Defiance: Resistance, Book 2

The second volume of this trilogy about the French Resistance to Nazi occupation during WWII, starts out with a historical description of the occupation, explaining the role of the Resistance, the relationships that develop between the French citizens and the Nazi officers, and the black market for rationed goods. The story centers on Paul, the youngest member of the local Resistance. At 14, he can get away with playing innocent as grown men can't, and he papers the walls of the city with anti-Nazi posters. Soon his sisters are also involved in the effort, all of them hoping that their father, a prisoner of war, will soon return to them. When Paul is nearly caught, he runs off to join the "maquis," members of the Resistance who are living in the woods outside the city, leaving his sisters to wonder what's happened to him. Purvis's bright, clear drawings illustrate a fairly basic story. The history lesson is made dynamic and interesting for young readers throughout. The story moves fairly slowly, though, and one is aware throughout that a history lesson is being taught. (July)