Review: Catherine's War
Catherine's War by Julia Billet, illustrated by Claire Fauvel Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Stacy Nockowitz Set in 1942 France, Catherine’s War tells the story of Rachel Cohen, a student at the Sèvres Children’s Home outside of Paris. Rachel loves her school and teachers, and it is at Sèvres that she discovers a passion for photography. But as the Nazis’ grip on France tightens, Rachel is forced to change her name to Catherine Colin and flee. Armed with nothing but her camera, Catherine moves from hiding place to hiding place. Along the way, she chronicles both the chilling transformation of her country under Nazi occupation and the bravery of everyday heroes on her journey. This graphic novel is based on the wartime experiences of author Julia Billet’s mother, with lovely, expressive illustrations by artist Claire Fauvel. Fauvel uses a muted palette of browns, greens, and grays to emphasize the fatiguing nature of Catherine’s life as she must relocate again and again. A...