Victory by Carla Jablonski, illustrated by Leland Purvis, is the third in the Resistance trilogy. In this graphic novel, set in 1944, French siblings Sylvie, Paul and Marie Tessier must risk their lives once more to deliver top-secret intelligence for the Resistance movement. The story shows children in important roles, at times powerful and at times powerless. This is a dark story with stressful encounters from beginning to end. Victory makes World War II come alive for children and fleshes out how miserable life must have been for those in Vichy France. An epilogue and author’s note lay out some additional facts. Interactions between the characters are tense. The protagonists are upset that their father is still missing. The Tessier children also suspect other family members of collaborating with the occupying Germans who took over the Jewish neighbor’s house. At the end of the book, the Jewish neighbor turns up in Paris but his parents are gone. It is implied that they were sent to death camps. Visually the colors are dark as much of the action takes place at night as the characters sneak around on reconnaissance missions. Ashen complexions convey a depressed outlook and diminished rations. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Dina Weinstein is a Richmond, Virginia-based writer.