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Description
It's 1943. Nazi forces have overrun France. The Gestapo are smashing the French Resistance, and Noor Inayat Khan is Britain's last wireless operator in Paris. She is a Muslim, a pacificist, a British spy and she is about to become a national hero.
Quick Summary
If you're looking for a WWII story that breaks away from the typical war book, this one features Noor Inayat Khan, a real Indian-American woman who became one of Britain's most daring spies. What makes her story special is that she came from a family of pacifists and followed the Sufi teachings of her father, yet she still found the courage to risk her life sending secret messages from Nazi-occupied Paris while everyone around her was being captured. Kids who love history, especially the spy and resistance angle, will fly through this, but it's also a great pick for readers who want to learn about people and places that don't usually show up in textbooks. The book is fast-moving and exciting without being overly violent, though there are some tense moments since Noor was constantly in danger. Parents will appreciate that it introduces a fascinating, underrepresented historical figure while still being age-appropriate for middle graders. If your kid enjoyed "The Boy Who Dared" or stories about unsung heroes, they'll definitely connect with Noor's incredible true story.