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  • Samantha Wekstein Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 10/16/2024
  • CoCo Freeman Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 11/11/2024
  • Courtney Donovan Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 11/20/2024
  • Shannon Hassan Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 12/9/2024
  • Vicky Weber Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 12/11/2024

Agent Spotlight & Agent Spotlight Updates

  • Agent Spotlights & Interviews have been updated through the letter "K" as of 3/28/2024 and many have been reviewed by the agents. Look for more information as I find the time to update more agent spotlights.

Book Giveaway: Rescue by Jennifer Nielsen

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m thrilled to share Jennifer Neilsen’s new MG historical Rescue, which is set in WWII, with you. I’ve been dying to share it with you since I read an ARC of it last November. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen comes a thrilling World War II story of espionage and intrigue, as one girl races to save her father and aid the French resistance.

Six hundred and fifty-seven days ago, Meg Kenyon's father left their home in France to fight for the Allies in World War II, and that was the last time Meg saw him. Recently, she heard he was being held prisoner by the Nazis, a terrible sentence from which Meg fears he'll never return. All she has left of him are the codes he placed in a jar for her to decipher, an affectionate game the two of them shared. But the codes are running low, and soon there'll be nothing left of Papa for Meg to hold on to at all.

Suddenly, an impossible chance to save her father falls into Meg's lap. After following a trail of blood in the snow, Meggie finds an injured British spy hiding in her grandmother's barn. Captain Stewart tells her that a family of German refugees must be guided across Nazi-occupied France to neutral Spain, whereupon one of them has promised to free Meg's father. Captain Stewart was meant to take that family on their journey, but too injured to complete the task himself, he offers it to Meg, along with a final code from Papa to help complete the mission -- perhaps the most important, and most difficult, riddle she's received yet.

As the Nazis flood Meg's village in fierce pursuit, she accepts the duty and begins the trek across France. Leading strangers through treacherous territory, Meg faces danger and uncertainty at every turn, all the while struggling to crack her father's code. The message, as she unravels it, reveals secrets costly enough to risk the mission and even her own life. Can Meg solve the puzzle, rescue the family, and save her father?

As many of you know, Jennifer Nielsen is one of my favorite authors. This is an incredibly suspenseful story that I could not put down. It was so interesting to read about Meg, who was involved in the French Resistance. Her story was riveting, and she faced such danger on her mission. It really gave me a sense of the sacrifices and fear that people went through in their lives when living in France when it was occupied, and they were resisting the Nazis.

Here’s a few things about Rescue that I really loved:

  1. Meg is such a great character. She’s so brave and smart when going on her mission to save her father. I don’t know if I could have been so strong when going through some of her experiences where she was in real danger of getting caught.
  2. I really enjoyed watching her relationship develop with Jakob, a boy who was a part of the family she was taking to safety.
  3. I loved watching Meg with the help of Jakob try to break her father’s code, which she needs to know if her mission will be successful.
  4. There was a twist I didn’t see coming!
  5. There’s a cool section on breaking codes for kids to try on their own at the end of the book. Jennifer always blows me away with how much she knows.

5. This is a great story that I recommend to any kids and adults who like historical fiction.

Giveaway Details

I’m offering a hardback or ebook of Rescue for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by May 8th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog and/or follow me on Twitter, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This giveaway is U.S. for a hardback and international for an ebook from Amazon.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.

Upcoming Interviews and Giveaways

Tuesday, May 4th I’m participating in the Life’s a Beach Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, May 5th I have an interview with debut author Daniel Aleman and a giveaway of his YA contemporary about immigration Indivisible and a query critique by his agent Peter Knapp and my IWSG post

Monday, May 10th I have a guest post by author Jessica Lawson with a giveaway of her MG fantasy How to Save a Queendom and a query critique by her agent Tina Dubois

Wednesday, May 12th I have an agent spotlight interview with Joyce Sweeney and a query critique giveaway

Sunday, May 16th I’m participating in the Moms Rock Giveaway Hop

Monday, May 17th I have an interview with debut author Payal Doshi and a giveaway of her MG fantasy set in India Rea and the Blood of the Nectar

Wednesday, May 18th I have an agent spotlight interview with Michelle Hauck and a query critique giveaway

Monday, May 26th I have a guest post with agent Maura Kye-Casella and debut author Sam Subity with a query critique giveaway by Maura and a giveaway of The Last Shadow Warrior, a MG fantasy by Sam

Hope to see you on Tuesday!

35 comments:

nashvillecats2 said...

For give aways Natalie do one have to be resident in the US ?
Again a great post and reviews.
Have a great new week and keep safe and well.
Yvonne.

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

Looks like you have another full schedule for us to enjoy :-)

Natalie Aguirre said...

Some of my giveaways are international. I always tell you if the giveaway is U.S. or international in the giveaway details.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Sounds like a very inspiring main character for readers!

Donna K. Weaver said...

I love Jennifer's books!

Randomly Reading said...

Great review and what a busy schedule you have. I also read and enjoyed Rescue, though I'm not sure I could let my 12-year-old do what Meg did.

Test said...

My students love all of her work. You have quite an impressive slate of interviews and posts coming up!

Michelle Mason said...

This sounds like a really great read! My TBR is sooo backed up, but I will definitely keep it in mind for down the line.

Danielle H. said...

I enjoy middle grade historical fiction, especially when set during WWII. This book is high on my must-read list. I follow Natalie on Twitter.

diedre Knight said...

If you say it's good, Natalie, I know it will be ;-) Besides a most intriguing blurb!

Greg Pattridge said...

WWII stories have always been favorites of mine. This has a high level of excitement and I've added it to my list of books to read. Thanks for featuring on MMGM.

Patricia T. said...

This sounds like a thrilling YA read. Glad to see this book for older kids -- it sure makes history interesting! I love books about this period. Your review reminded me a bit of NYT bestseller Kristin Hannah's novel, The Nightingale, which has been made into a movie and will be released in December -- just in case you're interested. Thanks for sharing. I want to read this story!

Liz A. said...

The 8th grade class I'm covering is doing World War 2 right now. (It's the background for reading Anne Frank.) Good timing.

Max @ Completely Full Bookshelf said...

This sounds like such an exciting story! I'm always impressed by how authors can tackle war for young audiences in such nuanced ways. I'll pass on the giveaway, but thanks for sharing this book!

Colleen Paeff said...

I'm so looking forward to reading Rescue!

ken ohl said...

This book looks intriguing

Sandy said...

Natalie, thanks for reviewing Rescue. What an intriguing book. Definitely one to read. Follow your blog and on Twitter.

tetewa said...

Another new author for me to read, enjoyed the post today! Historical is usually not my favorite but this one sounds pretty suspenseful and powerful!

BetW said...

I will certainly have to read this book by Jennifer Neilson. I love historical novels especially about WWII and the holocaust. This one sounds suspenseful. My grandkids should read it too. Today's generation should know about the holocaust, since most of the survivors are older and will soon be gone. We must not forget what happened so it won't be repeated.

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I have this on my wish list, and it sounds fantastic. I love books set during WWII. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!! I'm following you via GFC and on Twitter!

-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
laurenbecker1215@gmail.com

Maria Antonia said...

I've seen this book and I want to read it! I adore history and I've always enjoyed reading Nielsen's historical fiction. :)

Rosi said...

Wow. This is right up my alley. Historical fiction that is a survivor story. It doesn't get much better. I shared on Twitter for an extra chance. https://twitter.com/rosihollinbeck/status/1387177949141495810

Sandra Cox said...

Many congrats to Jennifer.
Natalie, I'm excited you are getting lilacs:)
Take special care.

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

That book sounds wonderful and exactly what a motivated MG teen would do.

Tonja Drecker said...

Oooo...this one does sound good. Congrats, Natalie!

Selah Sigmon said...
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Selah Sigmon said...
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Selah Sigmon said...

Looking forward to being able to read this book! It looks so cool!

Debra Branigan said...

I love Jennifer Nielsen's work and I am sure I would enjoy this historical fiction. Thanks for sharing. I shared on twitter (https://twitter.com/BraniganDebra/status/1387569265063174144?s=20)

Samantha Bryant said...

I always leave your site with additions to my TBR.

DMS said...

I have been wanting to read this book since I first saw the cover. It looks and sounds amazing! I would love to win a copy. Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win. :)
~Jess

Susan Johnston Taylor said...

Love historical fiction so this sounds like a great read! susanejohnston AT gmail.

Kelli said...

I would love to win a copy of this book!

Kelli said...

kelliajoselah@gmail.com

Angie Quantrell said...

This sounds like a wonderful book to read! I would love to learn more about code breaking and this courageous young woman. Congratulations, Jennifer!

I tweeted this post and I follow by email. :)

angelecolline at yahoo dot com

https://twitter.com/AngieQuantrell/status/1389247160344997888