Codename Celine

My Story: Girls

by Jim Eldridge

"You never stop feeling scared. But you just have to remember what you're doing it for. We have to win this war."

It's 1944, and London is under attack. After her mother is killed by a bomb, 17-year-old Violet is desperate to do her bit for the war effort. She leaps at the chance to join the Special Operations Executive and is given a new undercover identity: Céline. Dropped into occupied France to help the Resistance, Céline finds herself in the heart of the fight against the Nazis. Will she be able to keep her nerve and complete her mission before it's too late?

A thrilling first-hand account of life during the Second World War.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Childrens, World War II

156 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2015

About the author

Jim Eldridge is the author of many books for children, including titles in the My Story series, the Warpath books, and How to Handle Grown-Ups. He has had 250 TV scripts broadcast in the UK and internationally for children's and teen television, and is also the creator and writer of Radio 4's long-running comedy-drama series, King Street Junior.

Reviews

[Gracie:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched, thought evoking and intriguing read about a WW2 female spy.

[Alice Hannah Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

bmsby!!!!!!!!!!
(Best my story book yet!!!)

[Aikouncoloured · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite books now, it's an amazng representation of what women can do and it was so very exciting I could read it for days on end. I really enjoyed reading it, it made me feel better all the time :)

[Isabelle Olver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible absolutely awesome 👍

[Ant Koplowitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit of a flat-footed novella, most likely aimed at young teenagers, telling the story of Celine, a newly recruited member of Britain's SOE. We hear about her recruitment, training and selection for a mission with the French French Resistance to destroy a bridge in Nazi occupied France. Everything's on one level, limited characterisation and a not-very-interesting plot.

[Mickela Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a long while since I read a YA novel. What a wonderful way to introduce young people to the truths about WW2. Very well written. I will look for more of Mr. Eldridge's books.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short book. As it was written for children, it didn't go into too much detail but could be made into a programme.