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The Lions' Run: instant New York Times bestseller
Small acts of bravery can have extraordinary consequences. . .
The acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of Pax delivers an unforgettable WWII novel about an orphan who discovers unexpected courage when he becomes involved with the Resistance in France during Occupation.
"A beautiful story of bravery and resistance. The Lions' Run reminds us that, more than size or strength, heroism begins with heart." RUTA SEPTYS, international bestselling author of Between Shades of Gray
"Tremendous... a vivid, enthralling novel." THE OBSERVER
Petit éclair. That's what the other boys at the orphanage call Lucas. He's tired of his cowardly reputation, just as he's tired of the war and the Nazi occupation of his village. He longs to show how brave he can be.
The chance arrives when he saves a litter of kittens from cruel boys and cares for them in an abandoned stable. There he meets Alice, the daughter of a horse trainer, who is hiding her beloved young horse from
German soldiers.
Soon Lucas begins to realise they are not the only ones in the village with secrets. The housekeeper at the German maternity home and a priest at the orphanage pass coded messages; a young mother at the home makes dangerous plans to keep her baby from forced adoption; and a neighbour in town may be harbouring a Jewish family.
Emboldened by the unlikely heroes all around him, Lucas is forced to decide how much he is willing to risk to make the most courageous rescue of all.
Perfect for fans of Ross Montgomery, Phil Earle and Michael Morpurgo, this incredible story told in short chapters, illuminates a little-known aspect of World War II history.
Praise for The Lions' Run:
"Lucas DuBois is proof that a mere kitten can be the bravest of lions by always standing up for what's right." ALAN GRATZ, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee
"Heart-pounding and heart warming, this story of a boy standing against injustice will have you racing through the pages to its startling, triumphant end." KIMBERLY BRUBAKER BRADLEY, Newbery Honoree for
The War That Saved My Life
The acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of Pax delivers an unforgettable WWII novel about an orphan who discovers unexpected courage when he becomes involved with the Resistance in France during Occupation.
"A beautiful story of bravery and resistance. The Lions' Run reminds us that, more than size or strength, heroism begins with heart." RUTA SEPTYS, international bestselling author of Between Shades of Gray
"Tremendous... a vivid, enthralling novel." THE OBSERVER
Petit éclair. That's what the other boys at the orphanage call Lucas. He's tired of his cowardly reputation, just as he's tired of the war and the Nazi occupation of his village. He longs to show how brave he can be.
The chance arrives when he saves a litter of kittens from cruel boys and cares for them in an abandoned stable. There he meets Alice, the daughter of a horse trainer, who is hiding her beloved young horse from
German soldiers.
Soon Lucas begins to realise they are not the only ones in the village with secrets. The housekeeper at the German maternity home and a priest at the orphanage pass coded messages; a young mother at the home makes dangerous plans to keep her baby from forced adoption; and a neighbour in town may be harbouring a Jewish family.
Emboldened by the unlikely heroes all around him, Lucas is forced to decide how much he is willing to risk to make the most courageous rescue of all.
Perfect for fans of Ross Montgomery, Phil Earle and Michael Morpurgo, this incredible story told in short chapters, illuminates a little-known aspect of World War II history.
Praise for The Lions' Run:
"Lucas DuBois is proof that a mere kitten can be the bravest of lions by always standing up for what's right." ALAN GRATZ, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee
"Heart-pounding and heart warming, this story of a boy standing against injustice will have you racing through the pages to its startling, triumphant end." KIMBERLY BRUBAKER BRADLEY, Newbery Honoree for
The War That Saved My Life
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Published February 3, 2026
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February 8, 2026
Animals and kids vs the Nazis in WW II France🐎🐈
When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. ~ African Proverb
🐎Alice is hiding her beloved mare Bia from being snatched up by the German army. The role Bia plays in assisting both Alice and Lucas is inspiring.
🐈Lucas Dubois saves a litter of kittens. His tender care of God's little creatures is a reminder of our mandate to be good stewards of our world.
👶Felix is a newborn at Lamorlaye, the local Lebensborn house near Chantilly, France. His mother Claire is determined to reunite with her little one after the war. How can Lucas and Alice help her?
✉There are resistance workers sprinkled throughout the area. Just as these unassuming people are invisible to the Germans, so is an orphan like Lucas. His deliveries of messages and other relatively small acts are like a termite taking tiny bites.
📖Sara Pennypacker clearly lays out her reason for writing this book in a letter to the reader at the beginning of the book: Will Lucas and Alice be brave enough to get away with what they are daring to do?
If you have read any of Sara Pennypacker's work (Clementine and Pax), you would snatch this one up just like I did. She is an engaging storyteller and takes some time at the end to clearly define what was true from history and what was not.
One thing I did not know is that she published an adult HF title about Lebensborn almost twenty years ago using her maiden name (Young) and it is called My Enemy's Cradle. As soon as I found that out I put a copy on hold at my library.
Happy Publication Week! Thank you to Balzer & Bray and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. ~ African Proverb
🐎Alice is hiding her beloved mare Bia from being snatched up by the German army. The role Bia plays in assisting both Alice and Lucas is inspiring.
🐈Lucas Dubois saves a litter of kittens. His tender care of God's little creatures is a reminder of our mandate to be good stewards of our world.
👶Felix is a newborn at Lamorlaye, the local Lebensborn house near Chantilly, France. His mother Claire is determined to reunite with her little one after the war. How can Lucas and Alice help her?
✉There are resistance workers sprinkled throughout the area. Just as these unassuming people are invisible to the Germans, so is an orphan like Lucas. His deliveries of messages and other relatively small acts are like a termite taking tiny bites.
📖Sara Pennypacker clearly lays out her reason for writing this book in a letter to the reader at the beginning of the book: Will Lucas and Alice be brave enough to get away with what they are daring to do?
If you have read any of Sara Pennypacker's work (Clementine and Pax), you would snatch this one up just like I did. She is an engaging storyteller and takes some time at the end to clearly define what was true from history and what was not.
One thing I did not know is that she published an adult HF title about Lebensborn almost twenty years ago using her maiden name (Young) and it is called My Enemy's Cradle. As soon as I found that out I put a copy on hold at my library.
Happy Publication Week! Thank you to Balzer & Bray and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 30, 2025
This is historical fiction as it should be done. Lucas is a very believable character, and the author makes perfect use of the setting and time to serve the story. The story itself is fast-paced and exciting. I loved learning about the Levensborn, which was basically a maternity home for French girls who found themselves impregnated by German soldiers; this was not something I had ever heard of.
I recently read another middle grade historical, where there was literally no interaction between the plot and the historical setting; it could have been set in any other time and it wouldn’t have mattered. But this was perfect; the actual time and place were, in fact, integral to the story, which is what historical fiction should be.
I recently read another middle grade historical, where there was literally no interaction between the plot and the historical setting; it could have been set in any other time and it wouldn’t have mattered. But this was perfect; the actual time and place were, in fact, integral to the story, which is what historical fiction should be.
February 23, 2026
Taking place in France during WWII in spring 1944 when Nazi Germany occupied it, we follow the life of young orphaned Lucas DuBois who is picked on by other boys at the orphanage for being a bit shorter than them but his life soon slowly changes. He rescues a group of newly born kittens before they are drowned and finds an old stable to hide them in, and meets a girl named Alice who is also using the stable to hide her filly from soldiers but agrees to help care for the kittens. While also doing deliveries for local greengrocers, Lucas slowly learns that the maternity home he’s been delivering to is actually a birth house controlled by the Nazis (Lebensborn) where women are made to birth babies they deem “racially pure” and meets a new mother who wants to keep her baby. Lucas, despite all the situations he’s facing, will slowly gain bravery as he’ll soon find himself and others in inescapable danger.
Pennypacker has written another emotional and courageous story that centers on war, childhood and strength. It starts off very well introducing our protagonist with his struggles and it’s not long until his story really begins to develop with the characters he’ll meet and their own situations. One big surprise is that it delves into the topic of Nazi maternity wards later on, which is sometimes about WWII that’s not very talked about. We also see Lucas finding his brave side as he’ll do whatever he can to find safety while also keeping someone else from harm’s way. There’s also plenty of surprises and heavy emotions found with a bit of tension.
A bittersweet story that shows how courage can always be found in any speed. My first favorite read of 2026, definitely.
A (100%/Outstanding)
Pennypacker has written another emotional and courageous story that centers on war, childhood and strength. It starts off very well introducing our protagonist with his struggles and it’s not long until his story really begins to develop with the characters he’ll meet and their own situations. One big surprise is that it delves into the topic of Nazi maternity wards later on, which is sometimes about WWII that’s not very talked about. We also see Lucas finding his brave side as he’ll do whatever he can to find safety while also keeping someone else from harm’s way. There’s also plenty of surprises and heavy emotions found with a bit of tension.
A bittersweet story that shows how courage can always be found in any speed. My first favorite read of 2026, definitely.
A (100%/Outstanding)
Want to read
January 19, 2026A new Sara Pennypacker book? Yes please!
March 10, 2026
What a beautiful and heartwarming/breaking story 😭
January 18, 2026
While browsing books on Netgalley, I saw this cover and instantly recognized the work of my favorite children's book illustrator, Jon Klassen. I mashed the Request button so fast, I barely registered that it was a middle grade chapter book.
Approved for the advanced readers copy, I quickly flipped through hoping to feast my eyes on a bit more art by Jon Klassen, but there is just a repetitive illustration at the top of each chapter. A note to those who may be coming into this with similar hopes!
That's fine with me though. The cover is honestly more than enough Jon Klassen, and the premise of the book is interesting to me. I was only vaguely aware of the Nazi Lebensborn program and though it feels very sanitized/watered down for younger readers, The Lions' Run sparked a curiosity that led me down a research rabbit hole for a few hours.
I have a bone to pick, but first I'll say that I'm sure that most people will be pleased with this story. There's almost a Disney quality to the core group of characters that makes for a cozy read. The plot is well fleshed out, the climax is satisfying, and, as I said before, the historical context is likely to spark its own curiosity voyage outside of the text.
------------------------------------------------------------
Now for a little criticism: I think that middle grade readers could handle a bit more honesty.
There is a gratuitous amount of animal violence among the orphan boys, but only one scene that comes close to showing the cruelty and barbarism of Nazis. I read Night in middle school! Kids can handle a less cartoonish version of what happened, and they deserve to read books by authors that trust that they can handle these heavy truths, especially now in 2025, when history is repeating itself and topics of forced pregnancy, child kidnapping, and mass deportation are extremely relevant.
Aside from that, the thing I ended up getting really hung up on was that the characters *really* juice up America but literally never mention the Soviet Union. The British are mentioned, the Allies are mentioned, but Russia/ the USSR are only mentioned in author's notes at the beginning and end of the book, and only for the purpose of saying that 1. this book is relevant because modern day Russia is stealing Ukranian children just like the Nazis did, and 2. Nearly half a million horses were seized from the USSR, France, and Poland during WWII.
At the risk of veering into Whataboutism, what about the nearly 30 million Russian soldiers that were slaughtered while fighting Nazis? I know this is France so you might be thinking, well, it was really the USA and the British that liberated France and so who cares that Russia was left out of this book? But to my eye it's a bit of historical revisionism to have the French characters under Nazi occupation wax poetic about how America is so wonderful, America will save us, America is the land of opportunity, in America coal miners can become doctors, etc. (After recently finishing Upton Sinclair's King Coal, that last bit felt especially out of touch.)
There are 34 references to America or Americans that read like boomer patriotism, but again, only those 2 author's notes about the USSR/Russia, neither of which give a sliver of credit to its outsized role in this war.
Some relevant info/quotes from my research:
- Just after the European fighting ended in May 1945, a poll by the French survey group Ifop found that 57 percent of the French thought Moscow had contributed the most to the war effort, compared with just 20 percent who named the United States.
- "In 1945, the great ally was Stalin and the USSR -- their role was absolutely clear for the French," -- Stephane Grimaldi, director of the Caen Memorial Museum for World War II in Normandy.
- "From a purely historical point of view, overlooking the absolutely critical role of the Soviet Union is absurd," -- Denis Peschanski, a senior research fellow at France's CNRS institute, who has long studied the evolution of France's collective memory of the war.
-------------------------------------------------------------
For me, this was a 2.5 rounded up for the beautiful cover illustration. I'm sure that the majority of other people will enjoy this book-- there is a lot to love, but I personally got hung up on the questions of collective memory and how historical myths and omissions are perpetuated through mediums as innocuous as a middle grade children's novel.
Approved for the advanced readers copy, I quickly flipped through hoping to feast my eyes on a bit more art by Jon Klassen, but there is just a repetitive illustration at the top of each chapter. A note to those who may be coming into this with similar hopes!
That's fine with me though. The cover is honestly more than enough Jon Klassen, and the premise of the book is interesting to me. I was only vaguely aware of the Nazi Lebensborn program and though it feels very sanitized/watered down for younger readers, The Lions' Run sparked a curiosity that led me down a research rabbit hole for a few hours.
I have a bone to pick, but first I'll say that I'm sure that most people will be pleased with this story. There's almost a Disney quality to the core group of characters that makes for a cozy read. The plot is well fleshed out, the climax is satisfying, and, as I said before, the historical context is likely to spark its own curiosity voyage outside of the text.
------------------------------------------------------------
Now for a little criticism: I think that middle grade readers could handle a bit more honesty.
There is a gratuitous amount of animal violence among the orphan boys, but only one scene that comes close to showing the cruelty and barbarism of Nazis. I read Night in middle school! Kids can handle a less cartoonish version of what happened, and they deserve to read books by authors that trust that they can handle these heavy truths, especially now in 2025, when history is repeating itself and topics of forced pregnancy, child kidnapping, and mass deportation are extremely relevant.
Aside from that, the thing I ended up getting really hung up on was that the characters *really* juice up America but literally never mention the Soviet Union. The British are mentioned, the Allies are mentioned, but Russia/ the USSR are only mentioned in author's notes at the beginning and end of the book, and only for the purpose of saying that 1. this book is relevant because modern day Russia is stealing Ukranian children just like the Nazis did, and 2. Nearly half a million horses were seized from the USSR, France, and Poland during WWII.
At the risk of veering into Whataboutism, what about the nearly 30 million Russian soldiers that were slaughtered while fighting Nazis? I know this is France so you might be thinking, well, it was really the USA and the British that liberated France and so who cares that Russia was left out of this book? But to my eye it's a bit of historical revisionism to have the French characters under Nazi occupation wax poetic about how America is so wonderful, America will save us, America is the land of opportunity, in America coal miners can become doctors, etc. (After recently finishing Upton Sinclair's King Coal, that last bit felt especially out of touch.)
There are 34 references to America or Americans that read like boomer patriotism, but again, only those 2 author's notes about the USSR/Russia, neither of which give a sliver of credit to its outsized role in this war.
Some relevant info/quotes from my research:
- Just after the European fighting ended in May 1945, a poll by the French survey group Ifop found that 57 percent of the French thought Moscow had contributed the most to the war effort, compared with just 20 percent who named the United States.
- "In 1945, the great ally was Stalin and the USSR -- their role was absolutely clear for the French," -- Stephane Grimaldi, director of the Caen Memorial Museum for World War II in Normandy.
- "From a purely historical point of view, overlooking the absolutely critical role of the Soviet Union is absurd," -- Denis Peschanski, a senior research fellow at France's CNRS institute, who has long studied the evolution of France's collective memory of the war.
-------------------------------------------------------------
For me, this was a 2.5 rounded up for the beautiful cover illustration. I'm sure that the majority of other people will enjoy this book-- there is a lot to love, but I personally got hung up on the questions of collective memory and how historical myths and omissions are perpetuated through mediums as innocuous as a middle grade children's novel.
June 4, 2025
I wasn't quite sure what I thought about this one at the beginning but I gotta say, it really grew on me! I've read a lot of historical fiction set during World War 2 (I think everybody has!) but I really enjoyed the setting of this one. It was different enough that the familiar time period didn't bother me at all.
Without delving too much into the plotline (because I feel like that would give everything away) I'll say that this book is a very sweet tale about a younger teenage boy who is an orphan and lives in France during World War 2. He thinks he's cowardly, but as the story goes on he finds the courage to face the injustice that surrounds him.
If I were to have any complaint it would probably be that it doesn't seem super believable. Like, a youngish boy doing all of that crazy resistance stuff? Um...maybe not. I don't really feel like this is a huge problem in a middle grade book though. Kids don't care:) Honestly, I didn't really care that much either! This one was a lot of fun and definitely a feel-good story.
I would recommend this to any child who enjoys historical fiction.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
Without delving too much into the plotline (because I feel like that would give everything away) I'll say that this book is a very sweet tale about a younger teenage boy who is an orphan and lives in France during World War 2. He thinks he's cowardly, but as the story goes on he finds the courage to face the injustice that surrounds him.
If I were to have any complaint it would probably be that it doesn't seem super believable. Like, a youngish boy doing all of that crazy resistance stuff? Um...maybe not. I don't really feel like this is a huge problem in a middle grade book though. Kids don't care:) Honestly, I didn't really care that much either! This one was a lot of fun and definitely a feel-good story.
I would recommend this to any child who enjoys historical fiction.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
November 17, 2025
The other boys at the orphanage pick on and ridicule Lucas for being a coward. However, when it counts, he is much braver than he realizes. He rescues a litter of newborn kittens; he passes along messages for the Resistance; he befriends a young mother and her infant son Felix who are part of the German Lebensborn program; he helps supply additional groceries to a woman who is harboring Jewish children; and he conspires with a young woman who is hiding her race horse from the Nazis. But when the Nazis are getting ready to send Felix to Germany for adoption, separating him from his mother, Lucas takes drastic action to prevent this from happening, an action that has serious consequences and repercussions. You have to suspend disbelief upon reading the last few chapters but it is a resolution I found myself cheering for. A middle-grade novel well-worth reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the opportunity to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the opportunity to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2026
Fast-Paced. Adventurous. Full of heart.
these are just a few words I would use to describe the Lions run. oh my goodness! this book is my first five star read of 2026, a book I'm going to add to my personal bookshelf. And a book that I cannot wait to recommend to readers, recommend for IBOB lists, and see if it makes any ripples for the 2027 Youth Media Awards.
I was on the edge of my seat while reading this book. Lucas is a character who I just wanted to hug after all, who wouldn't want to hug a sweet orphan boy who upon rescuing little kittens from the clutches of bullies, goes on to do even bigger and braver actions? Lucas meets up with Alice, a girl who is also seeking to hide her precious horse. Both children are caught in the web of Nazi occupied France and wanting to protect the most vulnerable....animals and babies
Perhaps it is because I currently have a baby of my own. Plotlines surrounding Lebensborn (basically Nazi birthing homes) I haven't seen done in youth literature much....so of course I'm invested when a book involves a baby being ripped from its mom. Lucas seeking to protect a little one from being unknown, as he has been his whole life, is guaranteed to make readers root for Lucas....
and that doesn't involving racing a horse
because there is that too
Oh this book is so very very good. Well written, engaging, everything youth literature and historical fiction should be!
these are just a few words I would use to describe the Lions run. oh my goodness! this book is my first five star read of 2026, a book I'm going to add to my personal bookshelf. And a book that I cannot wait to recommend to readers, recommend for IBOB lists, and see if it makes any ripples for the 2027 Youth Media Awards.
I was on the edge of my seat while reading this book. Lucas is a character who I just wanted to hug after all, who wouldn't want to hug a sweet orphan boy who upon rescuing little kittens from the clutches of bullies, goes on to do even bigger and braver actions? Lucas meets up with Alice, a girl who is also seeking to hide her precious horse. Both children are caught in the web of Nazi occupied France and wanting to protect the most vulnerable....animals and babies
Perhaps it is because I currently have a baby of my own. Plotlines surrounding Lebensborn (basically Nazi birthing homes) I haven't seen done in youth literature much....so of course I'm invested when a book involves a baby being ripped from its mom. Lucas seeking to protect a little one from being unknown, as he has been his whole life, is guaranteed to make readers root for Lucas....
and that doesn't involving racing a horse
because there is that too
Oh this book is so very very good. Well written, engaging, everything youth literature and historical fiction should be!
February 23, 2026
THE LIONS' RUN, by Sara Pennypacker, is an historical fiction novel that takes place in 1944 Lamoraye, occupied France. It is the story of an orphan boy who learns what bravery is as he joins the resistance.
While it is a YA novel, it is definitely enjoyable for adults as well. Ms. Pennypacker remains faithful to facts of occupied France, the occurrences during the war and the resistance as well as the Lebensborn nurseries set up by the Nazis, and the Longchamp Racetrack that an Allied bomb which was meant for the Renault Automobile factory which was making vehicles for the Nazis, mistakenly fell on Longchamp instead, during a race killing civilians and horses.
A lot of the occurrences that took place in 1944 have a distinct familiarity to events taking place today.
I'm glad that, just on a whim, I picked up this novel.
While it is a YA novel, it is definitely enjoyable for adults as well. Ms. Pennypacker remains faithful to facts of occupied France, the occurrences during the war and the resistance as well as the Lebensborn nurseries set up by the Nazis, and the Longchamp Racetrack that an Allied bomb which was meant for the Renault Automobile factory which was making vehicles for the Nazis, mistakenly fell on Longchamp instead, during a race killing civilians and horses.
A lot of the occurrences that took place in 1944 have a distinct familiarity to events taking place today.
I'm glad that, just on a whim, I picked up this novel.
March 6, 2026
Outstanding historical fiction introducing young readers to lesser known aspects of WWII. A remarkable 14 year old protagonist who gradually accepts his own self-worth through harrowing acts of courage. Details about the Nazi “Lebensborn”—where young blonde, blue-eyed teenage girls would go to have their future Nazi babies—that really make you shudder. Brave acts of resistance in several unsuspected characters. Really well done. For readers 10 and older.
March 14, 2026
I love middle grade novels set during WWII. I’m always so inspired by the bravery and coverage of children who are motivated to act due to their strong sense of right and wrong. Everyone (whether small or young) can resist and fight for good.
“But he had just realized that hope was a job, and somebody had to do it, and today that somebody was him.”
“But he had just realized that hope was a job, and somebody had to do it, and today that somebody was him.”
February 6, 2026
I did not enjoy Pax at all, so I tried to keep an open mind, but my expectations were low. Turns out it is one of those rare books that adults can enjoy as much as children.
It’s a bit of the Jennifer A. Nielsen formula. Boy with no parents meets girl who challenges his beliefs and together they overcome a monster, which often takes the form of the Nazis. This goes a layer or so deeper, and readers who like Nielsen’s books will love this.
I want to point out that eugenics and the lebensborn homes are a main storyline. These were homes for girls and women who were pregnant with the children expected to have aryan features. The babies were taken from the mothers for adoption in Germany. Younger or more naive readers maybe have a lot of questions about how these pregnancies came about.
This part of the plot calls to mind The Giver, and from there it was obvious to make comparisons to Number the Stars. So while it was a suspenseful page-turner and readers could learn a lot, it isn’t Lois Lowry’s quality of writing.
It’s a bit of the Jennifer A. Nielsen formula. Boy with no parents meets girl who challenges his beliefs and together they overcome a monster, which often takes the form of the Nazis. This goes a layer or so deeper, and readers who like Nielsen’s books will love this.
I want to point out that eugenics and the lebensborn homes are a main storyline. These were homes for girls and women who were pregnant with the children expected to have aryan features. The babies were taken from the mothers for adoption in Germany. Younger or more naive readers maybe have a lot of questions about how these pregnancies came about.
This part of the plot calls to mind The Giver, and from there it was obvious to make comparisons to Number the Stars. So while it was a suspenseful page-turner and readers could learn a lot, it isn’t Lois Lowry’s quality of writing.
January 10, 2026
I’m always looking for a good action-packed historical fiction book to add to our collection. I think this book would appeal to middle grade boys and girls. I enjoy reading this author’s work and I appreciate the research that went into this book.
November 11, 2025
Lucas Du Bois, an orphan who saves a litter of kittens from drowning.
At age fourteen he joins the resistance, since the German occupation in France, where he live in an orphanage.
He meets Alice who is stabling her horse in a different stable, hiding her horse from the Nazis, who would like to use her in their war efforts.
Lucas also meets a young mother in a home for unwed mothers. Clair the young mother wants her baby back after the war. Not so with the Nazis.
Lucas is fearless taking the horse and baby to a safe place, then taking the horse on a ship to America.
A great book showing what courage Lucas had.
I want to thank Balzer and Bray for sending me this wonderful book
At age fourteen he joins the resistance, since the German occupation in France, where he live in an orphanage.
He meets Alice who is stabling her horse in a different stable, hiding her horse from the Nazis, who would like to use her in their war efforts.
Lucas also meets a young mother in a home for unwed mothers. Clair the young mother wants her baby back after the war. Not so with the Nazis.
Lucas is fearless taking the horse and baby to a safe place, then taking the horse on a ship to America.
A great book showing what courage Lucas had.
I want to thank Balzer and Bray for sending me this wonderful book
February 1, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Balzer + Bray for the arc!
This is a monumental example of historical fiction, especially for middle grade readers. I consider myself relatively historically conscious, and had no idea that the concept of the Lebesnborn even existed. Learning accurate history from historical fiction is the first reason why I was impressed with this book.
Secondly, the characters were sweet and interesting, and their motivations and goals were unique. I’m Jewish, but it is nice to see a WWII book that—while touching on the “Jewish aspect” of the war—focuses on other ways lives were impacted. It’s hard, sometimes, for my students to contextualize that the war was a worldwide thing, with the Holocaust being a small but important/detrimental part of the larger conflict. If I were a history teacher, I might consider adding this book to my curriculum. As it stands, I will recommend to other educators.
My hesitations, though minor, are these:
1. I teach predominantly Orthodox Jewish students who have very little understanding of how Christianity works in general. Though the details of the abbey and Lucas’s life there are minimal, I think they would be confusing for my students. That, of course, does not impact everyone and will not impact my recommendation. Some students will be more willing to overlook the things they don’t understand, but for this reason, it’s not a book I can teach in my particular classroom. I will, however, put it on my shelf for students to pick up on their own if it seems interesting to them.
2. The pacing is somewhat slow, taking time to pick up before the action really grabs the reader. This is not a problem—lots of books are like this—but for less enthusiastic readers, who care little about horses or don’t relate to Lucas much, the risk they put it down early is high.
Otherwise, a fantastic middle grade read and a top-notch example of historical fiction (LOVED the author’s dissection of what was accurate and not at the end!) Will be adding to my classroom library shelf!
This is a monumental example of historical fiction, especially for middle grade readers. I consider myself relatively historically conscious, and had no idea that the concept of the Lebesnborn even existed. Learning accurate history from historical fiction is the first reason why I was impressed with this book.
Secondly, the characters were sweet and interesting, and their motivations and goals were unique. I’m Jewish, but it is nice to see a WWII book that—while touching on the “Jewish aspect” of the war—focuses on other ways lives were impacted. It’s hard, sometimes, for my students to contextualize that the war was a worldwide thing, with the Holocaust being a small but important/detrimental part of the larger conflict. If I were a history teacher, I might consider adding this book to my curriculum. As it stands, I will recommend to other educators.
My hesitations, though minor, are these:
1. I teach predominantly Orthodox Jewish students who have very little understanding of how Christianity works in general. Though the details of the abbey and Lucas’s life there are minimal, I think they would be confusing for my students. That, of course, does not impact everyone and will not impact my recommendation. Some students will be more willing to overlook the things they don’t understand, but for this reason, it’s not a book I can teach in my particular classroom. I will, however, put it on my shelf for students to pick up on their own if it seems interesting to them.
2. The pacing is somewhat slow, taking time to pick up before the action really grabs the reader. This is not a problem—lots of books are like this—but for less enthusiastic readers, who care little about horses or don’t relate to Lucas much, the risk they put it down early is high.
Otherwise, a fantastic middle grade read and a top-notch example of historical fiction (LOVED the author’s dissection of what was accurate and not at the end!) Will be adding to my classroom library shelf!
August 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, lots of good history and great characters. I learned a lot of things that I have never heard of before and they are things that should be more well known. Honestly, I wasn’t very surprised about a few things, they sounded just like something the Germans would have done. While I did enjoy this book, I probably wouldn’t hand it to someone unless I know they are mature enough to read it and not very sensitive. There were several things that just weren’t something I think a middle grade kid should be reading. Plus, if they are sensitive about animals and animal cruelty, I definitely wouldn’t give it to them. But I liked it and if I think someone could handle this book, I would definitely give it to them.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.
March 27, 2026
This is my third Sara Pennypacker novel—after Pax and its sequel—and what stood out immediately in The Lion’s Run is how naturally she settles into historical fiction. The story feels close and personal, less concerned with grand wartime events and more focused on how occupation shapes the small, everyday lives of children who have to grow up inside it.
The novel follows Lucas, an orphan nicknamed "petit éclair" by the other boys because of his reputation for being a coward. He is tired of being afraid, tired of the war, and tired of feeling like the smallest person in every room. When he rescues a litter of kittens from some cruel boys and hides them in an abandoned stable, he unknowingly steps into a network of secrets that runs quietly through his village.
There he meets Alice, who is hiding her beloved horse from German soldiers, and through her Lucas begins to notice the courage that exists in quieter forms: coded messages passed in plain sight, dangerous plans to protect a newborn from forced adoption, and neighbours who may be risking everything to shelter a Jewish family. Bravery, he slowly learns, is not always loud or obvious... and it often comes with a cost.
Pennypacker writes with her usual clear, observant prose that trusts the reader to read between the lines. She avoids melodrama even while dealing with the realities of Nazi occupation. The stakes are rarely explosive, but they are constant, and that steady pressure gives the story its emotional pull.
What I appreciated most was how the novel treats courage as something uncertain and uneven. Lucas doesn’t transform overnight; he hesitates, makes mistakes, and worries about what might happen if he does the right thing. That makes his choices feel real and it allows the story to explore moral bravery without turning it into a tidy lesson.
Readers who loved Pax will still recognise Pennypacker’s sensitivity toward animals and her focus on loyalty and trust, but The Lion’s Run feels more grounded and historically rooted.
January 22, 2026
In The Lions' Run, Sara Pennypacker turns her focus to Occupied France during WWII, crafting a story defined by fear, secrecy, and scarcity. The narrative highlights the "quiet" war fought by the French Resistance—everyday citizens performing small, dangerous acts of defiance. Like Pennypacker’s previous work, Pax, this story uses deep animal connections (specifically kittens and a racehorse) as catalysts for the characters' moral awakening and emotional growth.
The book explores the poignant idea that heroism is often found in the steady, quiet choices of ordinary people protecting the vulnerable. However, despite these strong themes, the execution felt far too perfect and sanitized. In many ways, this felt like a "movie version" of WWII rather than a raw look at history. Young readers are more than capable of handling the grim realities of the past, and providing them with a watered-down version of such a dark era feels like a disservice.
This is especially critical at a time when historical parallels. Specifically, when comparisons between the Nazi Gestapo and modern agencies like ICE in the U.S. are being made in current affairs. By softening the edges of the occupation, the book loses the teeth it needs to help young readers truly understand the gravity of these comparisons.
A significant factor in my rating was the overwhelming amount of pro-US propaganda woven into the dialogue. It felt incredibly jarring and unrealistic to have French characters, living under the weight of Nazi occupation, constantly waxing poetic about how America is the "land of opportunity" or the world’s sole savior. These sentiments were repeated ad nauseam and distracted from the actual French experience. When read alongside the sanitized depiction of the occupation, this heavy-handed messaging feels like a missed opportunity to discuss the complexities of power and resistance in a way that resonates with the world today.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Macmillan Children's in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The book explores the poignant idea that heroism is often found in the steady, quiet choices of ordinary people protecting the vulnerable. However, despite these strong themes, the execution felt far too perfect and sanitized. In many ways, this felt like a "movie version" of WWII rather than a raw look at history. Young readers are more than capable of handling the grim realities of the past, and providing them with a watered-down version of such a dark era feels like a disservice.
This is especially critical at a time when historical parallels. Specifically, when comparisons between the Nazi Gestapo and modern agencies like ICE in the U.S. are being made in current affairs. By softening the edges of the occupation, the book loses the teeth it needs to help young readers truly understand the gravity of these comparisons.
A significant factor in my rating was the overwhelming amount of pro-US propaganda woven into the dialogue. It felt incredibly jarring and unrealistic to have French characters, living under the weight of Nazi occupation, constantly waxing poetic about how America is the "land of opportunity" or the world’s sole savior. These sentiments were repeated ad nauseam and distracted from the actual French experience. When read alongside the sanitized depiction of the occupation, this heavy-handed messaging feels like a missed opportunity to discuss the complexities of power and resistance in a way that resonates with the world today.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Macmillan Children's in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 26, 2026
10/10, chef's kiss, gold stars.
Coming fresh off of a book that did it's best to hit young readers over the head with it's themes, I was pleased that this one had so much more respect and faith in the intelligence of its readers. Every detail, every event, every conversation, is salient to the whole book and it all ties together beautifully. The plotting and pacing are just perfect, and the great care Sara Pennypacker took to craft this story is evident.
And maybe it's just my luteal phase talking but despite, and maybe because of? I found myself on the verge of tears (in a good way) the whole time because I just loved Lucas and Alice so freaking much and wanted the world for them.
Coming fresh off of a book that did it's best to hit young readers over the head with it's themes, I was pleased that this one had so much more respect and faith in the intelligence of its readers. Every detail, every event, every conversation, is salient to the whole book and it all ties together beautifully. The plotting and pacing are just perfect, and the great care Sara Pennypacker took to craft this story is evident.
And maybe it's just my luteal phase talking but despite, and maybe because of? I found myself on the verge of tears (in a good way) the whole time because I just loved Lucas and Alice so freaking much and wanted the world for them.
March 7, 2026
"He had just realized that hope was a job, and somebody had to do it -- and today that somebody was him."
Thirteen-year-old Lucas has never thought of himself as brave; the other boys at the orphanage tease him for his sensitivity. But maybe saving a litter or kittens is a little bit daring, and certainly joining the French Resistance under the nose of the Nazis is courageous, too. Soon Lucas is seeing himself in a new light, taking risks he never would have before.
While many readers might enjoy this book for its breathtaking adventure (particularly at the end!), my favorite part was seeing Lucas realizing that his kindness was his strength. Lucas lets his good heart lead him through every scrape, and it emboldens everyone in his orbit to do the right thing, as well.
If you're a seasonal reader, pick this one up soon; it takes place around Eastertime!
The ending was satisfying but also a little sad. I wish Lucas had been able to keep more of his relationships!
Thirteen-year-old Lucas has never thought of himself as brave; the other boys at the orphanage tease him for his sensitivity. But maybe saving a litter or kittens is a little bit daring, and certainly joining the French Resistance under the nose of the Nazis is courageous, too. Soon Lucas is seeing himself in a new light, taking risks he never would have before.
While many readers might enjoy this book for its breathtaking adventure (particularly at the end!), my favorite part was seeing Lucas realizing that his kindness was his strength. Lucas lets his good heart lead him through every scrape, and it emboldens everyone in his orbit to do the right thing, as well.
If you're a seasonal reader, pick this one up soon; it takes place around Eastertime!
The ending was satisfying but also a little sad. I wish Lucas had been able to keep more of his relationships!
February 28, 2026
This was a Young Adult novel that caught my attention when our local library purchased it. There seems to be a fine line between young adult and adult literature. In my opinion, this book was very good. It's about a boy who sees himself as a coward, but manages to rescue a litter of kittens from the local bullies intending to drown them. He's an orphan who feels things deeply and decides to join the local resistance against the Nazis. While hiding the kittens, he happens upon a young girl who is hiding her horse from the Nazis. They become friends and the ending is uplifting all the way around.
March 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5–Whew. I really , REALLY liked this book! It is a middle-grade historical fiction story, taking place in Nazi-occupied France during the end of WWII. Lucas is a 13-year-old orphan, living in an abbey. He has an after-school job delivering food for the local greengrocer. He is bullied by the boys at the abbey, and is ashamed of being a coward. But circumstances evolve that help him find his courage and realize that he can make a difference in small and not-so-small ways. The last few chapters were nail-biters, and I was totally obsessed in my desire to see how it would all end! Highly recommend!
February 4, 2026
My heart is in my chest. This is such an important story. Until today I had never heard of the mothers forced to breed perfect Aryan children. My heart breaks for those mothers and those children. And then to think that they were ostracized after the fact when they were only doing what they had to survive.
Lucas does not believe that he is brave, but by the end of this story you will know that he is. I write this review with tears in my eyes. Such a beautiful story of hope and escape.
Wow. Just.....wow.
Lucas does not believe that he is brave, but by the end of this story you will know that he is. I write this review with tears in my eyes. Such a beautiful story of hope and escape.
Wow. Just.....wow.
February 21, 2026
The Lions’ Run by Sara Pennypacker is amazing. Recommended for middle schoolers with the note that there is some abuse of kittens and the somewhat graphic mention of a child being really hurt in a bombing, in the first few chapters.
The value that Lucas and Claire place on the infants born to hard circumstances is commendable and not seen nearly often enough and an important reason to cheer and share this book.
The value that Lucas and Claire place on the infants born to hard circumstances is commendable and not seen nearly often enough and an important reason to cheer and share this book.
February 25, 2026
Read it in a day. Magnificent. I have read soooo many WWII books but none about the topics in this book. So good. No notes.
EXCEPT though this is listed as a children's chapter book, I urge discretion in recommending to kids based on their maturity level. I wouldn't hand it to most kids I know under twelve, due to a quite mature theme and violence (bullying situations and mild wartime violence).
EXCEPT though this is listed as a children's chapter book, I urge discretion in recommending to kids based on their maturity level. I wouldn't hand it to most kids I know under twelve, due to a quite mature theme and violence (bullying situations and mild wartime violence).
March 31, 2026
Definitely excited for another book by Sara Pennypacker. I contend that her book Pax is nothing short of a modern classic. This story is a great read, with a compelling ride through some rough topics--life in Nazi-occupied France during the war. I wasn't always sure the best age / audience for the book, but it gets better and better as the pages turn.
Also...ever have one of those stretches where you have an element of a story echo / appear in the next book you read? I've been having that with drowning sacks of kittens. This is the second (of now three) books that include that.
Also...ever have one of those stretches where you have an element of a story echo / appear in the next book you read? I've been having that with drowning sacks of kittens. This is the second (of now three) books that include that.
February 4, 2026
Kids and I listened to an advance copy on Libro. It might have gone over my 9yo’s head but the 12yo and I LOVED it and cheered for Lucas all the way through. Great historical fiction with a believable and lovely hero.
February 21, 2026
This highly anticipated new novel from Sara Pennypacker did not disappoint but was over too soon. Filled with warmth, loyalty and courage, this is a book to revisit over and over. Short chapters make it a good read aloud for an upper primary class.
November 26, 2025
Fabulous historical fiction novel! Review to follow in School Library Journal.
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