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In 1943, a British fighter plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France and the survivor tells a tale of friendship, war, espionage, and great courage as she relates what she must to survive while keeping secret all that she can.Tags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
amysisson Both are about the unusual ways in which women may impact the tides of war
71
rarm Set on opposite sides of the pond, but both are about wartime aviatrices and wonderfully depict female friendship.
40
Herenya Firebirds Soaring contains "Something Worth Doing" (by Wein) about Theo, a pilot and minor character from Code Name Verity.
20
amysisson Young adults struggling to survive in war-torn England -- although different wars (one real, one fictional) in different times! These books are different, yet I really feel that if you love one, you'll love the other.
20
saraOm7 These are both about teenage girls working as spies in France during WWII, though one has a much happier ending than the other.
BookshelfMonstrosity Both of these historical fiction novels are fast-paced, well researched accounts detailing the lives of strong-willed female narrators who struggle with complex moral issues. Both stories are character-driven, giving these important historical events a relatable, human face and voice.
calmclam Both focus on girls in/around England adapting to the changing circumstances of World War II via their journals.
Member Reviews
Is Code Name Verity a Young Adult book? a Book for children? Be honest, now.
Maddie and Queenie meet as the war in England is just getting on the boil. She is a ferry pilot in the civilian Auxiliary; she is a German speaking intelligence officer and interrogator (and once and always , a Scot!)
We see them in training, we see them doing the work, bravely and uncomplainingly, and at last we see them make a run into occupied France, and through one misstep after the other, we see one a captive and one on the run. Young women - girls really - fighting against the Nazis for patriotism and for their homes (and for themselves)
It speaks frankly and clearly about sex and pain and torture and being a woman in a man's world and being a woman and a show more girl (and a soldier) in the middle of the "night and fog" of World War II.
The book is Queenie's "Confession" in captivity and a bit more besides. Her fierce intelligence and stoicism is awe inspiring.
And the book is Maddie (FLY THE PLANE, MADDIE!) learning to endure and learning to fight and learning, in the end what a friend is and what bravery is.
I loved every page of this book. Lots of great details of flying airplanes from a woman writer who knows her stuff, and a lot of real details about the war and about how sometimes women and girls fought in it too.
And a wonderful gotcha at the end that will have you tearing back through the book again to pick up everything that you missed that the author put out in plain sight for you.
Branding this a book for YA only is to deprive us in the over 16 set a rare treat and a rare experience.
VERY Highly recommended. show less
Maddie and Queenie meet as the war in England is just getting on the boil. She is a ferry pilot in the civilian Auxiliary; she is a German speaking intelligence officer and interrogator (and once and always , a Scot!)
We see them in training, we see them doing the work, bravely and uncomplainingly, and at last we see them make a run into occupied France, and through one misstep after the other, we see one a captive and one on the run. Young women - girls really - fighting against the Nazis for patriotism and for their homes (and for themselves)
It speaks frankly and clearly about sex and pain and torture and being a woman in a man's world and being a woman and a show more girl (and a soldier) in the middle of the "night and fog" of World War II.
The book is Queenie's "Confession" in captivity and a bit more besides. Her fierce intelligence and stoicism is awe inspiring.
And the book is Maddie (FLY THE PLANE, MADDIE!) learning to endure and learning to fight and learning, in the end what a friend is and what bravery is.
I loved every page of this book. Lots of great details of flying airplanes from a woman writer who knows her stuff, and a lot of real details about the war and about how sometimes women and girls fought in it too.
And a wonderful gotcha at the end that will have you tearing back through the book again to pick up everything that you missed that the author put out in plain sight for you.
Branding this a book for YA only is to deprive us in the over 16 set a rare treat and a rare experience.
VERY Highly recommended. show less
Elizabeth Wein has created a remarkable book - the tale of two girls, "Verity" and Maddie, with "Verity" telling the story of Maddie as the Gestapo interrogates her. The entire book is filled with twists and turns and clever side steps, many of which the reader is completely oblivious to until the second half of the book. And to be perfectly honest, this is so well done that I simply do not want to ruin a single surprise by giving an in depth plot review, aside from to say it is superb, the likes of which I have not read in a very long time.
"Verity's" story is written on scraps of paper, anything her interrogators can scrounge up for her, and when she is finished writing, she is to be terminated, regardless of what she puts on paper. show more She might as well tell the truth and that truth is open to interpretation, but nevertheless, true. Instead of telling her story, she tells that of her best friend, Maddie, the pilot of the plane and the one who's papers she's carrying when she's picked up for looking the wrong way when crossing the street. As such, her writing is flowing freely from the top of her head, if "Verity" was any less of a writer, it might be a complete incomprehensible mess. It is punctuated by outbursts she felt while writing and the situation she is in always presents itself as a very real and present danger. When her time limit is up and she asks for more, you fear turning the page and finding her story ended. "Verity" is brilliant and her story told with a deft and extremely capable hand. Don't be fooled by the young adult label, this is a poignant tale, worthy of even the most discerning adult readers. show less
"Verity's" story is written on scraps of paper, anything her interrogators can scrounge up for her, and when she is finished writing, she is to be terminated, regardless of what she puts on paper. show more She might as well tell the truth and that truth is open to interpretation, but nevertheless, true. Instead of telling her story, she tells that of her best friend, Maddie, the pilot of the plane and the one who's papers she's carrying when she's picked up for looking the wrong way when crossing the street. As such, her writing is flowing freely from the top of her head, if "Verity" was any less of a writer, it might be a complete incomprehensible mess. It is punctuated by outbursts she felt while writing and the situation she is in always presents itself as a very real and present danger. When her time limit is up and she asks for more, you fear turning the page and finding her story ended. "Verity" is brilliant and her story told with a deft and extremely capable hand. Don't be fooled by the young adult label, this is a poignant tale, worthy of even the most discerning adult readers. show less
The back cover of ‘Code Name Verity’ includes the unsettling recommendation that it made a reader feel like their heart, 'has been torn out and stomped on a million times'. I think that's unnecessarily hyperbolic, but will concede that it’s a powerful and moving book. The story is set in 1943 and revolves around two young women who end up crash landing in occupied France. Actually, the blurb is unusually good at setting the scene without giving away any of the plot, which I am afraid of doing, as this is a story that a clumsy review could easily ruin. Although I found the emotion of the narrative very well done, it was the plot twists that really impressed me. I also loved that it centred on two women, of course, and that they show more were so vividly characterised. Once you get beyond the first twenty or so pages, I defy anyone to read this novel slowly. The reader is gripped with fear as to what will happen and an atmosphere of dread in Nazi-occupied France looms over events. All-in-all, an excellent WWII thriller with a great characters and a good deal of heart. show less
I do not know how I finished this book. Not because it wasn't good. Because it was that good.
Honestly, I only started this book because Malissa told me I had to. She did the same thing with The Hunger Games (and by that I mean she bought me a copy so I was forced to read it out of guilt... lol), and I had absolutely no regrets. She has yet to steer me wrong in any other recommendations. Yet. And we can keep saying yet as I have no regrets with reading this one either. It was a slow start, though. I lacked the time to devote to simply reading. But once I was able to dive into it properly, I wanted to devour it. So much so that I had to place something (hand, bookmark) below where I was reading so I wouldn't try to read ahead!
The story show more begins with a female character narrating and she has been captured and tortured. But her attitude, her snarkiness, her determination and strength, fight, was amazing. She was giving them information in exchange for prolonging her life (no spoilers yet, I promise). The writing, the character (who shall remain nameless to prevent any spoilage) development - superbly done. Beautiful, haunting, heartbreaking... It felt like she was talking to me rather than writing her story for someone else. Then the first part ends. And by ends I mean, just cut off mid-sentence. What the hell just happened? Really? Who does that? And makes it work!? Elizabeth Wein, apparently. ;)
Begin part two. We meet Kittyhawk, another female character (I'm really trying for no spoilers, so I'm stealing a codename... lol). Different from character number one in personality traits, but just as strong. I swear I could feel her panic, her desperateness. Which is just another kudo for Wein. There was one part, I'm nearly crying as I write this, where I almost screamed out loud. Thank goodness for quick reflexes since my kids were napping, but... wow.
How hard this must have been to write. The routes chosen, the strength of friendship, love. Heartbreakingly good... I would recommend this to anyone who breathes... has a soul. Except maybe my children; they're not quite ready for that. ;) Seriously... read it. If you regret it you are dead inside. Okay, maybe not. But I really don't think you'll regret it. If you do, my apologies for steering you down the wrong path of reading happiness. show less
Honestly, I only started this book because Malissa told me I had to. She did the same thing with The Hunger Games (and by that I mean she bought me a copy so I was forced to read it out of guilt... lol), and I had absolutely no regrets. She has yet to steer me wrong in any other recommendations. Yet. And we can keep saying yet as I have no regrets with reading this one either. It was a slow start, though. I lacked the time to devote to simply reading. But once I was able to dive into it properly, I wanted to devour it. So much so that I had to place something (hand, bookmark) below where I was reading so I wouldn't try to read ahead!
The story show more begins with a female character narrating and she has been captured and tortured. But her attitude, her snarkiness, her determination and strength, fight, was amazing. She was giving them information in exchange for prolonging her life (no spoilers yet, I promise). The writing, the character (who shall remain nameless to prevent any spoilage) development - superbly done. Beautiful, haunting, heartbreaking... It felt like she was talking to me rather than writing her story for someone else. Then the first part ends. And by ends I mean, just cut off mid-sentence. What the hell just happened? Really? Who does that? And makes it work!? Elizabeth Wein, apparently. ;)
Begin part two. We meet Kittyhawk, another female character (I'm really trying for no spoilers, so I'm stealing a codename... lol). Different from character number one in personality traits, but just as strong. I swear I could feel her panic, her desperateness. Which is just another kudo for Wein. There was one part, I'm nearly crying as I write this, where I almost screamed out loud. Thank goodness for quick reflexes since my kids were napping, but... wow.
How hard this must have been to write. The routes chosen, the strength of friendship, love. Heartbreakingly good... I would recommend this to anyone who breathes... has a soul. Except maybe my children; they're not quite ready for that. ;) Seriously... read it. If you regret it you are dead inside. Okay, maybe not. But I really don't think you'll regret it. If you do, my apologies for steering you down the wrong path of reading happiness. show less
Supremely well written but terribly painful... but what else did one expect of a book with Gestapo in it?
PG-13 instances of language... and this may technically be a YA book, but I certainly wouldn't classify it that way. I was reminded a little of Devil's Arithmetic.... anybody else read that in middle school? Well, think of something related to that but cranked up several degrees higher in intensity. It doesn't take place in a concentration camp, but in a Gestapo headquarters in France, though there is narrative in England as well. The story is about two young women, one a pilot, one a "special operative" in Britain during World War II. They are the best of friends. Heartbreaking, horrendous things happen.
The book is tightly plotted show more and the two main characters are well realized... they would have to be, to give the climax its emotional wallop.
Anyway, I don't make it my business to recommend such books, unless you occasionally go in for this sort of thing, something powerful, something that holds up both the bright and the darkest dark of humanity. show less
PG-13 instances of language... and this may technically be a YA book, but I certainly wouldn't classify it that way. I was reminded a little of Devil's Arithmetic.... anybody else read that in middle school? Well, think of something related to that but cranked up several degrees higher in intensity. It doesn't take place in a concentration camp, but in a Gestapo headquarters in France, though there is narrative in England as well. The story is about two young women, one a pilot, one a "special operative" in Britain during World War II. They are the best of friends. Heartbreaking, horrendous things happen.
The book is tightly plotted show more and the two main characters are well realized... they would have to be, to give the climax its emotional wallop.
Anyway, I don't make it my business to recommend such books, unless you occasionally go in for this sort of thing, something powerful, something that holds up both the bright and the darkest dark of humanity. show less
5Q, 4P
Code Name Verity is a heartbreaking story about friendship, bravery, and loyalty set during World War II. Told from the point of view of two women: one who came from privilege and later became a British spy, and one who came from more humble origins and became a pilot, the story follows their unlikely friendship and journey into Nazi territory on a dangerous and ultimately ill-fated mission. So deftly woven is this tale that upon finishing part two I immediately wanted to reread part one to pay attention to certain details with the new understanding I had gained. There is plenty of historical fiction set during WWII, so I sometimes feel reluctant to read about more evil Nazis and brave Allies, but the humanity of the characters show more (even the Nazis) and the exciting, sometimes surprising plot made me glad I read this one. show less
Code Name Verity is a heartbreaking story about friendship, bravery, and loyalty set during World War II. Told from the point of view of two women: one who came from privilege and later became a British spy, and one who came from more humble origins and became a pilot, the story follows their unlikely friendship and journey into Nazi territory on a dangerous and ultimately ill-fated mission. So deftly woven is this tale that upon finishing part two I immediately wanted to reread part one to pay attention to certain details with the new understanding I had gained. There is plenty of historical fiction set during WWII, so I sometimes feel reluctant to read about more evil Nazis and brave Allies, but the humanity of the characters show more (even the Nazis) and the exciting, sometimes surprising plot made me glad I read this one. show less
My tears could not stop flowing when Maddie had to kill Julie. That must have been the hardest decision for a friend to take, to kill one's best friend knowing that was what she wanted you to do. That is the culmination of a superbly structured book, though you wouldn't think so reading the first part i.e. Julie's diary. It wasn't clear what the plot is, till Maddie's part allows you to join the dots together. And then the clues in Julie's diary that allowed the resistance fighters to pull off their mission. It was brilliant.
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If you pick up this book, it will be some time before you put your dog-eared, tear-stained copy back down. Wein succeeds on three fronts: historical verisimilitude, gut-wrenching mystery, and a first-person voice of such confidence and flair that the protagonist might become a classic character if only we knew what to call her. Alternately dubbed Queenie, Eva, Katharina, Verity, or Julie show more depending on which double-agent operation she's involved in, she pens her tale as a confession while strapped to a chair and recovering from the latest round of Gestapo torture. The Nazis want the codes that Julie memorized as a wireless operator, and she supplies them, but along the way also tells of her fierce friendship with Maddie, a British pilot. Though delivered at knifepoint, Julie's narrative is peppered with dark humor and minor acts of defiance, and the tension that builds up is practically unbearable. show less
added by kthomp25
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Author Information
25+ Works 9,914 Members
Elizabeth Wein was born in New York City in 1964. She went to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia where she earned a PhD in Folklore and held a Javits Fellowship. Elizabeth Wein first five books for young adults are set in Arthurian Britain and sixth century Ethiopia. The Mark of Solomon, was published in two parts as The Lion Hunter show more (2007) and The Empty Kingdom (2008). The Lion Hunter was short-listed for the Andre Norton Award for Best Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction in 2008. Elizabeth's novel for teens, Code Name Verity, published by Egmont UK, Disney-Hyperion and Doubleday Canada in 2012, is a World War II thriller in which two young girls, one a Resistance spy and the other a transport pilot, become unlikely best friends. Code Name Verity has received widespread critical acclaim including being shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, it is a Michael Printz Award Honor Book, a Boston Globe/Horn Book Awards Honor Book, and an SCBWI Golden Kite Honor Book. It is also a New York Times Bestseller in young adult fiction. She is also the author of Black Dove, White Raven. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Elizabeth Wein is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.
Some Editions
Awards and Honors
Awards
Distinctions
Notable Lists
Series
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Code Name Verity
- Original title
- Code Name Verity
- Original publication date
- 2012-06-02
- People/Characters
- Julia "Queenie" Beaufort-Stuart; Maddie Brodatt; Anna Engel; Amadeus von Linden; Jamie Beaufort-Stuart
- Important places
- Manchester, England, UK; Ormaie, France
- Important events
- World War II, German Occupation of France (1940 | 1944); French Resistance; World War II (1939 | 1945)
- Epigraph
- "Passive resisters must understand that they are as important as saboteurs." –SOE Secret Operations Manual, 'Methods of Passive Resistance'
- Dedication
- For Amanda
–we make a sensational team– - First words
- I AM A COWARD. I wanted to be heroic and I pretended I was. I have always been good at pretending.
- Quotations
- I have told the truth.
"Kiss me, Hardy!"
The soaring mountains rose around her, and the poets' waters glittered beneath her in the valleys of memory—hosts of golden daffodils, "Swallows and Amazons", Peter Rabbit. (p. 28)
Fly the plane, Maddie. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)I do mean fly safely. And I do mean come back.
- Publisher's editor
- November, Sharyn (Viking Children's Books); Paskins, Stella (Egmont UK); Onder, Catherine (Disney Hyperion Books for Children); Black, Amy (Doubleday Canada)
- Blurbers
- Anderson, Laurie Halse; Stiefvater, Maggie
- Canonical DDC/MDS
- 813.6
- Canonical LCC
- PZ7.W4358
Classifications
- Genres
- Teen, Young Adult, Fiction and Literature, Historical Fiction
- DDC/MDS
- 813.6 — Literature & rhetoric American literature in English American fiction in English 2000-
- LCC
- PZ7 .W4358 — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Juvenile belles lettres
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 5,490
- Popularity
- 2,431
- Reviews
- 406
- Rating
- (4.27)
- Languages
- 10 — Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Swedish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 64
- ASINs
- 20
