Resistance, by Jennifer A. Nielsen (BOOK REVIEW)

 

"The resistance was not about who lived and who died. It was about the way we lived, and the way we would die when our time came." 

Chaya is a young teenager that lives during the trying times of Nazi occupation. Being Jewish puts her in danger and after her sister is taken away and brother disappears, Chaya makes up her mind. Rather than surrendering herself to the in-humanity of the Nazi's, she joins a resistance group called Akiva. Her good looks are a way in and out of ghettos. She becomes a courier bringing food and forged papers for the Jews who are in captivity and sometimes even smuggles people out. Everything seems to be going pretty smoothly until one mission that brings herself and others closer to death than they ever have been before....

Resistance by Jennifer Nielsen was a touching and impactful story of yet another Jew who suffered the time of the Nazi's. I have never read a Holocaust book that was about a resistance group so that was interesting. It was sad in some parts and there was a lot of evil to overcome, and it was a great story overall. There was a significant amount of character development, it wasn't empty or lacking. I think because I have read a good amount of Holocaust books, this one didn't stand as very different in my mind. I did find this book more page turning than Iceberg, another book by Jennifer Nielsen. I enjoyed Nielsen's writing in this book a bit more, apart from Iceberg, I think the characters were a little bit more relatable.  

I recommend this book for ages 12+ and give it a 7 out of 10.

PRESS HERE to purchase the book for yourself.

Happy Reading!

-Ariana :)