On September 12th, Millie Bobby Brown released her debut book Nineteen Steps in bookstores around the world. Many people know Brown as a popular actress, so when announced that she would be publishing a book, fans flocked to the shelves to buy her novel, and many were surprised to find out she can compose too.
Brown’s story is a tribute to her grandmother, Nanny Ruth, and is about events that she lived through. It is set in the neighborhood of Benthal Green, London, where rations are small, and fears are high. In this neighborhood, you’re considered lucky if you emerge from your air raid shelters alive and well.
The main character being Nellie Morris, lives with her sister Flo, brother George, mom Em, and dad Charlie, and Ray Fleming, an American airman. This touching tale follows Nellie through the hardships of WWII and the heartbreaking truths of life. She must learn to survive the bombings, protect her family, earn an income, and cope with the mental destruction of warfare.
Nineteen Steps is a historical fiction, domestic fiction, and romance novel with around 304 pages. This book is overflowing with action, love, loss, and growth. Just within the first few chapters this book is sure to grab you by the heart and never let go.
Many supporters of Brown may just be checking out this book for the popular name on the front, but if you truly commit, you will see there is much more to it than meets the eye. The way Brown portrays Nellie Morris as a powerful, young character, who can beat the odds is whole-heartedly inspiring.
For me this was a straightforward and easy read. I would recommend this fiction for anyone 13 and older. The chronological order of the book made it quite easy to follow and could be read by a wide variety of people.
Although Nineteen Steps became a quickly favored book, there has also been a bit of controversy. Millie Bobby Brown’s name may be on the cover, but word has spread that the book was ghost written. If you were to open the book, on the title page Millie Bobby Brown is stated as the author, but a woman by the name of Kathleen McGurl is also mentioned. Ghost writing is a way for someone to write or co-write a book but not be placed on the cover page. It is a method of writing that is much more discreet. Some people believe that Kathleen McGurl did not get credited enough and deserved to receive more praise.
Overall, I would give this book an 4/5 star rating. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any one of my friends or family! If you appreciate a good moving novel, then this book is for you!
