Resist: One Girl's Fight Back Against the Nazis; Tom Palmer, illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole10/1/2023
1943; war rages across Europe. In the Netherlands, the Dutch people live in fear under the ever watchful eyes of German soldiers who seek out Jews and others deemed ‘undesirable’ by the Nazi regime. In the small town of Velp, Edda and her family do their best to live under the radar. With little food, no fuel for fires and with the constant threat of capture, or worse, life is grim.
Stirring quietly, a brave group of people are doing what they can to resist the Nazis and aid the Allied war efforts. The Dutch resistance are fighting back and after her uncle is savagely murdered and her brother is sent to a labour camp, Edda is determined to fight too. Risking everything, she will do whatever she can to stop the Nazis and to help liberate her town and country…
Inspired by the childhood of Edda, better known as Hollywood royalty Audrey Hepburn, Resist is an incredibly powerful and moving read that centres around the brave and courageous work of the Dutch resistance and their wartime efforts.
Meticulously researched and written with clarity and a directness that I really appreciate, it is a compelling read that showcases the strength and courage found in the face of overwhelming adversity when it would have been easier to become one of the dust covered bodies lying on the side of the road or simply fall asleep in the cellar and never wake up. Wartime was, and is, grim, and Palmer’s portrayal of life in Nazi-occupied Netherlands is without exception as he precisely describes the hardships, daily suffering, the unimaginable risks taken, the daring deeds and heroic acts of bravery. This is another masterclass in historical storytelling from an award-winning author who is at the peak of his powers. Like many of his books, he give readers the opportunity to understand, experience and appreciate the events of war through an absorbing, authentic and gripping narrative that places a main character and, thus, the reader, right at the heart of the action. Tom’s growing catalogue of wartime reads really are something rather special. I have a niece in year two and I look forward to being able to share his stories with her when she is a little bit older. I already have a nice stack of Tom’s books and this one will most definitely be added to that collection. Resist is irresistible. As with all Barrington Stoke titles the book is published using dyslexic friendly font and colours so everyone can access this read. With huge thanks to the publisher for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review. Recommended for 9+.
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