Beautiful Blue World

Beautiful Blue World #1

by Suzanne LaFleur

Beautiful Blue World is a thrilling and moving story of children who become the key to winning a war. Sofarende is at war. For twelve-year-old Mathilde, it means food shortages, feuding neighbors, and bombings. Even so, as long as she and her best friend, Megs, are together, they’ll be all right. But the army is recruiting children, and paying families well for their service. If Megs takes the test, Mathilde knows she will pass. Megs hopes the army is the way to save her family. Mathilde fears it might separate them forever. This touching and suspenseful novel is a brilliant reimagining of war, where even kindness can be a weapon, and children have the power to see what adults cannot.Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, Outstanding Merit ILA-CBC Choices Reading Lists, Teacher’s ChoiceJunior Library Guild Selection Nominated for multiple state awards

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, War, Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2016

About the author

I grew up outside Boston in Newton, and later Natick, MA. During the school year I went to Catholic school, did a lot of homework, and read a couple books a week. During the summer I read a couple books a day and spent hours swimming and playing outside at our local pool or beach. I was very much a planner, dreamer, and writer, creating plays and shows for my siblings and the neighborhood kids to be in and filling up entire notebooks with novels. I always read late into the night and slept with a book under my pillow.

I went to college in Lexington, VA at Washington and Lee, where I studied English and European History; I went to grad school in New York City at The New School, where I studied Writing for Children.

Now I divide my time between Natick, MA and New York. Due to my frequent travels, I don't really have a "typical" day, but most days I spend some time writing, reading, exercising (swimming, lifting, or walking), and visiting with friends. I like to warm up for writing by playing computer games. I do my best writing at home in my pajamas, though a lot of days I will venture out to a library to work (in jeans and a sweatshirt, rather than PJ's!). Most days I take a nap, which I tend to do with a book on my chest, whether or not I was actually reading it before I fell asleep. I still read before bed, and, now that I'm older and have a big bed to myself, I slide the book I'm reading under the pillow next to me (rather than the one I'm planning to sleep on!).

Because readers of all ages visit me here on Goodreads, I really do like to put up a genuine record of what I read, whether it's for kids, teens, or adults. The books I read are not intended as recommendations for any particular age group.

Reviews

[Kate Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

2019 Re-read
I re-read this as a buddy read with Mikayla and was reminded again just how much I love this book. So many good themes. <3 It was a little emotionally hard to read since I know what the sequel holds, but it was definitely worth it. ;)

Original Review
I have been looking for this book for forever. Like seriously, I always check the teen section at my library and it is never there. Well, it’s never in the teen section, that is. I just found it in the children’s section this time and probably squealed out loud. :D

First off, that cover. Each time I look at it I discover more, and all of the elements meant more to me as I read the book. <3

This book has aptly been likened to The Book Thief, but since it’s for a middle-grade audience, it was a lot cleaner which was nice. ;) I’d almost classify this as historical fantasy, except there were no creatures or magic. One look at the map of that world and the events going on in it, and you’ll almost think that this is supposed to be a retelling of World War II. Except, the author made things just different enough to pique my interest and keep me guessing. I loved it. ;)

Mathilde and Megs had a sweet friendship, and I sometimes forgot they weren’t sisters. ;) Father was darling with his “Bigs, Medium, and Little”, and I liked Mother as well. I enjoyed all the other kids at “school”, especially Gunnar and Annevi. It was interesting seeing all the different characters’ talents and musing (although I was pretty sure I knew) about what Mathilde’s could be. It was pretty special how she impacted the other characters.

But the colors. The blue and the green, the colors of the world and the flag, Mathilde’s and Rainer’s colors. That was the best. <3 When someone learns to be compassionate and care for other people, there’s no telling what they’ll do. ;)

Just a note, there was a slight humanistic worldview and a mention of a school being set on fire and not everyone got out. Also, someone does let out a breath they didn’t know they were holding, so if that irritates you… :P

Best quote: And then on the day after that, when I got up to leave, I heard behind me, “I like blue.”

Altogether, I very much enjoyed this book, and I am eagerly looking forward to reading the sequel. <3 I wish I could make everyone read it. XD

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super enjoyable. You will definitely see me reading Threads of Blue soon😉

[Libby May · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do I think of this book? Umm.. well Suzanne create Mathilde very well. She's good at that.
I couldn't quite grasp the genre. At first I thought it was like WWII era? But then it wasn't. The setting of the story being completely made up reeeeally threw me off because I didn't know if it was a different world, (which it didn't seem to be because the technology was normal (which was another confusing point. It really seemed like it was maybe history? The easy they acted and dressed...) and the items, like crayons, were common) so that was confusing. But once I pushed past that, it was rather good.

I mean, it was just a bit hard, like Mathilde and her relationship with Megs was more of a "tell" rather than "show" at first and it made me cringe.
Her relationship with her little sisters was cute though.

I'm not gonna do a full content thing because I took a day off Goodreads so I didn't record things like language or gore. It wasn't bad at all though. I'd say probably for people 11 to 15 would enjoy it.

The ending made me so mad, because I did not know there was a sequel. When I saw that there was I calmed down a bit and bumped it up a star.
Overall, thank you Kate Willis for recommending this book to me. It's not exactly my genre even though I don't really have a genre. I guess that's cause this book isn't really in any genre itself. But it was fun to think about. Thank you. :D

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars (9/10 hearts). I picked this book up a couple years ago because I knew two of my friends strongly recommended it, and I was not disappointed. I haven’t read it since, but I remembered liking it so much I dared to purchase a copy so I could read it. Again, I was not disappointed. (And the cover is just as beautiful as I recalled).

From the very first sentences it captivated me. The writing is gorgeous. Deep, symbolic, gentle. Hinting at a thousand things. It suits this book and the narrator so well. Mathilde is so strong and gentle and full of empathy, and the perfect elder sister. I related to her so much. Kammi and Tye were adorable, and her father and mother some of the best fictional parents I’ve seen. Megs—poor Megs—was a wonderful best friend and a splendid girl in her own right. The Examiner and Miss Ibsen are excellent mentor/mother figures, and the kids—Tommy, Caelyn, Bri, Anneli, Gunnar—they’re just awesome. And Rainer. You have to love that poor kid… the prototype of boys all over history who were forced into wars they didn’t want to fight and were wounded forever.

This book captures life during war perfectly. It’s quiet and noble, but it has flashes of raw agony and fear. It conveys the helpless and not-knowing, while still offering homey, childish, heart-warming, secure moments. It touches on the greatest moments of humanity, and on the depravity. It’s seriously the best modern MG book I’ve read, and one of the best MG or war books I’ve ever read regardless of the time period. I cried and couldn’t stop crying, and I needed the themes. The themes of love, of forgiveness, of vulnerability, of seeing people and not groups, of being still and listening. The world needs more Mathildes, and hard as it is—as much as we, like her, grow burnt and overwhelmed and depressed by our insight into the souls around us—it is also a sacred duty and a responsibility worth fulfilling.

If you love WWII books, give this a shot. If you don’t like fantasy, give this a shot—it’s a fictional country, but everything else is hugely accurate. If you like MG or YA books, this somehow fits the bill for both. It’s wonderful, and I think everyone should read it. It opens the eyes to so much.

Content: mention of bombing, injuries, etc, but all off-screen and very veiled. Mention of a school being burned down with people inside. Mentions of PTSD & nightmares. A passing mention that “Heaven doesn’t exist. Nowhere is safe for eternity.”

A Favourite Quote: “That is the best start, Mathilde, to learn to love. It will help you see that every person matters, that everyone is someone’s loved one. … The truth is, you already do. You think so carefully about how things affect people. That’s why our work here is so hard for you. And it’s why we need you. We all have to make difficult choices. If we make the right ones, hopefully they will allow others to make more right ones, and, one day, things will get better.”

[Tonyalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why did I pick it up?

Something in the synopsis caught my eye, "children have the power to see what adults cannot." I had to know what it was - plus, anything with strong relationships, especially friendships, tugs at the heartstrings and I must read it.

Describe the book in 5 words

Heart Warming. Sad. Beautiful. Smart. Emotional.

Who was your favorite character, and why?

Mathilde, naturally. She is such a strong, smart and beautiful girl. Her love and dedication to her family, friends and even those she isn't too close to is such a beautiful trait and melts my heart. I want to talk more about it, but it's a major spoiler for the book.

Who would LOVE Beautiful Blue World

This would be a great read for the classroom, as well as in home to be read together as a family. There are some aspects of the novel that would raise questions from the reader, since it has a lot of similarities to WWII. It is obviously enjoyed by adults, since I enjoyed it!

Are there Illustrations? 

Nope! just a map in the beginning

Overall thoughts

I adored it. It has a few sad parts - but don't let that sway you from reading. It's a beautiful story of love and friendships, and being strong for all of those around you. I highly recommend it!

I received this book for free from The Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Aria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agh, so sweet!

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you talk about Juvenile Fiction, heartbreaking isn't normally the word that comes to mind, but Beautiful Blue World was just that.
It took me a few chapters to get into it, mainly because I found it hard to really think of Megs and Mathilde as friends. They rarely talked, and I didn't really see any signs of friendship up until the test.
When Mathilde started talking about feeling like the only one without a talent, I connected almost instantly. Being in a room full of smart kids who all have a purpose, and feeling like it was a mistake to come it something I can understand.
The characters just leapt from the page, it was amazing. The only one I thought who fell flat, was Megs, which I thought was very sad because we really should have known her best.
Those ending chapters were amazing. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.

Re-read: This book kind of stabs me and then patches me up. It's so heartbreaking and beautiful. This book kept reminding me just how precious family and friends are. I may or may not have just laid on my bed hugging the book for a few minutes after finishing my re-read as I tried to mentally process how amazing it was. Also, thank you to the amazing Kate for re-reading this with you. You made the process more delightful. (Her awesome review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... )

Overall, this book left me wanting to laugh, cry, and hold onto my family.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is like a book set in WWII but a fantasy version. Not a real war or places, but no magic or stuff to make it feel like a fantasy.

While the story is engaging, I have to say that in the two modern youth/YA books I've read, I've found giving descriptions has fallen out of favor and I miss it. I felt like while I knew the characters, I was never very grounded in the setting. This probably is simply because it's a style I'm not used to.

A powerful story.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the story was interesting. It's a fantasy, set in a pretend world, but a world that reminds me of Europe during World War 2. Told from a twelve-year-old's point of view, we see how the ravages of war can affect children, and how maybe children have the answer to ending the war and bringing peace.

On that note, here's a couple of things parents might want to take note of: it does seem like children's wisdom is more or less idolized. There is a slight humanistic aurora to the book, [SPOILER: a mention of a school being set on fire and not everyone getting out, and pity taken on an enemy soldier who is released from prison].

It's not my favorite writing style. Sentence fragments. All the time.

I was enjoying the book well enough but started loosing interest towards the end. I know there's a sequel but I currently don't have enough interest to follow up with it.

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[J.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is there to say about this book? It was breathtaking. The relationships and characterization were absolutely phenomenal, rich, deep, and full of life and animation. Mathilde was such a great character to lead this book, Megs a great companion and all the others great tag-alongs.

I once read a quote somewhere that says, "You never really read a book until you read it for the fifth time." This, I feel, was the case with Beautiful Blue World.

When I read this for the first time, I didn’t like how the story tied together. It ended well and all—the ending was amazing—but the story as a whole didn’t seem to match up one hundred percent. It felt like two separate plots meshed together, and felt very choppy. Essentially, I didn’t understand how all the plotline in the second half fit into the plotline of the first half. However, I do have to add that after re-reading it multiple times, that problem of being two plots, to me, isn't a problem anymore. I see the story in more depth after having reread it, and I love the way it ties together. It truly is a beautiful story full of beautiful themes.

Megs’ and Mathilde’s friendship was beautiful. So beautiful. I don’t usually cry easily over books, but Beautiful Blue World had me shedding beautiful blue tears. The ending was awesome, too. Cleverly done, clear and concise but also super cliffhangery. I’m satisfied, but I’d also take more.

The second half of the book, which was provoked from a twist I certainly didn’t see coming, took on its own story, plot, and shape. At first glance, the idea, to me, lacked tangible orginality—personally it reminded me too much of The Ability, though I doubt it was intentional—but it easily and quickly took on its own life, captivating me.

In my original review, I wrote the following paragraph:

Also I want to know what the whole sub-idea of “It’s easy to love those you care about, but not so easy to love those you don’t know” was exactly portraying. It’s a great theme, but putting it with this book makes it look like the whole friendship between Megs and Mathilde is meaningless because Mathilde should have been caring about others. It’s supposed to be a heartfelt novel about friendship power, not about how said friendship shouldn’t have such power. I was very confused.
Bottom line, I wish this novel could have had more length to develop these key aspects.

After having reread it multiple times, I see depth I didn't see at first. I see the themes clearer. This book made you think, and I think the fact there weren't any black-and-white answers about everything was good. I don't agree with my conclusions above. Overall, I LOVED THIS BOOK TO TEARS. This series is one of my all-time favorites of all time. It perfectly captures the essence of friendship and loyalty in a gentle, yet real, way. It's moving, and touching, and inspiring, and I could literally reread it over and over again every day. Highly recommended to ages 12+.


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[Malachi Cyr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected, and it was awesome. I know you're not supposed judge a book by it's cover, but at first glance at the cover, I first thought "Great, a little girl's book." Then I looked again and noticed the silhouette of the airplanes under the title, and my opinion of the book changed. The book itself was very well written, being simple enough for younger readers, yet bearing enough weight and food for thought to be great for older ones as well. It has the feel of a WWII era story, although the setting is in a fictional world. This book also brings a lot of subjects related to war into question just through the story. The concept of the story was very intriguing and pulled me in right away. The characters were very well developed for such a short book and you were able to feel the emotion of the people as they went through the story. I think I liked Ranier the best because of the peeks into his character you got, although I think I connected with him faster than most people. It didn't have a clear Christian worldview (I didn't expect it to) but from the way it's written it's easy to fill it in between the lines. Anyway, it was a great little read that I would highly recommend.

[Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover (too young/too Lisbeth Zwerger) really does not serve this kids' Bletchley Circle-ish story--fantasy, but very WWII feel--which is otherwise spare, taut, dark, and nicely done. 12YO Mathilde and her school friends are tested in their war-torn country for special skills that will serve the war effort. She thinks she has no special skill, that her brilliant best friend Megs is a better choice, but Mathilde takes the test and is selected instead--the only student who is. She leaves her loving family and travels to an isolated manor where other kids with varied skills live and work and only late in the book finds her own challenge. Sequel planned, but because I liked the story, I would have much enjoyed a little more fleshing out in the second half of this one. Still, a favorite read this year. Recommended and an author to watch.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When younger teen readers ask for something like The Hunger Games, I think they really want a book like this one -- it's a dark and twisted story about the use of young teens in wartime. It's also a slender read. While there aren't easy answers here, I still get this brimming sense of optimism for humanity's general direction from this book.

Younger readers may have some difficulty situating this book within a fantasy genre: Sofarende, where our narrator, Mathilde, lives, is a made-up place at war with the imperialist Tyssia. Certainly those who are historically literate can make allegories to real-life conflicts; those who are unaware might just have to go with what they learn about the Sofarende/Tyssia conflict from the story.

The military comes to Mathilde's school in order to invite young teens to a special initiative the war effort. To be selected is an honor, and one's family is given a comfortable stipend and a college education is supported after service. Mathilde is an unremarkable student in school, and yet she is chosen for the program. She is then whisked away to a boarding school in rural Faetre, where she begins to figure out just how her special talents can assist the ongoing efforts, especially when she doesn't really know what those special talents are.

I won't say more about Mathilde's special talent, because I think it's fun for readers to figure it out as the story unfolds. Suffice it to say I didn't find the special talent a cop-out (e.g. "Hey look, it turns out I can learn languages remarkably quickly!") and some might even say it's not exactly a talent, but rather an underappreciated, coachable trait.

What I will say is that this book did make me think a little bit more about my place in a very complex, confusing, real world.

[Kelly Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book! It is a story of the strong bond between best friends and sacrifices two families make to survive wartime. I appreciate the author’s distinct style of writing-minimal words, yet magnificent detail. I can hardly wait to read the sequel!

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rtc

[Maribel Paevere · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's good but not my favorite.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twelve year old Mathilde loves her family. And twelve year old Mathilde loves her friend Megs. Their country is at war. Slowly the surrounding areas are confiscated. Each night the remaining people of Sofarende hide in shelters as the sound of bombs pounds their ears.

Resources are scarce, and as the enemy encroaches, food is more scarce each day. The military has a plan. They make a very complicated test that school children whose parents allow can have a chance to give their parents more food and resources. A college education is promised, if the selected children returns when the war is finished.

And increasingly as the bombs hit, it is questionable who will die and who will live. Megs is the brightest in her school, but Mathilde is the one who passes the test.

Mathilde is hidden away with other gifted children. Each child possesses a unique gift. Mathilde's assignment is to daily meet with a young enemy soldier who was captured. As she grows to know the enemy, she questions if there is a right and wrong to war.

Well written and engaging.

Three stars

[Shae]

This was a solid five-star in the beginning, easily. I loved Mathilde and her family and her best friend Megs. It was a little bit THE BOOK THIEF, a little bit ANNA AND THE SWALLOW MAN, with a THE BOMBS THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER allegorical spin. I actually got choked up on the train when Mathilde passed the test and had to leave home. And the gradual reveal of what the kids who pass the test do was really cool...

But it all sort of fizzled out. Maybe I've gotten overly used to dystopian and World War II tales, but Mathilde's story lacked teeth. The adults are startlingly helpful and well-meaning. There's no betrayal or tragedy. We hear of tragedy, but it never rises to the fore to smack the reader in the face like I was expecting. And the ending was... I mean, it ended. That doesn't make it an ending.

This book was not bad BY ANY MEANS. It was actually very good, especially in terms of writing style and likeable characters. It just didn't give me anywhere near what I wanted. Pity.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was up and down for me. At first I was really intrigued--it reads like historical fiction because the time period and war feel very much like WWII, but the lands are fictional and the "testing" done on children to see if they can help with the war feels very sci-fi.

The problem is the story never really goes anywhere once Mathilde gets to the "school." Instead of a well-rounded story to introduce a series, we get a cut-off plot that never was developed. In order to encourage us to read the next book, I suppose? It was really more disappointing than anything, because it's not a cliffhanger. It's just a weird, disruptive stop that offers no clues or information as to what's going on or where the story might be going. It kind of turned me OFF from reading the next book, to be honest.

[Dee Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm on the fence about this book. On the one hand, it was a quick-read with likable characters that gave an interesting take on how war affects everyone on both sides of the conflict. On the other hand, it was quite predictable and I kept waiting for something big to happen. The plot needed just a bit more depth.

All in all, it was an OK read and I'll read the second book to find out what happens to Mathilde.

[Kristi Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of Hunger Games. The only difference is that this book has a setting reminiscent of WWII. The book never comes out and says the actual time period but it seems to be that way. I really liked it and the ending. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Language: None
Sex: None
Violence: Some war violence, not much.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: 3 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)

This novel is a re-imagining of a war - World War II in particular. I liked the writing but did not care for the story and have decided to not continue the series.

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mathilde lives in a country that is being attacked by its neighbor. Every day there is fear of bombings and family members leaving to fight. When the government offers the students a chance to take a test and only the best will be chosen to go, Mathilde ops to take it but is sure her best friend Madge will be chosen. Whoever is chosen their family will be paid well. When Mathilde is chosen it’s a surprise to everyone and now she has to at figure out where she fits in at the new school.

This is a very interesting book and what her chosen job is, well it’s very interesting to see how she handles it.

[StarszBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read a middle grades book in so long but I'm so glad I picked this one up. The writing was impeccable and the suspenseful reasoning of using children to help fight the war nearly drove me nuts. Half truths float everywhere and to make it worse, I didn't realize this was part of a series until I was about halfway through. Now I'm left with all sorts of questions. Can't wait to get a hold of the next one!

[April eclecticbookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short juvenile fiction that feels like WW2 but is a war in no real land or time. The military encouraged all twelve-year-olds to take a new aptitude test and if selected they would go into service (what that service could be was anyone’s guess) and their struggling families would be well compensated. It’s less the actions of war and more the feelings and humanity. I had a hard time deciding between 4 and 5 stars and there is a sequel to look forward to.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

LaFleur has written a wonderful book that makes you want to build a world where we can all be at home. What a gift!

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my second book by LaFleur. It had great reviews and since it was about children in war I was very curious about it. It just didn't draw me in.

[Tamsyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I have to read the second book!

[Souhaila · Rating 3 out of 5]

third audiobook

[Bibliomama · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystical book about war and child code breakers. What makes you unique? Why should anyone care about you? Or you? Or you? It was rather floaty.