The Weather Girls

It's 1944. Twelve-year-old Grace Devine lives at Blacksod Lighthouse and weather station in County Mayo with her parents and little brother. When a German plane crashes nearby, she and her best friend Sibby risk their lives to save the young pilot. Grace's family take him in, but their neighbours are horrified at having an 'enemy' in their midst.

Meanwhile, the Met Office in England suddenly asks Blacksod to send them weather reports every hour. But why? As the wind and rain howl outside, Grace begins to understand that something important is happening, something to do with the war – and she is right in the eye of the storm.

A tale of bravery, adventure and a remarkable friendship, inspired by true events from World War 2.



I loved this story of two best friends Grace and Sibby caught up in all the excitement and tensions of World War Two ... Sarah Webb has not only brilliantly captured life during the Emergency, but the dynamics of friendship between two very different girls. A gripping adventure and a great read!



A stunning tale of friendship, courage and adventure. I was totally engrossed from the first page.  Highly recommended



Sarah Webb, who threads archived weather reports of the time into her fictional story, offers young readers insights into a period of 20th century Irish history often overshadowed by the First World War and the country's independence struggle … It is, as ever, human stories that bring history home to later generations, and in one of her most compelling children's novels to date, Webb's tale of bickering best friends provides an illuminating lens through which readers can view Ireland's nuanced Second World War neutrality



Young readers will no doubt find great enjoyment in being able to identify with the various trials and tribulations Grace faces along with friends and family. What sets Webb's novel apart is the strong family and friend connections, along with its strong representation of women during the Emergency in Ireland. The dynamic between Grace and her best friend Sibby is easily the most entertaining aspect of this novel, with the author highlighting the difficulty of overcoming jealousy, stubbornness and the ascendence into the trying teenage years through the many misunderstandings that Grace and Sibby have. This novel is short but it packs a punch. A highly recommended read for those who may not have been previously aware of the impact the Blacksod Lighthouse had on the outcome of World War II and why it remains a major tourist attraction for the area



Inspired by true events this is a thrilling and exciting read



it's inspired by true events … a great book



Our #BookOfTheDay - and the @BookTrustNI Book of the Month - is the fabulous #TheWeatherGirls from @sarahwebbishere. Based on a true story, this World War II tale is a fantastic read ... This fascinating part of Irish and European history is fictionalised brilliantly – the kind, brave Grace is a normal schoolgirl with friendship worries too



Female friendship, zippy prose and the historical hindsight of this true-life tale propel Webb's story along



Taking readers back to 1940s Mayo, this novel is inspired by true events, which make it an even more fascinating read. Short, but packing a punch, what sets Webb's novel apart is the strong family and friend connections, along with its strong representation of women during the Emergency in Ireland



a real story of friendship and bravery



inspired by true events ... packs a punch