World War II is raging in Europe, and young Tomie finds that everyday life has changed in many ways. Sure, there’s still New Year’s Eve to celebrate, and he still has to face penmanship and arithmetic in second grade— definitely not his strongest subjects. But now he has to wear an extra sweater to school because they’re trying to conserve coal for heating. And a shopping trip to Hartford for Easter outfits seems more urgent in the face of looming shortages.

Just as he did in I’m Still Scared, the first installment of The War Years, beloved author Tomie dePaola touchingly illuminates the emotional confusion of a child’s life during wartime. Why? is another strong addition to the award-winning 26 Fairmount Avenue series.