I don't know why I picked this up, but I'm so pleased I did. It's labelled as YA, but I think it stands anywhere you want to put it, despite the MCs being children. It's got a perfect balance of history and sff that landed in my sweet spot with a big thump. The characters are very well drawn and the flip between 1944 and the present was done beautifully. I loved the visiting aliens, their personalities and their tech, but it's the children who really make the story beautiful. It's a story about humanity and I really think you should read it! Also, there's a dog!