The Dark is Rising is the second book in a series of the same name. Susan Cooper reimagines the eternal saga of good vs evil or light vs dark, incorporating Arthurian legends, Celtic mythology, and Norse mythology. In this volume of the saga, we are introduced to Will Stanton, who on his 11th birthday awakens to his magical destiny as the last of the Old Ones, protectors of The Light, who have fought the forces of The Dark for time out of mind. He is the sign-seeker whose quest is to find and unite the 6 signs of the light that have the ability to repel the dark. The Dark is rising in the sleepy village of Huntercombe, and only the combined power of the signs can keep it at bay.

The entire Dark is Rising series is amazing, full of adventure and suspense while rooted in the history and geography of England. The Dark is Rising introduces the reader to some new characters and gives insight and depth to ones we have met before. Cooper’s ability to honestly portray an 11-year-old boy coming into centuries of knowledge and power is astounding. This book and its companions should be on every fantasy lover’s shelf!

A close second to All My Friends Are Dead by Jory John and Avery Monsen, The Little World of Liz Climo is one of my favorite children’s books for adults. I didn’t know about Liz Climo’s blog, in which she charms her fans with whimsical and witty animal characters, but the book truly won me over. Liz, who is a 10-year animation veteran of ‘The Simpsons’, is funny and smart and lovable in her comics. This collection features 100+ jokes, short stories, and thoughts, starring her beloved animal friends in all kinds of humorous situations. One of my favorite spreads features a close-up of two goldfish in water—the one on the left asks, “You wanna hang out later?” The second image is a zoomed out version, revealing the two fish close together in a small fish tank. The fish on the right responds, “Yeah, probably.”

Shooting at the Stars is inspired by the incredible true story of the unofficial Christmas truce between the Germans, French, and British during World War I. It is told from the perspective of a young British soldier named Charlie, who is writing a letter home to his mother from the muddy winter trenches. He describes an unforgettable Christmas Eve on the front lines, when the German troops surprise them by lighting candles on a tiny Christmas tree above their trench and singing “Silent Night.” The next morning, enemy soldiers meet on the battlefield to celebrate together, sing carols, and exchange gifts. At the end of the day, everyone must return to their separate trenches and wait for the fighting to begin again. But Charlie decides he will shoot up at the stars, rather than across at his new friends.

This is a deeply moving story about the empathy and friendship that are possible in the midst of the darkest moments. John Hendrix is a brilliant storyteller, and his detailed illustrations bring the emotions of the trenches to life—especially the vivid color palate. His cold and lonely blues contrast starkly with the warm oranges and yellows of kindness. While the book is set in a specific historical moment—and published this year to coincide with the centenary of World War I—the story conveys universal truths about the joy of friendship and the blessing of peace.

Rose Justice is an American civilian pilot who ferries damaged airplanes, other pilots, and spies between airbases. She likes being a part of the war effort on the European front, but loves being a part of a crowd even more. When Rose isn’t flying, she hangs out with her best friend, Mattie Brodatt, and goes on dates with her fiancé. Rose’s world of flying and socializing dissolves the moment she is captured by Nazi fighter planes during one of her missions. Shortly after arriving at Ravensbruck, a women’s concentration camp, Rose is adopted into a “family” made of French, Polish, and Russian prisoners. One of Rose’s new sisters, Roza, is a “rabbit,” one of the girls used for medical experiments. As time passes and the Nazi guards begin to fear the Allies’ invasion, the death count in Ravensbruck increases. Suddenly, all of the rabbits are scheduled for “termination” and everyone guesses that the doctors are trying to erase all evidence of the medical experiments. Rose will have to dig deep into her reserves of strength and courage now if she is to save Roza…and herself.

I fell in love with Elizabeth Wein’s first novel, Code Name Verity, and was therefore excited to read her new novel. Rose Under Fire is set in the same world and era as Code Name Verity but is a companion novel rather than a sequel. I enjoyed seeing some familiar faces from the previous book and was happy to be re-immersed in the life of a civilian ATA pilot; I also appreciated that the story is told in a similar diary format as Code Name Verity. However, after Rose is captured, the story departs from its predecessor entirely and focuses on Rose’s life in the concentration camp. I personally don’t read many Holocaust stories, but even I can tell that this novel is unique in its approach to the topic. While traditional facts like shaving the prisoners’ heads and assigning them numbers are included, Elizabeth Wein primarily focuses on incorporating lesser-known accounts into the narrative, like the medical experiments at Ravensbruck and some of the odd jobs that prisoners were forced to do. I had always assumed that Nazi concentration camps only held Jewish prisoners, but Rose Under Fire made me consider the French, Polish, Russian, and American prisoners in the war as well. Ultimately, the historical content in this book is fresh and helps to create a realistic and detailed world.

Besides the historical content, a major driving force behind the novel is the strong bond that Rose forms with her fellow prisoners. I was constantly inspired by the women’s sense of loyalty to one another and the many ways they found to fight back against their captors and situation. I was always rooting for them and, despite it being a Holocaust book, was never without a sense of hope. Lastly, I love the story’s overarching message about the power of writing. While in the camp, Rose sometimes uses poetry to remember the names of the dead rabbits, to describe what she feels and experiences, and to barter for items that her cell block needs. Roza also constantly reminds Rose that she must use her writing one day to tell the outside world about what happened to the rabbits and prisoners at Ravensbruck. In this sense, Rose’s writing is both a tie to humanity and a tool for conveying an important message. And isn’t that what we want all books to be?

Overall, I highly recommend Rose Under Fire. It’s perfect for lovers of historical fiction, as well as readers who are just looking for a book with emotion, high stakes, and strong characters. And it’s good as both a companion novel and a stand-alone.