Having never, I think, read any books set during WWII until a few years ago, I now seem to go out of my way to do so. This is a title that has been on my radar for a little while after being smitten by David Dean's fabulous cover when it first cropped up in my Twitter feed. While most of the stories set during this key point in history I have read have been set in the UK, my reading travels have also taken me to France, Germany and Poland but not - until now - to Scandinavia, and in particular Norway, where this title is set. A brilliant dual narrative, told by sisters Tove and Liva, this is a story that explores not their experiences in a country at war but in one that, despite its neutrality, has been occupied by the Nazis. As we get to know the girls, their family, friends and the others who the war brings into their lives, we learn of the hardships the people of Norway endured and what it took for so many of them to survive the occupation in a fictionalised account with its roots very much grounded in what really happened to members of the author's family. It is the first night of Georgy's Norwegian holiday when our story opens, and they are keen for stories from their Bestemor (grandmother) Tove and Grandtant (great-aunt) Liva of what happened all those years ago. Casting her mind back to 1940, Liva begins to recount the sisters' tale - remembering their visit to the house of Mose and her daughter Agna, who moved to their village after the death of Mose's husband, Agna's father. Together with everyone else assembled, Tove and Liva hear the radio broadcast that heralds the arrival of the German invaders and try to deal with the realisation that their lives are about to change immeasurably. After hiding their valuables, like everyone else, the sisters' father leaves the home they share with their mother and older brother Haakon, who is charged with being the man of the house and who greets the soldiers when they arrive on the doorstep. Under the watchful eye of the Kommandant and his men, a new normal starts, but nine-year-old Liva is determined to stay as carefree as she has ever been and when she spies Agna taking out her fishing boat illegally, persuades her to take her with her. When the invaders find out about the trip, they investigate the island to which the girls had headed, and it soon becomes a camp to hold prisoners of war. As the conflict progresses, the lives of Tove, Liva, Agna and those within the camp become tangled together and things for those on both sides become harder. With secrets increasingly difficult to keep, and family and friends doing everything that they can just to stay alive, how far will the sisters be prepared to go to stand up to their oppressors, and what will be the consequences of their actions? Although the story is narrated by Tove and Liva, their stories are bound to those of their brother Haakon and Liva's friend Agna, amongst others. Carefree in the main when the story opens in 1940, as time progresses - and the characters also age - their positions become more and more serious as they are drawn into small - and some not so small - acts of resistance. For those reading the story, the slow realisation of just what is happening draws you in so that before you know it you are worrying about where free-spirited Agna's behaviour will lead her and how Tove and Liva will deal with their increasing responsibilities both at home and outside in the occupied world that they inhabit as they try to do whatever they can to not just look after themselves but to follow their consciences with respect to those around them. I have to be honest - although I knew that Norway had been neutral during WWII, I hadn't considered what effect the war had on its citizens. Here, it is abundantly clear just what they went through - whether it be the food rationing they experienced, the Nazification of the school curriculum in an attempt to brainwash the country's children or many other horrors, all of which are covered in an age-appropriate way here. The idea of age ratings for children's books briefly reared its ugly head again on Twitter recently and although I would suggest this is probably more suitable for those in upper KS2, the only thing that I would comment on that might make some adults squeamish about giving it to younger readers, or indeed those in Years 5 and 6, is the use of the insult bastards in the book. I would not have a problem with it myself (let's be honest, most children hear much worse than that on a regular basis) but I know from my teaching experience that some adults would.

Even now there are still so many unknown stories from the second world war, and it’s good to see a story that shines a light on Norway’s plight during the occupation as the majority of books will focus on other nations. This may be a work of fiction, but Vick has created a moving tribute to the people whose voices still need to be heard. Having split points of view from the central characters enhances the heightened tension and the heart rate of the reader! It expertly shows how quickly actions have consequences and under the Nazi's gaze, people were a breath away from catastrophe with every gutsy move of resistance. This book deserves to be a huge success, it’s captivating and can make a huge impact on the hearts & minds of young readers. I received an early copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Shadow Creatures is a work of middle grade historical fiction set in Norway during the Nazi occupation. In the author’s note, Chris Vick explains the inspiration for the novel came from his own family and their experiences. I love that most of the novel revolves around the lives of girls, and women, highlighting their crucial roles- in the shadows- of the war effort. The novel feels very authentic- well-researched and it doesn’t shy away from showing the horrors of war, which is a necessary part of that authenticity when conveying people’s stories in such times. Chris Vick weaves in references to Scandinavian folklore, which intensify the connection of these people to their land and history. These legends also galvanise the spirits of the young protagonists. This is an extraordinary story of resistance. I am always fascinated and humbled by the heroism of people who resist despite the highest of stakes and the smallest of chances. This story widens my knowledge of how different populations reacted to Nazi tyranny- this is the first time I’ve read a fiction based on how some of the Norwegian population stood up to their oppressors. Chris Vick shows the resistance in all its forms- from small individual, often spontaneous acts, to the more organised, specialised Milorg. War is such a grown-up domain (& obsession) and yet children’s lives are often devastatingly impacted. It’s always fitting, therefore, to see children’s perspectives. The story opens in the current day. Georgy is on holiday in Norway and asks her grandmother, Tove, and her Grand-Aunt, Liva, to recount their childhood stories from the war. Earlier that day, Georgy had also encountered Agna, another peer of Tove and Liva, who now lives in the forest, keeping herself to herself- she too is an incredible protagonist in the story about to be revealed to Georgy. A lesson to children not to make assumptions based on age and appearances! As mentioned earlier, the violence and cruelty of war is shown in Shadow Creatures (in an age-appropriate way) and we see the speed in which lives can be turned upside down. The sense of danger highlights just how courageous, and utterly necessary, resistance was. As with so many war stories, in the end, as the toll is seen, there is a huge sense of the futility of war. What was gained? So much was lost. That said, by rejoining the older cast at the end, still carrying with them the trauma of their experiences, but living their lives- readers can also see the resilience of the human spirit. This is a fantastic read and I will be pushing it into the hands of anyone 9+