Discover your next great read with our book reviews
Cover of NINETTE'S WAR
4.20

Based on 10 Goodreads ratings

NINETTE'S WAR

by Basque smugglers. Ninette sat out the rest of the war in Madrid, only returning to France after the Allied victory. Her life is told by a master storyteller, himself a child of Jewish survivors, based on her diaries and the conversations that the elderly Ninette had with her biographer. Jay’s book focuses on a young woman’s coming of age in a time of trauma. It writes an inner, psychological narrative of getting by, getting along, and not getting caught. It illustrates how even the most privileged of people could be ensnared in prejudice and persecution. Ninette’s life does not have the tragic poignancy of Anne Frank’s, and her diary and reminiscences carry little of the existential weight of Frank’s famous journal. Ninette ages into what her biographer calls “une grande dame from central casting.” What we learn from her story, though, is how family gets you through the worst of times—how parents and children bond and bear the terror of a knock on the door, a casual encounter with a man in uniform, and the foreboding sense that, irrespective of your importance, they may come for you too."

Book Details

Publisher:In
Published:1944-01-01
Pages:352
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9781639369

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This powerful historical novel follows a young Jewish girl's harrowing journey through Nazi-occupied France, blending coming-of-age themes with the stark realities of survival during World War II. Th...

Our Review

This powerful historical novel follows a young Jewish girl's harrowing journey through Nazi-occupied France, blending coming-of-age themes with the stark realities of survival during World War II. Through Ninette's eyes, readers experience the fear and uncertainty of hiding, the constant threat of discovery, and the small acts of courage that define resistance. The narrative balances the grim historical context with moments of childhood innocence lost, creating an emotionally resonant portrait of wartime France that never overwhelms younger readers with graphic violence while maintaining historical authenticity.

What distinguishes this Holocaust story is its focus on the psychological landscape of a child forced into sudden maturity, making complex historical events accessible through personal experience. Middle grade and young adult readers will find Ninette's resilience inspiring, while parents and educators will appreciate the thoughtful handling of difficult subject matter appropriate for the age group. The novel serves as both an engaging historical fiction adventure and a meaningful introduction to discussing prejudice, courage, and human dignity under oppression.

0