Each and Every Spark

by Claire Swinarski

From the Edgar Award nominated author of What Happened to Rachel Riley? comes an engrossing, timely, and propulsive story of two girls in Paris—one living under Nazi rule in the 1940s; the other in present day—and the mysterious painting that unites them. Perfect for fans of The Bletchley Riddle and When We Flew Away.

Paris, present day. Penny Marks has never felt so alone. Forced to move to France for some fancy job her mom couldn’t turn down, she’s now miles away from her old life. If she hadn’t quit art after all that drama went down last year, she’d at least have something to keep her mind off the fact that life back home is moving on without her.

Paris, 1943. Marie Bonnet has never felt so afraid. When the German army seized power over France, she and her sister Heloise watched their father get taken away, leaving them on their own. Then Marie finds evidence that Heloise has secretly been working for the French Resistance—a group of rebels set on a Nazi takedown—and while it has danger written all over it, she's desperate to join. Any small act of uprising could help their country…but it could also cost them their lives.

Penny and Marie’s worlds collide when an old painting resurfaces in present-day Paris after decades of being hidden. Along with it is a note whose message may lead Penny to Marie…and the fate that awaited her.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Mystery, France, World War II, Fiction, War

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 17, 2026

About the author

Claire Swinarski is the author of multiple books for both kids and adults. Her writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Seventeen, Milwaukee Magazine, and many other publications. She lives in small town Wisconsin with her husband and three kids, where she writes books, wears babies, and wrangles bread dough. You can follow her on Instagram @claireswinarski.

Reviews

[Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Report: Each and Every Spark by: Claire Swinarski

In present day Paris…Penny Marks feels untethered…new country…new life and an old hurt that made her put down her art. In 1943 Paris…Marie Bonnet is living in fear as the Nazis occupy France…her father disappears and her sister risks everything by joining the Resistance. When a long hidden painting resurfaces decades later…Penny begins to uncover Marie’s story…and the brave..heartbreaking choices that shaped her fate.

“It’s hard, sometimes, to remember who you once were.”

I’ve read and loved so many of Claire Swinarski’s novels…but Each and Every Spark is a new favorite of the bunch. As an adult…historical fiction has become one of my most loved genres and while I don’t remember gravitating toward it as a teen…I know without a doubt that if someone had handed me this book back then…I would’ve absolutely devoured it.

The dual POV and timelines kept the pages turning…weaving together two young girls from vastly different worlds with so much heart and tenderness. This story made me wish I could step back in time…sit with my grandparents and listen closely to the stories that shaped them.

Thank you Harper Collins Children’s Books | Quill Tree Books for the ecopy!

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[emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

no stars language - its a kids book
no stars romance - once again, middle grade
10+ because it does take place during World War 2 and the Holocaust

Thank you Quill Tree Books for the ARC! I really appreciate it! This review is my own facts and opinions.

I love historical fiction books, French things, and books written around the Holocaust era so imagine my excitement when I saw this one! I have previously read 1 book by Claire Swinarski (What Happened to Rachel Riley?) and really enjoyed it, so decided to give this one a try. I was impressed by how good it was! this book reminded me of Jennifer A. Nielsen and Alan Gratz books.

plot: penny and her family move to France, something she did not want to do. she misses all her friends and really, really, REALLY doesn't want to be there. when she discovers a note on an old painting, she wants to investigate and see who it belonged to.

Marie lives with her sister Heloise and it is Nazi France. She wants to do something about the world she lives in, but Heloise is really overprotective. When she gets the chance to help with the revolution, she jumps at it.

thoughts: I felt so immersed and sucked into this world! I always wanted to keep reading and read this book in a couple sittings. the transitions between all the chapters were PERFECT! for example, penny would tuck a note into her pocket and in the next chapter Marie would be writing a note (not the same note, but it was still really cool). This happened MULTIPLE TIMES, nearly every chapter and I loved it so much!! at one point penny's mom says something along the lines of "when you think of Paris, you think of pastries, you don't think of the history" DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT but it really made me think and agree with her. This book was amazing as a whole.


~penny~

I really felt for her, having to move to France and leaving all her friends behind. She was such an interesting character, and a curious one, which led to SO MUCH good plot. her family felt very realistic, something I appreciate.

~marie~
she was so curious and wanted to do so much! I loved seeing this story and this time period through her eyes.

~heloise~
I absolutely LOVED this character, as well as her name. can we all just appreciate how pretty her name is? being an older sister, I really felt for her trying to take care of marie while trying to live her own life

~jeanne~
I have conflicting feelings about this character. if you read this book, you will know why. she is a very strong character and very independent, which is inspiring.

if you like Jennifer A. Nielsen, Alan Gratz, or any historical fiction really, you will love this book! it is a middle grade book, but it is still very engaging (coming from a nearly 15 year old). I really enjoyed this book and thank you so much Quill Tree Books for the ARC!

xoxo
emma

Read this review on my blog here!
https://emmaisabookworm.blogspot.com/...

[Johnna Wilford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t expect a middle grade novel to make me sob but here we are…

Read if you like:
- dual timelines that converge
- WWII history (specifically resistance fighters in German-occupied France)

Thanks to HarperCollins through NetGalley for the ARC.

[Susan (What Susan Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good! I loved both storylines so much.

Will write more later!!

[Laura Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Scared is what you’re feeling, but courage is what you practice.”

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 I read this in practically 1 sitting on my day off school! I feel like Claire Swinarski's characters are always so relatable, and I loved the dual timelines.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Told in alternating viewpoints, this story centers on Penny Marks, in the present day, and Marie Bonnet, in 1943. Both girls live in Paris, France. Penny is very angry that her family has moved there from Wisconsin for her mother's job in the art world. Because of her brother Mason's long illness that lead to some hearing loss, and the political climate in their hometown that adversely affects the schools, the Marks want a fresh start. Penny just wants to be back home with her friends, and is angry at having been "kidnapped" and taken to Paris. Marie has bigger problems; her mother died when she was young, and her father has been sent to work for the Nazis in Germany, leaving her and her older sister Héloise to fend for themselves in the occupied city where food is scarce and soldier frequently detain or kill people on the street. The girls' father was a picture book writer famous for his book about a young rabbit, and the two embrace the idea of staying safe at home. When Penny's mother is called in to assess a painting found in the walls of a building, Penny is intrigued, even though she quit art lessons because she felt (mainly due to friends' influence) that there was no point in creating anything when the world was such a mess. She takes a piece of paper found near the painting, and starts her own investigation into how it might have ended up hidden. Marie discovers that her sister is working with the resistance, and also romantically involved with Adrien, another operative, and wants to do her own part to fight against the Nazis, encouraged by another Resistance member named Jeanne. When Penny's brother Matthew helps her research the painting and the French Resistance, the two worlds merge. With the help of Marie's daughter Odette, Penny is able to locate Marie in a care facility in Paris, and interviews her about the painting. Decades old mysteries are solved, which helps Penny's mother, whose short term job turns into a longer placement in Paris.
Strengths: There are fewer books about World War II set in France, so it was good to see this look at occupied Paris. The French Resistance was very interesting, and very young children acted as messengers. Weaving together two points in time makes the story more vivid for younger readers. We are getting to the point in time where there will be no more people alive who were actually involved in the war, so portraying the present day Marie in a care facility, struggling with memory issues, was very realistic. Penny's connection to art helped highlight the plight of so many works that were stolen during the war, and it was good to see a mostly happy ending portrayed.
Weaknesses: Penny's complaints about having to live in Paris were hard to take as an adult; young readers might not find this as grating. Her objection to her mother going back to work after taking time off to raise her seemed very dated. I would think that most children today expect their mothers to be employed.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like WWII art mysteries like Fitzgerald's Under the Egg, Hicks' The Dark Skies Mystery: A World War II Thriller, Osborne's Winter's Bullet, or Cameron's Artifice.
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[Rachel Trout · Rating 5 out of 5]

🕰️Dual Timeline WW2 Paris Women's Fiction🕜 🇫🇷

This was an excellent story! Good middle grade books are challenging to find, great middle grade books are rare at best. Each and Every Spark was a great one! It seems dual timeline stories are "on trend" in the publishing world right now, but this is the first one I've read that I felt really nailed the device. The pacing was flawless with beautifully executed suspense and character development mixed in to make the reader want to continue. There were no slow spots at all. I absolutely loved the Paris setting, and it came to life in its own way in each timeline: the bright, cheerful atmosphere of the present day and the ominous, gloomier, yet still fully Parisian atmosphere of German-occupied 1944 France. This was a fascinating story about the role of women and children in The Resistance in Paris, and I learned a great deal!

I do want to give some content warnings, mostly for parents and teachers who are hoping to guage the appropriate age for a child to read this book. None of these would prohibit me recommending the book, just the age at which it should be read. ❤️ I would recommend this story for 5th grade and up independently. Obviously, the historical context lends itself to more mature subject matter, but this was done beautifully and tastefully in a way that honors the past and informs the present.

Content Warnings:
-one mention of "period poverty statistics" this is very brief and easily missed
-MC in present day says something along the lines of, "just because women don't have the right body parts, they don't get recognized for their [art]"
-the present day MC hates her mother for most of the book, and makes some risky decisions as a result. This is resolved in the end.
-one time taking the Lord's name in vain
-in the WW2 POV, an alarming description of a girl near starvation (it wasn't bad or grotesque, it would just be alarming for younger readers)
-one Kiss

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this free ARC. The above opinions are completely my own.

[Meaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher (Quill Tree Books and Harper Collins) for the advanced reader's copy of this middle grade historical fiction story.

I remember reading Lois Lowry's Number the Stars as an elementary student, and it was the first World War II historical fiction I had encountered and it really stuck with me. This upcoming novel, Each and Every Spark, could be a similar reading experience for young readers in 2026. The characters are so approachable, and I think kids will really engage with this WWII story.

The book is dual timelines, that weave together. The present day timeline is anchored by young adult Penny Marks, who has been forced to move to Paris with her family, and the 1943 timeline focuses on Marie Bennett, another young woman trying to survive in occupied France while a war rages. The chapters alternate back and forth between the two, which was a great juxtaposition between life then and now. Each girl has a really clear voice and I think young readers will relate to them.

I loved the "spy" element of Marie's story, and the unfolding mystery of Penny's. I loved all of the side characters, from Penny's brothers to Marie's sister and spy contacts. I loved that it focused on the French Resistance component of WWII, but also referenced the Holocaust and other larger war themes of that time.

Overall this is just a great book for kids who are interested in history and art and adventure. It's great to have these two young characters show how while their lives are obviously very different, they share similar spirits and each have to learn and grow and mature to handle the challenges in their lives.

[Wendi Nunnery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Claire Swinarski's writing all around. She's adept at getting to the heart of a narrative with a single line of prose, and this historical fiction middle-grade is no exception. (The title is great!) I was excited to read this book because WWII is my favorite time period to study, and there aren't many novels, certainly not middle-grade, that offer the perspective of someone in German-occupied France. A dual narrative that alternates between two young girls in 1943 and present-day Paris, Each and Every Spark hits on some really important messaging that remains relevant to this day. With themes such as evolving friendships, courage in the face of fear, honesty, and the importance of beauty in dark places, this novel touches on several topics I think kids will be able to connect with, especially when it comes to feeling out of control while all the adults around you make decisions you just have to accept.

My only critique here is that the narrative wraps up rather quickly, with all the ends tied up in a single chapter, point by point. I was hoping to see more of older Marie's reconnection with Adrien through his family, as well as Penny's transition into permanent residency in Paris, since that was a major issue throughout the novel. I turned the last page fully expecting another chapter, and felt a bit deflated by the ending to what was otherwise a wonderful, necessary book.

Overall, this is a great novel to help students get interested in history from a more "living" perspective. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. No AI has been used in the creation of this post.

[Diana of Shelved by Strand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swinarski's What Happened to Rachel Riley? and Kate In-Between are frequent checkouts in my middle school library, so I was excited to read her latest, Each and Every Spark. We follow two girls in different timelines, Marie in 1943 Paris and Penny in modern-day Paris, knowing that a painting found hidden in a building will eventually connect them.

I loved Marie's story as she becomes involved in the French Resistance, but also Penny's as her comfortable life in the United States is uprooted for her mom's new job. Modern-day students can't always identify with the suffering of those starving in German-occupied France, but they will connect with Penny as she feels overlooked by her family. As they connect with Penny, they will find themselves as engrossed with Marie's story as Penny is.

For others trying to stock libraries in Christian schools, Swinarski is always a safe bet. I even learned something about Catholicism in this one and will happily recommend this to all my students who devour WWII stories.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Wallis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Really fun! I read The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County last year and really enjoyed it, but this was my first of the author's middle grade novels. Penny's chapters worked better for me than did Marie's. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Penny and her mom (and the family dynamics as a whole). The transition from SAHM to reprioritizing her career was interesting and felt authentic, and I found the depiction of it from Penny's point of view specifically to be skillfully done. The pathos in Marie's chapters did not really hit for me, but I'm also not the target audience for this book! YMMV. I wish the book was a bit longer. Especially with two protagonists, I would have appreciated a bit more time to sit with each and get to know them.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - This was a beautifully written dual timelines that converge story and I wish I could read it again for the first time. I loved the history explored for the French Resistance and the imagining of the untold stories of women and children who played such an integral role.

Most of my critiques are things that involve spoilers, which I do my best to avoid in reviews, so I won't be listing them here. The only one I can mention is that Penny can be an unlikeable character, but give her a chance. She's a teenager who's had major life challenges thrown her way. [This is something I had to constantly remind myself, so I'm pointing it out so you, whomever is reading this, can also be prepared.]

I highly recommend this to readers of all ages.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for allowing me to read this eARC.

[Marinda (rindasreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each and Every Spark is a compelling story of two girls living in two different time periods. When Penny's family relocates to Paris, her world gets turned upside down. When she accompanies her Mom to rescue a painting hidden away during WW2, she finds a letter that sets her off on a path toward making peace with her new home and her family.

Things I loved:
-the art elements
-Adrian
-Marie's courage
-the transitions between chapters
-the themes of family bonds and sacrifice
-Penny's brothers
-finding peace and purpose through utilizing your talents

Some parts of the story felt overdone, like the author was trying to make the world Penny lives in just as scary as Marie's. I don't think a modern life of luxury can compare to living in occupied France during WW2. Other parts felt too brief and not fully explored. Overall, an enjoyable and worthwhile read.

[WKPL Children's/YA Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover of historical fiction (especially WWII history), Miss Lori especially enjoyed this book. A past and present story centered in France after the Nazi's took over in the 1940's and during present day, this book has all the things that make a story fantastic: great characters, beautiful writing, crises, drama, family issues, HISTORY and more! Learning more about how the French dealt with the takeover and how people resisted is what kept my interest. The present day story that folded so nicely into the past story also was creative and helpful in teaching more about how far the French went to resist (even so far as hiding art so Hitler couldn't get at it!).

This is a story for middle grade and up (and I really thing "up" should include parents who might not have learned or remember how bad things got under Hitler. What a great chance for discussion!)

[Erica Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This middle grade historical/contemporary novel features two bright and brave protagonists, connected by a painting despite living many decades apart. It is a quick read and I didn't find it as gripping as I hoped, but I can see it fitting really well alongside The Bletchley Riddle, Max in the House of Spies, and similar titles. I thought the alternating points of view were a neat way to intertwine the stories, but always found myself itching for more of Penny's modern day story - odd because I usually lean more for the historical perspective in stories like this and found Marie a more interesting character. All said, though, I found this a good read, and will be recommending to my middle grade historical fiction fans.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penny is moved to Paris with her family, when her mother gets a new art history job. In 1943 Marie is starving and cold. The Germans use their power to take what they want, and everyone else just has scraps. She is ready to help the Resistance and jumps at the chance... but will she and her sister survive?

Why I started this book: Look at this cover! Plus children's WWII fiction set in Paris? Sign me up.

Why I finished it: Hard to find common ground with Penny whose life was ruined by moving to Paris, when I would love that above all things! Swinarski weaves a delicate balance with the actual French resistance participation and the recalled participation after the war. But she treats her characters with care and respect and shows the full range of emotions and consequences for there actions.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful compelling story of two 13 year old girls in Paris, 80 years apart, one a member of the French Resistance (Marie) and another an American transplant to Paris due to parental job change (Penelope). Both stories spool out alongside each other in the book – until they merge beautifully at the end through the surprise find of a painting hidden from the Nazis. A reader can make the connection to our time of current resistance pretty easily, but Penelope is a kid who likes art, not protests. The author writes about how art and artists assist in resistance (and she’s of course writing about the effect of her own book might have!) Thrilling!

This book earned a Starred Review from PW (Kirkus missed the boat on this one).

[Mimayk · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ - I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am such a fan of historical fiction. When I saw the cover, I just knew I had to read it. I loved reading Marie’s POV more than Penny’s, and of course, she was my favorite. Penny acted selfishly, which made me dislike her a little, especially toward the end. I even teared up a couple of times! I liked Marie’s ending, but I felt that Penny still had one last thing to do before the end of her story, but she never did it (I don’t want to spoil anything). Other than that, this was a really good book, and I recommend reading it!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paris, present day: Penny Marks feels so alone after being forced to move to France. She is bored. Paris, 1943. Marie Bonnet has never felt so afraid as the Germans take over France. She wants to join her sister Heloise in the resistance. Penny and Marie’s worlds collide when an old painting resurfaces in present-day Paris after decades of being hidden.

I love dual timeline historical fiction books especially one that includes The Resistance and art. This is a great book for kids! History, and learning about emotions, and family dynamics.

Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books | Quill Tree Books and NetGalley. #EachandEverySpark #NetGalley.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just…wow, what a book.
If I could give this one more than five stars, I certainly would.

The setting is Paris, France, with the plot alternating between modern time and the 1940’s. In the modern world, there is Penny Marks. By her own admission, she is determined to be the “family grump”, because she resents them “kidnapping” her and dragging her away from Wisconsin. She hopes that if she shows interest in absolutely nothing in the year that they’re staying for her mom’s dream job, that the family will see how she’s struggling and return home. Her attempts at projecting boredom/indifference are thwarted when a mysterious painting hidden behind a wall is brought to light, and a quest is begun to find out how and why it was there.
In the other timeline, the reader is taken back to the WW2 era. Marie Bonnet and her older sister Heloise are two young girls fending for themselves in Occupied France, because the war has taken almost everyone and everything they count on away. Rumors about help from the Allied forces circulate, but nothing concrete actually happens to relieve the starving and suffering. Marie has gotten wind of information about a “Resistance” group that are defying the Nazis. This seems like a better plan to her than just waiting for the Germans to decide to leave. Even though she is only thirteen, surely she can help her country, one small, dangerous action at a time…

My husband and I returned from a trip to Paris six months ago. We walked down many streets that the Nazi soldiers had marched upon in their takeover. We saw plaques and memorials honoring Resistance Fighters. The most heart-rending were the memorials dedicated to the Jewish people rounded up in the Vel d’Hiv raid. These families were forced from their homes, held in the Veledrome stadium for five days without necessities, then shipped to concentration camps. Many young children were sent to the camps alone, after being separated from their parents. Because this was done at the hands of the French police, it is still considered an embarrassment, and not taught about in French schools, to this day.
Thank you, Claire Swinarski, for writing this novel about a much lesser-known part of WW2. If libraries and schools have access to books like this one, perhaps the next generation will be encouraged to declare, “Never Again”.

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

[Critter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.

I enjoyed listening to this book. The narration eas excellently done. I liked how the past and present where connected to each other across time. The stories felt well balanced with each other and I loved seeing the stories end up intertwining together. The characters are well written and I liked getting to know them. I did feel myself a little more drawn to the modern day narrative. The themes surrounding family were also pretty great with how they are woven in.

[Karen Reeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history of WWII had such a massive impact on the people who lived during the events of the time, and it continues to impact people who live today. Each and Every Spark provides such a powerfully thought-provoking story of how two girls were forever influenced by the consequences of a terrible war. I would lay in bed at night reflecting over everything that Swinarski caused me to feel as I read this beautiful book.

[Cassandra]

This is a wonderful story that really makes you feel how important the family aspect is. I love that it has so many layers between the two girls. I myself am from Wisconsin and have loved Paris since I was a child, so being able to connect to this story in that respect was wonderful. World War 2 was a time in history with so many lost stories, and this one has a haunting story that is still truthful to the mysteries that still linger today.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dual timeline middle grade novel is Parnassus’s February 2026 Spark Book Club pick. The lives of two girls in Paris are juxtaposed: one in the present and the other during WWII in 1943. I love how art takes center stage in connecting their stories but I was more interested in the Marie’s harrowing story than Penny’s present day story. I listened to the audiobook on Libby.

[Theresa Fryjoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I take every chance I get to support this local author - but that's not what kept me up late the past few nights tearing through her latest middle grade.

This is an important, inspiring story that feels ever more relevant in our current world. Let us all work to prevent history from repeating itself.

[Jami Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your typical WWII story. The experiences of both Marie and Penny make this book interesting on two fronts. Marie, living in 1940s France, and Penny, living in current day France, are decades apart, but their stories intertwine with each other perfectly. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction.

[Eline Pullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate this book on 3.5 stars. The aspects of the story I really liked were: the art theme, the history vs today timeline and how well the story rounds up. In the whole story the characters did not really come to life to me. Also I found some fragments a bit repetitive. So all together a nice middle grade read about World War II.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good historical/realistic fiction book. I could not put it down and was so drawn into the mystery of the past with Marie and how Penny would learn the truth in the present. Give to your elementary and middle schoolers who love history fiction, they will devour this one!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the book, but I feel like the "present day" sections will not age well. There are way too many popular references that will fade within a year or two. Well researched, and the last quarter brought everything together very effectively.