The Night War

By: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Narrated by: Gilli Messer

We don’t choose how we feel, but we choose how we act.

It’s 1942. German Nazis occupy much of France. And 12-year-old Miriam, who is Jewish, is not safe. With help and quick thinking, Miri is saved from the roundup that takes her entire Jewish neighbourhood. She escapes Paris, landing in a small French village, where the spires of the famous Chateau de Chenonceau rise high into the sky, its bridge across the River Cher like a promise, a fairy tale.

But Miri’s life is no fairy tale. Her parents are gone – maybe alive, maybe not. Taken in at the boarding school near the chateau, pretending to be Catholic to escape Nazi capture, Miri volunteers one night to undertake a deadly task, one that spans the castle grounds, its bridge and the very border to freedom. Here is her chance to escape – hopefully to find her parents. But will she take it? One thing is certain – the person Miri meets that night will save her life. And the person Miri becomes that night could save the lives of many more.

©2024 Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (P)2024 Penguin Random House LLC

Critic reviews

'Historical fiction at its finest. Two-time Newbery honoree Bradley is at her best here; this is a novel that brings layers of the past to life [and showcases] the author's expertise as a gifted storyteller.' (School Library Journal)

'This poignant story moves quickly but takes care to consider with sensitivity the excruciating choices Miri must make at every turn as she's torn between choosing safety and honoring her heritage and her convictions. A gripping, humane tale that examines what war demands of children and what it costs them.' (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

'Engaging [and] imaginative ... Miri's vulnerability and sense of responsibility give [the story] emotional weight and contemporary appeal.' (The Horn Book)