Madeleine L'Engle is famous for A Wrinkle in Time, but And Both Were Young shows her skill in a quieter, more realistic setting. It’s a story that proves sometimes the biggest adventures happen inside us.

The Story

We meet Philippa, a shy American teenager packed off to a strict Swiss boarding school. She’s grieving her mother and feels invisible, lost in a sea of confident, chattering girls. She escapes into her sketchbook, drawing the world instead of living in it. Everything changes when she meets Paul, a French boy living at a nearby school for boys recovering from the war. He’s closed-off, haunted by something he won’t talk about. Their hesitant friendship, built during secret walks in the Alpine meadows, becomes the anchor for both of them. The story follows them as they navigate school pressures, social cliques, and their own private sorrows, slowly helping each other heal and find the strength to face the future.

Why You Should Read It

This book has a rare, gentle honesty. L'Engle doesn't sugarcoat the loneliness of being the new kid or the deep ache of grief. Philippa and Paul aren't magical heroes; they're just two hurt kids trying to figure things out. Their friendship feels real—sometimes awkward, sometimes incredibly supportive. I love how L'Engle writes about art as Philippa's way of processing the world, and how the beautiful but imposing Swiss landscape mirrors their internal journeys. It’s a story about the quiet, everyday bravery it takes to reconnect with life and trust another person after you've been hurt.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves character-driven stories about healing and human connection. If you enjoyed the emotional depth of The Secret Garden or the boarding-school atmosphere of Prep, but wanted something more introspective, pick this up. It’s also a great, less-fantastical entry point into L'Engle's work. While it’s technically a young adult novel, its themes of loss, resilience, and first friendship are truly ageless. Keep a cup of tea and a cozy blanket handy—it’s that kind of thoughtful, comforting read.