Code Name Kingfisher

📔✡️⏳💔

by Liz Kessler

★★★★★

Things I loved:

🕰️ it’s historical fiction

💡I learned lots of new things

💔 it’s heartbreaking

💪🏼 it shows the power of bravery

📝 it contains diary entries

🐾 there’s a dog!

🎢 it’s an emotional rollercoaster

😭 it’s a tearjerker

Review

I absolutely loved the front cover of this book with its wonderfully inviting colours and was EXTRA excited to find out it was a historical fiction book (because I REALLY love historical fiction!). And let me tell you, this book did not disappoint!

This story is told in two exciting timelines. First, there’s Liv in modern times. While cleaning out her grandma’s attic, Liv finds a secret box full of mysteries about her grandma’s past. Even though her grandma is still alive, she doesn’t want to talk about those old memories because they are too heartbreaking; but Liv is determined to learn more.

The second timeline is set in Holland in 1942. We meet Mila and her sister Hanni, who are trying to stay safe from the Nazis. Due to being Jewish, they must pretend to be someone else to avoid being caught. As they settle into their new lives, Hanni becomes a brave undercover agent, helping others in secret while putting her life in mortal danger.

I loved how the main characters are so different but work so well together. Mila is sweet and very innocent, while her sister Hanni is strong and fierce, always looking out for her family and friends. Their relationship felt so real, full of love and tough moments.

One of my favourite parts was how the book showed the importance of being brave, even when it’s hard. Liv learns that standing up to bullies and finding true friends is important, while Hannie demonstrates how bravery in the face of evil can change lives.

Throughout the book are diary entries from Hannie who shares her deepest thoughts and biggest fears as she fights against the Nazis. These entries made me feel like I was right there with her, experiencing her thoughts and feelings.

The story contains lots of brilliant vocabulary suitable for Key Stage 2, especially if you’re learning about World War II. It helps teach important lessons about history and bravery, and I learned so much about Holland’s response to Hitler’s rise to power which I had never heard of before.

I highly recommend “Codename: Kingfisher” for anyone in Key Stage 2, whether you’re a student or a teacher. It’s a powerful and touching story that I think everyone will enjoy - but maybe have a box of tissues at the ready 🫣

Dive Deeper

At a glance

Author: Liz Kessler

Cover artist: David Dean

Release Date: 14th September 2023

Book type: Chapter, 336 pages

Reader level: Confident (9+)

Overview

When Liv finds a secret box from her grandmother’s childhood she uncovers an extraordinary war-time story of bravery, betrayal and daring defiance. A story that will change Liv and her family forever…

Holland, 1942. The world is at war and as the Nazis’ power grows, Jewish families are in terrible danger. Twelve-year-old Mila and her older sister Hannie are sent to live with a family in another city with new identities and the strict instruction not to tell anyone that they are Jewish.

Hannie, determined to fight back, is swept into the Dutch resistance as an undercover agent: Code Name Kingfisher. And though Mila does her best to make friends and keep out of trouble, there is danger at every turn and the sisters are soon left questioning who they can trust…