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Uprising
Book Review
She shows young people that when things get hard, you should carry on for justice, for your loved ones and most of all for yourself till you succeed
Uprising by Jennifer A. Nielsen is such a well written story that the characters’ sadness and struggles were felt very realistically.
It follows the story of 12-year-old Lidia during WW2, from the point where her home country Poland gets invaded by the Nazis, up until she’s a grown woman of 18.
It was a very touching book to read, about the struggles that Lidia faces such as loss of loved ones and angry desires to make those responsible pay.
This novel truly reflects the hardship of how many young children like Lidia had their childhood taken away from them and didn’t get to live the life we know. This made it even easier to sympathise with the characters as they question what is right, for them and for others.
I think that Lidia is a really good role model, even though the circumstances are different. She shows young people that when things get hard, you should carry on for justice, for your loved ones and most of all for yourself till you succeed.
I’d say this book is suited for independent readers of age 14+ due to the mature themes and the harsh realities of war being depicted. I had never heard of this author before but I really enjoyed her style of writing and would definitely recommend the book to others!
About the Book
Drawing on the extraordinary real-life story of Polish teenager Lidia Zakrzewski, Uprising by Jennifer Nielsen is an inspiring and dramatic account of the Polish resistance fighters who struggled to force out their Nazi occupiers and reclaim their nation’s freedom.
Twelve-year-old Lidia is outside her grandfather’s house when planes fly overhead, bearing the Nazi cross on each wing. Poland has fallen under German occupation, and her father makes the brave decision to join the Polish army to fight against the Nazis. Lidia wants to follow him into war, but she’s far too young, and she’s needed by her mother and brother.
Her family returns to Warsaw, where life has changed irrevocably, Lidia continues to play the piano, finding comfort in Chopin, Bach, and Beethoven. But she also wants to aid the Jewish people held captive in the Warsaw Ghetto. With the help of a friend, Lidia begins to smuggle wheat and food into the ghetto but she wants to fight like her brother with the resistance. Soon, she begins the dangerous work as a courier, smuggling weapons and messages throughout the city…
Author
Jennifer A. Neilson
Jennifer A. Nielsen is an American novelist, best known for writing young adult and middle-grade fiction. Her most popular works include The Ascendance Series and Mark of the Thief trilogy.
Reviewer Profile
Iona, 13
- Reviews: 15
- Likes: reading, listening to music, climbing
- Dislikes: getting up too early
- Favourite Book: Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
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