Published: 2021
Series: N/A
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Illustrator: N/A
Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical, World War II, Fiction, Young Adult, War, France, Adventure
Audience (Grade Levels): Middle Grades / Young Adult / Grades 5-12
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads Link: Rescue
Triggers: War, Nazi occupation, imprisonment, espionage, violence, and dangerous conditions
Review By: Monica Morse
Publisher’s Summary:
Six hundred and fifty-seven days ago, Meg Kenyon’s father left their home in France to fight for the Allies in World War II, and that was the last time Meg saw him. Recently, she heard he was being held prisoner by the Nazis, a terrible sentence from which Meg fears he’ll never return. All she has left of him are the codes he placed in a jar for her to decipher, an affectionate game the two of them shared. But the codes are running low, and soon there’ll be nothing left of Papa for Meg to hold on to at all.
Suddenly, an impossible chance to save her father falls into Meg’s lap. After following a trail of blood in the snow, Meggie finds an injured British spy hiding in her grandmother’s barn. Captain Stewart tells her that a family of German refugees must be guided across Nazi-occupied France to neutral Spain, whereupon one of them has promised to free Meg’s father. Captain Stewart was meant to take that family on their journey, but too injured to complete the task himself, he offers it to Meg, along with a final code from Papa to help complete the mission — perhaps the most important, and most difficult, riddle she’s received yet.
As the Nazis flood Meg’s village in fierce pursuit, she accepts the duty and begins the trek across France. Leading strangers through treacherous territory, Meg faces danger and uncertainty at every turn, all the while struggling to crack her father’s code. The message, as she unravels it, reveals secrets costly enough to risk the mission and even her own life. Can Meg solve the puzzle, rescue the family, and save her father?
Review:
I have always been drawn to historical fiction books, so diving into this story was exciting. If you enjoy books by Alan Gratz, then you need to start reading books by Jennifer Nielsen. Jennifer Nielsen describes the scenes and characters with such detail. There is nothing left for the reader to imagine on their own. It is easy to close your eyes and picture what Meg, the main character, is seeing through her eyes. Going off from my knowledge, the historical part seems to be explained correctly. I am sure I will read this book again, and pick up on even more details that I did not comprehend the first time around.
Nielsen demonstrates an exceptional writing style and structural organization that establishes impeccable dramatic pacing from the opening chapter. By shifting masterfully between historical survival realism and high-stakes espionage mystery, the plot keeps readers leaning forward in anticipation. The author’s descriptive imagery serves as an amazing vehicle for the narrative; she evokes the bone-chilling cold of winter treks and the suffocating tension of hiding from Nazi patrols in a way that allows the text’s visceral emotion to jump straight off the page. Furthermore, the striking, intense jacket design features eye-catching, atmospheric cover art that captures the historical setting perfectly, acting as an instant magnet for middle-grade and young adult readers perusing library shelves.
I give this book a full 5 stars, giving it top scores for its unique creativity, vivid prose, historical accuracy, and its moving portrayal of sacrifice. It is a vital recommendation for school librarians, middle-grade social studies teachers, and high school English educators seeking compelling survival narratives. This title brings massive overall value to any PreK-12 library collection, acting as an exceptional literary gateway to historical literacy and profound student engagement.
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- Social Studies / World War II History: Serves as a fantastic mentor text for investigating life under Nazi occupation, the mechanics of the French Resistance, the realities of German refugees, and the logistics of wartime espionage.
- ELA / Literary Devices: Connects flawlessly to classroom units focused on suspense building, internal vs. external conflict, character resilience, and deciphering motifs like puzzles and codes within a story.
- Extension Activity / Library Application: This text is an ideal selection for upper elementary or junior high literature circles, independent reading programs, and school book clubs. As an extension library activity, students can study real-world codes and ciphers utilized by Allied forces and French resistance couriers during World War II, then work in small teams to construct and crack their own historical hidden messages.
- Diversity & Representation: This book supports equity, diversity, and inclusion by offering an authentic window into the lived experiences of refugees fleeing tyrannical regimes. It provides meaningful representation of female agency during wartime, showcasing a brave young protagonist navigating complex cross-cultural relationships with German refugees, showing empathy across borders.
Readalikes:
- Refugee by Alan Gratz
- The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
- The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
