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The Year We Escaped
For fans of Jackie French and Katrina Nannestad, The Year We Escaped is a heart-stopping and remarkable World War II story by talented author Suzanne Leal.
Europe, 1940
With war on their doorstep, German classmates Klara and Rachel, and French brothers Lucien and Paul, are forced to leave their homes. They are taken to Gurs, a French detention camp in the south-west of France. It's a crowded place, with little comfort and even less food.
When Klara and Rachel are promised safe refuge in a remote French village, Lucien and Paul are anxious to join them — and will risk their own lives to get there.
Filled with adventure, danger and intrigue, this is the story of four unlikely friends desperate to escape from a war that keeps coming closer.
Europe, 1940
With war on their doorstep, German classmates Klara and Rachel, and French brothers Lucien and Paul, are forced to leave their homes. They are taken to Gurs, a French detention camp in the south-west of France. It's a crowded place, with little comfort and even less food.
When Klara and Rachel are promised safe refuge in a remote French village, Lucien and Paul are anxious to join them — and will risk their own lives to get there.
Filled with adventure, danger and intrigue, this is the story of four unlikely friends desperate to escape from a war that keeps coming closer.
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About the author
Suzanne Leal
9 books64 followersI'm the author of novels THE WATCHFUL WIFE, RUNNING WITH IVAN, THE DECEPTIONS, THE TEACHER'S SECRET and BORDER STREET.
A regular interviewer and presenter at literary events and festivals, I was the senior judge for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards from 2017 to 2019 and am now a board director of BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival. I'm also a lawyer with a background in child protection, criminal law and refugee law. I'm also the weekly host of Thursday Book Club, a relaxed, friendly place to chat about books online, To join us, sign up (for free) on my website:www.suzanneleal.com.
I live in Sydney, Australia with my husband, David, my four children, a Japanese Spitz called Milly and a cat we accidentally acquired called Leo,
A regular interviewer and presenter at literary events and festivals, I was the senior judge for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards from 2017 to 2019 and am now a board director of BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival. I'm also a lawyer with a background in child protection, criminal law and refugee law. I'm also the weekly host of Thursday Book Club, a relaxed, friendly place to chat about books online, To join us, sign up (for free) on my website:www.suzanneleal.com.
I live in Sydney, Australia with my husband, David, my four children, a Japanese Spitz called Milly and a cat we accidentally acquired called Leo,
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 16, 2025
Suzanne Leal brings a certain clarity to her writing having a successful career in the law, her message is strong and determined yet completely befitting the audience. Her deep interest in the topics of this book and the research undertaken reflects the sincerity of the young people in this accessible and very well written book.
Aimed at readers aged ten and up it tells the story of two sets of friends: Jewish German girls who are suddenly faced with the terrifying rise of Nazi cruelty, and French brothers who are hiding a secret of their own. Their paths cross at the Gurs detention camp in France, where they quickly bond over shared fear, hunger, and uncertainty.
We are transported to the terror of the time in a way that’s age-appropriate, realistic and confronting, but never overwhelming. When the girls are offered a chance to leave the camp for a safe house, the boys soon follow as they refuse to be apart. Their journey is full of danger, and they have to rely on their courage and quick thinking to survive to find their friends and be grown up in a world that is scary and at war. It’s an adventure with real purpose.
What I really appreciated was the balance as there must be scary moments and harsh realities, just as there are acts of kindness that remind you of the good in humanity. There’s a strong thread of hope running through the story, especially as the boys fight to reunite with their friends.
This is when I truly wish my youngest was a reader, it’s a history lesson wrapped in a gripping story full of friendship, bravery and life lessons, particularly about friendship, hope and resilience. An excellent story to read to or with the young people in your life.
I listened via the BorrowBox app and my public library.
Aimed at readers aged ten and up it tells the story of two sets of friends: Jewish German girls who are suddenly faced with the terrifying rise of Nazi cruelty, and French brothers who are hiding a secret of their own. Their paths cross at the Gurs detention camp in France, where they quickly bond over shared fear, hunger, and uncertainty.
We are transported to the terror of the time in a way that’s age-appropriate, realistic and confronting, but never overwhelming. When the girls are offered a chance to leave the camp for a safe house, the boys soon follow as they refuse to be apart. Their journey is full of danger, and they have to rely on their courage and quick thinking to survive to find their friends and be grown up in a world that is scary and at war. It’s an adventure with real purpose.
What I really appreciated was the balance as there must be scary moments and harsh realities, just as there are acts of kindness that remind you of the good in humanity. There’s a strong thread of hope running through the story, especially as the boys fight to reunite with their friends.
This is when I truly wish my youngest was a reader, it’s a history lesson wrapped in a gripping story full of friendship, bravery and life lessons, particularly about friendship, hope and resilience. An excellent story to read to or with the young people in your life.
I listened via the BorrowBox app and my public library.
July 7, 2025
“I was dumbfounded. Here, in this muddy, rat infested prison, Klara made everything better.”
I must admit, I’m a big fan of historical war fiction novels, as are a few of my students. I have a great appreciation for the level of research these books require and the strong themes they represent. After reading Leal’s previous book in this genre, ‘Running with Ivan’, I was very excited to get my hands on her latest efforts and was drawn in straight away.
‘The Year We Escaped’ tells the stories of two duos - young German based Jewish friends, Klara and Rachel, and two young brothers living in France, Lucien and Paul.
They are all living relatively comfortable lives until the looming threat of war draws closer and turns their world upside down. The duos are soon connected at the French detention camp, Gurs, and quickly form a bond as they deal with the harsh conditions. But no sooner are they pulled apart when the girls are offered a housing certificate to relative safety. The boys want nothing of this separation and so begins their journey to reunite with Klara and Rachel. A journey of hope, resilience and determination ensues. Will the boys be able to navigate their way through the many obstacles ahead or will the dangers of finally war catch up with them?
Suzanne Leal is on another winner here - drawing you in with endearing characters that are easy to root for, evoking empathy through the voice of innocent children (We just wanted to be closer to the mountains) and bringing the setting to life with vivid descriptions and intricate details (Trust me, you’ll feel like you are right there at Gurs with an attack on all the senses. I’ve had enough of brown sludge for now). An inspiring story of hope, friendship and survival awaits you, don’t miss out! Thank you Suzanne!
I must admit, I’m a big fan of historical war fiction novels, as are a few of my students. I have a great appreciation for the level of research these books require and the strong themes they represent. After reading Leal’s previous book in this genre, ‘Running with Ivan’, I was very excited to get my hands on her latest efforts and was drawn in straight away.
‘The Year We Escaped’ tells the stories of two duos - young German based Jewish friends, Klara and Rachel, and two young brothers living in France, Lucien and Paul.
They are all living relatively comfortable lives until the looming threat of war draws closer and turns their world upside down. The duos are soon connected at the French detention camp, Gurs, and quickly form a bond as they deal with the harsh conditions. But no sooner are they pulled apart when the girls are offered a housing certificate to relative safety. The boys want nothing of this separation and so begins their journey to reunite with Klara and Rachel. A journey of hope, resilience and determination ensues. Will the boys be able to navigate their way through the many obstacles ahead or will the dangers of finally war catch up with them?
Suzanne Leal is on another winner here - drawing you in with endearing characters that are easy to root for, evoking empathy through the voice of innocent children (We just wanted to be closer to the mountains) and bringing the setting to life with vivid descriptions and intricate details (Trust me, you’ll feel like you are right there at Gurs with an attack on all the senses. I’ve had enough of brown sludge for now). An inspiring story of hope, friendship and survival awaits you, don’t miss out! Thank you Suzanne!
June 17, 2025
So this book is a children’s fiction I want to make that clear it is definitely written for a younger audience so it means that the themes explored surrounding WWII are obviously going to be a lot lighter and not delved into which obviously for older readers may seem a bit boring. However, I think if you are reading this, you have to look at it from a child/middle-schoolers perspective and in that sense i think this is done incredibly. It does not go heavy into the war but more the beginning of the Holocaust when the deportations of Jewish people started in France and i think it’s done in a way where kids who are just learning about this part of history will want to find out more and ask more questions about this period of time.
I think as an adult reading this, you can infer the sad things that happen at the conclusion of the book but as a child it will invite more curiosity and questions in which they would go and ask their parents about what happened so i think this book is really perfect to introduce such an important horrific part of history to children.
I think as an adult reading this, you can infer the sad things that happen at the conclusion of the book but as a child it will invite more curiosity and questions in which they would go and ask their parents about what happened so i think this book is really perfect to introduce such an important horrific part of history to children.
August 27, 2025
This is a great book for tweens and teens on introducing them to WWII. I’ve been trying to explain the horrific things that happened to my 9 and 10 year olds. They aren’t exactly ready for The Book Thief or Anne Frank.
I thought this was a good bridge and I learned even more things that occurred that I hadn’t known before. I really enjoyed the ending section explaining all the facts etc.
I thought this was a good bridge and I learned even more things that occurred that I hadn’t known before. I really enjoyed the ending section explaining all the facts etc.
July 24, 2025
Recommended for anyone, but particularly 10-13 year-olds. An important, though less known part of WW2 history. Interesting and exciting.
August 5, 2025
A beautifully and sensitively written World War II story that captures the spirit and resilience of childhood through skilfully rendered characters.
January 1, 2026
It wasn't that noticeable at first. But gradually, Klara began to feel a dislike towards her. First in the shops, then at school, then in the government commands over herself and her mother. They are Jewish.
According to Hitler, then local officials, and then the classmates or locals Klara has known all her life, she didn't deserve to be served in shops, spoken to in class, or even have a desk in the school she has always attended. Their family business is sold out from under them, Klara has to go to a Jewish school, and then finally they are marched from their home with a suitcase each onto the back of a truck.
Brothers Lucien and Paul are fascinated by the War, believing it's exciting and even pestering a teenage neighbour about being a soldier. They have watched the changes in their school and know what's happening around them. It's only when Lucien learns a hidden family secret that he really begins to worry.
As French citizens, they are horror struck when they too end up on a truck. After many miles they arrive at a French internment camp. They are hungry, tired and confused. When they meet two girls named Klara and Rachel, they begin to realise how much their lives have changed overnight.
Although The Year We Escaped is set at the time of the Holocaust, it is set in France with French authorities collaborating with the German occupation.
Jewish persecution is clear in the novel, but without depiction of the terrible violence that occurred in other camps across Germany and Poland.
Told in two 3rd person early teen viewpoints - one of Klara in Germany and one of Lucien in France, The Year We Escaped shows the way lives changed for Jewish people in both countries, with stricter and stricter rules until forced transport to Gurs Internment Camp in South Western France.
As the title suggests, escapes are made - some with the kindness of French citizens and outside influences, and some with fear and courage. The fact that many situations that could have been depicted with much nastier consequences but found kindness instead, makes this a great novel for introducing the events of the Holocaust to interested young readers 10+
Author - Suzanne Leal
Age - 10+
Publisher - Harper Collins
Set - Germany / France Early 1940's (WWII)
Viewpoint - 3rd person
Violence - Guns present / Yes
Real Life - Based on real events
Fantasy - No
Blend - Historical / War
According to Hitler, then local officials, and then the classmates or locals Klara has known all her life, she didn't deserve to be served in shops, spoken to in class, or even have a desk in the school she has always attended. Their family business is sold out from under them, Klara has to go to a Jewish school, and then finally they are marched from their home with a suitcase each onto the back of a truck.
Brothers Lucien and Paul are fascinated by the War, believing it's exciting and even pestering a teenage neighbour about being a soldier. They have watched the changes in their school and know what's happening around them. It's only when Lucien learns a hidden family secret that he really begins to worry.
As French citizens, they are horror struck when they too end up on a truck. After many miles they arrive at a French internment camp. They are hungry, tired and confused. When they meet two girls named Klara and Rachel, they begin to realise how much their lives have changed overnight.
Although The Year We Escaped is set at the time of the Holocaust, it is set in France with French authorities collaborating with the German occupation.
Jewish persecution is clear in the novel, but without depiction of the terrible violence that occurred in other camps across Germany and Poland.
Told in two 3rd person early teen viewpoints - one of Klara in Germany and one of Lucien in France, The Year We Escaped shows the way lives changed for Jewish people in both countries, with stricter and stricter rules until forced transport to Gurs Internment Camp in South Western France.
As the title suggests, escapes are made - some with the kindness of French citizens and outside influences, and some with fear and courage. The fact that many situations that could have been depicted with much nastier consequences but found kindness instead, makes this a great novel for introducing the events of the Holocaust to interested young readers 10+
Author - Suzanne Leal
Age - 10+
Publisher - Harper Collins
Set - Germany / France Early 1940's (WWII)
Viewpoint - 3rd person
Violence - Guns present / Yes
Real Life - Based on real events
Fantasy - No
Blend - Historical / War
October 24, 2025
The Year We Escaped had a lot going for it - compelling characters, a gripping premise, and strong emotional moments throughout. The buildup was steady and kept me invested, and I genuinely enjoyed watching the relationships develop and evolve.
However, the ending felt rushed and unresolved. After all the tension and character growth, I was expecting a more satisfying conclusion. Instead, it wrapped up so suddenly that it left me wondering if I had missed a chapter.
Overall, it was a solid read, but the abrupt ending held it back from being truly great.
However, the ending felt rushed and unresolved. After all the tension and character growth, I was expecting a more satisfying conclusion. Instead, it wrapped up so suddenly that it left me wondering if I had missed a chapter.
Overall, it was a solid read, but the abrupt ending held it back from being truly great.
July 28, 2025
I listened to this hist fic story on Bolinda audio @bolindaaudio borrowed through BorrowBox @borrowbox and thoroughly enjoyed it. I read Running With Ivan by the same author, so I knew I was in for a treat with this book. I love reading WWII stories and this one introduced me to yet another narrative of French and German children being interred in camps.
October 17, 2025
The winner of the ARA Historical Novel Prize for the CYA category, this is an engaging WWII story of four children affected by the war. Two brothers from France and two girls from Germany meet in a camp in south central France. This was in the Free France zone. The novel educates young middle grade readers about WWII in Europe. The novel is a worthy winner of the ARA Historical Novel Prize.
November 24, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I feel like the author kept it nicely balanced between the two main characters. I wish they had more time together before they were sent apart but it was a unique take on WWII narratives.
February 12, 2026
An engaging World War 2 middle grade story. Told from two perspectives, this is a slow burn in the lead up to the action and ultimate resolution, where it ended quite quickly.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews