I knew my German-Jewish mother had attended a Catholic school in Spier, Germany because when the Nazis came to power, she could no longer attend a public school. Since she didn’t talk about it, I never thought about what it was like for her. I hadn’t thought about how she was probably taught Catholic prayers and rituals, like using a rosary.
I hadn’t thought of my mother possibly having to hide her identity and her fears of being discovered. I didn’t consider this until I read The Night War by one of my favorite authors, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. This is Bradley‘s most recent book. In it, she draws from her deep knowledge of World War II and from her travels to Chenonceau and Israel.
I could hear sirens. Sirens meant trouble.
“Nothing to worry about, Miri,” Mama said, in her usual soft Yiddish. She didn’t look up from mending the pocket of my other dress.
“You don’t know that,” I said.
Her eyes flicked toward me. “It’s a fire engine, not a police sedan.”
“You can tell the difference?”
“I can.”
REVIEW
How is that for an opening? If I was using this book in an English or Social Studies class I would ask my students how much information can be inferred from these few words. The answer? A lot.
Miriam is a 12-year-old in Paris in 1942. Her world is upended when her Jewish family is rounded up by the Nazis. Before being taken away, a family friend tells her to make it to Vichy-– the unoccupied side of France, and from there to go to Switzerland. The friend also reminds her, “We always have a choice. Not in what happens to us, but in what we do in response.”
Despite her fears and shame over leaving her mother, Miriam escapes with her beloved Nora, a toddler whom she is put in charge of. A kindly nun takes pity on them and smuggles them to the countryside where they are separated. Miriam (renamed Marie) is put into a convent in a small French village famous for the Chateau Chenonceau.
Soon after arriving, Marie discovers that the castle spans the river Cher. On one side is occupied France. On the other side, is Vichy. Freedom! But how can she and Nora escape?
The castle is an interesting character in itself. Its history is interwoven into the story and is replete with rivaling women, famous gardens, and magnificent parties. Other secondary characters include Marie’s seemingly anti-semitic friends in the convent, two nuns who smuggle Jews through the castle, and a ghost of Queen Catherine de Medici who lived there centuries earlier. To be honest, the ghost came as a surprise although there were several references to a mysterious woman in black who Marie sees in the village and gardens. Catherine helps Marie resolve her survivor’s guilt by reminding her that there are always choices, but not always pleasant ones. This conversation helps Marie to make an important decision going forward. A part of me wonders about a ghost being the one to help Marie in such a significant manner–but that is what qualifies this book to also be historical fantasy.
In Conclusion
In the end, all of the secondary characters come together providing an unexpected, but satisfying conclusion. Like Salt to the Sea, Bradley used a historical setting and real events and envisioned the story that could have happened there. This is my kind of book! The Author’s Note answered the question I had –what part of the story is true? To me, no work of historical fiction is complete without answering this.
The book is full of tension, inner and outer conflicts, and masterful writing. It would be a great curriculum resource for middle-grade students.
Have you read a book that opened your eyes to what a family member may have experienced? Leave me a note in the comments.
Make sure you check out Greg Pattridge’s great MMGM blog post every Monday!
Your mom sounds like a very brave woman and this story sounds terrific. I’ve been to Chenonceau. It’s an amazing chateau and we heard some of the stories of how it was used to help Jewish people and Allied soldiers escape from the Nazi’s. Thanks for reviewing this book.
Thanks for your comment, Kathy. How amazing that you went there! I’m glad you were able to post a comment on my new site!
Thanks for sharing about your mother’s experience. This sounds like an important book.
Thank you, Theresa. I think you and your students would enjoy it.
I absolutely loved her book The War That Saved My Life, and this book sounds just as spectacular. I will definitely need to add it to my reading list. My own grandmother escaped from Poland during WWII and ended up in Siberia, so these stories are near and dear to my heart.
Thank you for your comment. I loved that book too and I think you’ll enjoy this one also!
Yes, no more problems! Yay!
I’m glad!!
Thank you for your comment, Emily. You will love this book as well as the one I reviewed the previous week, SALT TO THE SEA. Carol
Oh wow– this sounds like a book I would enjoy as well. I love that you compared it to SALT TO THE SEA– I feel like I know exactly what you’re referring to there. It’s funny, I’m reading CODE NAME KINGFISHER by Liz Kessler right now, and it has made me think about my great aunt, who grew up in France. She helped a Jewish girl escape on a train when she was a teenager. I don’t know any more details than that. There are so many questions I wish I’d asked her when I had the chance. She never really talked about the war or her childhood. The book has made me think about her a lot, though. Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks for your comment, Kasey. My experience was that generation (ie my parents) wanted to put it all behind them. Sounds as if you and I like the same type of books!
Sounds like both a personally relevant and historically significant book. I’m definitely adding this to my TBR. Thanks for the review and Happy MMGM
Thanks for the comment. You won’t be disappointed!
Thanks for a great review. I have read some of the author’s other books and really liked them, so this is a good reminder to check for this one. I could probably do without the fantasy element, to be honest, but I do love historical fiction–especially with the all-important notes on what’s real. I’ve learned a lot from kids’ historical fiction.
Me too, Rebecca! I have learned a ton from historical fiction. Thanks for stopping by.
BTW, I’m looking for ARC readers for my YA historical fiction. If you’re interested, please email me at cbaldwin6@me.com.
I enjoy historical fiction too, Rebecca!
I do love historical fiction, but I don’t read much fantasy. Hmmm. I might give this a try one day. Thanks for the review.
I didn’t expect the fantasy element. I’d be curious to know what you think of this book, Rosi. Thanks for leaving a comment.
I just finished a historical fiction story about Pearl Harbor. WWII is such an important time in our history to never forget. This tale adds in the fantasy element which should attract many young readers. I will have to find the time myself to dive into this one. Happy MMGM.
I agree, Greg. Thanks for your comment and I hope you can squeeze this book into your full TBR shelf!