NCLA Review - Annie’s War is a fitting read for middle school children who know something about darkness and fear, but yearn for hope and light. In a time such as ours, with nightly televised reports of war and politics addressing issues of gender, race and even age, this book bridges all those topics with wisdom and reverence. Set in the year following World War II, with news that her father is missing in action, Annie leaves Seattle to live with her grandmother in a small town. Her grandmother rents a room to a Negro from Georgia and under her roof and in her store a story unfolds about justice, hope and understanding. Annie comes to see goodness in different kinds of people: people with dark skin, young people broken with sadness and hurt, and even people who have lived for a long, long time. Gr. 4-6. Rating: 3—SGJ ( )