Lines of Courage
by Jennifer A Nielsen (Author)
Jennifer A. Nielsen, award-winning author of A Night Divided and Rescue, artfully weaves together the stories of five kids living through World War I, each of whom holds the key to the others' futures... if they are lucky -- and brave -- enough to find each other.
A powerful, absorbing story that shines a light on an often overlooked chapter in human history. -- Alan Gratz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Refugee
World War I stretches its cruel fingers across Europe, where five young people, each from different backgrounds and nations, face the terror of battle, the deprivations of hunger, and all the awful challenges of war.
Felix, from Austria-Hungary, longs for the bravery to resist Jewish deportations before his own family can be taken.
Kara, from Britain, dreams of someday earning her Red Cross pin and working as a nurse -- or even a doctor.
Juliette, of France, hopes her family can remain knitted together, despite her father's imprisonment, as the war's longest battle stretches on and on.
Elsa, from Germany, hopes her homing pigeon might one day bring her a friend from out of the chaos.
And Dimitri, of Russia, wants only to survive the front, where he's been sent with no weapon.
None of them will find exactly what they want. But the winds of fate may cross their paths to give each of them just what they need. And in this remarkable exploration of World War I by critically acclaimed author Jennifer A. Nielsen, they will discover that friendship and courage can light the way through the most frightening of nights.
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Kirkus Reviews
Publishers Weekly
Nielsen (Words on Fire) presents a history of WWI from the perspectives of five young people--each representing an empire of that era--whose stories slowly converge. Opening with Austro-Hungarian Felix Baum, a Jewish 12-year-old who witnesses the June 1914 assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, the novel quickly introduces 11-year-old Elsa Dressler, daughter of a German major, and continues with the experiences of Kara Webb, a British nurse's daughter working with her mother on a Red Cross ambulance train. Kara eventually crosses paths with Juliette Caron, a French girl separated from her family, who hopes to get her father released from prison. When Juliette finds wounded Russian Dimitri Petrenko, 14, she tends to his injuries until he can return to his company. The engrossing plot abounds with necessary, if just-credible, coincidences that build connections between the five as they live through battles, bombings, and occupations--each one growing in courage and compassion while maturing over four years of wartime. All characters cue as white. An author's note contextualizes WWI's beginnings. Ages 8-12. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. (May)
Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Praise for Words on Fire:
* Gripping... Audra's story deserves a place on the shelf next to Lois Lowry's Number the Stars and Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief. — Booklist, starred review
[This] adventure about a little-known place and time... delivers action and suspense. — Kirkus Reviews
There is much on offer in this novel: family love, patriotism, magic, and the importance of books... Highly recommended. — School Library Connection
Praise for Resistance:
A Sydney Taylor Notable Book
The edge-of-your-seat climax places readers amidst the gritty, horrifying street battles of the Warsaw Ghetto and pays tribute to those who sacrificed themselves so others would live... Historical fiction at its finest, this informs, enlightens, and engages young readers. — School Library Journal
Highlight[s] moments of resistance via cinematic action sequences. — Kirkus Reviews
Suspense mounts continually as Chaya survives her ordeals, gaining strength and faith in her mission. The courage and self-sacrifice of many characters is inspiring. — Publishers Weekly
Fast-paced and suspenseful. — School Library Connection
Praise for A Night Divided:
ILA-CBC Children's Choices List selection
Absorbing and deeply suspenseful, with plenty of ticking-clock tension... an eye-opening glimpse of history. — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
A marvelously crafted historical novel about courage, perseverance and the will to survive, A Night Divided excels in every regard. — Reading Eagle
Distinct supporting characters... demonstrate the harrowing choices people made to survive, encouraging readers to consider what they would have done if fate and history had cast them into the story... The novel's strong setting and tense climax will keep readers engrossed and holding their breath until the last page. — School Library Journal
History buffs will drool over the magnificently told tale, but even reluctant readers will become immersed in the tension-filled exploits. — Voice of Youth Advocates
Like Anne Frank before her, Gerta is small but mighty, a hardheaded heroine who dreams up big ideas and refuses to give up in the face of adversity and danger. — Publishers Weekly
Praise for the Ascendance Trilogy:
A New York Times Notable Children's Book
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Children's Book
A Cybils Award Winner
* An impressive, promising story. — Publishers Weekly, starred review
[A] pageturner. — New York Times Book Review
Sage proves to be a compelling character whose sharp mind and shrewd self-possession will make readers eager to follow him into a sequel. — The Wall Street Journal
A swashbuckling origin story... — Los Angeles Times
A fast-paced and thrilling read with twists and turns that never let up. — School Library Journal
Gripping. — Kirkus Reviews
Should appeal to fans of... Suzanne Collins... [A] surefire mix of adventure, mystery, and suspense. — The Horn Book
JUV016040 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | Europe
JUV075000 - Juvenile Fiction | War & Military
Historical fiction
World War, 1914-1918
Youth
War fiction
Resilience (Personality trait)
