Hollow Chest by Brita Sandstrom (review)

In London after World War II, Charlie can't wait for his older brother Theo to return from the frontlines and restore normalcy to their family. With Charlie's mother working a job that will be forfeited to the returning soldiers and Grandpa Fitz drifting away mentally, Theo's presence is much needed. Something about Theo is off when he returns home, though: he is more serious, he snaps easily, and his emotions flare up at unexpected times. When Charlie begins to see large wolves lurking everywhere, he teams up with his trusty cat Biscuits and a local homeless woman to uncover the conspiracy of the war wolves, who eat soldiers' hearts and give them Hollow Chest. The fantasy elements of this novel are well integrated with the post-war setting, and Charlie is an empathetic character even as he acts out against his family. The war wolves are an intriguing concept that feels straight out of a fable, and the supporting cast is full of complex characters who assist Charlie and provide some comic relief. The book effectively evokes post-war England and the way that war doesn't end for everyone, and the wolves are a potent metaphor to introduce younger audiences to the realities of PTSD.