This book is about a Bantam that was released to fend for herself during the Great War. A soldier named Arthur came and found her in the bushes and took her with him. He helped the Bantam named Bertha stay alive and she brought the soldiers joy along with an egg a day. When they were ready to go back home, Arthur had to put Bertha back where she came from and when he got back home to his own farm where there were Bantams, one day he told his Niece the story about Bertha.
Critique (Genre): This is a great example of historical fiction for younger students. It introduces the Great War and gives a glimpse into the tragedies of war and loss, but not too much for students to handle. It shows students some of the things of daily life (like chickens) that still are present during war that children don't naturally think about.
Critique (Setting): This is a good example of an integral setting because the setting was in Europe where the Great War happened. Without the emphasis on this time period and setting, there wouldn't be as much of a connection to the historical aspect of the Great War. However, if the Great War or Europe wasn't mentioned, it could easily be a background setting and a historical fiction story about war in general.
Media: Ink & Wash