September, 1939. War is looming and Noah’s Dad is going off to war. But before he leaves he asks Noah to look after their dog, Winn, until he gets back. So when the government decrees that children should be evacuated and it would be better if pets were put down, Noah takes drastic action. He and his friend Clem load lots of pets onto his Dad’s decrepit old boat and set off to find a lady nicknamed The Duchess who runs an animal shelter on the banks of the Thames.

As in any misguided adventure, mishap after mishap befalls them and they end up on foot after the boat sinks. Out of money, out of food, accompanied by dogs, kittens, a snake and a donkey, they are being sought by the police as missing persons but determined to get their beloved animals to safety. The people they encounter are a mix of goodies and baddies out to help or to hinder.

In this action-packed but heart-warming wartime story, the reader is barracking for Noah to succeed. The plot is believable and the characters engaging and the ending had me in tears.

Reviewed by Lynne Babbage
Age Guide 9+