TOPICS:
* WW2
* Queens
* Netherlands
* Neighbors
* memoirs

A good pick for kids ready for a picture book with more text, it brings to life a small piece of WWII history that will be unfamiliar to most.

Based on a real encounter with Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands during WWII.

I found this book to be unbearably adorable. The idea of a little boy desperately wanting to help win World War II learns that sometimes, peace work is more effective than war work. He is determined to see the Queen of England for himself while she is taking refuge in America in an estate right near his home, so he decides to attempt to bring her some fresh picked blueberries. He ended up being invited into the big estate to present the queen his blueberries in person, and found that she is just a regular, nice and gracious woman. He then ran home with an amazing story to tell his family, and his doubtful older brother. I was delighted to find that the historical note at the end indicated that it was a true story. :)

Love the historical facts in this story

A young boy living in poverty with hopes to meet the royal family, especially the queen, dreams at night of being a brave warrior who can save the day and come to the queen's rescue. Blueberries really saved the day and made his dream a reality. This is a fun read that brings adventure to the classroom and expresses that dreams do happen.

I honestly thought this was a fantasy novel. That said, I'm delightfully surprised nonetheless. The fact it's based off a true story makes it better.

Because they are not as attention-grabbing as the British monarchy, I often forget that countries did, and still do, have monarchies. Specifically, the Netherlands, whose Queen Wilhelmina and her family took refuge in my home state of Massachusetts during World War II. And there was a little boy sweet enough to bring her blueberries just welcome her to the neighborhood is an adorable story during a dark time in history.