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 Few books have left a greater impression than The Boy In The Striped Pajamas did and years after reading it, I still get goosebumps thinking about it. I decided I would read Stay Where You Are & Then Leave because I was eager to see how John Boyne would tackle World War One. Though Boyne's latest novel isn't as memorable or unique as The Boy In The Striped Pajamas, it still has a lot going for it. 
 Alfie's character is beaming with innocence and he doesn't fully understand what World War I is about. All Alfie knows is that his father has volunteered for the war and that he is on a "secret mission" according to his mother. Alfie presumes that his father is dead and so, he struggles to help his mother support their war-torn family. Alfie starts to skip school and shine strangers' shoes at the train station to provide his mother with some extra money. While working at the station, Alfie finds out that his father is possibly alive and could be at a hospital. Alfie believes that it's his duty to save his father from shell-shock and the hospital's clutches. 
 I love the way how John Boyne tackles tough issues such as an absentee parent and war from the perspective of a child. We often forget how psychologically damaging the effects of war are on those who are at home, those who wait for some news that their loved ones are alive. Alfie's story is brutal, uplifting, and extremely poignant, this is one of the better war novels for younger children. 
 Though Stay Where You Are & Then Leave has a fresh perspective on WWI, I can't help but feel as if it feels slightly stale. Boyne brings nothing new to the table when discussing the daily life of WWI and this take feels like it lacked originality. I'm far from an expert on WWI, but all the information in SWYA&L is so basic and doesn't feel well-researched. This novel is a great introduction to the 1st World War for kids, but I think older readers wouldn't find much merit in this book. 
 Stay Where You Are & Then Leave has an extremely slow beginning, in which readers learn a bit about Alfie's past and his connection to his father. It takes way too long for Boyne to introduce the main conflict of the novel, in which Alfie attempts to locate his father, due to the huge emphasis on the various ways the war has damaged Alfie's family. Some younger readers will have trouble pushing through the first half of the novel, but the 2nd half of the novel makes the sluggish beginning feel worthwhile. 
 Readers' impressions on this book will largely vary based on their feelings toward our main character, Alfie. While I admired his strength and determination, his character paled in comparison to Bruno's character from The Boy With The Striped Pajamas. I really wanted to fall for Alfie's character, but I felt like much of his story was intentionally written to pull on readers' heartstrings. His story felt a bit forced at times and I didn't realize feel a cavalcade of emotion like I felt I should've. I truly can't read a book and feel touched enough to cry when I feel like the author merely inserts sentimental moments just so readers will shed tears. 
 Stay Where You Are & Then Leave by John Boyne is far from perfect, but it is a solid novel about WWI for children. Even though the story could have been edited better, this novel will capture the hearts of young readers. I expected more from Stay Where You Are & Then Leave, but for the most part, it was an effective war tale.