Historical Fiction Novel: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Bibliographic information:

Wein, E. (2012). Code Name Verity (First Edition edition). New York: Disney-Hyperion.

 

Plot description:

Queenie has been captured by Nazis in occupied France after parachuting out of the plane her best friend, Maddie, was piloting.  The two were on a Allie-led secret mission when their plane was compromised, forcing Queenie to escape before Maddie and the plane (presumably) crashed into the countryside.  Queenie finds herself imprisoned in an old hotel now overrun with Gestapo, being tortured and forced into revealing her story and her country's secrets.  She cleverly weaves her tale in a way that not only satisfies, but enchants her captors, allowing Queenie to extend her life a little longer.  Meanwhile, Maddie begins her own French adventure, which ultimately leads her to the Resistance, and then back to her dear friend Queenie, for one beautiful, catastrophic moment.

 

Quantitative reading level:

ATOS Book Level: 5.6
Interest Level: Grades 9-12
Lexile Measure: 1020L

 

Qualitative reading analysis: 

The first half of the book is presented as Queenie's "confession" to the Gestapo.  She alternates between her present day reality as a prisoner of the Nazis, her life in the days before her involvement in the war as she was getting to know her best friend Maddie, and the actual events leading up to her capture in occupied France.  The second half is written from Maddie's point of view, revealing her experience after the plane crash-landing and ending with her eventual return to England.

Queenie's narrative is presented in both first and third person.  Her story line is non-linear and demands particular attention to language nuances and hints.  While the language itself is not complex, the way in which Weir plays with Queenie's narrative could be confusing for less sophisticated readers. A working knowledge of the events surrounding World War II is essential to truly grasp the plot and underlying meaning of Code Name Verity. 

This novel is only appropriate for competent, mature readers.  High school students who are avid readers and have a known interest in history will reap the significant rewards of diving into this fantastic text.  Readers who struggle with complex structure or who are weighed down by excessive detail (which requires close attention) will quickly become disinterested in this novel.

Content area:

 

• English
• Social Science: British and French History, 1939-1945.  World War, 1939-1945.  Holocaust.  Nazis.

 

Content area standard:

 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.3
Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused later ones or simply preceded them.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary describing political, social, or economic aspects of history/social science.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.5
Analyze how a text uses structure to emphasize key points or advance an explanation or analysis.

  

Curriculum suggestions:  

The ideal classroom situation for Code Name Verity would be in an accelerated Humanities class where both the structure of the novel and the content of the text could be analyzed.  This book would be an excellent addition to curriculum surrounding World War II and the Holocaust.

 

Supporting digital content:

 

Study Guide: http://www.teachingbooks.net/media/pdf/SingleBGs/CodeNameVerity.pdf

British Air Transport Auxiliary: http://www.airtransportaux.com/

WWII memories, collected by the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/ 

 

Awards:

 

• UK Literary Association Award Winner
• Edgar Award Winner
• Printz Honor Book
• Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Honor Book
• Shortlisted for the 2013 CILIP Carnegie Award
• Golden Kite Award Honor Book
• Shortlisted for the Scottish Children's Book Award
• Catalyst Book Award Winner (East Lanarkshire County Council, Scotland)

 

Series information:

 

Code Name Verity is part of the "Young Pilots" series, which also includes Rose Under Fire and Black Dove, White Raven.  All titles in the series are authored by Elizabeth Wein.