Miss Dalby is currently reading The Boy I Loved by William Hussey.

This powerful historical novel is set during the First World War and follows Stephen, a young soldier fighting in France. Amid the horrors of the trenches, Stephen falls in love with Danny: a relationship that must remain secret at a time when being gay was illegal and deeply stigmatised.

The story moves between the battlefield and Stephen’s memories of home, gradually revealing the truth about his relationship and the devastating consequences of a world that refused to accept it.

Why should students read it?

It highlights hidden LGBTQ+ histories that are often left out of textbooks
It challenges ideas about bravery, loyalty and identity
It encourages empathy and understanding
It has a moving ending that stays with you long after the final page

A story that proves bravery isn’t just about fighting — sometimes it’s about being true to who you are.