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, Fiction, Historical, France, Audiobook

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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[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings

Protagonist with memory loss
Sibling with long-term illness leading to hearing loss
Death of a mother recounted
World War I (theme), including period-typical food scarcity

[Clare Drefcinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read that also makes you feel things and leaves you with a renewed sense of joy and hope

[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/...

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful middle-grade novel by this author. I didn’t used to like historical fiction, but actually I think I must’ve not have been reading good historical fiction, like this. I also enjoyed the dual POV, which flows really well together. It was engaging to follow, not abrupt switches. Though the Holocaust is in the past, there are genocides that are happening today, and other evils world. May we all be as curious and brave as we learn to be as kids, and find ways to be sparks of light against evil in the world.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving dual timeline middle grade novel that follows Penny in present day Paris and Marie in 1940s Paris. One girl in is struggling to fit in living abroad in a foreign city where her family has moved for her mother's new job, while the other is trying to save French artwork and working for the French Resistance during the height of WWII. I really enjoyed how accessible this story was for young readers, showing how children now and then can make a difference. Good on audio and perfect for fans of The Bletchley Riddle or Max in the land of spies.

[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 (Whimsically Susan) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

Will write more later!!

[Susan Apps-Bodilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Read it.

[Abbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 12 year old LOVED this dual timeline historical fiction about the French resistance in WWII. I read it per her recommendation, and while I found it interesting, it wasn’t quite as gripping for me. It contains quite a bit of 13-year-old-girl-angst, which may explain why she liked it more than I did.

[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.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I adored Take it from the Top, so I requested this as soon as I saw it. The WWII angle did give me pause (it’s just been done So Much), but the fact that it’s focusing on the French resistance is at least a new spin on an *extremely* tired subject.

The story takes place in two timelines - Paris in 1943-44, where Marie lives with her older sister and eventually becomes involved in the resistance movement; and Paris in the present day, where Penny has been forcibly relocated for her mother’s job and is…taking it as well as you’d expect from a 7th grader. The thread between the two stories is a painting found in the wall of a church (Penny’s mother is an art history professor, so she was called in when it was found and she brought Penny along). Penny discovers a letter in the wall along with the painting (it strains belief a tiny bit that she’s able to pocket it without anyone noticing…and that no one noticed it to begin with before she got there, but meh. It’s a book for kids, her mother is not the main character). She’s feeling a little feisty about her whole situation, so she deliberately hides it from her mother and sets about trying to figure out the mystery herself - who was Marie? Who was Jeanne? (the person the letter is written to) And what happened to both of them?

The girls trade off narration duties as Penny learns more about Marie, and as Marie becomes more deeply involved in the resistance. Swinarski is able to create a growing sense of dread and desperation in Marie’s chapters. Which unfortunately does not do Penny any favors, as she looks even more spoiled by comparison. She’s right in that “it’s all about me” myopic teenaged mode, and can’t possibly imagine that the world and the family don’t revolve around her. Like, child, your mother put her entire career on hold to raise you and now she wants to go back to work. Put on your big girl pants and deal with it! You’re in freaking Paris! But also, she’s been uprooted from her life and her friends (who, thanks to Instagram she can see moving on with their lives without her), living in a foreign country where she doesn’t know anyone or speak the language, and also her mom is never around because she’s suddenly working. It’s a lot, and while her actions are understandable considering her age, again, she does come off as spoiled and out of touch given that her narrative counterpart would really just like to have enough food and maybe some shoes that fit. Penny, with the help of her brothers, is eventually able to track down adult Marie and hear her story.

Penny is also struggling with some stuff that happened at home before she left. She’s a talented artist, but recently quit her painting lessons because her “best friends” made her feel bad about doing something that wasn’t making a difference in the world. Again, myopic teenaged worldview! Her friends have joined some kind of junior social justice warriors group and keep making her feel like painting is just a distraction from actually making a difference in the world. Which…two things can be true! Art is hugely important, especially in times of resistance. You aren’t just "making pretty pictures,” you’re leaving a record for the future (and also working out your feelings surrounding yet another goddamn school shooting). She also has a sweet moment with one of her older brothers where he tells her that looking at her painting helped him while he was in the hospital We hear about all of this in flashback, and it does help to flesh out the character and explain her mood swings.

Marie joins up with the resistance via her sister’s friend Jeanne - the typical cool older friend of your cool older sister. Since she’s a child, Marie is an ideal person to run messages for the resistance - children are so often overlooked and invisible. But France is getting more and more dangerous under the German occupation, even the soldiers are starting to feel the effect of shortages and lashing out at anyone who looks the wrong way. She and her sister decide to flee with their childhood friend Adrien, but of course Jeanne drops by to give Marie one last errand - the painting Penny’s mother found in the wall. Obviously things don’t go as planned - Marie clearly gets discovered trying to make the drop in the cafe, and when she goes to the resistance apartment to try to give Jeanne the painting back, all hell breaks loose. The girls are all able to hide in the crawlspace, but the Milice (Frenchmen working for the German army) have found the organization’s work. And then poor sweet Adrien comes in and they just have to listen to him be captured while he takes the fall for the whole scheme. The painting simply gets left behind in the crawlspace after the soldiers leave. And also Jeanne wasn’t French, she was part of the Special Operations branch from England, brought over to assist with the war effort. Penny even finds her plaque early on. Adrien spent the war in a prison camp but he survived. And in the end, thanks to Penny, Marie, Heloise, and Adrien’s stories can finally be told.

[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.

[Sue.the.very.busy.reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if two timelines could spark together so seamlessly they feel like one unforgettable story?

When I received Each and Every Spark from @harperkids, I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful cover—it perfectly captures the dual timeline at the heart of this middle grade historical fiction. And while I usually enjoy dual timelines, this one truly stands out. The way the stories and characters intertwine feels natural and purposeful, blending into one powerful, cohesive narrative.

At its core, this is a moving story about two young girls who must dig deep to find the courage to be brave. It highlights the strength of family, the power of loyalty, and the quiet resilience that often goes unnoticed. I especially loved the Paris setting, with its nods to art like Monet’s lilies and the simple joy of chocolate croissants. One quote that really stayed with me was:

“We all have our different tastes and preferences. We all come from different cultures too, and bring our own histories. The important thing is that we never stop seeking the beautiful, right? That's what keeps us human.”

It perfectly captures the heart of this story.

At the same time, the book thoughtfully sheds light on the French Resistance and the small, often unrecognized acts of bravery ordinary people took during the war to help others—an important and meaningful perspective for young readers.

Penny Marks’ backstory added an extra layer of connection for me. As someone from Wisconsin, I appreciated the little details about her life there—it made the story feel even more personal and added a bit of unexpected joy along the way.

Thank you to @harperkids and @claireswinarski for the gifted copy, and to Patti @mamadaughterbookclub for encouraging me to pick this up for the #NewberyContenderChallenge.

This is a heartfelt, beautifully woven story that reminds us every small act of courage matters—and that every spark, no matter how small, can help light the way. ✨

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Paris during two different timelines (present day and 1943-44), this upper middle grade novel tells the stories of two girls trying to figure out their place in the world.

Penny’s whole family has been upended and moved from Wisconsin to Paris for her mom’s fancy new job in the art world. Marie and her sister are on their own after their father had been taken away by the Germans.
Their stories collide when Penny’s mom’s expertise is needed when an old painting is discovered, hidden behind a wall and found during an apartment renovation.

Themes of courage, resistance, and the importance of art and finding beauty in the world.

Favorite lines:
Page 98:
“Exactly. We all have our different tastes and preferences. We all come from different cultures too, and bring our own histories. The important thing is that we never stop seeking the beautiful, right? That’s what keeps us human.”

Pages 136-137:
“Sometimes,” Jeanne said softly, “ the change starts in our hearts, yes? That can be where the biggest change takes place. The change in our hearts leads to a change in our actions. We strengthen hearts, we strengthen people. Remember what I said: Each and every spark matters. They’re all little flickers breaking into the darkness. No matter how tiny they may seem.”

Page 158:
“It’s about a people’s culture. Art - we need it, as human beings. We need beauty just as badly as we need baguettes! It’s not just about taking lives, you see? It’s about taking what matters to people. It’s about taking their very will to live.”

Page 267:
But knowing the answers. Because our stories, well – they’re what we have, when everything else is gone. When our people in places have been taken from us, we have our stories, and those who are willing to listen to them.

[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.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each and Every Spark is a fantastic dual timeline novel, alternating between present day Paris and Paris in 1943-1944. Both timelines are narrated by young teens who have different reasons for dissatisfaction in their lives. In 1943, Marie and her older sister, Héloise, are trying to get by during the height of the German occupation. In the present, much to her dismay, Penny and her family have relocated to Paris for her mother to take advantage of a job opportunity. When an old oil painting and a brief note are discovered during a renovation, the mystery of their origin begins to draw the two girls' stories together. Both Marie and Penny explore agency and independence as they struggle to discern their place in their families and in the larger world. Art plays a role in both timelines and raises questions of whether beauty matters in a world full of so many horrific truths. Both are realistic teenagers and fully fleshed out characters. Readers will be invited to consider the roles that women, and even children, played in the resistance to the Nazis, despite the fact that most of their names and stories have been lost to history. A concluding author's note shares background information on how the story came to be, as well as detailing which pieces of the narrative are purely fiction and noting ties to the real people and events that inspired it. As antisemitic incidents are on the rise around the world, stories like this are as important as ever. A must-have for collections where World War II fiction is popular. Hand to fans of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley or Palacio's White Bird: a Wonder Story.

Highly recommended for readers in grades 5-8.

[Minzreadssss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adding it to one of my favorite middle grade books

.She hadn't realized that every single day had been a gift until every single day walked her further towards despair

Oh i loved reading this and glad that i requested this copy because it made me realize one thing , we are so ungrateful with our lives .
Also in the resistance stories we often forget to mention the women and the children , everyone resists in their own way and all of it counts !

I don't think it's about making things pretty penny . It's about creating beauty and reminding people of what's good and true in the world . About making spaces that are the opposite of all that hurt and destruction. People have created art in much worse times than this.
I also loved art as one of the main theme of this book, art is not only the escape during rough times but also a way to tell their stories and amplify their voices

There were some moments were I was not able to understand the child main leads . From marie making that last painting decision to penny running away from her home , but then , they are children What happened with adrien broke me , what was even his fault :(

thanks to the Edelewesis , Harper Collins Children’s Books and Quill Tree Books for digital ARC!!

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this dual timeline YA historical fiction novel, readers follow present-day Penny Marks as she heads to Paris for her mother’s new job and Marie Bonnet, a teenager who lives in occupied Paris during World War II with her sister Heloise after their father was arrested. Marie soon learns Heloise has been working with the resistance and joins her sister’s cell even though their work could cost them their lives. When an old painting resurfaces in Penny’s life, she starts to follow the note which could lead her to Marie and what happened to her during and after the war. With alternating perspectives, both Penny and Marie get a chance to develop and grow as the narrative progresses, and the connecting threads of art and family help bridge the decades-long gap between their lives. Penny’s struggles are deeply relatable to modern teens, while Marie’s life offers a sanitized but still useful glimpse into World War II Paris. The structure of the book allows both girls to experience challenges, and the details really bring the city to life, making this a fun and enjoyable read for young historical fiction fans and adults looking for some lighter World War II historical fiction.

Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Quill Tree Press for the advance copy.

[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.

[Jenni Enzor · Rating 4 out of 5]

In general, I stay away from World War II books because I've read so many. But this novel was a fresh take with the dual-timeline (modern-day Paris and 1940s Paris) and the French resistance plotline. I learned so much about the Resistance that I didn't know before.

But what really grabbed me about this book were the characters. Both Penny and Marie are relatable, and each, in her own way, is heroic. I loved how family was so important to both of them. And kudos to Swinarksi for portraying homeschooling in a positive light.

I'm also a huge art history fan, so I loved those tidbits about how art was hidden during WW2. Although there are some scenes of peril, mostly off the page, this would be a perfect book for tweens, who want to learn how WW2 affected Parisian children.

If you'd like to read more, I shared about it today on my blog: https://jennienzor.blogspot.com/2026/...

[Andrew Ant · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent story done almost Cloud Atlas style with the bouncing back and forth in time. It connects two girls, one in occupied Paris near the end of the war, and current day Paris where a girl who's mother gets her dream job and uproots the family into living in this strange world where she cannot have her own way.
The rest of the family settles in while she cannot be bothered because everything should always be the way it used to be and I'm going to be misrable because I'm a teen girl in Paris, boo hoo.
She pulls a typical Godzilla movie move where when a painting is found in the wall of an old building her mother gets to finding out about it while the girl finds a note that fell from the wall that gives more information about who and why the painting was hid.
Of course the girl wants to solve the mystery just to get back at her mother and thinks it will get her sent home if she solves it.

and things work out in the end.

[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.

[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.

[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).