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The Klipfish Code
The year is 1942, and Norway is under Nazi occupation. Twelve-year-old Marit has decided to take action, despite her grandfather’s warnings. But will her plan work? Can she really complete her part of this secret code? And even if she can, would it make any difference to the Resistance?
As this novel reveals what Norwegian people did to preserve their dignity and freedoms, it uncovers a startling statistic: the German secret police systematically rounded up one teacher in ten and sent them to concentration camps for their refusal to teach Nazi propaganda to Norwegian schoolchildren. Set on an island of sturdy fishing trawlers and brightly painted homes, with smells of kelp and salt water, here is a riveting novel about risks taken, secrets kept, and, always, questions about whom to trust.
As this novel reveals what Norwegian people did to preserve their dignity and freedoms, it uncovers a startling statistic: the German secret police systematically rounded up one teacher in ten and sent them to concentration camps for their refusal to teach Nazi propaganda to Norwegian schoolchildren. Set on an island of sturdy fishing trawlers and brightly painted homes, with smells of kelp and salt water, here is a riveting novel about risks taken, secrets kept, and, always, questions about whom to trust.
227 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
39 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Mary Casanova
49 books204 followersMary Casanova is an award-winning children's author of novels and picture books. Many of her books stem from her life on the Minnesota-Canadian border; yet some of her stories have taken her as far away as France, Norway, and Belize for research. Whatever the setting for her books, Casanova writes stories that matter--and stories that kids can't put down.
Her book awards include: American Library Association "Notable," Aesop Accolades by the American Folklore Society, Parents' Choice "Gold" Award, Booklist Editor Choice, and two Minnesota Book Awards. Her books frequently land on state children's choice book master lists across the country. "The greatest reward for me," Casanova states, "is when a young reader tells me she or he loves one of my books. For me, it's all about communicating writer-to-reader through a character and story."
Casanova grew up in a family of ten children in St. Paul, Minnesota. In a bustling camp-like atmosphere, Casanova found that writing became her voice. "Words are my paintbrush," she explains, "my way of exploring the world around me."
Now, with 19 books published and many more under contract and forthcoming, she divides her time between writing and traveling. Nationally and internationally, at schools and conferences, Casanova shares her love of writing and reading with children and adults.
Her newest novel, The Klipfish Code, makes use of Mary's on-site research in Norway. The story explores an important facet of Norwegian history through the experiences of Marit, a 12-year-old Norwegian girl who finds a way to fight against the 5-year Nazi occupation of Norway. Marit and her brother Lars are separated from their parents (who are working for the Resistance) and sent to live on an island with their gruff grandfather and school teacher aunt. During the course of the story, Marit's aunt is one of the Norwegian school teachers that gets sent to a concentration camp for refusing to integrate Nazi propaganda into her classroom. With potential danger waiting every turn, Marit finds a way to help the Resistance and eventually reunite her family.
Mary's series, Dog Watch (Simon and Schuster) is based on her northern Minnesota village where dogs are allowed to roam free—as long as they don't get in trouble. If they get in trouble, they earn a sticker on their page at the village clerk's office; too many stickers and a trouble-making dog must remain at home. "I never know where the next story will come from. It’s a delight when the stories come right from this corner of the world I call home." She makes her home in a 100-year old house on Rainy Lake with her husband, Charles, and their three "above average" dogs and spends free time with their horses, Jay and Midnight.
Her book awards include: American Library Association "Notable," Aesop Accolades by the American Folklore Society, Parents' Choice "Gold" Award, Booklist Editor Choice, and two Minnesota Book Awards. Her books frequently land on state children's choice book master lists across the country. "The greatest reward for me," Casanova states, "is when a young reader tells me she or he loves one of my books. For me, it's all about communicating writer-to-reader through a character and story."
Casanova grew up in a family of ten children in St. Paul, Minnesota. In a bustling camp-like atmosphere, Casanova found that writing became her voice. "Words are my paintbrush," she explains, "my way of exploring the world around me."
Now, with 19 books published and many more under contract and forthcoming, she divides her time between writing and traveling. Nationally and internationally, at schools and conferences, Casanova shares her love of writing and reading with children and adults.
Her newest novel, The Klipfish Code, makes use of Mary's on-site research in Norway. The story explores an important facet of Norwegian history through the experiences of Marit, a 12-year-old Norwegian girl who finds a way to fight against the 5-year Nazi occupation of Norway. Marit and her brother Lars are separated from their parents (who are working for the Resistance) and sent to live on an island with their gruff grandfather and school teacher aunt. During the course of the story, Marit's aunt is one of the Norwegian school teachers that gets sent to a concentration camp for refusing to integrate Nazi propaganda into her classroom. With potential danger waiting every turn, Marit finds a way to help the Resistance and eventually reunite her family.
Mary's series, Dog Watch (Simon and Schuster) is based on her northern Minnesota village where dogs are allowed to roam free—as long as they don't get in trouble. If they get in trouble, they earn a sticker on their page at the village clerk's office; too many stickers and a trouble-making dog must remain at home. "I never know where the next story will come from. It’s a delight when the stories come right from this corner of the world I call home." She makes her home in a 100-year old house on Rainy Lake with her husband, Charles, and their three "above average" dogs and spends free time with their horses, Jay and Midnight.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
May 19, 2014
“Klipfish Code”
Author, Mary Casanova
BOOM! BANG! Norway is getting bombed and Marit and her brother Lars rush downstairs where find their parents. “Get downstairs now!” Yells their dad. They run but don’t make it in time so instead, they hide under the kitchen table. It is morning and Marit and Lars find out that they have to be sent to and island with their aunt and uncle. At this point Marit is not happy.They are at the island with Aunt Ingeborg and Uncle Bestafar. Everything is different….
Mary Casanova lives in Ranier, Minnesota and grew up in St.Paul, Minnesota with 10 siblings. She has written 31 books and 7 American Girl Doll books and is a Newbery Honor winner.
The setting takes place in a village in Norway. There are houses on each side of the street and the village is located near the ocean. The novel occurs mostly in the fall and takes place in the year 1942.
The main character is Marit, a 12-year old who finds a way to fight against 5-year long Nazi occupation. She and her brother get separated from their parents. But Marit stays strong. She is trying to get the Nazi’s to stop. And when her aunt gets taken away everything changes…
One strength is the author's description. for example, when she wrote ”his pants were ripped like holes in cheese.” I picture in my head what this will look like. Another strength is the beginning because right from the start, it grabbed your attention. so you won’t want to put the book down. A weakness is that it was stormy the whole book because it said that there was storms when Marit and Lars were on a boat in the river. This weather makes the story sad. Another weakness is the book seemed gloomy and sad because they had to get separated from their parents and their aunt got taken away.
I would rate this book 4 stars because it has good description that makes you feel like you were there. And you could feel how the character was feeling. Will Marit and Lars survive the 5-year long Nazi occupation? What do you think? Read the story to find out! you won’t be disappointed.
Author, Mary Casanova
BOOM! BANG! Norway is getting bombed and Marit and her brother Lars rush downstairs where find their parents. “Get downstairs now!” Yells their dad. They run but don’t make it in time so instead, they hide under the kitchen table. It is morning and Marit and Lars find out that they have to be sent to and island with their aunt and uncle. At this point Marit is not happy.They are at the island with Aunt Ingeborg and Uncle Bestafar. Everything is different….
Mary Casanova lives in Ranier, Minnesota and grew up in St.Paul, Minnesota with 10 siblings. She has written 31 books and 7 American Girl Doll books and is a Newbery Honor winner.
The setting takes place in a village in Norway. There are houses on each side of the street and the village is located near the ocean. The novel occurs mostly in the fall and takes place in the year 1942.
The main character is Marit, a 12-year old who finds a way to fight against 5-year long Nazi occupation. She and her brother get separated from their parents. But Marit stays strong. She is trying to get the Nazi’s to stop. And when her aunt gets taken away everything changes…
One strength is the author's description. for example, when she wrote ”his pants were ripped like holes in cheese.” I picture in my head what this will look like. Another strength is the beginning because right from the start, it grabbed your attention. so you won’t want to put the book down. A weakness is that it was stormy the whole book because it said that there was storms when Marit and Lars were on a boat in the river. This weather makes the story sad. Another weakness is the book seemed gloomy and sad because they had to get separated from their parents and their aunt got taken away.
I would rate this book 4 stars because it has good description that makes you feel like you were there. And you could feel how the character was feeling. Will Marit and Lars survive the 5-year long Nazi occupation? What do you think? Read the story to find out! you won’t be disappointed.
October 19, 2012
Military tactics of the Nazis when conquering countries was an early morning blitz attack from the sky by the Luftwaffe, dropping bombs cities, towns and villages to assert their power and scare people, followed by an invasion of foot soldiers who took over everything while folks were still stunned. That is exactly what the Nazis did on the morning of April 9, 1940 in Denmark and Norway.
Mary Casanova's novel, The Klipfish Code, begins just this way. In a small village in Norway, the blitz bombing has just woken up 10 year old Marit Gundersen and her family, giving them no time to even get down to the cellar for shelter. When it is all over, the house is in shambles, and beloved heirlooms destroyed. It doesn't take long for Marit's parents to decide to send her and her young brother Lars to live with their Aunt Ingeborg, a teacher, and their Bestefar, a grandfather with whom Marit does not like or get along.
As the summer days go by, the German presence increases all around Norway, including the small fishing island where they are now living, but luckily for Marit, she soon meets Hanna, a girl her age and the two become best friends. And, though Bestefar is a fisherman, Marit is kept busy with chores on the small farm he owns. Marit assumes she and Lars will go home to begin school when September arrives, but she is told they will be staying put and will go to school there. Aunt Ingeborg is Marit and Hanna's teacher.
Meanwhile, Marit notices that Bestefar is away on his fishing trawler more and more frequently, and for days at a time, which is fine with her since it means she doesn't have to put up with his constant criticism. But when he is home, and Marit watches as he submissively hands over milk, cheese, eggs and any other food as their "donation" to the German soldiers, leaving barely anything to the family to live on, she gets angrier and angrier at his lack of Norwegian spirit.
After all, as Marit notices, other Norwegians are surreptitiously showing their solidarity to Norwary, to King Haakan VII, forced to flee during the invasion, and to the Resistance by wearing a paper clip or drawing the H7 enclosed in a V for victory*. What's wrong with Bestefar, that he doesn't do anything? Even when the Germans arrest Aunt Ingeborg in the middle of class one day for defying one of their order, he remains submissive. And why don't her parents write more frequently, after all she hasn't seen them in two years, now? What are they doing? Marit is full of anger, but also frustrated that she can't do anything to help Norway.
That is until the day she races out of the house after angry words with Bestefar and stumbles on a young man who has been shot by the Germans and who turns out to be a Resistance worker. Though he is seriously injured, Marit, now12, manages to get him to the loft in Bestefar's barn to hide, but she is finally forced to ask Hanna's mother, a nurse, to come look at him. Near death, Henrik asks Marit to complete his mission for him: delivering a compasss to a house in another village and to tell them she needs a bucketful of Klipfish. It is a dangerous journey, not just because Marit would be drawn into Resistance activities, but the weather is against her as well as her own strength needed row a boat through treacherous waters. And worse, she would have to take Lars with her and put him in danger, too.
Now, given this opportunity to do something against the Nazis, does Marit have the courage to act on her convictions. Can she do what she believes Bestefar can't do?
There are two common threads running through all the WWII books I have read for children, teens and adults. The first thread is that each story, real or imagined, is unique. This may be due to the fact that so many are based on real events and in real life, everyone experiences the same event differently. The second tread is that no matter how different the story, a some point the protagonist will be asked to do something they didn't think they were capable of. And yet, so often, they do what they must, even when they are afraid, and at great risk. Sometimes they live to tell the tale and sometimes they die, but either way they act, they do something to sabotage the Nazis - even something as seemingly small as delivering a coded message concealed in a compass.
The Klipfish Code is told from Marit's point of view, so we are privy only to her thoughts, observations and conclusions. And the reader can watch her process as she begins to feel she needs to do something to thwart the Nazis in some way, and to demonstrate her loyalty to Norway. It isn't enough to just hate Nazis, that would make Marit too much like them. So, what we really see is how fear, determination, conviction and courage coalesce in Marit, and result to action. And that is what makes this such a great middle-grade novel.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was purchased for my personal library
Because The Klipfish Code offers such wonderful teachable aspects of WWII, there is a Teaching Guide available at http://www.marycasanova.com/pdf/klipf...
Mary Casanova's novel, The Klipfish Code, begins just this way. In a small village in Norway, the blitz bombing has just woken up 10 year old Marit Gundersen and her family, giving them no time to even get down to the cellar for shelter. When it is all over, the house is in shambles, and beloved heirlooms destroyed. It doesn't take long for Marit's parents to decide to send her and her young brother Lars to live with their Aunt Ingeborg, a teacher, and their Bestefar, a grandfather with whom Marit does not like or get along.
As the summer days go by, the German presence increases all around Norway, including the small fishing island where they are now living, but luckily for Marit, she soon meets Hanna, a girl her age and the two become best friends. And, though Bestefar is a fisherman, Marit is kept busy with chores on the small farm he owns. Marit assumes she and Lars will go home to begin school when September arrives, but she is told they will be staying put and will go to school there. Aunt Ingeborg is Marit and Hanna's teacher.
Meanwhile, Marit notices that Bestefar is away on his fishing trawler more and more frequently, and for days at a time, which is fine with her since it means she doesn't have to put up with his constant criticism. But when he is home, and Marit watches as he submissively hands over milk, cheese, eggs and any other food as their "donation" to the German soldiers, leaving barely anything to the family to live on, she gets angrier and angrier at his lack of Norwegian spirit.
After all, as Marit notices, other Norwegians are surreptitiously showing their solidarity to Norwary, to King Haakan VII, forced to flee during the invasion, and to the Resistance by wearing a paper clip or drawing the H7 enclosed in a V for victory*. What's wrong with Bestefar, that he doesn't do anything? Even when the Germans arrest Aunt Ingeborg in the middle of class one day for defying one of their order, he remains submissive. And why don't her parents write more frequently, after all she hasn't seen them in two years, now? What are they doing? Marit is full of anger, but also frustrated that she can't do anything to help Norway.
That is until the day she races out of the house after angry words with Bestefar and stumbles on a young man who has been shot by the Germans and who turns out to be a Resistance worker. Though he is seriously injured, Marit, now12, manages to get him to the loft in Bestefar's barn to hide, but she is finally forced to ask Hanna's mother, a nurse, to come look at him. Near death, Henrik asks Marit to complete his mission for him: delivering a compasss to a house in another village and to tell them she needs a bucketful of Klipfish. It is a dangerous journey, not just because Marit would be drawn into Resistance activities, but the weather is against her as well as her own strength needed row a boat through treacherous waters. And worse, she would have to take Lars with her and put him in danger, too.
Now, given this opportunity to do something against the Nazis, does Marit have the courage to act on her convictions. Can she do what she believes Bestefar can't do?
There are two common threads running through all the WWII books I have read for children, teens and adults. The first thread is that each story, real or imagined, is unique. This may be due to the fact that so many are based on real events and in real life, everyone experiences the same event differently. The second tread is that no matter how different the story, a some point the protagonist will be asked to do something they didn't think they were capable of. And yet, so often, they do what they must, even when they are afraid, and at great risk. Sometimes they live to tell the tale and sometimes they die, but either way they act, they do something to sabotage the Nazis - even something as seemingly small as delivering a coded message concealed in a compass.
The Klipfish Code is told from Marit's point of view, so we are privy only to her thoughts, observations and conclusions. And the reader can watch her process as she begins to feel she needs to do something to thwart the Nazis in some way, and to demonstrate her loyalty to Norway. It isn't enough to just hate Nazis, that would make Marit too much like them. So, what we really see is how fear, determination, conviction and courage coalesce in Marit, and result to action. And that is what makes this such a great middle-grade novel.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was purchased for my personal library
Because The Klipfish Code offers such wonderful teachable aspects of WWII, there is a Teaching Guide available at http://www.marycasanova.com/pdf/klipf...
January 15, 2016
I really liked how the story was told from Marit's perspective, giving the reader a chance to better understand what the war was like for her while helping the Resistance and being away from her parents for over 5 years.
July 15, 2018
A good young adult read. It was an interesting story about the Resistance in Norway during WWII. It’s always interesting to hear the perspective from a child, about a very adult conflict. The young girl, Marit’s role, in helping the Resistance and her final enlightenment about her grandfather was very moving. Some of our family has heritage from the Scandinavian area and so many references to food, clothing and the weather were familiar. A quick read and enjoyed it!
September 20, 2018
The Klipfish Code by Mary Casanova is a good book. The main character is Marit who is 12 years old. She is in the middle of war trying to fix things and get her family back. She has to protect her little brother Lars. Two things I liked about the book is how Marit never gave up her mission even though it was hard. Also, in the book every time there is a word in German you could go to the Glossary in the back of the page and it gives you the definition, and how to pronounce it. I think people would enjoy reading this book.
January 31, 2023
This is a good book for middle school ages and for kids who are advanced in their knowledge of the holocaust.
August 7, 2017
A story of the Nazi occupation of Norway, told from the perspective of Marit, a girl whose parents join the resistance, leaving her and her brother to live with their fisherman grandfather and school teacher aunt. Marit longs to rebel, and support her family and her people, but the situation is complex. Even to talk to the Nazi soldiers may bring danger to her family or friends, much less to challenge them or fight back. The complexities are well described, and Marit makes choices that she isn't always proud of. The story was well developed. If I have any complaint it is that it feels a bit rushed; I might have enjoyed if she had lingered a bit more over the ambiguities (how did Marit really feel about Olaf and Kaptain? What did Hanna's mother think about what she was asked to do?). But of course the intended audience is young, and she might have lost a few readers by being too cerebral. And maybe I'm the culprit for rushing through the book. A side note about the end, for those who don't mind spoilers: .
Over all a great read for kids of any gender, ages ten and up (as well as adults).
Over all a great read for kids of any gender, ages ten and up (as well as adults).
November 17, 2020
Literally walked up to my bookshelf for another selection as I await my DCPL book holds LOL...So found this one and okay so historical fiction it is---
Marit a young girl in Norway living in a state of constant fear and apprehension as all of Europe unwillingly gets pulled into the Great War of 1914..
“Everyone spoke with certainty that the Nazis would never invade Norway. But now it seemed they had.” (Pg. 6)
As things get more and more tense Marit and her younger brother Lars are sent to her grandfather (Bestefar) and her aunt while her parents become allies and translators for Norway to aid the British forces against the Germans...Marit and her grandfather bump heads and especially over his attitude towards the Nazis and her parents’ sacrifice and choices to help---
“With disgust, she watched him hammer the last corner of the poster. Nazis forced their way into their country, and his response was to do everything they demanded. “Bestefar,” she asked, her voice shaking with anger, “ it says you can’t aid the enemy. But who is the enemy?”.....
“Bestefar, you didn’t even hear me.” She’d never spoken so disrespectfully to her elders before. But how could she respect him when he had less backbone than a jellyfish?” (Pgs. 56-57)
Marit takes her conviction and hatred for the Nazis seriously so when it is discovered that one of her school friends Olaf’s parents have turned Nazi supporters she joins with everyone else in icing him out--
“Marit felt sorry for him, but in this war-a war in which her parents were risking their lives and his parents were turning in Norweigians-there was no middle ground.” (Pg. 67)
The war and Nazi regime comes closer and closer and eventually infiltrates their church and Marit’s school where her aunt is a teacher as well when the Nazis come to change what is being taught.
“And do you know what Nazi philosophy is?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “It means believing that you are of a superior race-an Aryan race-superior to anyone who is of Jewish ancestry, superior to anyone who is handicapped or different in any way. It means teaching you to identify and pick out those who don’t fit in. It means that you are to follow orders and obey and not to ever ever think for yourselves.” (Pg. 92)
And then the day comes when her aunt and every one in ten teachers in Norway is taken to re-education camp---with her parents and now her dear aunt being taken away from her because of the Nazis the war has come way too close to her…
“It wasn’t safe to be alone, a girl in the woods. But she didn’t care. Nothing was safe anymore. School wasn’t safe. Not even Aunt Ingeborg had been safe.” (Pg. 107)
I was really enjoying well it was well written to read of Marit’s life and the story went along fine to me until she met a Resistance soldier and gets into a long drawn out sequence of delivering codes, hiding and secret Klipfish messages..The book fell off somehow in the last fifty or so pages and then hastily wrapped up when the buildup was so well written ----anyways the war ends and she is reunited with her whole family-parents and aunt so it ends rather sweetly though the Resistance soldier dies..
This could have gotten a higher rating if not for the ending and all the parts after she meets Henrik the soldier as I felt it was clumsy action, long winded chase sequences and not enough detail to stand up to the beginning about Marit’s life and Norweigan culture and religion..
Overall pretty good historical fiction..will recommend this for like 6th graders and older..thank you Scholastic LOL always entertaining fast reads for sure you can always depend on them!
Marit a young girl in Norway living in a state of constant fear and apprehension as all of Europe unwillingly gets pulled into the Great War of 1914..
“Everyone spoke with certainty that the Nazis would never invade Norway. But now it seemed they had.” (Pg. 6)
As things get more and more tense Marit and her younger brother Lars are sent to her grandfather (Bestefar) and her aunt while her parents become allies and translators for Norway to aid the British forces against the Germans...Marit and her grandfather bump heads and especially over his attitude towards the Nazis and her parents’ sacrifice and choices to help---
“With disgust, she watched him hammer the last corner of the poster. Nazis forced their way into their country, and his response was to do everything they demanded. “Bestefar,” she asked, her voice shaking with anger, “ it says you can’t aid the enemy. But who is the enemy?”.....
“Bestefar, you didn’t even hear me.” She’d never spoken so disrespectfully to her elders before. But how could she respect him when he had less backbone than a jellyfish?” (Pgs. 56-57)
Marit takes her conviction and hatred for the Nazis seriously so when it is discovered that one of her school friends Olaf’s parents have turned Nazi supporters she joins with everyone else in icing him out--
“Marit felt sorry for him, but in this war-a war in which her parents were risking their lives and his parents were turning in Norweigians-there was no middle ground.” (Pg. 67)
The war and Nazi regime comes closer and closer and eventually infiltrates their church and Marit’s school where her aunt is a teacher as well when the Nazis come to change what is being taught.
“And do you know what Nazi philosophy is?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “It means believing that you are of a superior race-an Aryan race-superior to anyone who is of Jewish ancestry, superior to anyone who is handicapped or different in any way. It means teaching you to identify and pick out those who don’t fit in. It means that you are to follow orders and obey and not to ever ever think for yourselves.” (Pg. 92)
And then the day comes when her aunt and every one in ten teachers in Norway is taken to re-education camp---with her parents and now her dear aunt being taken away from her because of the Nazis the war has come way too close to her…
“It wasn’t safe to be alone, a girl in the woods. But she didn’t care. Nothing was safe anymore. School wasn’t safe. Not even Aunt Ingeborg had been safe.” (Pg. 107)
I was really enjoying well it was well written to read of Marit’s life and the story went along fine to me until she met a Resistance soldier and gets into a long drawn out sequence of delivering codes, hiding and secret Klipfish messages..The book fell off somehow in the last fifty or so pages and then hastily wrapped up when the buildup was so well written ----anyways the war ends and she is reunited with her whole family-parents and aunt so it ends rather sweetly though the Resistance soldier dies..
This could have gotten a higher rating if not for the ending and all the parts after she meets Henrik the soldier as I felt it was clumsy action, long winded chase sequences and not enough detail to stand up to the beginning about Marit’s life and Norweigan culture and religion..
Overall pretty good historical fiction..will recommend this for like 6th graders and older..thank you Scholastic LOL always entertaining fast reads for sure you can always depend on them!
November 17, 2020
Excellent story about a young girl's experiences during the German occupation of Norway. It begins when the Nazi's invade, and bomb Maret's hometown, after which her parents send her and her younger brother away to live with their grandfather and aunt, while they join the Resistance. Maret desperately wants to stay with her parents, since she's never been close to her father, but that is impossible. Over time, conditions worsen, as the Nazis impose ever more stringent rules. And Maret learns the true meaning of courage. Recommended.
This would be a good companion book to Marie McSwigan's Snow Treasure, a favorite book of mine. I also can't help remembering my own visit to the Norwegian Resistance Museum in Oslo many years ago, and how impressed and moved I was.
This would be a good companion book to Marie McSwigan's Snow Treasure, a favorite book of mine. I also can't help remembering my own visit to the Norwegian Resistance Museum in Oslo many years ago, and how impressed and moved I was.
August 12, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book about the Norwegian resistance and one young girl's family during the Nazi occupation of Norway during WWII. I picked up this book at a library sale a few years back and just picked it up now. I recently returned from a trip back to "The Homeland," as Norway is my ancestral home. I remember hearing stories of how hard it was in Norway during the war years, and that those who came to America were shut off from communication with their loved ones. This book, well researched and written by Mary Casanova, gives us a glimpse into the hardships, the bravery, and the stresses of living in an occupied country. They still have remnants of that terrible time on their land and in their psyches. "The Klipfish Code" is a Lovelace Book Award Nominee for middle grade novels. An excellent historical novel.
October 19, 2018
The story The Klipfish Code is about a girl Marit and a boy Lars, they are in trouble with all the Nazis surrounding them. They have to go live with their grandparents and Marit wants to know more about these Nazis so she goes exploring. I would recommend this book for fifth graders and above because this book is very serious and is talking about the war between the Nazis. I really liked this book because it was talking about history and I like history. Also, once you get into the book it goes into detail and is explained very well so you can get a better understanding of this topic.
In the end, you should read this book because it engages you and makes you think about the serious events that actually happened in our world a long time ago.
In the end, you should read this book because it engages you and makes you think about the serious events that actually happened in our world a long time ago.
October 15, 2018
The Klipfish Code is about Marit and her little brother Lars. It takes place during the nazi occupation of Norway. From the invasion to them leaving the country. Marit and Lars’ house gets bombed and they are forced to live with their Grandpa or Bestefar and their aunt. The story follows them through school during the occupation and everyday life during the occupation. I love this book because I love learning World War II in all the countries. This book is also loaded with plot twists. Though it is a little sad in some parts, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes realistic fiction history books.
August 1, 2017
This was a very good book and a great little story for kids. It gave a great insight into the history of Norway during the second World War. This is a part of history that I really knew nothing about. It was very interesting to learn about the bravery and pride of the Norwegian people in their country and their heritage. And how they stood against the Nazi's and their propaganda. Good book. I hope I can encourage my grandkids to read this one.
October 5, 2020
World War II from a child’s viewpoint
Children can adapt to nearly any circumstance. In The Klipfish Code we see Marit and Lars, Norwegian children their parents sent to live with an aunt and grandfather to relative safety so their parents can join the Resistance against the occupying German army. Through the eyes of these children, the reader experiences the fear and confusion about who can be trusted during war.
Children can adapt to nearly any circumstance. In The Klipfish Code we see Marit and Lars, Norwegian children their parents sent to live with an aunt and grandfather to relative safety so their parents can join the Resistance against the occupying German army. Through the eyes of these children, the reader experiences the fear and confusion about who can be trusted during war.
November 19, 2020
The Klipfish Code is a WWII story set in occupied Norway, with a young girl as the narrator. It strayed from the Narnia/Bedknobs and Brooksticks mindset of children sent by their parents into the countryside for their safety; Marit is devastated to be separated from her parents. I related much more to her reaction than to children who just stoically accept it and go on adventures. It’s a good book for learning more about occupied Norway.
April 11, 2023
A good middle grade read that shows some of the big picture of the occupation through small experiences like having to turn over all their blankets to the Germans in the middle of winter and the ever-present danger of drawing a soldier's attention and anger. This covers a lot of the history - the use of humor, Norwegians who supported the Nazis, the Shetland bus, the preachers and teachers refusing to follow Nazi rules. There's a lot of language and culture readers can learn.
May 15, 2017
Yet another perspective of World War II - this time the setting is in occupied Norway. This feels like a perfect book for 3rd-4th grader who is interested in the subject. The horrors of the holocaust aren't depicted in this story, yet the oppression and tactics of the Nazis becomes clear. Having been to Norway myself, I had a connection to this story.
December 18, 2018
WWII Norway, good story, kids surviving with parents away in the resistance, aunt taken (defiant teacher), grandfather secretly ferrying people away. It's a long sweep of time, covers some of the ambiguity of war.
Good for tweens and upper elementary who are looking for a longer story. Nice alternative viewpoint on WWII.
Good for tweens and upper elementary who are looking for a longer story. Nice alternative viewpoint on WWII.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2019
Poignant, inspiring, well-written, and deeply moving. Sadly, very relevant now. I especially appreciated the chapters about "icing out" Nazi sympathizers, even if they were a close friend before. Marit and Lars and their family and friends were all very well-drawn characters. I just hate that the cat disappeared in the end. Let! Animals! Survive! Dark! Stories!!!! :( Otherwise 4/5 stars.
September 14, 2020
The first hundred pages should be reduce by about 75% to get us to the action faster. After that it was really good. Living amongst a lot of Minnesota Swedes and Norwegians, I enjoyed the cultural details a lot. Nice for young readers to see that they can make a difference, and that others are not always what they seem.
March 2, 2022
I was hoping for more out of this one, but it's a great adolescent fiction book about WWII without it being too horrific or traumatizing. It's the story of WWII and the Nazi invasion of Norway. Mary Casanova is a MN author, so I'm always happy to support the locals. This book was part of the Maud Hart Lovelace book competition, and I can see why.
May 6, 2017
Good young adult fiction. I passed it on to my fifth grade daughter when I finished. I enjoyed the Norwegian references throughout. Good WWII book for intended audience...nothing too graphic, yet you empathize with main characters.
October 20, 2019
Germany occupied Norway for five years in their hellish fight to control Europe. They perpetuated their characteristic hatred and inhumane treatment of fellow human beings. The people of Norway were strong and faithful to God and to freedom.
April 6, 2018
Written from the perspective of a pre-teen during German occupation in Norway. Quick little YA read while on vacation.
May 7, 2018
3.75: Especially good option for middle grade readers interested in a WWII story set in Norway.
November 27, 2019
Set during World War II in Norway, this middle grade novel depicts what it was like for a girl and her family during the five years of German occupation. Very good book.
January 15, 2020
Omg I almost cried like six times in the span of a few chapters. Wow, I didn't realize that Norway was affected that much by WWII. but now I know so....
July 23, 2020
Great book for middle schoolers
As an adult I enjoyed this book. I plan to get my 4th grade grandson to read this. It will be a perfect intro to historical fiction ☺
As an adult I enjoyed this book. I plan to get my 4th grade grandson to read this. It will be a perfect intro to historical fiction ☺
December 24, 2020
You could not find a better read
July 17, 2022
Always interesting to read about other groups who resisted Nazism. This novel delves into one young ladies journey in Norway — as her family resists.
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