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Yonder
From Ali Standish, award-winning author of The Ethan I Was Before, August Isle, How to Disappear Completely, and The Mending Summer, comes a captivating historical fiction middle grade novel about a boy on the home front in World War II who must solve the mystery of the disappearance of his best friend. Perfect for fans of Alan Gratz and Lauren Wolk, this riveting adventure explores what true heroism means.
"Multilayered, moving, and tremendously powerful.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Standish’s uplifting mystery tackles big themes of abuse, bullying, heroism, mental health, and prejudice.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A heartfelt tale about what it means to be a hero and take a stand against injustice.” —ALA Booklist (starred review)
Danny Timmons has looked up to Jack Bailey ever since Jack saved two small children from drowning during the Great Flood of 1940. Now, with his father away fighting in World War II and his mother about to have a new baby, Danny relies on Jack’s friendship and guidance more than ever.
So when Jack goes missing without a trace from their small Appalachian town, Danny is determined to find him. He wonders if Jack’s abusive father could be behind his disappearance or if it has anything to do with Yonder—a hidden magical town Jack once spoke of, where flocks of rainbow birds fly through the sky and they’ve never heard of war. As answers elude him, Danny begins to fear that he didn’t know Jack as well as he thought.
Ultimately, Danny’s investigation forces him to reckon with even larger What is America fighting for in this war? What role do each of us play in stopping injustices, big and small? And is there such thing as a true hero?
A Jane Addams Book Award Honor Book!
A Cybils Award Middle Grade Finalist!
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A Bank Street Books Best Children's Book of the Year for ages 9–12 in Historical Fiction and noted for outstanding merit (2023)
A 2024-2025 S.C Junior Book Award Nominee!
“Both timely and historical. An exploration of what it means to be brave and do good.” —Tae Keller, Newbery Medal–winning author of When You Trap a Tiger
"A thoughtful, eloquent, and honest examination of prejudice, loyalty, and what it means to be brave." —Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Ground Zero
“A beautiful and important novel that explores what it means to be a hero and the role of each of us to stand up for what’s right.” —Karina Yan Glaser, New York Times bestselling author of the Vanderbeekers series
"Multilayered, moving, and tremendously powerful.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Standish’s uplifting mystery tackles big themes of abuse, bullying, heroism, mental health, and prejudice.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A heartfelt tale about what it means to be a hero and take a stand against injustice.” —ALA Booklist (starred review)
Danny Timmons has looked up to Jack Bailey ever since Jack saved two small children from drowning during the Great Flood of 1940. Now, with his father away fighting in World War II and his mother about to have a new baby, Danny relies on Jack’s friendship and guidance more than ever.
So when Jack goes missing without a trace from their small Appalachian town, Danny is determined to find him. He wonders if Jack’s abusive father could be behind his disappearance or if it has anything to do with Yonder—a hidden magical town Jack once spoke of, where flocks of rainbow birds fly through the sky and they’ve never heard of war. As answers elude him, Danny begins to fear that he didn’t know Jack as well as he thought.
Ultimately, Danny’s investigation forces him to reckon with even larger What is America fighting for in this war? What role do each of us play in stopping injustices, big and small? And is there such thing as a true hero?
A Jane Addams Book Award Honor Book!
A Cybils Award Middle Grade Finalist!
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A Bank Street Books Best Children's Book of the Year for ages 9–12 in Historical Fiction and noted for outstanding merit (2023)
A 2024-2025 S.C Junior Book Award Nominee!
“Both timely and historical. An exploration of what it means to be brave and do good.” —Tae Keller, Newbery Medal–winning author of When You Trap a Tiger
"A thoughtful, eloquent, and honest examination of prejudice, loyalty, and what it means to be brave." —Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Ground Zero
“A beautiful and important novel that explores what it means to be a hero and the role of each of us to stand up for what’s right.” —Karina Yan Glaser, New York Times bestselling author of the Vanderbeekers series
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2022
52 people are currently reading
4317 people want to read
About the author
Ali Standish
19 books333 followersAli Standish, author of the critically acclaimed The Ethan I Was Before, split her time growing up between North Carolina and several imaginary worlds. The only award she ever won in school was for messiest desk, but that didn’t stop her from going on to get degrees from Pomona College, Hollins University and and the University of Cambridge. She still spends most of her time in her imagination, but you might just spot her walking her two rescue dogs with her Finnish husband around her neighborhood in Raleigh. You can visit her online at www.alistandish.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
January 2, 2024
✰ 3.75 stars ✰
“I didn’t yet understand that every hero has a story. But not every story has a hero. Even now, after all this time, I’m still trying to figure out which one this is.
A hero’s story. Or a story without a hero.”
What does it take to be a hero? What qualities does one need to have - bravery, courage, kindness, spirit of heart? It doesn't take much to be a hero - it doesn't matter who you are. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes - found in every corner of the world or even in a small quiet Appalachian town in 1943, when the tidings of World War II aren't simply something that can take place in the far reaches of the earth, but somehow find their way into the hearts of those in one's very own neighborhood. What Yonder reminds us is that it doesn't take much to be a hero - simply to always remember what it is that you saw in one - to make you want to be one. 🤍
Since that fateful day when ten-year-old Danny saw Jack save two young girls from drowning, he's been his hero - his idol, the older brother he never had - going so far, to develop a deep close bond with him over a span of three years, one that he treasures like nothing else - trying so hard to protect Jack from the lonely life he has and the abusive treatment of his father. And the day Jack doesn't show up for work at Danny's father's newspaper, he knows that it's only up to him to find out exactly what happened to him - no matter what it takes. It is Danny's resilient search for him that helps teach him just want it means to be brave, and the power that lies in being good to others. 🫂
“We can never see into another person’s soul, Danny,” she said.
“And you just remember—nothing limits a big heart like a small mind.”
Powerfully moving and well-written, Ali Standish's latest middle grade novel is one that teaches, but never preaches. One that guides, and also reminds - one that shows that you can grow. It's these thoughts that went through my mind after I completed it - a mystery with a beautiful and heart-felt story that gives you the strength and courage to endure the struggles of life with virtue and kindness. There's just something about combining coming-of-age stories with historical fiction that just clicks with me; it's one that gives a more intimate personal view into a moment of history that reflects the feelings of those from a different perspective that when written well, just delivers. 👏🏻
I really liked how the story progressed. How we learn more about Danny and how he has own inner wars waging within him, but still so very resolute in trying to track Jack's whereabouts. Danny's growth was coupled with such poignant prose and deeply enriching points that allow the reader to ponder and think about what part do they have to play in the world - how much are we aware of what is happening around us, before we can show that we care - that we care enough to do something about it. 😟 'Evil is only as powerful as we let it be.' It touches something within you. I really appreciated the author's note, how she notes that it just as it is 'important to celebrate the ways we contributed to a more just world, we also need to learn from the opportunities we missed to create a more just country.' And that was a pivotal lesson that Danny learned. 😔
Danny was a compelling and engaging narrator; I connected with him, I learned about him and felt for him. He was thirteen and trying - trying to understand the difference between right or wrong, trying to make amends for the errors of his past, fighting to stay brave in the face of bullies, and to stand strong and defend those who are friends. And along the way, to also learn about the war - to glean insight into the events unfolding. 'Really it had marked all of us in our own ways. It was thousands of miles away and yet there with us, all the time, like an unforgiving sun.' For what the author does is show how the war impacted a country during a time where the battlefield isn't happening much on their mainland.
It's in the signs and evidence of racism, ignorance and prejudice is still very much prevalent on their own home-turf. It's never forced or pushed upon the reader - it's simply stating the facts and helping us understand and learn with Danny. That no matter how much the Holocaust and Hitler's treatment is being downgraded in the media - the constant stream of thinking that mirrors the treatment of blacks and the minority is still very evident. 'If I couldn’t confront the small injustices, how could I fight the bigger ones?' 😢 It's those silent and yet still outspoken challenges that made Danny grow. It's how Danny is able to gain insight into that - was something I thought was depicted very well. I liked how it touched upon the war draft, young boys torn between serving their country or protecting themselves or simply escaping to a better place - better than the one that they know.
“Maybe even the same kind of courage he had in him, just buried way down deep where no one else could see. I thought if anyone could bring it out in me, it would be him.
It had never occurred to me that it was fear that we shared, that had brought us together.
And now it would tear us apart.”
I loved the relationships that Danny made; each one was meaningful and impactful and just felt right. All the supporting cast offered their own semblance of what Danny needed to learn to be a better person. From those stigmatized and oppressed, from the friends he chose to neglect, to the ones he cherished the most. The pseudo-older brother bond that he forged with Jack was heart-wrenching as it was beautiful. 🥹 He looked up to him so much, he saw the awful abuse that he had to experience from the hands of his father, he wanted to protect him from all the pain that he had to experience in his young life, it made perfect sense that he would go to extreme lengths to find him again.
Jack was such a sweet and caring boy; so many moments I wanted to just hug his troubles away. His search for Yonder - his desire to escape, his want for a chance to live. Will we ever see him again? Will we ever learn what happened to him, as long as we know that he got a chance to go Yonder - to that place that was like 'a secret between him and his mother. A secret protection like a kiss that no one else could see.' I hope he did. The fact that the author kept me guessing till the very end - with the slightest reveals every now and then, inching towards what the eventual truth of his fate would be - was both an ending that was heart-wrenching, but still a hopeful one. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
And Danny fought back; even while still struggling to fight against his own demons who would attack him physically and his conflicting thoughts of what was happening in the world, he refused to back down. 'Don’t you give him your tears. That’s letting him win.' The torment of his oppressors was so malignant and unjust, but that was what touched me. It's in the nature of how Danny is a victim of bullies, and how he rises above them - doesn't let them win - learns to hone his patience of their awful behavior and showcase just how wrong they are - to shed light on the darkness of behavior people are willfully drawing a blind eye to. Seeing Danny try to understand what impact the war had on those close to him, the concern for his father fighting in the war, the people left behind, and to those who would have to be drafted to go to war. made for a very wholesome and touching experience. 🤌🏻🤌🏻
“I had my answer, but it wasn’t too late to change it. I might have been too young to fight in the war, but I was old enough to learn from it.
And what I had learned was this: courage always counted. And courage started at home.”
Danny's story is such a beautiful and uplifting one. One that touches upon what it means to be brave - to not be afraid to stand by what you believe in - to make amends for the faults that you have made - to learn the true value of what it takes to be a friend - to not be prejudiced in your values and views - 'he told me to remember I only had one life. He told me to make it count.' 🥺 And that's really one of the strengths that Danny learns to make his own, to understand that what he is witnessing will only make a difference - if he speaks up against it. 'If we couldn’t find a place with no evil, at least we could find ourselves in one where people had the courage to stand up to it.' It is also in the simplicity of the writing in which the story also shines and what makes Danny's story such a believable and relatable one.
The author skillfully allows him to learn about the happenings of the many important events that are unfolding at the time and relate to the injustice and prejudice that he's facing in his own town. How those unfortunate events give him the courage to stand up and fight back - for friendship, for what's right, to not be swayed by other's discomfort, when they, in turn, have been so unjust to others. 💔💔 And yet, it's never to the point where it's trying to enforce it's notions, but simply to display the injustice of it. I couldn’t unsee it then, how the thing that really separated us wasn’t the color of our skin but how we were treated for it.' And it's important for us to remember these things, that we can't allow hatred to outshine our common sense or need for kindness.
“Yonder was like the horizon, a place you could never quite reach. But though we might never reach it, we could at least come closer.
It was like Mama said. Yonder was a direction. One we could all follow.”
I can't quite recall what led me to it, but I'm glad I found my way down Yonder - it's a lesson and an understanding, we could all learn to reflect on. Or perhaps it was that absolutely stunning cover! 😍 One that has the allure of a mystical presence, when the magic itself lay in how such a quiet story, could make such a loud, and yet gentle impact on me at the very end. 🫶🏻
“I didn’t yet understand that every hero has a story. But not every story has a hero. Even now, after all this time, I’m still trying to figure out which one this is.
A hero’s story. Or a story without a hero.”
What does it take to be a hero? What qualities does one need to have - bravery, courage, kindness, spirit of heart? It doesn't take much to be a hero - it doesn't matter who you are. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes - found in every corner of the world or even in a small quiet Appalachian town in 1943, when the tidings of World War II aren't simply something that can take place in the far reaches of the earth, but somehow find their way into the hearts of those in one's very own neighborhood. What Yonder reminds us is that it doesn't take much to be a hero - simply to always remember what it is that you saw in one - to make you want to be one. 🤍
Since that fateful day when ten-year-old Danny saw Jack save two young girls from drowning, he's been his hero - his idol, the older brother he never had - going so far, to develop a deep close bond with him over a span of three years, one that he treasures like nothing else - trying so hard to protect Jack from the lonely life he has and the abusive treatment of his father. And the day Jack doesn't show up for work at Danny's father's newspaper, he knows that it's only up to him to find out exactly what happened to him - no matter what it takes. It is Danny's resilient search for him that helps teach him just want it means to be brave, and the power that lies in being good to others. 🫂
“We can never see into another person’s soul, Danny,” she said.
“And you just remember—nothing limits a big heart like a small mind.”
Powerfully moving and well-written, Ali Standish's latest middle grade novel is one that teaches, but never preaches. One that guides, and also reminds - one that shows that you can grow. It's these thoughts that went through my mind after I completed it - a mystery with a beautiful and heart-felt story that gives you the strength and courage to endure the struggles of life with virtue and kindness. There's just something about combining coming-of-age stories with historical fiction that just clicks with me; it's one that gives a more intimate personal view into a moment of history that reflects the feelings of those from a different perspective that when written well, just delivers. 👏🏻
I really liked how the story progressed. How we learn more about Danny and how he has own inner wars waging within him, but still so very resolute in trying to track Jack's whereabouts. Danny's growth was coupled with such poignant prose and deeply enriching points that allow the reader to ponder and think about what part do they have to play in the world - how much are we aware of what is happening around us, before we can show that we care - that we care enough to do something about it. 😟 'Evil is only as powerful as we let it be.' It touches something within you. I really appreciated the author's note, how she notes that it just as it is 'important to celebrate the ways we contributed to a more just world, we also need to learn from the opportunities we missed to create a more just country.' And that was a pivotal lesson that Danny learned. 😔
Danny was a compelling and engaging narrator; I connected with him, I learned about him and felt for him. He was thirteen and trying - trying to understand the difference between right or wrong, trying to make amends for the errors of his past, fighting to stay brave in the face of bullies, and to stand strong and defend those who are friends. And along the way, to also learn about the war - to glean insight into the events unfolding. 'Really it had marked all of us in our own ways. It was thousands of miles away and yet there with us, all the time, like an unforgiving sun.' For what the author does is show how the war impacted a country during a time where the battlefield isn't happening much on their mainland.
It's in the signs and evidence of racism, ignorance and prejudice is still very much prevalent on their own home-turf. It's never forced or pushed upon the reader - it's simply stating the facts and helping us understand and learn with Danny. That no matter how much the Holocaust and Hitler's treatment is being downgraded in the media - the constant stream of thinking that mirrors the treatment of blacks and the minority is still very evident. 'If I couldn’t confront the small injustices, how could I fight the bigger ones?' 😢 It's those silent and yet still outspoken challenges that made Danny grow. It's how Danny is able to gain insight into that - was something I thought was depicted very well. I liked how it touched upon the war draft, young boys torn between serving their country or protecting themselves or simply escaping to a better place - better than the one that they know.
“Maybe even the same kind of courage he had in him, just buried way down deep where no one else could see. I thought if anyone could bring it out in me, it would be him.
It had never occurred to me that it was fear that we shared, that had brought us together.
And now it would tear us apart.”
I loved the relationships that Danny made; each one was meaningful and impactful and just felt right. All the supporting cast offered their own semblance of what Danny needed to learn to be a better person. From those stigmatized and oppressed, from the friends he chose to neglect, to the ones he cherished the most. The pseudo-older brother bond that he forged with Jack was heart-wrenching as it was beautiful. 🥹 He looked up to him so much, he saw the awful abuse that he had to experience from the hands of his father, he wanted to protect him from all the pain that he had to experience in his young life, it made perfect sense that he would go to extreme lengths to find him again.
Jack was such a sweet and caring boy; so many moments I wanted to just hug his troubles away. His search for Yonder - his desire to escape, his want for a chance to live. Will we ever see him again? Will we ever learn what happened to him, as long as we know that he got a chance to go Yonder - to that place that was like 'a secret between him and his mother. A secret protection like a kiss that no one else could see.' I hope he did. The fact that the author kept me guessing till the very end - with the slightest reveals every now and then, inching towards what the eventual truth of his fate would be - was both an ending that was heart-wrenching, but still a hopeful one. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
And Danny fought back; even while still struggling to fight against his own demons who would attack him physically and his conflicting thoughts of what was happening in the world, he refused to back down. 'Don’t you give him your tears. That’s letting him win.' The torment of his oppressors was so malignant and unjust, but that was what touched me. It's in the nature of how Danny is a victim of bullies, and how he rises above them - doesn't let them win - learns to hone his patience of their awful behavior and showcase just how wrong they are - to shed light on the darkness of behavior people are willfully drawing a blind eye to. Seeing Danny try to understand what impact the war had on those close to him, the concern for his father fighting in the war, the people left behind, and to those who would have to be drafted to go to war. made for a very wholesome and touching experience. 🤌🏻🤌🏻
“I had my answer, but it wasn’t too late to change it. I might have been too young to fight in the war, but I was old enough to learn from it.
And what I had learned was this: courage always counted. And courage started at home.”
Danny's story is such a beautiful and uplifting one. One that touches upon what it means to be brave - to not be afraid to stand by what you believe in - to make amends for the faults that you have made - to learn the true value of what it takes to be a friend - to not be prejudiced in your values and views - 'he told me to remember I only had one life. He told me to make it count.' 🥺 And that's really one of the strengths that Danny learns to make his own, to understand that what he is witnessing will only make a difference - if he speaks up against it. 'If we couldn’t find a place with no evil, at least we could find ourselves in one where people had the courage to stand up to it.' It is also in the simplicity of the writing in which the story also shines and what makes Danny's story such a believable and relatable one.
The author skillfully allows him to learn about the happenings of the many important events that are unfolding at the time and relate to the injustice and prejudice that he's facing in his own town. How those unfortunate events give him the courage to stand up and fight back - for friendship, for what's right, to not be swayed by other's discomfort, when they, in turn, have been so unjust to others. 💔💔 And yet, it's never to the point where it's trying to enforce it's notions, but simply to display the injustice of it. I couldn’t unsee it then, how the thing that really separated us wasn’t the color of our skin but how we were treated for it.' And it's important for us to remember these things, that we can't allow hatred to outshine our common sense or need for kindness.
“Yonder was like the horizon, a place you could never quite reach. But though we might never reach it, we could at least come closer.
It was like Mama said. Yonder was a direction. One we could all follow.”
I can't quite recall what led me to it, but I'm glad I found my way down Yonder - it's a lesson and an understanding, we could all learn to reflect on. Or perhaps it was that absolutely stunning cover! 😍 One that has the allure of a mystical presence, when the magic itself lay in how such a quiet story, could make such a loud, and yet gentle impact on me at the very end. 🫶🏻
June 4, 2022
I don't read many middle-grade stories, but books like this are a gold-star example of how powerful the genre can be.
It's an exceptional book for middle-grade readers, and enjoyable as hell for an adult. Reading this book brought me right back to the pre-internet days in my elementary school library, devouring every book with a silver Newbery medal on it for reading competitions. I'll be amazed if this book doesn't win awards -- it captures a slice of American history flawlessly and HONESTLY. It reads like poetry; has powerfully moving relationships between the young protagonists; and moved me to tears more than once. I can't remember the last time a book has left me feeling so haunted, but in a beautiful way. There is real awareness & growth in this coming of age story -- it will challenge young readers to examine the issues from a position of kindness and candor. I am just so impressed with it. It has my highest recommendation.
It's an exceptional book for middle-grade readers, and enjoyable as hell for an adult. Reading this book brought me right back to the pre-internet days in my elementary school library, devouring every book with a silver Newbery medal on it for reading competitions. I'll be amazed if this book doesn't win awards -- it captures a slice of American history flawlessly and HONESTLY. It reads like poetry; has powerfully moving relationships between the young protagonists; and moved me to tears more than once. I can't remember the last time a book has left me feeling so haunted, but in a beautiful way. There is real awareness & growth in this coming of age story -- it will challenge young readers to examine the issues from a position of kindness and candor. I am just so impressed with it. It has my highest recommendation.
April 30, 2023
A very well written middle school historical fiction novel set in the great war era.
When his best friend Jack goes missing, Danny is determined to find him even though everyone else in town thinks he ran away. Danny knows Jack wouldn't do that, especially without telling him. With many factors at play including an abusive father, an active military draft, and a paradise town called "yonder", Danny will not stop looking until he knows what really happened to Jack.
When his best friend Jack goes missing, Danny is determined to find him even though everyone else in town thinks he ran away. Danny knows Jack wouldn't do that, especially without telling him. With many factors at play including an abusive father, an active military draft, and a paradise town called "yonder", Danny will not stop looking until he knows what really happened to Jack.
August 10, 2022
5/5 stars
I have been a big Ali Standish-fan for years now, ever since August Isle first brought me to tears back in early 2019. She is, in my humble opinion, one of the best middle-grade authors working today, and has yet to write a single bad or even mediocre book. That record holds strong with her latest release; Yonder is Standish’s first historical middle-grade, and at the same time one of her most timely stories yet.
"Every hero has a story, but not every story has a hero. Even now, after all this time, I’m still trying to figure out which one this is; a hero’s story, or a story without a hero."
So begins Danny’s story, against the backdrop of his idyllic 1940’s Appalachian small town. Danny knows his story has at least two hero’s though: his father, who’s been deployed overseas to fight in the Big War, and his best friend Jack, who’s been his friend and protector since. Danny has idolized the older boy ever since he rescued two small children from drowning during the Great Flood, and relies on him for guidance in the absence of his dad more than ever.
So when Jack goes missing from their small Appalachian town, Danny is determined to find him. His first clue is the message “Yonder” that Jack left behind, a reference to a hidden magical town Jack once spoke of where flocks of rainbow birds fly through the sky and they’ve never heard of war. Other leads point in a much more mundane and less darker direction; one in which he may not have known Jack as well as he thought, and in which his town is much less idyllic than it first meets the eye.
Yonder is tale of friendship, challenging prejudice, owning up to your mistakes, and being the hero of your own story; in big ways or small. Thematically, there is a lot more to it than first meets the eye, and as Danny grows, and his scope of the world broadens, so does ours as the reader.
This is the power of middle-grade at its finest: a story for kids and adults alike that explores a difficult situation through understandable language and relatable characters. I couldn’t recommend it any higher.
I have been a big Ali Standish-fan for years now, ever since August Isle first brought me to tears back in early 2019. She is, in my humble opinion, one of the best middle-grade authors working today, and has yet to write a single bad or even mediocre book. That record holds strong with her latest release; Yonder is Standish’s first historical middle-grade, and at the same time one of her most timely stories yet.
"Every hero has a story, but not every story has a hero. Even now, after all this time, I’m still trying to figure out which one this is; a hero’s story, or a story without a hero."
So begins Danny’s story, against the backdrop of his idyllic 1940’s Appalachian small town. Danny knows his story has at least two hero’s though: his father, who’s been deployed overseas to fight in the Big War, and his best friend Jack, who’s been his friend and protector since. Danny has idolized the older boy ever since he rescued two small children from drowning during the Great Flood, and relies on him for guidance in the absence of his dad more than ever.
So when Jack goes missing from their small Appalachian town, Danny is determined to find him. His first clue is the message “Yonder” that Jack left behind, a reference to a hidden magical town Jack once spoke of where flocks of rainbow birds fly through the sky and they’ve never heard of war. Other leads point in a much more mundane and less darker direction; one in which he may not have known Jack as well as he thought, and in which his town is much less idyllic than it first meets the eye.
Yonder is tale of friendship, challenging prejudice, owning up to your mistakes, and being the hero of your own story; in big ways or small. Thematically, there is a lot more to it than first meets the eye, and as Danny grows, and his scope of the world broadens, so does ours as the reader.
This is the power of middle-grade at its finest: a story for kids and adults alike that explores a difficult situation through understandable language and relatable characters. I couldn’t recommend it any higher.
May 10, 2022
Happy book birthday to this amazing book! I absolutely loved this. Hit all the feels, & is a book hug worthy read for sure. So many important layers containing hard hitting important issues. Segregation, war, the Holocaust, child abuse, bullying..The author also raises some very important questions, some I’ve often wondered myself. I’ll talk about the fictional story 1st before I dive into the historical layers of the story.
Danny was such a great MC. I loved watching his character growth/development. He was so much braver than he realized. What he learned about life, people, being a good friend, & being a hero was so great to read. Every other chapter or so there are chapters that are gray-washed & titled “Before”, & have the date. Meaning before Jake went missing, & some things that happened up til that point. Loved that. Made a bigger connection for me with all the characters & story, & made everything even more impactful. Very atmospheric. It felt like I was in the south in the 40’s riding my bike everywhere right along with Danny. When he talks about sprinkling sugar on his cornflakes-yes! I do that still lol. Or hunting crawdaddies, or saying yonder is a direction-“It’s over yonder”. Love. PHENOMENAL writing. Engaging & just hooks you from the start. Read the last 75% in 1 sitting lol.
Now the layers-As far as the child abuse, I think the author did a great job showing what that would look like without holding back. Very real, raw, & honest. The bruises, black eyes, broken ribs, etc..the abused saying “he didn’t mean it” & “he’s always sorry after” & “he doesn’t mean to” “he becomes someone else”….how sometimes, especially back then, people would rather look away then deal with hard things like that..even if that means letting someone suffer. Then on the other side, what it does..what it MEANS to a kid being treated like that to receive any kindness or love. Then, with the layer having to do with segregation. This is based in the early 40s in the south. Anyone who is different in any way is never treated like they belong, like you see with Danny’s mom-but she was white. It was 10 times worse for black people however. There’s 1 black family in this town I believe, & what they do to this family….what even the librarian herself does! Evil. Even though it says signs weren’t up like other towns during segregation, this family still never went to those stores it’s said, because there didn’t have to be signs..they knew not to go. How sad & evil is that. The author has an”Historical Notes” section in the back, which I loved & even learned from myself. Like how it was allowed for banks/institutions to deny farm loans to black families for no reason but hatred, & to take their land….in some cases, I learned, land that the government had given them when enslaved people were freed & had to be paid for their work(getting this from the back of book). They were often paid in the form of land-often land that was poor quality & hard to farm! I never knew anything about the loan part & the land. Wow.
Next layer is the holocaust. I was always taught Americans didn’t know about Hitler’s “extermination campaign”. I ALWAYS asked the same question: “HOW could they not know?”. In fact we did. The president didn’t even allow any more Jewish refugees who sought asylum in. When it was made public, very little page space was given about it after. We became the heroes in the end..but this book shows there’s more to a hero than meets the eye. So many opportunities missed, or just plain ignored. The values we hid behind-we didn’t fight for. Not us, not our problem seemed to be the motto. If you ignore it there, it doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t happen here. Or even simply not being able to comprehend that there could be an evil out there capable of such horror, refusing to believe it possible.
Millions of people were being KILLED & tortured just for being Jewish, & we didn’t want to face it? It’s unbelievable to me that the country I love would really sit by & ignore that-but it DID. For too long, at the cost of so many lives. Too many amazing points/messages in here to tell them all-read this! HIGHLY recommend! BEAUTIFUL cover by Leo Nickolls too!💜
Danny was such a great MC. I loved watching his character growth/development. He was so much braver than he realized. What he learned about life, people, being a good friend, & being a hero was so great to read. Every other chapter or so there are chapters that are gray-washed & titled “Before”, & have the date. Meaning before Jake went missing, & some things that happened up til that point. Loved that. Made a bigger connection for me with all the characters & story, & made everything even more impactful. Very atmospheric. It felt like I was in the south in the 40’s riding my bike everywhere right along with Danny. When he talks about sprinkling sugar on his cornflakes-yes! I do that still lol. Or hunting crawdaddies, or saying yonder is a direction-“It’s over yonder”. Love. PHENOMENAL writing. Engaging & just hooks you from the start. Read the last 75% in 1 sitting lol.
Now the layers-As far as the child abuse, I think the author did a great job showing what that would look like without holding back. Very real, raw, & honest. The bruises, black eyes, broken ribs, etc..the abused saying “he didn’t mean it” & “he’s always sorry after” & “he doesn’t mean to” “he becomes someone else”….how sometimes, especially back then, people would rather look away then deal with hard things like that..even if that means letting someone suffer. Then on the other side, what it does..what it MEANS to a kid being treated like that to receive any kindness or love. Then, with the layer having to do with segregation. This is based in the early 40s in the south. Anyone who is different in any way is never treated like they belong, like you see with Danny’s mom-but she was white. It was 10 times worse for black people however. There’s 1 black family in this town I believe, & what they do to this family….what even the librarian herself does! Evil. Even though it says signs weren’t up like other towns during segregation, this family still never went to those stores it’s said, because there didn’t have to be signs..they knew not to go. How sad & evil is that. The author has an”Historical Notes” section in the back, which I loved & even learned from myself. Like how it was allowed for banks/institutions to deny farm loans to black families for no reason but hatred, & to take their land….in some cases, I learned, land that the government had given them when enslaved people were freed & had to be paid for their work(getting this from the back of book). They were often paid in the form of land-often land that was poor quality & hard to farm! I never knew anything about the loan part & the land. Wow.
Next layer is the holocaust. I was always taught Americans didn’t know about Hitler’s “extermination campaign”. I ALWAYS asked the same question: “HOW could they not know?”. In fact we did. The president didn’t even allow any more Jewish refugees who sought asylum in. When it was made public, very little page space was given about it after. We became the heroes in the end..but this book shows there’s more to a hero than meets the eye. So many opportunities missed, or just plain ignored. The values we hid behind-we didn’t fight for. Not us, not our problem seemed to be the motto. If you ignore it there, it doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t happen here. Or even simply not being able to comprehend that there could be an evil out there capable of such horror, refusing to believe it possible.
Millions of people were being KILLED & tortured just for being Jewish, & we didn’t want to face it? It’s unbelievable to me that the country I love would really sit by & ignore that-but it DID. For too long, at the cost of so many lives. Too many amazing points/messages in here to tell them all-read this! HIGHLY recommend! BEAUTIFUL cover by Leo Nickolls too!💜
October 3, 2025
"I did tell you, didn't I, that not all stories have a hero?"
✏️ Review ✏️
Yonder furnishes a slow-paced World War Two story that explores the definition of hero and what being one really means.
Because Yonder is set in early 1940s Appalachia, the story's focus isn't so much on the many events of WWII, but rather on the struggles, fears, difficulties, and atmosphere of the home front of the war. The plot of this story is a multi-faceted, thought-provoking examination of war, heroism, friendship, kindness, community, prejudice, abuse, and the result of both good and evil actions. It's one of those stories that upon reading it you still feel as if you missed so much the first time through, that only by going through it another time with the knowledge and connection of the entire story can you appreciate and understand it in a more thorough and unified sense. The plot is presented in a nonlinear fashion. While this does an illustrative job at signifying the connections between past and present, it can sometimes make the storyline seem more disjointed than it really is. So, many times I enjoyed the nonlinear presentation; at other times I didn't like it so much, especially when I was trying to get back into the story.
Ali Standish's writing exhibits depth and balance. It's descriptive, engaging, and authentic. Flowing smoothly from beginning to end, the writing instills Yonder with layer of further realism and maintains a dynamic narrative tone the entire way through.
I liked Danny, the MMC; he's well-rounded, nuanced, and flawed making him a suitable character for the story's narration. Danny is dynamically developed and features a relatable level of internal conflict as he struggles and grapples with what standing up for right really looks like.
Even though I wasn't always a fan of it, the storyline's delivery of both the past and present is what effectively creates quite a bit of the character depth and development. The secrets that many of the characters hold are revealed at strategic intervals, which portrays the dilemmas of the MMC as he begins to see that not everyone in his hometown is who the MMC always thought they were. I'm not going to say much about the characters in order to avoid spoilers, but many of the characters exhibit good and bad traits that, by observing the results of both the good and the bad, readers can learn many important lessons.
Yonder is an evocative and resonant World War Two narrative. It doesn't present an action-packed plot nor does it appear to be a very deep story at first. But what Yonder does do is this: Beckons readers to examine, question, and observe what really makes a hero, where courage really begins, and how we all can step from the shadows of society, emerging as heroes in a small and subtle yet powerful way.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
• The different perspective of life during WWII — focuses on the home front instead of the theater of war.
• The MMC — he's dynamically developed and well-rounded.
• The nonlinear narrative — in the way that it signifies the connection between the past and the present and allows for deeper character development.
• The writing style — it's descriptive, engaging, and authentic.
• The exploration of many themes like friendship, heroism, and courage, and others.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
• The nonlinear narrative — in the way that it makes the story disjointed and slows the progression of the plot.
• The slower plot progression in a few parts — perhaps made the story longer than necessary.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
❓ To Read or Not To Read? ❓
— Would I recommend this book? Yes.*
— To whom? To those who enjoy slower-paced WWII stories which offer a different perspective of this war, contain nuanced, flawed characters, a authentic writing style, and poignant themes.
*(Note: I leave it up to each individual to decide the maturity and discernment level required to read the books I recommend, based on my content warnings below [in my Book Breakdown]. My content warnings [if any] should always be considered alongside my recommendations when deciding who these books are best suited for.)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 3.5/5 [rounded down to 3 on Goodreads])
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 3.5/5
— 📝 Writing: 4/5
— 👥 Characters: 3.5/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 1/5
• One vain use of God's name and one use of "hell."
— ⚔️ Violence: 1/5
• Features a prominent situation involving child abuse. There are never any on-page scenes of abuse, but injuries and wounds are described on several occasions.
• A few scenes of bullying that include mild brawling.
— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📣 Random Comments 📣
• I found it difficult to arrive at my 3.5-star rating but felt that this is where Yonder fits on my rating system. Because of the slower narration and the split storyline, I didn't enjoy this story as much I wanted to. I feel like this is one of those stories that would only be better, more enjoyable, and more impactful upon reread due to its deeper themes and characterization. First time going through lays the foundation, second time supplies and connects all of the building materials coherently together. But don't get me wrong — I still enjoyed Yonder and found it's different perspective of WWII to be intriguing.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
• Stories... are a bit like hearts. We've all got one inside us, locked away just out of sight. (p. 1)
• "[N]othing limits a big heart like a small mind." (p. 119; italicized in the original)
• "Evil is only as powerful as we let it be." (p. 214)
• "[W]e can't make things right until we can see what's wrong." (p. 295)
• A best friend is someone you trust with all your secrets, who you can be your true self around. Someone who sticks to you like a burr, even when you try to pull away. (p. 305)
• I was starting to understand that a friendship could be broken in a single moment, but it took much longer to put it right again. And that made a certain kind of sense. It was just like mending a waterlogged watch or a dropped dish. You had to be patient and dedicated. You have to care enough about the thing you had broken to make it worth the time it took to fix. (p. 324-325)
✏️ Review ✏️
Yonder furnishes a slow-paced World War Two story that explores the definition of hero and what being one really means.
Because Yonder is set in early 1940s Appalachia, the story's focus isn't so much on the many events of WWII, but rather on the struggles, fears, difficulties, and atmosphere of the home front of the war. The plot of this story is a multi-faceted, thought-provoking examination of war, heroism, friendship, kindness, community, prejudice, abuse, and the result of both good and evil actions. It's one of those stories that upon reading it you still feel as if you missed so much the first time through, that only by going through it another time with the knowledge and connection of the entire story can you appreciate and understand it in a more thorough and unified sense. The plot is presented in a nonlinear fashion. While this does an illustrative job at signifying the connections between past and present, it can sometimes make the storyline seem more disjointed than it really is. So, many times I enjoyed the nonlinear presentation; at other times I didn't like it so much, especially when I was trying to get back into the story.
Ali Standish's writing exhibits depth and balance. It's descriptive, engaging, and authentic. Flowing smoothly from beginning to end, the writing instills Yonder with layer of further realism and maintains a dynamic narrative tone the entire way through.
I liked Danny, the MMC; he's well-rounded, nuanced, and flawed making him a suitable character for the story's narration. Danny is dynamically developed and features a relatable level of internal conflict as he struggles and grapples with what standing up for right really looks like.
Even though I wasn't always a fan of it, the storyline's delivery of both the past and present is what effectively creates quite a bit of the character depth and development. The secrets that many of the characters hold are revealed at strategic intervals, which portrays the dilemmas of the MMC as he begins to see that not everyone in his hometown is who the MMC always thought they were. I'm not going to say much about the characters in order to avoid spoilers, but many of the characters exhibit good and bad traits that, by observing the results of both the good and the bad, readers can learn many important lessons.
Yonder is an evocative and resonant World War Two narrative. It doesn't present an action-packed plot nor does it appear to be a very deep story at first. But what Yonder does do is this: Beckons readers to examine, question, and observe what really makes a hero, where courage really begins, and how we all can step from the shadows of society, emerging as heroes in a small and subtle yet powerful way.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
• The different perspective of life during WWII — focuses on the home front instead of the theater of war.
• The MMC — he's dynamically developed and well-rounded.
• The nonlinear narrative — in the way that it signifies the connection between the past and the present and allows for deeper character development.
• The writing style — it's descriptive, engaging, and authentic.
• The exploration of many themes like friendship, heroism, and courage, and others.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
• The nonlinear narrative — in the way that it makes the story disjointed and slows the progression of the plot.
• The slower plot progression in a few parts — perhaps made the story longer than necessary.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
❓ To Read or Not To Read? ❓
— Would I recommend this book? Yes.*
— To whom? To those who enjoy slower-paced WWII stories which offer a different perspective of this war, contain nuanced, flawed characters, a authentic writing style, and poignant themes.
*(Note: I leave it up to each individual to decide the maturity and discernment level required to read the books I recommend, based on my content warnings below [in my Book Breakdown]. My content warnings [if any] should always be considered alongside my recommendations when deciding who these books are best suited for.)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 3.5/5 [rounded down to 3 on Goodreads])
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 3.5/5
— 📝 Writing: 4/5
— 👥 Characters: 3.5/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 1/5
• One vain use of God's name and one use of "hell."
— ⚔️ Violence: 1/5
• Features a prominent situation involving child abuse. There are never any on-page scenes of abuse, but injuries and wounds are described on several occasions.
• A few scenes of bullying that include mild brawling.
— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📣 Random Comments 📣
• I found it difficult to arrive at my 3.5-star rating but felt that this is where Yonder fits on my rating system. Because of the slower narration and the split storyline, I didn't enjoy this story as much I wanted to. I feel like this is one of those stories that would only be better, more enjoyable, and more impactful upon reread due to its deeper themes and characterization. First time going through lays the foundation, second time supplies and connects all of the building materials coherently together. But don't get me wrong — I still enjoyed Yonder and found it's different perspective of WWII to be intriguing.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
• Stories... are a bit like hearts. We've all got one inside us, locked away just out of sight. (p. 1)
• "[N]othing limits a big heart like a small mind." (p. 119; italicized in the original)
• "Evil is only as powerful as we let it be." (p. 214)
• "[W]e can't make things right until we can see what's wrong." (p. 295)
• A best friend is someone you trust with all your secrets, who you can be your true self around. Someone who sticks to you like a burr, even when you try to pull away. (p. 305)
• I was starting to understand that a friendship could be broken in a single moment, but it took much longer to put it right again. And that made a certain kind of sense. It was just like mending a waterlogged watch or a dropped dish. You had to be patient and dedicated. You have to care enough about the thing you had broken to make it worth the time it took to fix. (p. 324-325)
April 14, 2023
..well..i started this book expecting bit of good plot,fantasy and mystery even though i don't read many YA books..but what i got in the end was more than i thought..brilliant, well crafted story about friendship and courage (and not cheap super-hero courage,but real human bravery)..Ali Standish did a great study on human behaviour and relationships in hard times...but with lots of heart..i read it with hearty laugh..and few times with a tear in my eye..and at the end with the food for thought.
..anyway..i don't write many reviews..but i did this because i think that this book needs to be read by kids and adults worldwide..and i hope it would be translated and published in my country too so my kids could read it.
..anyway..i don't write many reviews..but i did this because i think that this book needs to be read by kids and adults worldwide..and i hope it would be translated and published in my country too so my kids could read it.
August 21, 2023
Mama didn't speak for a moment. "Evil is only as powerful as we let it be..."This was a realistic treatment of a boy's experience with life in the US during WWII. I appreciated mentions of sugar rationing, collecting scrap metal for the war effort, families sending off, and sometimes dealing with the war deaths, of their sons. The conversations and vocabulary sounded largely as they would have in the 1940s, although I was thrown off several times by Danny's use of the word "graffiti" as it wasn't then in common use to describe the kind of vandalism he witnesses. Time shifts are handled very well, with the earlier narrative printed in italics on grey-coloured pages. Young readers of this book receive a short but succinct explanation of anti-Semitism and genocide in Europe, along with graphic examples of racism and land appropriation in the US. Reading about Jordan's experiences with the librarian from hell, I was reminded of the story of astronaut Ronald McNair (who, as a Black child, was denied access to a library that's now named after him.) Children of 2022 need to know about these things, that the real evil we all face is thinking that "it's not our problem." I loved the realistic way Danny learns and grows from observing the little town he's growing up in, and appreciate the open-ended aspect of the ending. 4 stars.
April 5, 2022
Richie’s Picks: YONDER by Ali Standish, HarperCollins, May 2022, 368p., ISBN: 978-0-06-298568-2
“Ooh maybe tomorrow
I'll find my way
To the land where the honey runs
In rivers each day
And the sweet tastin' good life
Is so easily found
A way over yonder
That's where I'm bound”
– Carole King (1971)
“I turned my gaze back toward Jack. I thought he might wave or cheer or grin, the way he might if he’d hit a home run or won a round of capture the flag. Instead, he tilted his chin toward the sky and closed his eyes against the rain. Like that water might baptize him anew, even though he’d already been washed clean by the river. Like it was him who had needed saving that day instead of the Coombs twins.
No one else saw the rawboned boy point his face skyward. They were too busy clutching each other and laughing in relief, already telling one another the story, as if we hadn’t all just seen it for ourselves.
Daddy put Jack on the front page the next day, LOCAL HERO SAVES TODDLER TWINS FROM DROWNING DEATH, read the headline.
And from then on, that’s what Jack Bailey was. Not a boy. A hero.
We argued over the specifics. How long Jack went under the water (some people swore he’d been down there a full two minutes). How much the twins must have weighed soaking wet. Whether he’d found the strength from within or whether it was given to him by the Lord, whom Pastor Douglass had called down to help not a minute too soon.
But we all agreed on the main thing. Jack Bailey was a hero.
We didn’t stop to wonder what that made us.”
YONDER, set in Appalachia during WWII, is told from the point of view of Danny Timmons. When you read YONDER, pay close attention to Danny’s mother.
Dorothy Timmons is the unsung hero of this powerful and unforgettable piece of historical fiction. In an era when white men hold all the power, Danny’s mom is an outsider; an independent and college-educated woman; and an honest and loving mother. Anyone would be lucky to have this woman as a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, or a parent. She stands up to people, when necessary, and stands up for people in a manner that changes lives and makes the world a better place.
It’s a tough world that we live in. And this was a tough time, during World War II, with millions of human beings being systematically exterminated in Europe by Hitler, while millions more were being denied basic human rights in America because of the color of their skin; and when too many Americans were turning a blind eye to what was going on in both cases.
Danny’s best friend is Lou Maguire, a young lady who fashions herself after her literary hero, Nancy Drew. (Don’t tell anyone, but Danny reads Lou’s books, too.) Young readers will relate to the bullying that Danny endures, and will understand Danny’s growing attachment to Jack Bailey, the older boy who saves those toddler twins from drowning in the Flood of 1940.
Following a prologue involving Jack’s heroics in the summer that Danny turns ten, the story leaps forward three years, to Jack Bailey’s unexpected disappearance. Danny and Lou, the self-styled mystery solver, have a real case on their hands. The story then criss-crosses back-and-forth over these three years, filling readers in as to how Jack and Danny became close, and helps us understand the possible causes for Jack’s sudden disappearance. In the process, readers learn great details about life on the homefront during WWII.
Thoughtful readers will see well beyond the action in Foggy Gap, North Carolina, to the deep questions and conflicting ideas examined here relating to war, prejudice, serving one’s country, and treating others as you would want to be treated. YONDER resurrected my own long-ago memories of being bullied, of growing up with a war going on, and of draft boards, which thankfully were abolished just as I graduated high school.
One thread of the story also reminded me of what Mildred Taylor’s Paul Edward Logan and his descendants endured as Black farmers in America.
The bottom line is that YONDER is something special. A coming-of-age story featuring well-researched history, stellar character development, heartbreaking loss, and tough questions about what humanity is all about, make this one not to miss.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com
“Ooh maybe tomorrow
I'll find my way
To the land where the honey runs
In rivers each day
And the sweet tastin' good life
Is so easily found
A way over yonder
That's where I'm bound”
– Carole King (1971)
“I turned my gaze back toward Jack. I thought he might wave or cheer or grin, the way he might if he’d hit a home run or won a round of capture the flag. Instead, he tilted his chin toward the sky and closed his eyes against the rain. Like that water might baptize him anew, even though he’d already been washed clean by the river. Like it was him who had needed saving that day instead of the Coombs twins.
No one else saw the rawboned boy point his face skyward. They were too busy clutching each other and laughing in relief, already telling one another the story, as if we hadn’t all just seen it for ourselves.
Daddy put Jack on the front page the next day, LOCAL HERO SAVES TODDLER TWINS FROM DROWNING DEATH, read the headline.
And from then on, that’s what Jack Bailey was. Not a boy. A hero.
We argued over the specifics. How long Jack went under the water (some people swore he’d been down there a full two minutes). How much the twins must have weighed soaking wet. Whether he’d found the strength from within or whether it was given to him by the Lord, whom Pastor Douglass had called down to help not a minute too soon.
But we all agreed on the main thing. Jack Bailey was a hero.
We didn’t stop to wonder what that made us.”
YONDER, set in Appalachia during WWII, is told from the point of view of Danny Timmons. When you read YONDER, pay close attention to Danny’s mother.
Dorothy Timmons is the unsung hero of this powerful and unforgettable piece of historical fiction. In an era when white men hold all the power, Danny’s mom is an outsider; an independent and college-educated woman; and an honest and loving mother. Anyone would be lucky to have this woman as a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, or a parent. She stands up to people, when necessary, and stands up for people in a manner that changes lives and makes the world a better place.
It’s a tough world that we live in. And this was a tough time, during World War II, with millions of human beings being systematically exterminated in Europe by Hitler, while millions more were being denied basic human rights in America because of the color of their skin; and when too many Americans were turning a blind eye to what was going on in both cases.
Danny’s best friend is Lou Maguire, a young lady who fashions herself after her literary hero, Nancy Drew. (Don’t tell anyone, but Danny reads Lou’s books, too.) Young readers will relate to the bullying that Danny endures, and will understand Danny’s growing attachment to Jack Bailey, the older boy who saves those toddler twins from drowning in the Flood of 1940.
Following a prologue involving Jack’s heroics in the summer that Danny turns ten, the story leaps forward three years, to Jack Bailey’s unexpected disappearance. Danny and Lou, the self-styled mystery solver, have a real case on their hands. The story then criss-crosses back-and-forth over these three years, filling readers in as to how Jack and Danny became close, and helps us understand the possible causes for Jack’s sudden disappearance. In the process, readers learn great details about life on the homefront during WWII.
Thoughtful readers will see well beyond the action in Foggy Gap, North Carolina, to the deep questions and conflicting ideas examined here relating to war, prejudice, serving one’s country, and treating others as you would want to be treated. YONDER resurrected my own long-ago memories of being bullied, of growing up with a war going on, and of draft boards, which thankfully were abolished just as I graduated high school.
One thread of the story also reminded me of what Mildred Taylor’s Paul Edward Logan and his descendants endured as Black farmers in America.
The bottom line is that YONDER is something special. A coming-of-age story featuring well-researched history, stellar character development, heartbreaking loss, and tough questions about what humanity is all about, make this one not to miss.
Richie Partington, MLIS
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December 15, 2023
Exceptional Book
I am finding that I really enjoy reading middle-class stories. This one is a gold 5 Star winner; much more than I expected. Yonder is told in the first person with recurring flashbacks that tell both Danny's and Jack's story and their friendship. It is set during World War II with the focus on the home front instead of the actual war.
I don't want to go into the detail of the story. I want you to read it. I'm sure it will stick with you for a long time. Highly recommend for grades 6 and up and for adults as well.
I am finding that I really enjoy reading middle-class stories. This one is a gold 5 Star winner; much more than I expected. Yonder is told in the first person with recurring flashbacks that tell both Danny's and Jack's story and their friendship. It is set during World War II with the focus on the home front instead of the actual war.
I don't want to go into the detail of the story. I want you to read it. I'm sure it will stick with you for a long time. Highly recommend for grades 6 and up and for adults as well.
January 4, 2023
"We all want to see heroes - to pat them on the back, and shake their hands, and tell them what a swell job they've done, and how thankful we are. We want them to be brave, but we don't want to hear what that bravery has cost them."
"Every hero has a story, but not every story has a hero."
This is a book I'll be thinking about for a long time. It's not one with easy answers, as Danny, the young protagonist, gradually opens his eyes to see the hard truths about the world. Set in the Appalachian town of Foggy Creek right before and during WWII, Danny has had a mostly idyllic life, other than being targeted by the school bully. Through his friendship with Jack Bailey, a teenager from an abusive home, and the onset of the war, Danny begins to see himself and his community more honestly. The Black family who was pushed out of town, the failure to protect a boy from being beaten by his father, and a whole community's failure to stand up to a bully. As Danny learns more about the war that his own father is fighting in, he sees unsettling parallels in his own town- and his own life.
Admirably, Standish never makes Danny too worldly or wise, so readers will be able to make the journey of discover with him. It takes time for Danny to peel back the layers and see the truth, but it always feels authentic. All of the characters, especially Lou, Danny's former best friend, practically walk off the pages.
Some books written for kids get very deep, to the point that they lose some appeal to their audience. This one navigates that tricky line of bringing the reader alongside the main character as he begins to understand deeper, harsher truths. without watering the story down or becoming too didactic.
A beautifully written book with difficult topics handled sensitively and honestly, and with a healthy dose of Hope.
"Every hero has a story, but not every story has a hero."
This is a book I'll be thinking about for a long time. It's not one with easy answers, as Danny, the young protagonist, gradually opens his eyes to see the hard truths about the world. Set in the Appalachian town of Foggy Creek right before and during WWII, Danny has had a mostly idyllic life, other than being targeted by the school bully. Through his friendship with Jack Bailey, a teenager from an abusive home, and the onset of the war, Danny begins to see himself and his community more honestly. The Black family who was pushed out of town, the failure to protect a boy from being beaten by his father, and a whole community's failure to stand up to a bully. As Danny learns more about the war that his own father is fighting in, he sees unsettling parallels in his own town- and his own life.
Admirably, Standish never makes Danny too worldly or wise, so readers will be able to make the journey of discover with him. It takes time for Danny to peel back the layers and see the truth, but it always feels authentic. All of the characters, especially Lou, Danny's former best friend, practically walk off the pages.
Some books written for kids get very deep, to the point that they lose some appeal to their audience. This one navigates that tricky line of bringing the reader alongside the main character as he begins to understand deeper, harsher truths. without watering the story down or becoming too didactic.
A beautifully written book with difficult topics handled sensitively and honestly, and with a healthy dose of Hope.
December 8, 2021
Thanks to Edelweiss+ for an eARC of this book.
I loved this book!! This kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happens. Keep your eye on this one, folks, this one's a winner. Can't wait to get my hands on the hardcover.
I loved this book!! This kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happens. Keep your eye on this one, folks, this one's a winner. Can't wait to get my hands on the hardcover.
December 3, 2023
Another flawed-humans-trying-to-figure-out-how-to-do-the-right-thing read that I can't seem to get enough of because dang life is hard and complicated.
March 13, 2023
"“Courage always counted. And courage started at home.”
This was an exceptionally well-crafted Middle-Grade Historical Fiction novel told from the perspective of a young boy whose dad is away fighting in the war and discovers the importance of bravery and being a hero on the homefront.
This novel tackles SO much in not too many pages and in a somewhat magical and lyrical sense - prejudice, racism, classicism, bullying, draft dodging, & how to be a true and loyal friend. I was in awe at how Standish wove all of this together in this beautiful novel!
Really, really enjoyed this one. Also, wins for one of the most beautiful covers on my shelves this year!
Actual rating, 4.25 stars
This was an exceptionally well-crafted Middle-Grade Historical Fiction novel told from the perspective of a young boy whose dad is away fighting in the war and discovers the importance of bravery and being a hero on the homefront.
This novel tackles SO much in not too many pages and in a somewhat magical and lyrical sense - prejudice, racism, classicism, bullying, draft dodging, & how to be a true and loyal friend. I was in awe at how Standish wove all of this together in this beautiful novel!
Really, really enjoyed this one. Also, wins for one of the most beautiful covers on my shelves this year!
Actual rating, 4.25 stars
February 24, 2023
Set in a small North Carolina town during WWII, this book tells what life was like on the home front. Danny, our protagonist, discovers what true courage is and what it means to be a good friend. Themes of racism, xenophobia, and child abuse are discussed. But the book ties all of the plot threads together nicely with a twist or two thrown in. The ending and the author’s note took this from a 4 to a 5 star read. If you liked this, try Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth, which would make for an excellent buddy book to this one because of their similar themes.
August 21, 2022
A wonderful book that will engage kids and also hopefully encourage discussions about standing by and what it takes to be a hero.
November 2, 2025
This would be an excellent book for literature circles in a middle school classroom. The themes of courage, injustice, and coming of age provide lots of fodder for good conversation.
October 26, 2023
I really liked this one. Loved the cast of characters, the mystery, the writing, the lessons about heroes and courage. I liked this one on audio with Kirby Heyborne. This would be a good road trip listen.
January 5, 2024
Read for 2024 BEST
April 23, 2024
This was a good historical fiction novel that I would hand to any middle school student.
4 Stars
Content:
4 Stars
Content:
May 13, 2022
Yonder may be Ali Standish’s finest work, yet. It is a deeply layered, complex tale that takes place in a small, Appalachian town during the early years of World War II. The story is told through the eyes of twelve-year-old Danny, a relatable, thoughtful, well-written character who suddenly finds himself questioning the world around him. That includes questioning his own ideas and beliefs about such things as right and wrong, and heroism and cowardice. Ultimately, Danny learns things are not always what they seem, and people are not who they pretend to be or who he once thought they were. That includes pillars of the town, an elderly widow shunned by most because she is German, even the friend he idolizes, Jack. This book is not for the faint of heart. It confronts the issues of alcoholism, abuse, bullying, and racial and nationalistic prejudice. Also, thanks to Standish’s trademark complex storylines, Yonder is best read in days rather than weeks or months. But that's all right because it’s hard to put down anyway.
November 23, 2021
Ali Standish has done it again. She has written another book with heart that draws the reader in, but also addresses tough subject matter and doesn’t flinch at the tough stuff. Her writing is beautifully descriptive, painting a world in which you feel like you’re a part of it. As a parent and a school librarian, I am so appreciative of the way that she confronts ideas about heroism and bravery and gives the readers a different perspective. I am a huge historical fiction nerd, particularly when it comes to WWII/Holocaust stories, but this one is truly unlike any of the ones I’ve read before. I will enthusiastically recommend this to my students and I look forward to getting a copy for my library!
October 22, 2022
YONDER is a gorgeous novel that has soared right to the top of my Top Ten list of favorite books I've read this year. It's pitch-perfect, with the feel of a classic but one that should (hopefully) appeal to today's kids as well. Bullied for being a "sissy" in the middle of a war where the "tough" are off fighting, Danny is sympathetic and relatable to anyone who's ever felt other or doubted their own ability to be brave (in other words, all of us). Although his size means he doesn't have problems with bullies, Jack is sympathetic for other reasons. Both boys are appealing, admirable, and root-worthy. The Appalachian town they inhabit is vividly depicted and populated with interesting characters as well as compelling problems that Danny is only just discovering. As Danny's eyes are gradually opened to startling truths about his community, his friends, and himself, the reader is effectively led to question their own prejudices and preconcieved notions. What results is simply a beautiful, contemplative reading experience. Which isn't to say the book is preachy, dull, or cheesy. It's none of those things. YONDER tells an engrossing story (which I stayed up until 1 a.m. to finish) that's written in a strong, affecting manner. Its main lesson is that courage isn't limited to soldiers on faraway battlefields. Sometimes it's needed most where it's hardest to summon: at home.
May 22, 2022
This is a definite contender for my favorite book of the year. I admit, I'm a sucker for World War II stories, and I'm always excited to find stories about life on the American homefront.
Stanish has written a beautifully layered story about friendship, what it means to be a hero, coming-of-age and realizing the world isn't as rosy as you'd once believed. Danny has looked up to Jack Bailey as a hero for years. But in the small Appalachian town of Foggy Gap, Jack is an outcast. But Danny longs to be as brave as him. Only it takes Jack's disappearance to show him that being brave doesn't mean not being afraid.
Danny is a wonderful protagonist. I loved seeing him grow and change over the course of this story. The author wove so many important lessons into this story - it's about how to stand up to bullies, and how to fight against injustice in the world in both small ways and big. What it means to have courage, how to use it, and what war does to people.
You can read the rest of my review here: http://historybookbybook.com/Yonder
Stanish has written a beautifully layered story about friendship, what it means to be a hero, coming-of-age and realizing the world isn't as rosy as you'd once believed. Danny has looked up to Jack Bailey as a hero for years. But in the small Appalachian town of Foggy Gap, Jack is an outcast. But Danny longs to be as brave as him. Only it takes Jack's disappearance to show him that being brave doesn't mean not being afraid.
Danny is a wonderful protagonist. I loved seeing him grow and change over the course of this story. The author wove so many important lessons into this story - it's about how to stand up to bullies, and how to fight against injustice in the world in both small ways and big. What it means to have courage, how to use it, and what war does to people.
You can read the rest of my review here: http://historybookbybook.com/Yonder
July 17, 2024
It's 1943. Danny is a paperboy for his small town newspaper in Foggy Gap, NC. When the other paperboy he's becoming friendly with doesn't show up one morning, Danny starts thinking back on their friendship. Where could Jack have gone? Could his abusive dad done something? Did he finally flee to find Yonder, a idyllic town Jack's mom told him about? Something else? A good readalike for Lauren Wolk's books and The War That Saved My Life. More contemplative historical fiction that shows WWII from the American homefront and all its messiness (racism and ignorance of the Nazi concentration camps). It kinda reminded me of It's a Wonderful Life in a way, with one family running the town. I wasn't sure that I was gonna like this, but it really tugs at your heartstrings. The discussion questions at the end and the central theme on what is a hero really makes this good for a classroom read aloud.
April 18, 2022
I loved this book. I'm a fan of novels set on the home front during wartime. Stories that show the families back home and the things people did to help such as the kids like Danny collecting scrap metal pieces for the war effort.
I really loved that this story was told from Danny's POV. I enjoyed how the friendship between Jack and Danny was written out in memories as Danny tried to find out what happened to his friend. The author did a great job of describing the injustices of the time with race, social and economic class as well as how people were perceived as cowards with the war all through a young teen's eyes.
I really loved that this story was told from Danny's POV. I enjoyed how the friendship between Jack and Danny was written out in memories as Danny tried to find out what happened to his friend. The author did a great job of describing the injustices of the time with race, social and economic class as well as how people were perceived as cowards with the war all through a young teen's eyes.
January 22, 2024
I love how thought-provoking this book is. This is a WWII era historical fiction book fit for a late elementary, early junior high age audience. Yonder is unique in that it shows WWII from the perspective a boy who lives in North Carolina and has seen racial prejudice and other acts of discrimination in his small home town while learning about the tragedies of the Holocaust in Germany. There is some thoughtful exploration of human dignity and the importance of treating others kindly and respectfully.
This was a book that I had a hard time getting into at the beginning, but by the time I got to the end I was very glad I had read it.
This was a book that I had a hard time getting into at the beginning, but by the time I got to the end I was very glad I had read it.
August 14, 2024
!!! Yay, I needed a “Y” book to complete my A-Z challenge and this book hit the target AND helped me completed my 2024 reading goal- Bonus- 2 🦅 with 1 🪨!
This book had so many great lessons for kids and adults! I highly recommend it! Everyone should read at least 1-2 historical fictions books revolved around war annually!
You fell in love with the characters and could connect with the plot from the very beginning!
My favorite quotes-
“Because we can't make things right until we can see what's wrong.”
“Courage always counted. And courage started at home”
This book had so many great lessons for kids and adults! I highly recommend it! Everyone should read at least 1-2 historical fictions books revolved around war annually!
You fell in love with the characters and could connect with the plot from the very beginning!
My favorite quotes-
“Because we can't make things right until we can see what's wrong.”
“Courage always counted. And courage started at home”
July 21, 2023
This one was more than I expected it to be in a great way. It's a story about the effects of war on people, families, and towns, and has a lot of depth to it. It very sensitively treats topics like "not my problem," bullying, racial injustice, friendship (and the loss of it), putting people on pedestals, small-mindedness, and so on. There's a couple mysteries running through it and the writing is excellent.
January 18, 2023
About halfway I was still having trouble keeping times and a few people straight, but then I couldn't put it down for the next half. Hard, complicated, and I don't think I'd give it to a child until teens. But there is so much to think about here and I think it would be great to discuss with children.
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