The Rose Code by Kate Quinn is a historical fiction novel set in England. It alternates between the years 1940 - WW2 - and 1947 - Post World War normalcy. The book features three British women - Osla, Mab, and Beth - working as code breakers in 1940 at the secretive estate of Bletchley Park. They are part of a big mission and crucial to the outcome of the war. Recruited for their unique abilities and minds, they work all day cracking German codes, including the infamous Enigma machine.
This nonfiction war novel was beyond impressive. This book will help you change the way you view the people involved in World War II and give you insight into the scary world of war. Louis Zamperini is the main character and the story goes in depth to tell you his background, accomplishments and role within the war. The major turn events occur when Zamperini goes from the Olympics to the military and he arrives upon difficult foreign land. I think that the most compelling aspect of this book was the continuous feeling of not knowing what will happen next.
The War I Finally Wonis the sequel to the Newbery Honor winning book The War That Saved My Life. This is a WWII novel following 11 year old Ada as she receives surgery for her clubfoot and learns who she wants to be in a world immersed in war. Ada was always told she was damaged, but since moving in with Susan she’s discovered she can be as capable as anyone.
It’s the summer of 1942 and Liza Kaganova more than anything, wants her best friend Aka to come home. Liza's searched all over Leningrad, Russia, even the headquarters of the militia. However, after a messy run in with the militia, Liza can’t go back to there. She runs into two former classmates, one of which is now working for the militia and another who lives in the tunnels. Liza attempts to get them help her. In all the desperation, Liza doesn’t think to look at what is right in front of her.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys is a historical fiction novel set in the final months of World War II, centered around the tragic sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a real-life maritime disaster that claimed over 9,000 lives. The story follows four young refugees—Joana, a Lithuanian nurse, Florian, a Prussian art restorer, Emilia, a Polish girl, and Alfred, a German soldier—each harboring their own secrets and traumas.
Summary: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller is a satirical novel set during World War II, focusing on the absurd and paradoxical experiences of Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. bomber pilot stationed on the fictional island of Pianosa.
Working her way up in the Hollywood film industry after World War II, Clara’s predictable life takes a turn when she discovers the unthinkable: the studios biggest star dead in the film vault. And along with this bad news, her refugee parents want to return to Germany after many years, uprooting Clara from Las Angeles. As Clara becomes more invested in the mystery, the secrets revealed are dangerous for her and her fellow colleague, and love interest, Gil. Will Clara crack the case and bring the justice that the victim deserves?
Hanneke Bakks is still grieving over her lost lover, Bas, when she decides to turn to stealing goods from the black market and selling them in order to gain money for herself and her family. It’s a nasty business that she ensures her parents and friends don’t find out about. She decides to keep her methods secret to make sure that her job is done skillfully and without prying eyes, especially in Amsterdam in 1943, which is filled with German occupation.
Summary: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a historical novel set during World War II, focusing on the lives of two French sisters, Vianne and Isabelle Rossignol. As the Nazis occupy France, Vianne is forced to endure the hardships and moral dilemmas of living under enemy rule while trying to protect her daughter. Meanwhile, the rebellious Isabelle joins the French Resistance, risking her life to save downed Allied airmen and undermine the German forces.
Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief is a Young Adult Fiction novel that tells Liesel Meminger’s story—a young girl living in Germany during World War II. Constantly faced with loss and tragedy, Liesel hopes to find meaning in her life—she does so through her fascination with books. Occupying her time with words and as many books as she can find, she is faced with the reality of the war—the oppression in Nazi Germany, losing the people she loves, and the consequences of doing the right, but dangerous thing.
