Enemies in the Orchard: A World War 2 Novel in Verse

by Dana VanderLugt

288 pages, Paperback

Published March 25, 2025

Reviews

[Meggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, tender story about German POWs during wwII working in Michigan farms. Told in verse!! While a simple story, it really takes the big story of war and gives in flesh—as humans deal with the nuances and complexities of right and wrong. A great read, especially for those local to west Michigan.

[Hannah Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rated Enemies in the Orchard a 5 out of 5 because it presents multiple perspectives from people on both sides of World War II while remaining grounded in accurate historical context. Dana Vanderlugt does an excellent job drawing the reader in by creating fictional characters and storylines that feel authentic and emotionally compelling. Although the characters themselves are fictional, they are placed within real historical events and tensions, allowing readers to experience the sadness, uncertainty, and division that existed during this time. The historical background is woven seamlessly into the narrative, helping generate realistic emotions and illustrating how war affects individuals and communities on both sides of a conflict. As a reader, I appreciated how the novel balanced engaging storytelling with historical integrity, making complex events more understandable and humanized. (This is as much information as I can provide without giving spoilers!)

I would use Enemies in the Orchard in a 5th through 7th grade classroom because, although World War II and U.S. involvement are typically studied more in depth at the high school level, upper elementary and middle school years are a critical time to begin developing historical thinking skills. This book provides an accessible entry point for discussing perspective, bias, and the human impact of war. In the classroom, this novel could be used alongside a social studies unit on World War II, with activities such as comparing fictional events in the story to real historical facts, analyzing how different characters’ perspectives shape their actions, or writing journal entries from the point of view of a character affected by the war. These activities would support comprehension, critical thinking, empathy, and an understanding of how historical events influence individual lives.

[Amanda Schwind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite how long it took me to finish this book (back to school and toddler mom probs), I couldn't let it go unfinished. Such a niche facet of US history told in a wonderful format/genre. Highly recommend.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tear jerker. Well written.

[Kathy Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

2025-#48 German POWs were brought to the US to replace our labor shortage during WWII.
2025-2026 William Allen White nominee (Grades 6-8).