Book: Genevieve’s War (2017)
Author: Patricia Reilly Giff
Genre: MG, Historical (WWII)
Basic plot: Genevieve and her brother have been visiting their grandmother in France in the summer of 1939. While her brother leaves, she chooses not to go back to the States… What she doesn’t know is that the war is going to be a long one. Including battles with her own grandmother, Meme. Little by little, Genevieve gets drawn in to helping with the French Resistance. She also soon finds an ally in Meme against the Nazi invaders. But Genevieve is not always sure who to trust.
WHAT’S COOL…
1) The spunky Genevieve is a fun protagonist. I particularly liked her relationship with her grandmother, Meme. Or should I said non-relationship. Those two are at odds for most of the book.
2) I liked the intrigue. Since the story is about the French Resistance, there is plenty of intrigue. With who Genevieve should trust or not trust… including her best friend Katrin. And hiding her other friend. And then there is the mystery of the sweater!
3) When I was reading, I wanted to know the dates of when things were happening. But I think it’s stronger not to know the dates because (at least for me) the dates would tell me how soon D-Day was coming. The datelessness forced me to live the events of the story not knowing how much longer the people would have to hold out.
4) Events near the end made me cry. Anytime that a book makes me care about the characters… Hey, that’s a win!
5) I loved how everything came together at the end of the story. I like that not all was wrapped up. There were some bittersweet things that happened. And I liked the realism of that.
6) I thought the cover worked with the story.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I would definitely recommend to anybody who wants to read more about World War II and the French Resistance.
YOUR TURN…
Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Note: I’m posting this for Greg Pattridge’s Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday…
Of Maria Antonia 
It’s a little slow, but short, and good for the gentler readers who need a WWII book for class but can’t stomach anything super gory. Giff also has one set in Alaska that I enjoyed. https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/2018/11/island-war.html
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Ooh, I haven’t read that one. I will try to get a copy. Thanks!
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This book sounds great! I’m already curious about Genevieve’s relationship with her grandmother, as well as how she helps in the French Resistance! Thanks so much for the review!
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Yes, it was good. Not fast paced, though. Still good. 🙂
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I enjoyed this one and always recommend it to kids interested (or required to be interested) in WWII events. I also found HOW I BECAME A SPY to be a worthwhile WWII read.
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I just finished reading that one! 🙂
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Loved reading your review. I’m glad to see this book receive some more book love. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and also recommended to other readers.
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Glad you liked it too! I love historical fiction.
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I have liked everything of Giff’s I have read. I didn’t know about this one, but I do like historical fiction so will probably pick this up. Thanks for your review.
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Yes, I hadn’t heard about it either, but came upon it after I saw that she released a different new book. I really enjoy her writing.
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