Threads of Blue

Gr 4–6—Picking up where Beautiful Blue World left off, 12-year-old Mathilde awakes in the bottom of a boat headed towards the island of Eilean, hoping to be reunited with the group of children and adults she's been separated from. Mathilde's country, Sofarende, is at war and has just fallen to the enemy, Tyssia. The country of Eilean is an ally and a place of refuge for many of the children fleeing from Sofarende. After a couple of weeks at a refugee camp, Mathilde is finally reunited with her group. Their work on behalf of the war effort continues as the children compile information and participate in planning an attack on the invaders in their homeland. Mathilde no longer wants to contribute, believing that their efforts may be costing the lives of Sofarenders. Mathilde's childhood best friend Megs angrily guessed that Mathilde's last act, and the one that separated her from the group, was releasing an imprisoned Tyssian solder whom she had befriended. Mathilde learns that the young prisoner is also at the refugee camp. She doesn't want her group to know about her treasonous act, but eventually confesses. Hoping to redeem herself, Mathilde volunteers to go on a special mission along with the Tyssian soldier and her friend Gunnar. Their job is to deliver information that may free her country. What Mathilde finds in her homeland is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Beautifully written in first-person narrative, LaFleur has crafted a tale about the ravages of war and survival, starring an unforgettable heroine.