Set at the beginning of the second yearof the First World War the book tellsthe story of a working family and howwar touched everyone in so many ways.Left to run the family narrow boatwhen his father goes to war and hismother is injured in a bombing raidon London, Harry and his dog Millyset off from London to Birminghamdelivering coal to local people who liveclose to the canal.The story is one of friendship, understandingand kindness towards allthey meet and of hope for mankindeven in the middle of war.