Allies

Alan Gratz's 'Allies' plunges readers into the heart of D-Day, June 6, 1944, through the interwoven perspectives of several young protagonists. From Dee Carpenter, an underage American private with a secret German past, to Samira Zidano, an 11-year-old French-Algerian girl aiding the Resistance, and other soldiers, the novel vividly portrays the brutal realities and immense courage of the Allied invasion. It's a fast-paced, gripping historical fiction that doesn't shy away from the dangers of war but ultimately emphasizes themes of teamwork, resilience, and the fight for a common good. Ideal for middle school and early high school readers, it serves as an excellent introduction to this pivotal moment in history.

It is June 6, 1944, D-Day, and Dee Carpenter (true name Dietrich Zimmermann), an underage private in the United States Army, is headed for Omaha Beach, seeking revenge for his uncle, who was arrested by Nazis when Dee was a little boy; meanwhile, Samira Zidano, an eleven-year old French-Algerian girl is looking for the French resistance, desperate to deliver the message that the invasion is about to begin, and get their help in freeing her mother--this is the most important day of the twentieth century, and both children want to fight, and survive.