy tickets and having no money. But overall I couldn't feel much for them. Pleased I read it though.