Allies

Allies

By:  Alan Gratz

Book Quote:

"James was absolutely average. He had never done a single thing in his life to stand out, good or bad.  So what am I doing parachuting into France on D-Day? James thought."

Booktalk:

Library Cat Rating:  😺 😺 

Review:
     June 6, 1944, D-Day, is a date that most readers, old and young, will possess some knowledge on.  It's a day that is covered in every history unit from middle to high school on World War II.  But while most of us know the basics, that it was the day Allied powers stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, we may not have any emotional context or knowledge of the individuals who took part in that day.  
     Allies by Alan Gratz takes readers inside the minds of six young protagonists involved in D-Day.  Although these are fictional characters, their circumstances were all too real for many young people involved in D-Day.  This is the story of Dee who storms the beach, James who parachutes in, Samira who alters the French Resistance of the coming invasion, Bill who mans a tank, and Henry and Monique whom tend the wounded.  They are young people from different countries and backgrounds, united only by their circumstances and desire to see the Nazi's rule of Europe ended.  The point of view changes frequently as  D-Day unfolds and we see our protagonists' actions directly or indirectly impacting one another.  I was captivated by each of their stories and rooting for them all to make it through the day.  

    VERDICT is this is a compelling historical fiction read unlike any other that I have read recently.  I find the narrow scope of this novel, with its complete trajectory taking place in one day, to be very effective.  The wide age range and gender variety of the protagonists will make this an enticing read for a wide audience.

Citation:

Gratz, Alan.  (2019).  Allies.  New York, NY:  Scholastic Books.  

Annotation:
Allies follows six separate individuals as they struggle to make their way through D-Day.  As each young protagonist fights their way through the day, they will have to dig deep inside to find the courage they need to play the role they have been assigned.  

-----

Extras:

To learn more about this book and the author, visit Alan Gratz 's website here.