Gingersnap by Patricia Reilly Giff

Jayna lives with her older brother during World War II, but he is soon sent away to fight against Japan. Jayna lives with the landlord while he's gone, but she receives word that her brother's ship is sunk. He's missing. A voice tells Jayna to travel to Brooklyn to find her grandmother. The voice says to bring the turtle from the pond too, and Jadyn makes sure to bring her stone of hope. When she sets off for Brooklyn, the biggest thing she has is hope.

I found the plot very touching. The author was able to share Jayna's innocence, determination, caring, and hope. I felt sorry for her as she tried to find a family, not knowing if her brother was alive or dead. The voice offered advice, but it was almost like Jayna was talking to herself. Maybe it was a ghost? Things didn't turn out exactly as she planned, but it was okay.