Last month on the children's books site we marked the 100th anniversary of the first world war. Our most-read book in July is the moving tale: Stay Where You Are And Then Leave by John Boyne – described by our site members as "wonderful", "beautiful" and "heartbreaking".

In this historical novel, Alfie's fifth birthday is on 28 July 1914, the beginning of the first world war. When Alfie's father goes to war and doesn't return, four years later Alfie decides to go out looking for him.

Site member Joel likened the plotline to Boyne's other wartime classic, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas: "Much like The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, the book is based around a young child and his naivety toward tough subjects, with a true innocence that only young children can have."

Similarly, reader Safah praised the realism of the plotline: "From the moment Alfie could no longer find his father's letters hidden under his mother's mattress to the first time he sets out on his journey to find him. It all felt so tangible, the love and the loyalty and the sheer determination."

Other site members also liked the characterisation of nine-year-old Alfie. "I usually don't enjoy books about younger children, I prefer ones about teenagers. But Alfie is different: Boyne has created a realistic, interesting young boy who has plenty of character and a courageous soul" - thoughts from Lilybelle. Likewise, Safah praised the childlike mindset of Alfie: "Boyce captures the youth, innocence and oblivious mindset of a child, but never fails to imply the horrors of the world in a way that mature readers can pick up on."

Boyne's narrative was another aspect of the book our readers enjoyed: "The writing seemed to be growing with Alfie," Lilybelle said. While Joel felt the writing style reflected Alfie's age: "With simple vocabulary and structure, it is easy to pick up. Like children, Alfie finds it hard to keep to the main storyline and gets sidetracked easily within the book, but that's okay, because it adds depth and meaning."

However, reviewer Lilybelle criticised the use of description in the story: "The only things that the story could have done without were the occasional unnecessary descriptions."

Reviewer Joel didn't enjoy the ending of the book: "The story is both entertaining and touching, yet lacks the realism that The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas had, as it feels farfetched towards the end." But reader Safah disagreed, and felt, "the ending was beautiful, realistic but still touching. A wonderful conclusion to a brilliant read. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to read more historical fiction about this period!"

Need some more top reads over the school holidays? Our site members also recommend:

• Divergent by Veronica Roth

• Hexed by Michelle Krys

• Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead

• Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo