How far would you go to keep your word?

Mohinder’s War

Author: Bali Rai @balirai

Published by: Bloomsbury @KidsBloomsbury

Published: 2020

Price: £6.99

First line: I pointed to the stranger.

Genre: Historical fiction, Adventure

Age: 9+

ISBN: 978 1 4729 5837 2

What’s it all about? Joelle lives in occupied France during World War 2. Her heart burns for what is happening to her beloved France, her family, neighbours and friends. However, along with her parents and some neighbours, she joins the resistance, helping to support French fighters by transporting food around hidden in her bike and helping her parents hide people in their home. One such person is Mohinder, an RAF pilot, who crashes near her village. Years later she remembers her time with Mohinder and how they saved each other to his granddaughter who has no idea about his past.

Why should I read it? A brilliant read for those studying World War 2: it gives a fascinating insight into a different aspect of the war in France. The characters are beautifully crafted and the relationship that builds between Joelle and Mohinder really explores trust and how far it can go between two strangers. I like the timeline changes, where you start in the present, at the death of the main character and then skip into the past, finding out more about his life. It really makes you look at the older generation in a different way. That old man or lady sitting on the park bench might have an amazing story to unveil. The story is also a great length for less confident readers with nice short chapters.