Vendor
	Fritz Agency Christian Dittus
Original language
English
Categories
Books for very young children, children’s picture books & activity books

THE ENIGMA GAME

Elizabeth E. Wein

1940. Facing a seemingly endless war, fifteen-year-old Louisa Adair wants to fight back, make a difference, do something - anything to escape the Blitz and the ghosts of her parents, who were killed by enemy action. But when she accepts a position caring for an elderly German woman in the small village of Windyedge, Scotland, it hardly seems like a meaningful contribution. Still, the war feels closer than ever in Windyedge, where Ellen McEwen, a volunteer driver at the Royal Air Force base, and Jamie Beaufort-Stuart, a flight leader for the 648 Squadron, are facing a barrage of unbreakable code and enemy attacks they can't anticipate. Their paths converge when a German pilot lands in Windyedge under mysterious circumstances and plants a key that leads Louisa to an unparalleled discovery: an Enigma machine that translates German code. Louisa, Ellen, and Jamie must work together to unravel a puzzle that could turn the tide of the war . . . but doing so will put them directly in the crosshairs of the enemy.

Featuring beloved characters from CODE NAME VERITY and THE PEARL THIEF, as well as a remarkable new voice, this brilliant, breathlessly plotted novel by award-winning author Elizabeth Wein is a must-read.

Available products
Book Published 2020-05-01 by Disney Hyperion

Comments

In many ways a small story about big things - fitting in a novel thematically focused on the ways individuals matter - this is historical fiction at its finest, casting a light on history (with some minor liberties, noted in the extensive backmatter) as well as raising questions still relevant today, particularly around class and race, nationality and belonging; unexpected connections across those gulfs lead to moments of love and heartbreak for readers and characters alike. Another soaring success. -- Kirkus, starred review

[...] This is a dramatic and informative war story during a period where the war wasn't going so well for Britain, and there are intriguing plot layers about British treatment of resident enemy aliens, the intelligence race, and the possibilities open to young women in wartime. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

For all the readers of World War II genre, Elizabeth Wein has done it again. ¬-School Library Connection, starred review

[...] At more than 400 pages, this novel looks intimidating, but its twisty plot, multivoiced narration and poetic prose make it fly by. It's an illuminating historical read and a realistic depiction of the costs of war. -- The New York Times featuring 4 Young Adult Crossover Novels Read more...

[...] Wein again seamlessly weaves extensive research into a thriller populated by fully dimensional characters. Publisher's Weekly

Propelled as much by themes of racial, social and gender prejudice as by spies and air battles, Wein's story of unexpected friendship and empowerment during wartime is intelligent, compassionate and thrilling. -- Shelf Awareness, starred review

[...] In sum, [THE ENGIMA GAME] is a rich work of historical fiction, wearing its period accuracy lightly (from the practical aspects of hot-water rationing to the features of military planes) and offering an unusual perspective on the war. -¬The Horn Book, starred review