A Troubled Peace

Sequel to Under a War-torn Sky

March 1945: World War II may be ending, but for 19-year-old bomber pilot, Henry Forester, the conflict still rages. Shot down over France, Henry endured a dangerous trek to freedom, relying on civilians and Resistance fighters to stay alive. But back home in Virginia, Henry is still reliving air battles with Hitler’s Luftwaffe and his torture by the Gestapo. Mostly, Henry can’t stop worrying about the safety of those who helped him escape—especially one young French boy, Pierre, who, because of Henry, may have lost everything.

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When Henry returns to France to find Pierre, he is stunned by the brutal aftermath of combat: starvation, cities shattered by Allied bombing, and the shocking return of concentration camp survivors. Amidst the rubble of war, Henry must begin a daring search for a lost boy—plus a fight to regain his own internal peace and the trust of the girl he loves.

Awards and Reviews

“L.M. Elliott adds another nuanced historical novel to her much-praised canon. This sequel to Under a War-Torn Sky finds bomber pilot Henry Forester home in Virginia but suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. As World War II nears an end, Henry suffers from flashbacks to his capture and escape from the Gestapo in occupied France. And he can’t forget the young French boy, Pierre, who had protected Henry only to lose his own family. The young pilot returns to France to find the orphan amidst the chaos of the crumbling Nazi regime. With our own country currently at war, this compelling book proves especially timely. Elliott vividly captures the turmoil, fear and hope of the times and the sense of trying to pick up the pieces and rebuild. 'War ends,' she writes in the afterword, 'and the battle for peace begins.'”

— Washington Parent

“In this sequel to Elliott’s acclaimed Under a War-Torn Sky (2001), it’s near the end of WWII. Nineteen year-old bomber pilot hero Henry Forester is back home in Virginia, suffering from nightmares and starting at every loud noise. Many readers will recognize these symptoms as PTSD (then known as battle fatigue) and empathize with Henry’s need to go back to France and search for the young boy who jeopardized his own life helping Henry escape. Returning and new readers alike will find gasp-producing
action, well-developed characters, and deep details about the privations war brings. Similar to The Book Thief (2006) and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2006).”

— ALA Booklist

“Henry’s trek across post-World War II France leads him back to many of the French country folk who assisted him in his escape from the Gestapo in Under a War-Torn Sky. In his return to France, Henry hopes to put to rest the PTSD-related memories interfering with his chances for future happiness at home in Virginia. During this journey, Henry witnesses first hand the pain, suffering, and sacrifice of the French people as they attempt to piece back their war-torn country. Henry must once again choose between the fiery and sexy Claudette or high school sweetheart Patsy. More importantly, he is forced to decide if loyalty to friends is worth the sacrifice of personal safety. A Troubled Peace will keep both male and female readers pulling for Henry’s success. Teachers of U.S. and European history classes will also appreciate having another quality book to recommend.”

— Maria Cahill, The ALAN Review, NCTE