This is a book that can’t be put down.Its a story about Elsie and her brother a jack who are evacuated to a farm in the countryside from the East End of London.The farmer and his wife are very cruel to them along with 2 other evacuees who are there.One night they all decided to go back to London and then their adventure begins.There house has been destroyed killing their mother and there father is missing presumed dead .
They meet a French lady called Lisette who decided that they need help as they are all on their own along with four other orphans.They then start helping in the air raids ,risking their lives to help people that are trapped or in danger .Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture.

Gripping, moving, heartbreaking, uplifting and hard to put down! The Lost Orphans is historical fiction based on the true story of runaway child evacuees, called the Blitz kids, during the second world war. This book takes place in London during the Blitz when bombs were dropping, and lives were being lost or irrevocably changed forever! It was a time of fear, survival, tears, loss, horror but also a time of courage, kindness, bravery, and strength.

Eight years old Elsie and her older brother Jack become are evacuated during the bombings and land in the care of a barbaric family. After their escape Elsie and Jack find themselves alone until they met up with other orphans and runaways. The children band together to not only survive but to help others. But who will help them?????

I marveled at the resilience and bravery of the children who are put through so much. My heart ached for them while simultaneously cheering for them. I admired their bravery and ability to survive in an such a brutal and cruel world. They have suffered and lost so much but still had room in their little hearts to love, form friendships, to help others and survive a war. There is a saying/sentiment that reminded me of the children and some of the adults in this book: It is always those who have nothing or little to give who give the most. Kindness is such a beautiful thing and can change lives.

I was instantly drawn into this book through the wonderful writing and vivid descriptions of the writing duo of Catherine Curzon and Helen Barrell who write as Ellie Curzon. It is obvious they did their research and poured it into the writing of this wonderful first book in The Runaway Evacuees, their new series. I love books that causse me to think and feel and The Lost Orphans did both.

Wonderfully written, well thought out, moving, and hard to put down!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this book, the first in a new series.

During WWII Jack and Elsie are sent to live in the countryside to keep them safe. But the farmer and his wife treat them badly.

They make a decision to go back to London. On arrival, the bombs are still being dropped and when Jack and Elsie go to their house, it’s no longer there.

With nowhere to go, they join other children who are orphans.

Together the children aren’t frightened and begin to help other people, even when the bombs are exploding. Is someone looking out for them?

The story kept me hooked.

I highly recommend this book.

Open The Lost Orphans and allow yourself to be transported back in time to WW2 London during the Blitz. Experience the explosions. Witness the loss. Understand the damage left behind. Visualize the devastation, the loss of life, the loss of life as they knew it.

Imagine being an evacuee that experienced the worst in the countryside. Instead of being safe you were beaten, starved and put to work. Imagine escaping and fleeing home to the East End only to find your home gone, your mum gone. It doesn't get any better when they are placed in an orphanage. The bombing of the orphanage gives them hope.

This is the story of six brave children that stopped and helped. They risked their lives to save others. They could be found helping with fires. They could be found all over the East Enl. Six children on their own, sleeping where they could. Making money where they could. They weren't only surviving, but thriving.They became known as the Blitz Kids. They became an inspiration to those around them and to me.

With the help of a few adults they find safety. A roof over their heads won't stop them. When the sirens blare the Blitz kids heed the call, helping those in need.

The story brought me to tears. The story had me jumping for joy. The story had me shivering in fear. The story had me wondering if I could be that brave. The story had me on edge. The danger felt real. The unexpected suspense had me reading faster needing to know what would happen.

The Lost Orphans written by Ellie Curzon. Ellie Curzon is the pen name of Catherine Curzon and Helen Barrell. Catherine and Helen began writing together in the spring of 2017. This is an amazing well written book that brings out the good in people during the Nazi bombing campaign against England. Heroes come in different sizes and ages, some are kids and some are adults. Join the journey of our heroes as they tame the back streets of a city that is being bombed day and night. See a glimpse into the courageous lives of the people of London. This is a must read book for all ages. It is packed with action and you will enjoy it so much that you cannot wait for the next book of the series to come out.

A sweet adventure story, a bit reminiscent of Enid Blyton, where the kids always save the day! Unrealistic but a jolly good tale, with a gang of war orphans bypassing the shelters to go out and help their fellow Londoners during the Blitz. Added fun of some warring black market gangs, and the romance between French singer Lisette and the mysterious Mr. Wyngate - I’m wondering if there will be a sequel as Lisette’s story left a lot of loose ends!

I would have liked a bit more about the black market dealings and those characters because for something that took up a lot of page time, it was never really fleshed out enough to get a real feel for what was going on.

Also for anyone who starts reading and gets worried about Pippa - the dog is fine :)

The Lost Orphans is the first in The Runaway Evacuees Series, a lovely and harrowing story about what it means to be family during the horrors of World War II. Children were sent to the countryside in hopes of saving them but the experiences weren't always happy ones. Some of the children returned to war-torn London to search for loved ones. Loyalty, friendship and heartache play huge roles as families are lost and found. A group of these children went from London to billet at a farm where they were treated abysmally, always half starving and working hard. Elsie's wee dog, Pippa, is missing. Meanwhile, Mr. Wyngate rescues Lisette and they both go on to help others at great risk to themselves. Sir Edward Gray and Winston Churchill are characters as well.

Many of the characters are sweet and kind, others cruel. Brave actions of children (and adults) during the wars always astound me. Following the kids kept me engaged and riveted and the writing is beautiful. My heart was tugged several times. I look forward to the next in the series.

A tautly told emotional story of children bonding together as a found family as war rages around them. This might be set during WWII but some readers might see parallels to children in more current situations. Jack and his little sister Elsie ran away from the farm where they'd been sent for safety from the blitz but they're crushed when they find their home in London destroyed. When Elsie goes missing, Jack spins to action with the band of other orphans they've joined with. No spoilers from me but know that, well, no spoilers. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

"London, 1941. “Help me, Jack” is Elsie’s last thought as the building crashes down around her and everything goes dark. Will she ever see her big brother again?"

This is book 1 in the Runaway Series and it is inspired by true ruawawy evacuees during the war. The author does a great job if weaving joy, heartbreak, conflicts and even humor in this story. I was hooked from the start and will be looking more into this author as she was new to me.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for my review.

The Lost Orphans is a entertaining historical fiction about a group of orphans who find care and love from each other. It's the best historical fiction book that I have read for a long time. I became engrossed in the lives of the realistically drawn brave and courageous characters. I am a big dog lover so I fell in love with Pippa the little dog that befriends Elsie. I found myself holding my breath more than once and reaching out for the tissues. I love how rich in detail the plot is and the children's kindness despite not always being treated kindly themselves. The plot shines with resilience and determination and I am beyond thrilled that this is just the first of what promises to be a richly textured series. If I could give this book all the stars in the world I would that is how much I valued the story.

What a great read this book by Ellie Curzon was . I was completely invested in the the story of a group of children surviving in London by whatever means they could in the middle of the war
Friends and enemies but above all loyalty run through these pages .
Excellent

Ellie Curzon's "The Lost Orphans" is a heartbreaking and thrilling historical fiction book against the backdrop of the London Blitz in 1941. It is the story of young Jack and his eight-year-old sister Elsie, who after a terrifying evacuation from London, flee a sadistic farming family only to return to discover their home is in ruins and their mother missing. Elsie is traumatized and becomes mute, infusing yet another vulnerability into their already delicate situation.

They soon find themselves part of a lively band of escaped evacuees, a makeshift family unit that is set on surviving and even assisting others in the face of constant danger from Nazi bombs. The story is proof of the endurance of children in times of war, demonstrating their courage and ingenuity.

The author skillfully weighs tear-jerking scenes with inspiring moments of strength and friendship, making for a very engaging read. Some readers may criticize the maturity of some of the child characters, but the depth of emotion and the strong plot combine to make "The Lost Orphans" an enthralling and ultimately optimistic survival story and testament to the unbreakable spirit of humankind in the face of calamity.

a compelling novel in both premise and characters. you automatically care for the characters as you meet them. and obviously with the background of war the tension and fear is already palpable.
these gaggle of orphans are all here to survive and doing what they can and must to do just that. its like a war time lost boys from peter pan. and it was just as entertaining and endearing to read. this group have lost so much. but how they come together to be there for those in need and each other is such a tender read. but these kids arent pushovers. these kids all bring something to the table and they are all becoming more resourceful the more they are pushed to be. and also watching them be there for others during that time is another courageous act on all their parts. i cant imagine being so brave even as an adult!
there are also some good adults in this book. but also, of course some really rather ugly adults too who i cant imagine being so brazen in their disgusting behaviours.
this plot had me from the start and i was immersed and fully engrossed from then on in. this didn't let up until the end. and i was angst ridden with need to find out if not just our main characters kids, but all the kids would be ok!

I enjoyed this book and its unique spin on WWII historical fiction. I found the children to be especially charming and often funny, even in their difficult situation as orphans living on the streets of London during the Blitz. At times I felt it was unlikely that a child as young as eight-year-old Elsie would speak or act the way she did, and that kept me from becoming completely absorbed in the story. Although during times of war I suppose children are, sadly, forced to grow up too fast. Overall, I was engaged, invested and eager to find out how things would end for these lost orphans and the adults who took it upon themselves to keep them safe. An enjoyable, uplifting read!

4 stars

A great book for anyone that is into war time novels. It tells the story of some children that had been sent away to the countryside to escape London bombing. They were treated badly and decided to run away and go back to England. When they arrived back things had changed and instead of going home to their family ended up being looked after by nuns which was even worse.
A great book from start to finish. One that will keep you reading late into the night,

A truly uplifting WWII historical fiction, The Runaway Evacuees Book One presents an inspiring WW2 novel, filled with hope and resilience.

Following the bombing of St. Mary's Orphanage in London, siblings Elsie and Jack escape the tyrannical Sister Benedict, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and courage.

This is a heartwarming tale of friendship and resilience, beautifully woven into one story, inspiring us to hold on to hope.

I was invested from the prologue. When the Taylor children Jack and Elsie are evacuated to the country they are shocked by the treatment they receive from the cruel farmer and his wife so decide to runaway back to London.
The city is under fire from the Nazis, when they discover their home gone. They join other orphans , safety in numbers!
The children have no fear and a determination to help others, even when bombs are going off. Do they have a guardian angel who looks out for them?

I read this book at every opportunity, it has it all, believable characters, the bravest pluckiest kids. My favourite characters were Elsie & Wyngate, least favourite was the Cooks. Look forward to the next by this author.

Pick up this novel and you will find it hard to put it down again, and when you have read it, you will find it easy to believe that you have actually been there experiencing the story yourself.

What a lovely read, lovely characters with a story of the children from a bombed orphanage who were badly treated and evacuated to the country and again treat very badly. On returning to London they became known as the children of the Blitz and how they helped people as the bombs dropped. Looking forward to the 2nd book in this coming series.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and to the Publisher Bookouture for the early read.

London, 1941. Elsie and her brother, Jack have returned to the city, after running away from a cruel foster family in the countryside. They team up with some other children, and end up becoming the Blitz Kids. They are befriended by French torch singer, Lisette, who is determined to look after them.
I enjoyed this book very much. It was a fresh twist to see things through the children's eyes. I believe this is the first in a series, and I'm very much looking forward to more Blitz Kids.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.