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Code Name Kingfisher
A young girl learns of her grandmother and great-aunt’s involvement in the Dutch Resistance during World War II in this heartbreaking middle grade story of family, history, resilience, and hope from acclaimed author Liz Kessler.
Thirteen-year-old Liv’s beloved ninety-two-year-old grandmother, Oma, is moving into a home where she can be cared for as her dementia worsens. As Liv helps her father empty Oma’s house, she finds an old chest which opens up a whole world that Liv never knew the hidden world of Oma’s childhood.
Through the letters and other mementos, Liv learns that Oma, given name Mila, had a sister, Eva, that no one in Liv’s family ever knew about. In 1942, Mila and Eva are sent away from their parents to a non-Jewish family so they will survive the war. Twelve-year-old Mila believes that they will soon be reunited with their parents and go back to their normal lives, but fourteen-year-old Eva knows better, and soon gets involved in the Resistance. Eva takes on more and more dangerous assignments until a betrayal forces her to decide between running away with her sister or fully committing to mission. Tragedy strikes, and Mila goes to England on her own to restart her life from scratch, vowing never to talk about her childhood again.
In the present day, Liv reads how Mila builds something new from the shattered pieces of her childhood while giving beloved Oma all the support she can. Both Liv and Mila grapple with loyalty, family, and love as they discover what it means to be brave and go above and beyond to offer someone else a life of dignity, happiness, and freedom.
Thirteen-year-old Liv’s beloved ninety-two-year-old grandmother, Oma, is moving into a home where she can be cared for as her dementia worsens. As Liv helps her father empty Oma’s house, she finds an old chest which opens up a whole world that Liv never knew the hidden world of Oma’s childhood.
Through the letters and other mementos, Liv learns that Oma, given name Mila, had a sister, Eva, that no one in Liv’s family ever knew about. In 1942, Mila and Eva are sent away from their parents to a non-Jewish family so they will survive the war. Twelve-year-old Mila believes that they will soon be reunited with their parents and go back to their normal lives, but fourteen-year-old Eva knows better, and soon gets involved in the Resistance. Eva takes on more and more dangerous assignments until a betrayal forces her to decide between running away with her sister or fully committing to mission. Tragedy strikes, and Mila goes to England on her own to restart her life from scratch, vowing never to talk about her childhood again.
In the present day, Liv reads how Mila builds something new from the shattered pieces of her childhood while giving beloved Oma all the support she can. Both Liv and Mila grapple with loyalty, family, and love as they discover what it means to be brave and go above and beyond to offer someone else a life of dignity, happiness, and freedom.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 14, 2023
39 people are currently reading
832 people want to read
About the author
Liz Kessler
77 books950 followersLiz Kessler is the author of three novels about Philippa Fisher as well as the NEW YORK TIMES best-selling Emily Windsnap series. She lives in Manchester, England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
May 7, 2024
Wow. Just… wow. If I could this book more than five stars, I surely would.
Wonderful middle grade historical fiction about the Dutch Resistance during WW2. The story shifts between two settings, present day in the U.K., and 1940’s Amsterdam. The modern narrator is Liv, a pre-teen who is having trouble fitting in with her classmates. An assignment about family trees leads her to discover secrets about her grandmother’s past, that her “Bubbe” had been unwilling to discuss with anyone, until now.
This novel was absolutely amazing. It was even more special to read because in November of 2023, my husband and I were there, in Amsterdam, visiting the Resistance Museum, walking through the Anne Frank House, and seeing the “stolpersteines” that have been placed in front of many houses were the Jewish people were last free. We stood outside the theater which was used as a holding place for Jews before they were deported, and looked across the street at the building where the children were kept separated from their parents. And, thanks to the bravery of the Resistance workers, many of the children were smuggled out of there to safe places. Those two buildings have been turned into a Holocaust Museum, opening in March 2024. My husband and I are making plans to return there, in the near future.
This book will release in May 2024. I hope it will someday be in all classrooms, everywhere. I’ll buy a print copy the day it comes out!
Memorable Quotes:
“ The third child I collected affected me the most. She was the youngest of them all. No more than four years old, her name was Anneke. I collected her from Artis Zoo. She was hiding in the wolf enclosure. There are children living in the structures of the animals’ cages. Structures of metal keeping them alive. If there was ever an image to convey the brutality and cruelty of the Nazis who parade round our country as if they own it, it’s this. I will never forget the moment I led a four-year-old girl away from an animal enclosure-and I will never, ever forgive the people who made it necessary for her to hide there.”
Wonderful middle grade historical fiction about the Dutch Resistance during WW2. The story shifts between two settings, present day in the U.K., and 1940’s Amsterdam. The modern narrator is Liv, a pre-teen who is having trouble fitting in with her classmates. An assignment about family trees leads her to discover secrets about her grandmother’s past, that her “Bubbe” had been unwilling to discuss with anyone, until now.
This novel was absolutely amazing. It was even more special to read because in November of 2023, my husband and I were there, in Amsterdam, visiting the Resistance Museum, walking through the Anne Frank House, and seeing the “stolpersteines” that have been placed in front of many houses were the Jewish people were last free. We stood outside the theater which was used as a holding place for Jews before they were deported, and looked across the street at the building where the children were kept separated from their parents. And, thanks to the bravery of the Resistance workers, many of the children were smuggled out of there to safe places. Those two buildings have been turned into a Holocaust Museum, opening in March 2024. My husband and I are making plans to return there, in the near future.
This book will release in May 2024. I hope it will someday be in all classrooms, everywhere. I’ll buy a print copy the day it comes out!
Memorable Quotes:
“ The third child I collected affected me the most. She was the youngest of them all. No more than four years old, her name was Anneke. I collected her from Artis Zoo. She was hiding in the wolf enclosure. There are children living in the structures of the animals’ cages. Structures of metal keeping them alive. If there was ever an image to convey the brutality and cruelty of the Nazis who parade round our country as if they own it, it’s this. I will never forget the moment I led a four-year-old girl away from an animal enclosure-and I will never, ever forgive the people who made it necessary for her to hide there.”
January 6, 2024
3,5
Leuk, vermakelijk, maar helaas niet uniek.
Wel aan te raden voor de jongere doelgroep!
Leuk, vermakelijk, maar helaas niet uniek.
Wel aan te raden voor de jongere doelgroep!
December 3, 2023
As a primary school teacher who has taught World War Two for the last five years (and has read many children’s books based on the time period) , I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN. Told through multiple perspectives, the story centres around German-occupied Holland during WW2 and the present day in England. It’s beautiful, respectful and thoughtful in all perspectives used: the way that we follow events of the time when Jewish people (and those who protected them) were publicly persecuted; the many social challenges that young people face in the modern day and how this is perceived through the eyes of teenagers.
Once I started reading this, I knew that I needed to finish it in the same day. I needed to know what happened to the characters. Who would survive? What would happen to Bo? Who would get a happy ending when life isn’t always like that? There were times that I grinned broadly, times when I cheered with delight, times when I held my breath waiting to see if they would make it and then times when I cried when not all of them did - I went on the full emotional rollercoaster! It is a humbling story which brought to life the bravery, determination (especially in the face of adversity), impossible choices and harsh realities of those who lived during WW2 and honours their memory. When we see through Liv’s perspective, many of these same themes are echoed, as well as being true to yourself, even when those that you considered friends aren’t who you thought they were. There are so many important messages that children can take from this book, as well as learning about what life was like for children in WW2 or simply just enjoying beautiful writing.
I will definitely be recommending this to my pupils, as well as my colleagues and any one else who will listen, as well as looking to add more books by Liz Kessler to my own library!
Thank you to NetGalley, Liz Kessler and Simon & Schuster Children’s UK for the ARC of this story in exchange for my honest review.
Once I started reading this, I knew that I needed to finish it in the same day. I needed to know what happened to the characters. Who would survive? What would happen to Bo? Who would get a happy ending when life isn’t always like that? There were times that I grinned broadly, times when I cheered with delight, times when I held my breath waiting to see if they would make it and then times when I cried when not all of them did - I went on the full emotional rollercoaster! It is a humbling story which brought to life the bravery, determination (especially in the face of adversity), impossible choices and harsh realities of those who lived during WW2 and honours their memory. When we see through Liv’s perspective, many of these same themes are echoed, as well as being true to yourself, even when those that you considered friends aren’t who you thought they were. There are so many important messages that children can take from this book, as well as learning about what life was like for children in WW2 or simply just enjoying beautiful writing.
I will definitely be recommending this to my pupils, as well as my colleagues and any one else who will listen, as well as looking to add more books by Liz Kessler to my own library!
Thank you to NetGalley, Liz Kessler and Simon & Schuster Children’s UK for the ARC of this story in exchange for my honest review.
March 10, 2024
Wow! A stunner of a cross timeline historical fiction story. Absolutely great for anyone looking to read more in the realm of Anne Frank’s story. Full of heart, bravery, loss, family, and war. Kessler doesn’t shy away from the scariest parts of war, so be warned, it does have its heavy moments. But good for that in between area of readers who aren’t quite ready for romance in their stories, but looking to push their reading.
March 28, 2025
4.5-The Brits know how to write a good middle grade WWII novel with relatable characters and age appropriate conflicts (specifically the present day timeline story). This reminded me a bit of The Lost Year where there are multiple timelines and connecting with one’s family history. I liked all the different perspectives in this story.
There were a couple of a bit far reaching things to help tidy up the story too neatly but overall a great read to help learn about forgiving oneself and to stand up for yourself and others.
There were a couple of a bit far reaching things to help tidy up the story too neatly but overall a great read to help learn about forgiving oneself and to stand up for yourself and others.
October 17, 2024
So amazing. The past and the present mix in this story making a big effect on the book. This book was also super emotional. I liked that. A good book is a book that brings tears to your eyes, or a smile to your face. A good book makes you feel like you are experiencing the emotions a character in the book might have. This book brought tears to my eyes at some points. I felt like a character in the book with Liz Kessler’s amazing writing. Like the girl Liv in the book, I will try to be more like Hannie everyday. Hannie was proud of being in the resistance, and was brave and risked her life to save others almost everyday. In the end, she did end up giving up her life to save others, which is the work of a true hero. So, even though there is not a true hero that author had wanted in the story, I think Hannie was the hero. Even though Hannie is fictional, she can still inspire me in my everyday life. She was a true hero and made me notice how important actions like that affected Jewish people in the Holocaust. Not everyone was cruel like Hitler and the Nazis. Some people like Hannie, members of the resistance, people that hid Jews, and others had true courage in world war 2, and they weren’t scared to stand up. People like them inspire me, because when something is wrong, you can’t just sit there and watch, you take action and do the right thing. There needs to be more people like Hannie in the world. So, in conclusion, I totally recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2024
This book follows two different time lines. We have present day that follows a young girl who has a grandma she doesn’t really understand. Her grandma is going into a home and that is when she discovers a trunk of her old things. Through this she learns about her grandma and great aunts involvement in the Dutch resistance to the nazis during WWII. We also follow the grandmas timeline in the 40s when these things happened.
This was a really good book about WWII, family, and loss. It has some heavy topics since it was a very difficult time in history. These topics are very important to learn about though. I loved the characters and the different timelines we follow throughout. The writing was great and it was a book I struggled to put down, it was so engaging!
I think a lot of kids will like this story. It is a hard topic but it is important for kids to learn about.
Thanks so much to netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Aladdin for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This was a really good book about WWII, family, and loss. It has some heavy topics since it was a very difficult time in history. These topics are very important to learn about though. I loved the characters and the different timelines we follow throughout. The writing was great and it was a book I struggled to put down, it was so engaging!
I think a lot of kids will like this story. It is a hard topic but it is important for kids to learn about.
Thanks so much to netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Aladdin for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
August 10, 2023
This is my second Liz Kessler novel. I loved "When the World Was Ours", a rare 5-star. This one was a really fantastic read too. It's a rare feat to be able to tell a middle-grade story set during one of the world's worst, human-created historical calamities.
Code Name Kingfisher is a dual-timeline novel, where the present-day protagonist discovers a mysterious box belonging to her grandmother. This leads her in an unforgettable journey that changes her relationship with her gran as well. The other story is based during WW 2, this time in Holland, as the Nazis are taking control. I loved how the author wove themes of hate, politics, sisterhood, family and friendship.
(Review copy from NetGalley)
Code Name Kingfisher is a dual-timeline novel, where the present-day protagonist discovers a mysterious box belonging to her grandmother. This leads her in an unforgettable journey that changes her relationship with her gran as well. The other story is based during WW 2, this time in Holland, as the Nazis are taking control. I loved how the author wove themes of hate, politics, sisterhood, family and friendship.
(Review copy from NetGalley)
December 13, 2023
Absolutely amazing story. Not sure how I can sell this to kids with the variety of narrator maturity and the dark events within the story. Although for me, Liv's modern troubles and worries balanced out the WW2 storyline beautifully .
Family. Mystery. Family. Coming of age.
Family. Mystery. Family. Coming of age.
August 9, 2024
It was so good if I could I would have given it more stars 🌟
December 6, 2023
Namens Kokboekencentrum mag ik Codenaam IJsvogel lezen. Het eerste boek van Liz Kessler, Toen de wereld nog van ons was, is echt mijn favoriete Young Adult en daarom was ik onwijs nieuwsgierig naar haar nieuwe boek
In Codenaam IJsvogel gaat Liv voor een geschiedenisopdracht op zoek naar haar familiegeschiedenis. Haar oma aan vaders kant is een gesloten boek en wil niet praten over haar jeugd. Over de grootouders aan moeders kant komt Liv ook weinig te weten. Wanneer haar oma van vaders kant moet verhuizen naar een verzorgingstehuis, helpt Liv haar vader met het huis opruimen. Op zolder vindt ze een foto van een familie en één van de meisjes lijkt op haar oma. Wat volgt is een zoektocht naar het familieverhaal van haar oma.
Het verhaal wordt wisselend in het heden en verleden verteld vanuit het ik-perspectief. In het heden volg je Liv en haar zoektocht naar haar familiegeschiedenis. Maar naast deze zoektocht lees je ook over het middelbare schoolleven van Liv, over haar vriendschappen, haar onzekerheden als puber en als vriendin. Deze puber perikelen, zoals gepest worden, vrienden kwijtraken en nieuwe vrienden maken, zijn goed uitgewerkt en zullen herkenbaar zijn voor jongeren. Liv maakt in dit verhaal een mooie karakterontwikkeling door, waarbij wijze woorden uit het verleden haar steun bieden.
In het verleden komt Mila aan het woord. Mila en haar oudere zus Hannie zijn Joods en worden door hun ouders van Amersfoort naar Amsterdam gestuurd om daar onder te duiken. Ze komen terecht bij een familie waarvan ze zich als verre nichtjes voor doen. Hannie raakt betrokken bij het verzet en laat Mila hier volledig buiten. Waar de zusjes in Amersfoort een hechte band hebben, sluit Hannie zich steeds meer van Mila af. Mila kan dit niet begrijpen en heeft moeite met alles wat met de oorlog te maken heeft. Aangezien dit deel ook vanuit het ik-perspectief wordt verteld, duik je echt in de gedachten en gevoelens van Mila. De angst, de onzekerheid en het verlies spatten echt van het papier af.
Codenaam IJsvogel is een goed geschreven verhaal over het verzet en welke impact dit heeft op de familiebanden, zowel in verleden als in het heden. Wat doet zwijgen over heftige gebeurtenissen in het verzet in de band tussen twee zussen. Wat doet zwijgen over het verleden met de familie in het heden? Codenaam IJsvogel is wederom een sterk geschreven verhaal dat de ogen opent over het verzet en alles daar omheen.
Bedankt Kokboekencentrum voor dit leesexemplaar!
In Codenaam IJsvogel gaat Liv voor een geschiedenisopdracht op zoek naar haar familiegeschiedenis. Haar oma aan vaders kant is een gesloten boek en wil niet praten over haar jeugd. Over de grootouders aan moeders kant komt Liv ook weinig te weten. Wanneer haar oma van vaders kant moet verhuizen naar een verzorgingstehuis, helpt Liv haar vader met het huis opruimen. Op zolder vindt ze een foto van een familie en één van de meisjes lijkt op haar oma. Wat volgt is een zoektocht naar het familieverhaal van haar oma.
Het verhaal wordt wisselend in het heden en verleden verteld vanuit het ik-perspectief. In het heden volg je Liv en haar zoektocht naar haar familiegeschiedenis. Maar naast deze zoektocht lees je ook over het middelbare schoolleven van Liv, over haar vriendschappen, haar onzekerheden als puber en als vriendin. Deze puber perikelen, zoals gepest worden, vrienden kwijtraken en nieuwe vrienden maken, zijn goed uitgewerkt en zullen herkenbaar zijn voor jongeren. Liv maakt in dit verhaal een mooie karakterontwikkeling door, waarbij wijze woorden uit het verleden haar steun bieden.
In het verleden komt Mila aan het woord. Mila en haar oudere zus Hannie zijn Joods en worden door hun ouders van Amersfoort naar Amsterdam gestuurd om daar onder te duiken. Ze komen terecht bij een familie waarvan ze zich als verre nichtjes voor doen. Hannie raakt betrokken bij het verzet en laat Mila hier volledig buiten. Waar de zusjes in Amersfoort een hechte band hebben, sluit Hannie zich steeds meer van Mila af. Mila kan dit niet begrijpen en heeft moeite met alles wat met de oorlog te maken heeft. Aangezien dit deel ook vanuit het ik-perspectief wordt verteld, duik je echt in de gedachten en gevoelens van Mila. De angst, de onzekerheid en het verlies spatten echt van het papier af.
Codenaam IJsvogel is een goed geschreven verhaal over het verzet en welke impact dit heeft op de familiebanden, zowel in verleden als in het heden. Wat doet zwijgen over heftige gebeurtenissen in het verzet in de band tussen twee zussen. Wat doet zwijgen over het verleden met de familie in het heden? Codenaam IJsvogel is wederom een sterk geschreven verhaal dat de ogen opent over het verzet en alles daar omheen.
Bedankt Kokboekencentrum voor dit leesexemplaar!
December 1, 2023
‘Zichrona livracha – Moge de herinnering aan haar een zegen zijn’
Toen ik de oproep voor de blogtour van ‘Codenaam ijsvogel’ langs zag komen op social media, was ik gelijk enthousiast. Al vanaf dat ik een jong meisje was, had ik al een enorme interesse in alles wat er met de tweede wereldoorlog te maken had, en nog steeds. En dan niet alleen de Nederlandse kant, maar ook alle andere perpectieven die erbij kwamen kijken. Menig (YA/kinder)boek over de tweede wereldoorlog staat in mijn kast, en ik was dan ook ontzettend blij dat ik ‘Codenaam ijsvogel’ mocht gaan recenseren.
Het boek gaat over het vinden van jezelf; zowel in het heden, als in het verleden. De verhaallijnen spelen zich dan ook in beide tijden af: Mila, Hannie en Willem in het verleden, tijdens de tweede wereldoorlog, en het verhaal van Liv in het heden, de tijd van nu. Het verhaal draait eigenlijk om Liv, een scholiere die een geschiedenisproject moet doen: een stamboom van je eigen familie. Tijdens het opruimen van haar oma’s huis, komt Liv een doos tegen met oude documenten en papieren. Al gauw beseft Liv dat haar oma geheimen heeft bewaard die niemand anders weet, zoals dat haar oma eigenlijk Mila heet en dat ze een oudere zus heeft genaamd Hannie. Hier start het onderzoek voor Liv, en neemt ze een duik in het verleden.
Doordat het verhaal in verschillende perspectieven verteld wordt, die zowel in het verleden als heden plaatsvinden, krijg je al snel alle kanten van het verhaal mee. Hierdoor wordt je gelijk in het verhaal gezogen en ben je gelijk betrokken bij de karakters (en hun gebeurtenissen) uit het boek. Tegelijkertijd wordt het verhaal ook in verschillende stijlen verteld. Waar er bij Mila, Willem en Liv uit de derde persoon wordt verteld, gebeurd dat bij Hannie door middel van dagboekbrieven. Dit houd de afwisseling in het verhaal vast, maar maakt het gelijktijdig ook prettig om te lezen. De brieven van Hannie gericht aan haar moeder geeft het verhaal, dat mogelijk best zwaar kan vallen, een sprankje hoop tot een goed einde.
Ik vind het persoolijk een erg interessant verhaallijn, die je al gauw triggert om door te blijven lezen tot het eind. Hoe je van een stamboomproject terecht komt in een verhaal over het verzet tijdens de tweede wereldoorlog; ik vind het mooi bedacht. De karakters en hun gebeurtenissen worden gedetailleerd beschreven, waardoor je enorm met ze meeleeft. Van hoe Hannie haar als 15-jarige inzet voor het verzet en het Joodse volk, tot aan Liv die juist door de correspendentie en ontdekkingen haarzelf ontwikkelt en sterker in haar schoenen komt te staan. Lizz Kessler weet haar karakters en hun gebeurtenissen fantastisch op papier neer te zetten.
Zoals ik al eerder benoemde kan het verhaal mogelijk als zwaar beladen worden ervaren. Ik als volwassenen heb bij enkele stukken een traan gelaten, wat laat zien hoeveel emotie er achter de woorden en daden zit. Zo kwam de ruzie tussen Hannie en Mila bij mij persoonlijk hard aan, en stond ik vlak daarna met mijn mond vol tanden vol verbizing te lezen hoe alles omtrent Willem in elkaar zat. Het mooiste stukje vond ik denk ik toch wel hoe Willem en Mila elkaar uiteindelijk weer terugvonden, en de cirkel met alle connecties rond werd gemaakt. Het was prachtig om te lezen hoe deze personen, met zoveel geschiedenis, elkaar na ruim 70 jaar weer in de armen konden sluiten en de laatste onbekende eindjes aan elkaar konden knopen.
‘Codenaam ijsvogel’ is een prachtig geschreven boek, zowel voor Young Adult als voor volwassenen. Het is een boek waarbij je de geschiedenis induikt om meer te weten te komen over het verleden, maar tegelijkertijd jezelf ook in het heden beter leert kennen. Tijdens het lezen zat ik met enige regelmaat op het puntje van mijn stoel, en wilde ik het boek niet wegleggen.
Het is een wondermooie nagedachtenis aan de helpers van tijdens de tweede wereldoorlog; voor alle betrokkenen en het Joodse volk, maar ook in de tijden erna. Een terechte herinnering aan de mensen die hun eigen levens op het spel zetten om andere te helpen tegen discriminatie, vervolging en helaas ook de dood.
Een prachtig, maar ook emotioneel, stukje geschiedenis (een fictief verhaal, maar wel gebasseerd op feiten) dat iedereen moet kennen en gelezen moet hebben! Een aanrader voor iedere boekenkast!
Toen ik de oproep voor de blogtour van ‘Codenaam ijsvogel’ langs zag komen op social media, was ik gelijk enthousiast. Al vanaf dat ik een jong meisje was, had ik al een enorme interesse in alles wat er met de tweede wereldoorlog te maken had, en nog steeds. En dan niet alleen de Nederlandse kant, maar ook alle andere perpectieven die erbij kwamen kijken. Menig (YA/kinder)boek over de tweede wereldoorlog staat in mijn kast, en ik was dan ook ontzettend blij dat ik ‘Codenaam ijsvogel’ mocht gaan recenseren.
Het boek gaat over het vinden van jezelf; zowel in het heden, als in het verleden. De verhaallijnen spelen zich dan ook in beide tijden af: Mila, Hannie en Willem in het verleden, tijdens de tweede wereldoorlog, en het verhaal van Liv in het heden, de tijd van nu. Het verhaal draait eigenlijk om Liv, een scholiere die een geschiedenisproject moet doen: een stamboom van je eigen familie. Tijdens het opruimen van haar oma’s huis, komt Liv een doos tegen met oude documenten en papieren. Al gauw beseft Liv dat haar oma geheimen heeft bewaard die niemand anders weet, zoals dat haar oma eigenlijk Mila heet en dat ze een oudere zus heeft genaamd Hannie. Hier start het onderzoek voor Liv, en neemt ze een duik in het verleden.
Doordat het verhaal in verschillende perspectieven verteld wordt, die zowel in het verleden als heden plaatsvinden, krijg je al snel alle kanten van het verhaal mee. Hierdoor wordt je gelijk in het verhaal gezogen en ben je gelijk betrokken bij de karakters (en hun gebeurtenissen) uit het boek. Tegelijkertijd wordt het verhaal ook in verschillende stijlen verteld. Waar er bij Mila, Willem en Liv uit de derde persoon wordt verteld, gebeurd dat bij Hannie door middel van dagboekbrieven. Dit houd de afwisseling in het verhaal vast, maar maakt het gelijktijdig ook prettig om te lezen. De brieven van Hannie gericht aan haar moeder geeft het verhaal, dat mogelijk best zwaar kan vallen, een sprankje hoop tot een goed einde.
Ik vind het persoolijk een erg interessant verhaallijn, die je al gauw triggert om door te blijven lezen tot het eind. Hoe je van een stamboomproject terecht komt in een verhaal over het verzet tijdens de tweede wereldoorlog; ik vind het mooi bedacht. De karakters en hun gebeurtenissen worden gedetailleerd beschreven, waardoor je enorm met ze meeleeft. Van hoe Hannie haar als 15-jarige inzet voor het verzet en het Joodse volk, tot aan Liv die juist door de correspendentie en ontdekkingen haarzelf ontwikkelt en sterker in haar schoenen komt te staan. Lizz Kessler weet haar karakters en hun gebeurtenissen fantastisch op papier neer te zetten.
Zoals ik al eerder benoemde kan het verhaal mogelijk als zwaar beladen worden ervaren. Ik als volwassenen heb bij enkele stukken een traan gelaten, wat laat zien hoeveel emotie er achter de woorden en daden zit. Zo kwam de ruzie tussen Hannie en Mila bij mij persoonlijk hard aan, en stond ik vlak daarna met mijn mond vol tanden vol verbizing te lezen hoe alles omtrent Willem in elkaar zat. Het mooiste stukje vond ik denk ik toch wel hoe Willem en Mila elkaar uiteindelijk weer terugvonden, en de cirkel met alle connecties rond werd gemaakt. Het was prachtig om te lezen hoe deze personen, met zoveel geschiedenis, elkaar na ruim 70 jaar weer in de armen konden sluiten en de laatste onbekende eindjes aan elkaar konden knopen.
‘Codenaam ijsvogel’ is een prachtig geschreven boek, zowel voor Young Adult als voor volwassenen. Het is een boek waarbij je de geschiedenis induikt om meer te weten te komen over het verleden, maar tegelijkertijd jezelf ook in het heden beter leert kennen. Tijdens het lezen zat ik met enige regelmaat op het puntje van mijn stoel, en wilde ik het boek niet wegleggen.
Het is een wondermooie nagedachtenis aan de helpers van tijdens de tweede wereldoorlog; voor alle betrokkenen en het Joodse volk, maar ook in de tijden erna. Een terechte herinnering aan de mensen die hun eigen levens op het spel zetten om andere te helpen tegen discriminatie, vervolging en helaas ook de dood.
Een prachtig, maar ook emotioneel, stukje geschiedenis (een fictief verhaal, maar wel gebasseerd op feiten) dat iedereen moet kennen en gelezen moet hebben! Een aanrader voor iedere boekenkast!
April 1, 2025
Liv has to do a family tree project for school and she isn't looking forward to it. Her family doesn't really talk about the past, and ever since her grandfather died, her grandmother hardly says anything at all and her memory seems to be going. While cleaning out her grandmother's house after she moves to a retirement home, Liv stumbles across a box hidden in the attic. In it she uncovers a picture of her grandmother with her sister, a sister neither Liv nor her dad has ever heard of. Readers have though, as Mila (Liv's grandmother) and her sister Hannie's life in war-time Holland is brought to life in alternating chapters sharing how they are hidden with a non-Jewish family after the Nazis invade, how Mila's older sister Hannie gets involved in the Resistance and takes the code name Kingfisher, and why Mila has never talked about that part of her life. But as Liv digs into the box of letters and pictures in the present, she uncovers someone else. Someone who can maybe bring healing to her grandmother and answers as to what happened in the past.
This is a bittersweet story of a family who has been impacted by the events in WWII even if they didn't realize it, how unresolved issues buried down instead of being dealt with can hurt, of heroic acts of sacrificial bravery in WWII, and how a simple act of kindness can bring ripples of healing to many. This started slow for me. Liv is dealing with grief over losing her grandfather, a best friend who has turned into a bully, and feeling overwhelmed with the family history project in many ways. It isn't necessarily fun to spend time with her at the beginning. As she gains a new friend, learns how to see bullies for the hurt people they are and respond with both strength and compassion, and as she learns about her grandmother's past things get better and the book ends on a fabulous note. So push through the beginning and know that good things are coming.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: Hannie is an older teen and has a boyfriend, but the most they do is hold hands.
Violence: The Nazis cart away a number of people and it is assumed many of them die, including Hannie and Mila's parents. One person is shot just off page (we're with others who can hear the shot and afterwards confirm the death, no gory description).
Ethnic diversity: Hannie and Mila are Dutch Jews. They live with some Dutch Gentiles. Liv is white British.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Prejudice against Jews, Liv is dealing with some mean bullies but that has a positive resolution by the end of the book.
This is a bittersweet story of a family who has been impacted by the events in WWII even if they didn't realize it, how unresolved issues buried down instead of being dealt with can hurt, of heroic acts of sacrificial bravery in WWII, and how a simple act of kindness can bring ripples of healing to many. This started slow for me. Liv is dealing with grief over losing her grandfather, a best friend who has turned into a bully, and feeling overwhelmed with the family history project in many ways. It isn't necessarily fun to spend time with her at the beginning. As she gains a new friend, learns how to see bullies for the hurt people they are and respond with both strength and compassion, and as she learns about her grandmother's past things get better and the book ends on a fabulous note. So push through the beginning and know that good things are coming.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: Hannie is an older teen and has a boyfriend, but the most they do is hold hands.
Violence: The Nazis cart away a number of people and it is assumed many of them die, including Hannie and Mila's parents. One person is shot just off page (we're with others who can hear the shot and afterwards confirm the death, no gory description).
Ethnic diversity: Hannie and Mila are Dutch Jews. They live with some Dutch Gentiles. Liv is white British.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Prejudice against Jews, Liv is dealing with some mean bullies but that has a positive resolution by the end of the book.
January 5, 2025
A really honest, and stunning middle grade WWII novel. It is also the first book I’ve read (other than the Diary of Anne Frank) that is set in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation. While I personally enjoyed the narratives of Hannie and Mila (also Willem) set in the 40s as the navigate the Dutch resistance and being in hiding themselves - I can see how the modern storyline would really appeal to middle grade readers figuring out the ups and downs of their age. The modern storyline just fell a little flat for me, and I think the book could have been equally been as strong without it. Although, I love the payoff at the end, it is always wonderful to see young women and girls find their voice and stick up for themselves.
This book, while written at a level of understanding for this age group, rightfully pulls no punches with the harsh realities of the Jews and Resistance members of the time. I found myself crying at the selflessness of the characters and what they were willing to do to help one another - especially as children themselves. All of the characters are nuanced and struggle both with being tween/teen and also the hard realities in their worlds - and how to reconcile being an advocate and being a kid. This book gives a really solid introduction into WWII and the Holocaust while still striking the balance of being a middle grade novel.
Since I plan on using this book in a book study, I was able to use it as a jumping off point to further research and learn about the Dutch Resistance and life in the Netherlands under occupation, something I was woefully uninformed about (barring, again, Anne Frank). This led to me learning about some extraordinary ordinary people who fought in the resistance, and whom I hope to continue to learn more about in the future. It also led me to learning about the Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam and it’s fantastic website that I encourage other readers of this book clamoring to learn more take a look at. There is even a “Junior” side of the museum/website for younger audiences or educators to utilize.
Great middle grade read for anyone of any age!
This book, while written at a level of understanding for this age group, rightfully pulls no punches with the harsh realities of the Jews and Resistance members of the time. I found myself crying at the selflessness of the characters and what they were willing to do to help one another - especially as children themselves. All of the characters are nuanced and struggle both with being tween/teen and also the hard realities in their worlds - and how to reconcile being an advocate and being a kid. This book gives a really solid introduction into WWII and the Holocaust while still striking the balance of being a middle grade novel.
Since I plan on using this book in a book study, I was able to use it as a jumping off point to further research and learn about the Dutch Resistance and life in the Netherlands under occupation, something I was woefully uninformed about (barring, again, Anne Frank). This led to me learning about some extraordinary ordinary people who fought in the resistance, and whom I hope to continue to learn more about in the future. It also led me to learning about the Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam and it’s fantastic website that I encourage other readers of this book clamoring to learn more take a look at. There is even a “Junior” side of the museum/website for younger audiences or educators to utilize.
Great middle grade read for anyone of any age!
May 12, 2024
Outstanding middle grade historical fiction set in Holland during World War II. The story is told from the perspectives of 13 year Liz in present day, 12 year old Mila/Mimi and her 15 year old sister Hannie in 1942/1943 Holland. A few chapters are inserted from the viewpoint of Willem, also in war torn Holland. In her history class, Liv is given a family history assignment that sends her researching a family tree with only a few branches but some secrets that her aging grandmother, Bubbe, wants to stay hidden. Mila and Hannie are Jewish and her parents are able to find them a home with non-Jews who give them a new last name and a chance to survive Hitler’s atrocities. Mila’s side of the story is told in prose while Hannie’s is in journal entries in the form of letters to a mother she is unlikely to ever see again. The intertwining chapters tell about standing up against bullies, working with the Dutch Resistance, and learning to trust again and the conclusion may leave readers in tears and possibly with new knowledge of Resistance efforts in the Netherlands. (I learned about an important place of safety for Jews, young men and Resistance workers in the Artis Zoo.) Excellent choice for those in grades 5-8 and possibly even strong readers in grade 4. Text is free of profanity and sexual content and the violence is kept very low key considering the horrors inflicted on millions.
Thanks for the print arc, Simon & Schuster.
Thanks for the print arc, Simon & Schuster.
March 26, 2025
Eine ergreifende Geschichte, die ans Herz geht
Liz Kessler hat hier eine herzergreifende und spannende Geschichte geschrieben. Es geht zwei Schwestern und dem Schicksal jüdischer Kinder in den von den Nationalsozialisten besetzten Niederlanden.
Wir schreiben das Jahr 1942. Mila und Hannie werden von ihren Eltern zu einer Familie nach Amsterdam geschickt. Die beiden 12 und 15 Jahre alten Mädchen erhalten eine neue Identität, damit sie nicht mehr als Juden ermittelt werden können. Während Mila versucht, sich an die neue Situation anzupassen, will Hannie sich damit nicht abfinden. Ohne Wissen ihrer jüngeren Schwester wird sie erfolgreich im Widerstand unter dem Codenamen Eisvogel tätig. Bis ein Verrat und ein dadurch entstandenes Missverständnis alles ändern wird.
Erzählt wird in zwei Handlungssträngen. In einem werden die Ereignisse im 2. Weltkrieg geschildert, im anderen geht es in die Gegenwart zu Liv. Die 13-jährige Liv soll für den Geschichtsunterricht einen Stammbaum ihrer Familie erstellen. Sie versucht verzweifelt, etwas über die Vergangenheit herauszufinden. Doch der einzige Mensch, der ihr dabei helfen kann, schweigt eisern.
Zwar handelt es sich in diesem Buch um ein fiktives Schicksal, das sich jedoch während der Nazizeit in den von Deutschland besetzten Niederlanden so wirklich hätte zutragen und der Wahrheit hätte entsprechen können. Mit ihrer bildhaften und mitreißenden Schreibweise ließ die Autorin mich bereits nach den ersten Seiten tief in die Handlung eintauchen. Sie hat die einzelnen Charaktere lebensecht und detailliert dargestellt. Unvorhersehbare Wendungen und Ereignisse lassen den Spannungsbogen der Handlung stetig steigen, sodass es mir fast unmöglich war, das Buch aus der Hand zu legen.
Dieses Jugendbuch, das auch von der älteren Generation sehr gut gelesen werden kann, hat mich unglaublich berührt und schließlich auch zu Tränen gerührt.
Von mir gibt es 5 Sterne und eine glasklare Leseempfehlung.
Liz Kessler hat hier eine herzergreifende und spannende Geschichte geschrieben. Es geht zwei Schwestern und dem Schicksal jüdischer Kinder in den von den Nationalsozialisten besetzten Niederlanden.
Wir schreiben das Jahr 1942. Mila und Hannie werden von ihren Eltern zu einer Familie nach Amsterdam geschickt. Die beiden 12 und 15 Jahre alten Mädchen erhalten eine neue Identität, damit sie nicht mehr als Juden ermittelt werden können. Während Mila versucht, sich an die neue Situation anzupassen, will Hannie sich damit nicht abfinden. Ohne Wissen ihrer jüngeren Schwester wird sie erfolgreich im Widerstand unter dem Codenamen Eisvogel tätig. Bis ein Verrat und ein dadurch entstandenes Missverständnis alles ändern wird.
Erzählt wird in zwei Handlungssträngen. In einem werden die Ereignisse im 2. Weltkrieg geschildert, im anderen geht es in die Gegenwart zu Liv. Die 13-jährige Liv soll für den Geschichtsunterricht einen Stammbaum ihrer Familie erstellen. Sie versucht verzweifelt, etwas über die Vergangenheit herauszufinden. Doch der einzige Mensch, der ihr dabei helfen kann, schweigt eisern.
Zwar handelt es sich in diesem Buch um ein fiktives Schicksal, das sich jedoch während der Nazizeit in den von Deutschland besetzten Niederlanden so wirklich hätte zutragen und der Wahrheit hätte entsprechen können. Mit ihrer bildhaften und mitreißenden Schreibweise ließ die Autorin mich bereits nach den ersten Seiten tief in die Handlung eintauchen. Sie hat die einzelnen Charaktere lebensecht und detailliert dargestellt. Unvorhersehbare Wendungen und Ereignisse lassen den Spannungsbogen der Handlung stetig steigen, sodass es mir fast unmöglich war, das Buch aus der Hand zu legen.
Dieses Jugendbuch, das auch von der älteren Generation sehr gut gelesen werden kann, hat mich unglaublich berührt und schließlich auch zu Tränen gerührt.
Von mir gibt es 5 Sterne und eine glasklare Leseempfehlung.
November 16, 2024
As you can see from my Goodreads WWII shelf, I’ve read many WWII novels over the years. This one I will remember, for a number of reasons. Three narrators, two sisters and a friend, provide a kaleidoscopic view of hiding in plain sight in Amsterdam during the war. A parallel story develops in present day England as Liv struggles to stand up for herself while at the same time desperately trying to uncover her grandmother’s family history. The two stories converge in a secret box Liv finds in her Bubbe’s attic filled with letters, a ticket to the cinema, newspaper clippings, and a list of names. The tension builds beautifully until you can’t put the book down before discovering how it resolves. Strong female characters, vividly descriptive, and historically spot-on, Liz Kessler spins a remarkably new tale from well-worn threads. For older elementary and middle school readers.
March 27, 2024
I actually don’t have the words to explain how beautiful this is. I was really worried that after when the world was ours, this would fall flat but my god it was beautiful! Fantastic storyline, superbly written and just so thought provoking. Loved that it linked messages of the past to current world issues like bullying and just being brave enough to speak up when you know something is not right. Get those tissues ready though because this is an ugly cryer book.
November 24, 2023
Review volgt tijdens mijn blogtour op 5 december
January 3, 2025
she dies by the way
April 17, 2025
Love, love, loyalty be!
February 8, 2025
I have no words. This book was amazing, and I don't read historical fiction often.
February 2, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Liv resides with her mother, a busy charity manager, and her father, an artist who works at home, in England. Her father's ninety year old mother, Bubbe, lives nearby, but is having lots of memory problems and has locked herself out of the house on several occasions. The mother, whose charity helps the elderly, would like to see Bubbe move to an assisted living facility, Rocklands, but the father is apprehensive. Liv is just embarrassed by her grandmother, and misses her grandfather. She's deeply involved with drama with her best friend, Karly, who has started to not only ignore Liv, but to be actively hostile towards her. When a school project on family history is assigned, Liv works with Gabi, who turns out to be a much better friend. Gabi has recently lost her own grandmother, and is understanding when Liv has to spend time helping to clean out Bubbe's house, and is even willing to join her. While working on these two projects, Liv finds information about her grandmother's life, tries to piece things together, and eventually locates a connection to the past for her grandmother to help her make peace with what happened to her during World War II.
In alternating chapters, we have the story of Mila, also known as Mimi, who has to leave her Jewish family along with her older sister Hanni and go live with strangers, the Van de Bergs, in Amsterdam. They no longer mention that they are Jewish, but cling to the story that they are cousins of young Dirk and Markus. Hanni is not content to lay low and stay safe, and starts to work with the Resistance, helping children be removed from dangerous situations. She works with Hugo, while Mimi makes friends with a neighbor, Willem, who has a dog, Bo. Mimi manages to make friends who are fairly understanding of her situation, but she misses her parents desperately, and also misses the closeness she has with Hanni, who is very secretive because she wants to keep Mimi safe. When a chance discovery puts people, including Hanni, in mortal danger, will Mimi ever be able to forgive herself?
The two storylines weave together very well; we know that Mimi is Bubbe, and Liv finds just enough information for her to approach Bubbe and get a few details. It's realistic that Bubbe wouldn't have wanted to talk about her past; few people did. There are few Holocaust survivors left, and this is a poignant story about a situation that would have happened again and again. It reminded me a bit of Moskin's I Am Rosemarie, although in that book, the main character ended up in a concentration camp, a fate that could have easily befallen Mimi. Nielsen's Resistance portrays experiences similar to Hanni's. I love that Kessler has turned her hand to historical fiction, and she does an excellent job. Not surprisingly, there is a wealth of British children's fiction about World War II that hasn't made it to this side of the pond, so I'm glad that this one did.
I LOVE the David Dean cover, although it makes me want to watch BBC period dramas, because a similar style is used in the introductions to The Durrells in Corfu and All Creatures Great and Small!
Liv resides with her mother, a busy charity manager, and her father, an artist who works at home, in England. Her father's ninety year old mother, Bubbe, lives nearby, but is having lots of memory problems and has locked herself out of the house on several occasions. The mother, whose charity helps the elderly, would like to see Bubbe move to an assisted living facility, Rocklands, but the father is apprehensive. Liv is just embarrassed by her grandmother, and misses her grandfather. She's deeply involved with drama with her best friend, Karly, who has started to not only ignore Liv, but to be actively hostile towards her. When a school project on family history is assigned, Liv works with Gabi, who turns out to be a much better friend. Gabi has recently lost her own grandmother, and is understanding when Liv has to spend time helping to clean out Bubbe's house, and is even willing to join her. While working on these two projects, Liv finds information about her grandmother's life, tries to piece things together, and eventually locates a connection to the past for her grandmother to help her make peace with what happened to her during World War II.
In alternating chapters, we have the story of Mila, also known as Mimi, who has to leave her Jewish family along with her older sister Hanni and go live with strangers, the Van de Bergs, in Amsterdam. They no longer mention that they are Jewish, but cling to the story that they are cousins of young Dirk and Markus. Hanni is not content to lay low and stay safe, and starts to work with the Resistance, helping children be removed from dangerous situations. She works with Hugo, while Mimi makes friends with a neighbor, Willem, who has a dog, Bo. Mimi manages to make friends who are fairly understanding of her situation, but she misses her parents desperately, and also misses the closeness she has with Hanni, who is very secretive because she wants to keep Mimi safe. When a chance discovery puts people, including Hanni, in mortal danger, will Mimi ever be able to forgive herself?
The two storylines weave together very well; we know that Mimi is Bubbe, and Liv finds just enough information for her to approach Bubbe and get a few details. It's realistic that Bubbe wouldn't have wanted to talk about her past; few people did. There are few Holocaust survivors left, and this is a poignant story about a situation that would have happened again and again. It reminded me a bit of Moskin's I Am Rosemarie, although in that book, the main character ended up in a concentration camp, a fate that could have easily befallen Mimi. Nielsen's Resistance portrays experiences similar to Hanni's. I love that Kessler has turned her hand to historical fiction, and she does an excellent job. Not surprisingly, there is a wealth of British children's fiction about World War II that hasn't made it to this side of the pond, so I'm glad that this one did.
I LOVE the David Dean cover, although it makes me want to watch BBC period dramas, because a similar style is used in the introductions to The Durrells in Corfu and All Creatures Great and Small!
April 4, 2025
This middle grade novel tells the story of a girl named Liv in the UK who learns a little bit about the resistance movement in the Netherlands through her grandmother's connection as an escaped Dutch Jew.
Mila, called Mimi by her sister Hannie, has lived with regret about the way they left things when they last saw one another. They were passing in the household of their gentile uncle and aunt but Hannie began helping to move other children to safety. The operation was compromised when Mila accidentally allowed neighbor boy Will, who was also Jewish and in hiding, to see a list of names of children to be moved. Hugo, the boy who introduced Hannie to the resistance, saw the list as well and double-crossed everyone by selling the names to the police before informing on them. Hattie is shot while moving a final group of children to safety. Will is among those survivors. A letter from Liv allows him to reconnect with Mimi and return Hannie's diary, which expresses remorse about parting in anger.
The contemporary girl portion of this story was weaker by far than the historical portions. Once her grandmother is moved to a nursing home, Liv discovers her family history while rifling through things in the attic that has always been off limits. A school 'family tree' assignment is what gets her started. Much of her story is a clicheed finding-out-who-your-real-friends-are arc. At one point it weirdly conflates standing up to mean girl school drama to standing up to Nazis.
This book reads younger than I expected. I question some of the author's choices, like long journal entries in the format of Hannie's letters to her mother, which she know will never be received and that risk giving away her network. Will begins to get chapters from his POV more than halfway through the book. Hattie defiantly gives herself away to a Nazi soldier to save the children in a way that basically guarantees she'll be killed. There was a lack of character development in general.
TESOL comment: A little Dutch is used in the novel. A little Hebrew is used in the novel. It's not enough to significantly increase the difficulty for an ELL who can read the English.
cw: people are dragged from their home and in hiding, Mila and Hannie's parents are killed, children who are informed upon die, Hannie is shot (none of this includes graphic descriptions), there's a little bit of flirt-to-distract-the-soldiers but no trading sexual favors to survive by the older sister's teen character. At one point she's offered a cigarette and smokes it under duress. It's about as mild as a holocaust-era novel can be. (Is that a good thing? Teachers/parents can weigh putting this topic on their readers' radar younger against the possibility that those readers learn this tiny slice of history without improving their understanding of the magnitude of loss. A brief end note by the author quantifies the loss of Jewish lives in 'Holland' at more than 100,000 from the start to end of the war.)
Mila, called Mimi by her sister Hannie, has lived with regret about the way they left things when they last saw one another. They were passing in the household of their gentile uncle and aunt but Hannie began helping to move other children to safety. The operation was compromised when Mila accidentally allowed neighbor boy Will, who was also Jewish and in hiding, to see a list of names of children to be moved. Hugo, the boy who introduced Hannie to the resistance, saw the list as well and double-crossed everyone by selling the names to the police before informing on them. Hattie is shot while moving a final group of children to safety. Will is among those survivors. A letter from Liv allows him to reconnect with Mimi and return Hannie's diary, which expresses remorse about parting in anger.
The contemporary girl portion of this story was weaker by far than the historical portions. Once her grandmother is moved to a nursing home, Liv discovers her family history while rifling through things in the attic that has always been off limits. A school 'family tree' assignment is what gets her started. Much of her story is a clicheed finding-out-who-your-real-friends-are arc. At one point it weirdly conflates standing up to mean girl school drama to standing up to Nazis.
This book reads younger than I expected. I question some of the author's choices, like long journal entries in the format of Hannie's letters to her mother, which she know will never be received and that risk giving away her network. Will begins to get chapters from his POV more than halfway through the book. Hattie defiantly gives herself away to a Nazi soldier to save the children in a way that basically guarantees she'll be killed. There was a lack of character development in general.
TESOL comment: A little Dutch is used in the novel. A little Hebrew is used in the novel. It's not enough to significantly increase the difficulty for an ELL who can read the English.
cw: people are dragged from their home and in hiding, Mila and Hannie's parents are killed, children who are informed upon die, Hannie is shot (none of this includes graphic descriptions), there's a little bit of flirt-to-distract-the-soldiers but no trading sexual favors to survive by the older sister's teen character. At one point she's offered a cigarette and smokes it under duress. It's about as mild as a holocaust-era novel can be. (Is that a good thing? Teachers/parents can weigh putting this topic on their readers' radar younger against the possibility that those readers learn this tiny slice of history without improving their understanding of the magnitude of loss. A brief end note by the author quantifies the loss of Jewish lives in 'Holland' at more than 100,000 from the start to end of the war.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2023
'Code Name Kingfisher' is a brilliant novel for young people about the the Dutch Resistance during WW2. Liz Kessler alternates between two time periods: in the 1940s, Mila and her elder sister Hannie must leave their Jewish parents to live with another family and keep their identity secret; in the present day, Liv is struggling with history project about her family history until she stumbles across a mysterious box full of secrets from her grandmother's childhood.
Liz Kessler's previous novel 'When the World Was Ours' was the best novel for young people about the Holocaust I had ever read. 'Code Name Kingfisher' is similarly powerful. It shines a light on a lesser known aspect of this time period, the experiences of Dutch Jewish people. Many readers will have some knowledge of this from the Diary of Anne Frank, but Kessler is able to offer a wider view by showing us the experiences not only of families living in hiding but also Jewish children separated from their parents and sent to live with complete strangers, as well as the heroism and self-sacrifice of those involved in the Resistance, shown through Hannie's story, and the reality of the many betrayals that took place. In the 1940s sections, Kessler alternates between the perspectives of Hannie, Mila and their neighbour Willem which adds to the suspense as none of these characters fully know what the others are doing.
Liv's present-day narrative further deepens the themes Kessler is exploring. She writes movingly and honestly about Liv's relationship with her grandmother ("this gentle, frail, strong old lady") as she succumbs to dementia, as well as the challenges of changing friendships and bullying. Liv and her new friend Gabi are ultimately inspired by the courage of her grandmother's generation to stand up for what is right in their own context. I was moved to tears by the novel's conclusion, in which the truth about the past is finally revealed and laid to rest,
This is definitely a book I will be recommending to my pupils in Years 7-9, but also to older readers including adults. It's a great book to read after or alongside Anne Frank's diary but also an excellent introduction to other powerful works of non-fiction about this period such as Corrie Ten Boom's 'The Hiding Place' or Bart Van Es's 'The Cut-Out Girl'. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this stunning book to review.
Liz Kessler's previous novel 'When the World Was Ours' was the best novel for young people about the Holocaust I had ever read. 'Code Name Kingfisher' is similarly powerful. It shines a light on a lesser known aspect of this time period, the experiences of Dutch Jewish people. Many readers will have some knowledge of this from the Diary of Anne Frank, but Kessler is able to offer a wider view by showing us the experiences not only of families living in hiding but also Jewish children separated from their parents and sent to live with complete strangers, as well as the heroism and self-sacrifice of those involved in the Resistance, shown through Hannie's story, and the reality of the many betrayals that took place. In the 1940s sections, Kessler alternates between the perspectives of Hannie, Mila and their neighbour Willem which adds to the suspense as none of these characters fully know what the others are doing.
Liv's present-day narrative further deepens the themes Kessler is exploring. She writes movingly and honestly about Liv's relationship with her grandmother ("this gentle, frail, strong old lady") as she succumbs to dementia, as well as the challenges of changing friendships and bullying. Liv and her new friend Gabi are ultimately inspired by the courage of her grandmother's generation to stand up for what is right in their own context. I was moved to tears by the novel's conclusion, in which the truth about the past is finally revealed and laid to rest,
This is definitely a book I will be recommending to my pupils in Years 7-9, but also to older readers including adults. It's a great book to read after or alongside Anne Frank's diary but also an excellent introduction to other powerful works of non-fiction about this period such as Corrie Ten Boom's 'The Hiding Place' or Bart Van Es's 'The Cut-Out Girl'. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this stunning book to review.
August 6, 2024
First of all - the book takes place in England. Second - the book bounces from the present to 1942/43 Amsterdam. Chapters are told from different POVs - the chapter title tells you who is talking.
The book opens with a young boy in 1942 Amsterdam crawling into a cabinet to hide from the Nazis (you will meet him again later but it takes a while!) Then it moves to present day - the police appearing at the front door (rather appropriately). They are bringing Liv's grandmother there because she was found outside in her nightgown - she had locked herself out of her house. This is, of course, all very embarrassing for 13 year old Liv. Who is having enough problems at school. Her best friend has started to abandon her but what really hurts is that Karly and her new group of friends find ways to deliberately hurt Liv's feelings. And her new class project is to create a family tree - she doesn't know a lot about her family and her 92 year old Bubbe doesn't like to talk about the past. Fortunately Liv's teacher pairs her with Gabi for the project - who turns out to be a true friend.
As Liv and Gabi are cleaning out Bubbe's house, they discover a chest in that attic that has things in it that make no sense to Liv. A picture of a girl named Mila (Liv's grandmother is named Mimi) and another girl, Hannie. And letters written in Dutch.
Readers are introduced to Mila - a 12 year Jewish girl living in Amsterdam with her parents and older sister, Hannie. The Nazis have occupied Holland and life is becoming increasingly difficult for the Jewish population. Fearing for their lives, Mila's parents send the girls away to live with a non-Jewish family. Mila struggles with the lies they have to tell but eventually makes friends with the neighbor children - including a boy named Willem and his dog, Bo. Hannie quickly becomes involved with the Dutch Resistance.
And so the story - and the mystery - begins! This is a Holocaust story along with the present day story of Liv discovering she is much braver than she could ever imagine. So while there are hopeful moments, there is also a lot of darkness. There is death, grief, betrayal, and guilt paired with survival and hope.
The book opens with a young boy in 1942 Amsterdam crawling into a cabinet to hide from the Nazis (you will meet him again later but it takes a while!) Then it moves to present day - the police appearing at the front door (rather appropriately). They are bringing Liv's grandmother there because she was found outside in her nightgown - she had locked herself out of her house. This is, of course, all very embarrassing for 13 year old Liv. Who is having enough problems at school. Her best friend has started to abandon her but what really hurts is that Karly and her new group of friends find ways to deliberately hurt Liv's feelings. And her new class project is to create a family tree - she doesn't know a lot about her family and her 92 year old Bubbe doesn't like to talk about the past. Fortunately Liv's teacher pairs her with Gabi for the project - who turns out to be a true friend.
As Liv and Gabi are cleaning out Bubbe's house, they discover a chest in that attic that has things in it that make no sense to Liv. A picture of a girl named Mila (Liv's grandmother is named Mimi) and another girl, Hannie. And letters written in Dutch.
Readers are introduced to Mila - a 12 year Jewish girl living in Amsterdam with her parents and older sister, Hannie. The Nazis have occupied Holland and life is becoming increasingly difficult for the Jewish population. Fearing for their lives, Mila's parents send the girls away to live with a non-Jewish family. Mila struggles with the lies they have to tell but eventually makes friends with the neighbor children - including a boy named Willem and his dog, Bo. Hannie quickly becomes involved with the Dutch Resistance.
And so the story - and the mystery - begins! This is a Holocaust story along with the present day story of Liv discovering she is much braver than she could ever imagine. So while there are hopeful moments, there is also a lot of darkness. There is death, grief, betrayal, and guilt paired with survival and hope.
September 10, 2023
This is my first book by this author, having come across reviews for this title I knew I had to read it!
In the present Liv is being bullied at school and her beloved Grandmother Bubbe is being moved into a home..Liv is 13 years old; her Grandmother 92. Once close they have lost their connection.. A school project sends her in search of family history and she realises how little she knows of Bubbe’s story..Making a success of the project is really important to Liv in a class where she is frequently ridiculed, but she’s drawing a blank and Bubbe is silent about her past. In Amsterdam 1942, Mila’s parents have sent her and her sister away for their safety. They are Jewish. It’s a time of curfews, yellow stars, concentration camps, Resistance..As Mila enjoys some new friendships, her older sister Hannie is becoming increasingly distant and often disappearing..
I finished this incredible book yesterday afternoon and wept…I haven’t been this emotional in a wee while! @lizkessler is a new author to me and she had me completely under her spell. Very often with dual timelines one can dominate and leave you itching for the other, but both timelines were equally strong and the characters beautifully drawn. My heart went out to Liv as she watches her old friend become her tormentor..and I struggle to convey my feelings for the spirited and courageous Hannie.
Both storylines weave together beautifully, exploring themes of friendship, courage, family, connection..the importance of history and not forgetting. Both conveyed a powerful sense of place and feelings of being trapped whether by bullies or soldiers.. It is an emotional and compelling read. I was driven by curiosity to know Bubbe’s story and to understand how the two timelines linked. I couldn’t put it down..
This is every reason not to leave children’s books to children!
With huge thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s for my digital copy. I have now preordered a physical copy - this one’s a keeper.
In the present Liv is being bullied at school and her beloved Grandmother Bubbe is being moved into a home..Liv is 13 years old; her Grandmother 92. Once close they have lost their connection.. A school project sends her in search of family history and she realises how little she knows of Bubbe’s story..Making a success of the project is really important to Liv in a class where she is frequently ridiculed, but she’s drawing a blank and Bubbe is silent about her past. In Amsterdam 1942, Mila’s parents have sent her and her sister away for their safety. They are Jewish. It’s a time of curfews, yellow stars, concentration camps, Resistance..As Mila enjoys some new friendships, her older sister Hannie is becoming increasingly distant and often disappearing..
I finished this incredible book yesterday afternoon and wept…I haven’t been this emotional in a wee while! @lizkessler is a new author to me and she had me completely under her spell. Very often with dual timelines one can dominate and leave you itching for the other, but both timelines were equally strong and the characters beautifully drawn. My heart went out to Liv as she watches her old friend become her tormentor..and I struggle to convey my feelings for the spirited and courageous Hannie.
Both storylines weave together beautifully, exploring themes of friendship, courage, family, connection..the importance of history and not forgetting. Both conveyed a powerful sense of place and feelings of being trapped whether by bullies or soldiers.. It is an emotional and compelling read. I was driven by curiosity to know Bubbe’s story and to understand how the two timelines linked. I couldn’t put it down..
This is every reason not to leave children’s books to children!
With huge thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s for my digital copy. I have now preordered a physical copy - this one’s a keeper.
April 24, 2024
My house was buzzing when this beautiful book arrived! My 11-year old called me in absolute awe, “Mom! Mom!!! You KNOW this is my favorite author!”
We love historical fiction in this house and actually have someone in the house who was alive during World War II. I gave the honor of the first read to her and kept popping my head back while she was reading, and she kept telling me it was a 5-star review. At the very end, she closed the book and shared that it was actually not a 5-star review, I gasped wondering what could have happened ... .turns out it was actually a 6-star novel for her!
So after all this excitement, I finally settled down to read Code Name Kingfisher and it lived up to all of this wonderful hype! In the present day, Liv’s parents are preparing to put her beloved grandmother, Bubbe, in a care home when Liv is assigned a history project to uncover her family history. With so many unknowns, Liv stumbles across a hidden box in Bubbe’s attic that brings about even more questions about her family’s past. In this beautiful and unique glimpse into the 1940’s, we learn about a young Dutch girl, Mila, who is sent with her older sister to live with new secret identities in hopes of escaping persecution from the Nazis. Could this be her Bubbe? When Liv finally is able to ask Bubbe about her findings, their beautiful shared bond goes even deeper .
Code Name Kingfisher is an exquisitely written, timeless novel. Themes of friendship, finding your identity, family, and standing up for what is right transcend through generations. In the face of adversity and atrocities against humanity, Liz Kessler creates courageous, brave young girls that come alive through the pages and across decades. This is truly a remarkable, perfectly written book that will resonate profoundly with readers of all ages and create meaningful discussion and a wonderful opportunity to reflect on such a poignant time in history.
5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (and more!)
We love historical fiction in this house and actually have someone in the house who was alive during World War II. I gave the honor of the first read to her and kept popping my head back while she was reading, and she kept telling me it was a 5-star review. At the very end, she closed the book and shared that it was actually not a 5-star review, I gasped wondering what could have happened ... .turns out it was actually a 6-star novel for her!
So after all this excitement, I finally settled down to read Code Name Kingfisher and it lived up to all of this wonderful hype! In the present day, Liv’s parents are preparing to put her beloved grandmother, Bubbe, in a care home when Liv is assigned a history project to uncover her family history. With so many unknowns, Liv stumbles across a hidden box in Bubbe’s attic that brings about even more questions about her family’s past. In this beautiful and unique glimpse into the 1940’s, we learn about a young Dutch girl, Mila, who is sent with her older sister to live with new secret identities in hopes of escaping persecution from the Nazis. Could this be her Bubbe? When Liv finally is able to ask Bubbe about her findings, their beautiful shared bond goes even deeper .
Code Name Kingfisher is an exquisitely written, timeless novel. Themes of friendship, finding your identity, family, and standing up for what is right transcend through generations. In the face of adversity and atrocities against humanity, Liz Kessler creates courageous, brave young girls that come alive through the pages and across decades. This is truly a remarkable, perfectly written book that will resonate profoundly with readers of all ages and create meaningful discussion and a wonderful opportunity to reflect on such a poignant time in history.
5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (and more!)
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