Odile Souchet has a dream of working in the American Library in Paris. This dream might seem strange for a bilingual Parisian, but Odile has always loved the library and its treasure trove of knowledge. Her parents don't understand why their daughter would ever want to work in a library instead of search for a good husband. Only her brother, who is her best friend since childhood, seems to support her dreams. But the year is 1939 and Nazi Germany is expanding it's empire and France is their next target. Odile and the other librarians join the Resistance with the goal of protecting their library and its patrons.
Lily is a teenager who needs a new friend and her French neighbor is the most intriguing person in her small town in Montana. It's 1983 and Lily can't help but wonder about her neighbor and how such a stylish Parisian ended up in such a far away place. When Lily has to interview someone for a school project, she immediately knows who she will choose. Her neighbor is hesitant at first but slowly begins to tell her life story while helping Lily discover her own.
This historical fiction novel is beautiful story of community, perseverance, heartbreak and self discovery. The book switches back and forth between the two dates and perspectives of Odile and Lily. I personally loved reading about Odile's life and her struggles during the Nazi occupation of Paris and I found that Lily's life helped add an important perspective on how the war affected American thinking years later. This book is a great choice for history lovers who enjoy a fantastic World War II story and is available in the Azalea Regional Library System.
~Abigail C.