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Mohinder's War
A thrilling World War II adventure set in occupied France, featuring an Indian RAF pilot. Great for fans of Michael Morpurgo and John Boyne, and those who want diverse historical fiction.
Thirteen-year-old Joelle Breton stumbles across Indian-born RAF pilot Mohinder Singh when his plane crashes in occupied France and it's up to her and her parents to hide him from the Nazis. After all, her parents are brave members of the French Resistance and will do everything they can to help get Mohinder back to Britain. But when they are betrayed and tragedy strikes, Joelle and Mohinder will have to act fast if they are ever to evade the enemy.
Thirteen-year-old Joelle Breton stumbles across Indian-born RAF pilot Mohinder Singh when his plane crashes in occupied France and it's up to her and her parents to hide him from the Nazis. After all, her parents are brave members of the French Resistance and will do everything they can to help get Mohinder back to Britain. But when they are betrayed and tragedy strikes, Joelle and Mohinder will have to act fast if they are ever to evade the enemy.
176 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 2020
3 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Bali Rai
80 books72 followersBali Rai was born in 1971 and grew up in Leicester. As a child, Bali wanted to be a footballer or to write stories. Always an avid reader, he hails Sue Townsend, Douglas Adams and Robert Swindells as his writing heroes. Bali grew up reading Dr Seuss and Meg and Mog and his first book purchase was The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. He realised he wasn't good enough to play for Liverpool F.C. and after gaining a politics degree in London he returned to his home city and combined a variety of jobs in pubs and clubs with completing his first novel. Bali set about writing a story he had been thinking about for many years. He wanted to write accessible material for children of all ages and backgrounds and realising there were no British Asian authors writing for children, he saw a gap. Bali hopes his novels capture the unique ethnic mix of the UK, of which he is proud to be a part.
Bali writes stories inspired by his working class Punjabi/Sikh background, but his aim was always that his writing should be enjoyed by readers everywhere, irrespective of class or culture. His has the ability to tackle the harsh realities of growing up in the UK and blend this with humour and often a overriding optimism. Bali visits schools and libraries in every major UK city, averaging 70 school and library events a year.
His first book, (un)arranged marriage, created a huge amount of interest and won many awards, including the Angus Book Award and the Leicester Book of the Year. It was also shortlisted for the prestigious Branford Boase first novel award. Rani and Sukh and The Whisper were both shortlisted for the Booktrust Teenage Prize.
All of Bali’s teen titles have been short-listed for awards across the UK, including twice making the Booktrust Teenage Prize shortlist. His third novel Rani and Sukh has represented the UK at the International IBBY awards and this title has its own Facebook tribute group set up by fans. Bali’s first three novels appear in The Ultimate Teenage Book Guide. Bali also writes shorter novels for Barrington Stoke, his first book, Dream On, was selected for the Booktrust’s inaugural Booked Up list. He also writes the hugely popular Soccer Squad series for younger readers.
Bali writes stories inspired by his working class Punjabi/Sikh background, but his aim was always that his writing should be enjoyed by readers everywhere, irrespective of class or culture. His has the ability to tackle the harsh realities of growing up in the UK and blend this with humour and often a overriding optimism. Bali visits schools and libraries in every major UK city, averaging 70 school and library events a year.
His first book, (un)arranged marriage, created a huge amount of interest and won many awards, including the Angus Book Award and the Leicester Book of the Year. It was also shortlisted for the prestigious Branford Boase first novel award. Rani and Sukh and The Whisper were both shortlisted for the Booktrust Teenage Prize.
All of Bali’s teen titles have been short-listed for awards across the UK, including twice making the Booktrust Teenage Prize shortlist. His third novel Rani and Sukh has represented the UK at the International IBBY awards and this title has its own Facebook tribute group set up by fans. Bali’s first three novels appear in The Ultimate Teenage Book Guide. Bali also writes shorter novels for Barrington Stoke, his first book, Dream On, was selected for the Booktrust’s inaugural Booked Up list. He also writes the hugely popular Soccer Squad series for younger readers.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 14, 2021
During the thick of the Second World War, Mohinder, a British RAF pilot, crashes behind enemy lines in rural France. Both Nazis and locals watch the descent but the first to arrive is a young French girl named Joelle who lives with her parents who are supporters of the resistance. As they have done before for others, they choose to take Mohinder in and protect him before helping him escape home. Yet, when a traitor is gradually uncovered and Joelle's family are placed in danger, it is Mo's turned to become the guardian and protector and soon he and Joelle are on the run from traitors and Nazi's together. Their aim? To find a way to get back to Britain safely.
Longlisted as part of the Jhalak Prize (this is what drew me to it), and part of Bloomsbury's Flashbacks series, I thought this was an excellent text. There's a strong pace throughout and the writing is intelligent and sharp too. This is very well planned and plotted and all the characters feel well round and richly imagined. So much is packed into a relatively short book and perfect for readers 9+
Longlisted as part of the Jhalak Prize (this is what drew me to it), and part of Bloomsbury's Flashbacks series, I thought this was an excellent text. There's a strong pace throughout and the writing is intelligent and sharp too. This is very well planned and plotted and all the characters feel well round and richly imagined. So much is packed into a relatively short book and perfect for readers 9+
August 19, 2024
I enjoyed this book, but it wasn’t anything extraordinary... It depicts an ‘escape journey’ of two companions from Nazi-controlled France back to Britain.
I really liked that one of the main characters was an Indian born British RAF pilot, and the book touched on his Sikh faith and his moral code. I think it’s really important for books (especially children’s books) to be diverse in their characters, to introduce the audience to cultures and faiths that may be new to them, and Bali Rai’s book did a great job of this.
I also loved that the other main character was a young, brave and strong-willed girl. I liked that she was portrayed as a valiant character, she was not a victim of her circumstances and the book didn’t fall into the trap of portraying her as a vulnerable/weak girl needing to be ‘saved’.
It is a good book for children, and I would definitely recommend it to the children in my class. In particular I would suggest/use this book when studying about Sikhism or WWII.
However for adult audiences, I would probably not recommend; the plot is predictable and very simple... but it is enjoyable quick read nevertheless! Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the ending. There was an opportunity for a wholesome and warm conversation between Mo’s great-grandson and Joelle, but instead it seemed like the author simply didn’t want to go into this, so literally ended the book with a one-page ‘bye!’. I think it was meant to be a cliff-hanger and for audiences to make up their own ending and inferences as to what happened (also maybe to keep the book short and more manageable for young readers), but personally I found it a bit of a lazy ending.
I really liked that one of the main characters was an Indian born British RAF pilot, and the book touched on his Sikh faith and his moral code. I think it’s really important for books (especially children’s books) to be diverse in their characters, to introduce the audience to cultures and faiths that may be new to them, and Bali Rai’s book did a great job of this.
I also loved that the other main character was a young, brave and strong-willed girl. I liked that she was portrayed as a valiant character, she was not a victim of her circumstances and the book didn’t fall into the trap of portraying her as a vulnerable/weak girl needing to be ‘saved’.
It is a good book for children, and I would definitely recommend it to the children in my class. In particular I would suggest/use this book when studying about Sikhism or WWII.
However for adult audiences, I would probably not recommend; the plot is predictable and very simple... but it is enjoyable quick read nevertheless! Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the ending. There was an opportunity for a wholesome and warm conversation between Mo’s great-grandson and Joelle, but instead it seemed like the author simply didn’t want to go into this, so literally ended the book with a one-page ‘bye!’. I think it was meant to be a cliff-hanger and for audiences to make up their own ending and inferences as to what happened (also maybe to keep the book short and more manageable for young readers), but personally I found it a bit of a lazy ending.
May 20, 2020
I love a historical novel set in World War Two so when I saw that Bali Rai had written another (read my review of his excellent Now Or Never - A Dunkirk Story) I jumped at the chance of reading and reviewing it.
Mohinder's War follows the story of Joelle, a French/British girl living in France during the Nazi occupation. She, her family and their friends are a part of the resistance and when a downed RAF pilot needs hiding, he is taken into the home of the Bretons and concealed in their cellar.
The pilot is Mohinder Singh, a character based on a real life RAF pilot who flew in the Second World War. He and Joelle strike up a friendship - Joelle keeping him company and sharing her local knowledge, and Mohinder teaching her about his homeland and Sikh faith and opening her eyes to philosophies regarding life:
'We are all family,' he said. 'Every man, woman and child on this earth. I believe that all of creation is one whole. We are bound together, each of us, by invisible links, and all are equally important.'
During the course of the story, as result of key events (desparately trying to avoid spoilers here but there is treachery), their friendship develops into something much more resembling a father/daughter relationship - an interesting, rarely explored dynamic between two unrelated characters. This aspect of the story is executed particularly well with some genuinely lovely moments between Joelle and Mohinder, resulting in a very ultimate act of commitment and love (again, trying to avoid spoilers).
I would advise caution when choosing to give or read this book to children - it actually contains some quite starkly violent scenes, ones which in the context may not have been out of the ordinary, but which could be shocking to children living in a time and place of peace. Seeing as the action focuses not on warfare between soldiers, but civilian acts of resistance and episodes of violence against civilians, this less familiar territory should be carefully trodden. Having said that, with the right adult guide, the content of this book would be suitable for 11+ children who have some historical understanding of the time period.
That aside, this is a heartwarming tale of friendship, bravery and derring-do. Joelle and Mohinder use their wits to work together, defying all odds in their bid to escape France to the safety of Britain. With an exciting climax sure to ignite the imaginations of young readers, this is a fantastic adventure story which provides a much-needed window into a World War which has, to greater or lesser extent, been whitewashed: Bali Rai's latest book is a welcome addition to the bookshelf.
Mohinder's War follows the story of Joelle, a French/British girl living in France during the Nazi occupation. She, her family and their friends are a part of the resistance and when a downed RAF pilot needs hiding, he is taken into the home of the Bretons and concealed in their cellar.
The pilot is Mohinder Singh, a character based on a real life RAF pilot who flew in the Second World War. He and Joelle strike up a friendship - Joelle keeping him company and sharing her local knowledge, and Mohinder teaching her about his homeland and Sikh faith and opening her eyes to philosophies regarding life:
'We are all family,' he said. 'Every man, woman and child on this earth. I believe that all of creation is one whole. We are bound together, each of us, by invisible links, and all are equally important.'
During the course of the story, as result of key events (desparately trying to avoid spoilers here but there is treachery), their friendship develops into something much more resembling a father/daughter relationship - an interesting, rarely explored dynamic between two unrelated characters. This aspect of the story is executed particularly well with some genuinely lovely moments between Joelle and Mohinder, resulting in a very ultimate act of commitment and love (again, trying to avoid spoilers).
I would advise caution when choosing to give or read this book to children - it actually contains some quite starkly violent scenes, ones which in the context may not have been out of the ordinary, but which could be shocking to children living in a time and place of peace. Seeing as the action focuses not on warfare between soldiers, but civilian acts of resistance and episodes of violence against civilians, this less familiar territory should be carefully trodden. Having said that, with the right adult guide, the content of this book would be suitable for 11+ children who have some historical understanding of the time period.
That aside, this is a heartwarming tale of friendship, bravery and derring-do. Joelle and Mohinder use their wits to work together, defying all odds in their bid to escape France to the safety of Britain. With an exciting climax sure to ignite the imaginations of young readers, this is a fantastic adventure story which provides a much-needed window into a World War which has, to greater or lesser extent, been whitewashed: Bali Rai's latest book is a welcome addition to the bookshelf.
May 31, 2020
‘We are all family’ he said, ‘Every man, woman and child on this Earth. I believe that all of creation is one whole. We are bound together, each of us, by invisible links, and all are equally important’
Mohinder’s War, written by Bali Rai, is a historical fiction children’s story set in France during World War II. We follow thirteen-year-old Joelle Breton, who one day comes across the wreckage of a plane and meets Indian-born RAF pilot Mohinder Singh, who is the pilot. Joelle’s parents are members of the French resistance and it’s up to them to keep him hidden from the Nazis. But how long will they be safe?
‘If the fires go out, we have let these animals win. And we will not let them win.”So, we must keep the fires burning’
One of my favourite genre’s of book is definitely historical fiction. This is a heartwarming story, exploring how the most unlikeliest of friendships can be formed in the bleakest of times. You are introduced to how every day life was affected for those occupied under the Nazi rule, being stripped of their everyday freedoms. Bali Rai’s writing is a perfect balance between simplicity and truth for children to grasp the realities of these events during WWII. Both the main characters, Joelle and Mohinder, are truly inspiring and show such bravery during a time where peril is found around every corner. I love the fact the the book also provides a basic introduction to Sikhism, explaining the basic principles for children to understand. In addition, the cover artwork of this book is stunningly illustrated.
‘The past shapes us. It makes us who we are. It cannot be undone. All we have is what we make of tomorrow’
It is always so important for each generation to continue to learn about the events of World War Two – in the words of Bali Rai ‘All we have is what we make of tomorrow’ – and this book would be a perfect introduction. Though, please be aware when giving this story to some children, as there mention of death throughout the story, including some violence.
‘Mohinder’s War’ is published on 11th June 2020 and is part of Bloomsbury Flashbacks, which offer dramatic stories set in key moments of history, for introducing children to historical topics.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback via NetGalley
Mohinder’s War, written by Bali Rai, is a historical fiction children’s story set in France during World War II. We follow thirteen-year-old Joelle Breton, who one day comes across the wreckage of a plane and meets Indian-born RAF pilot Mohinder Singh, who is the pilot. Joelle’s parents are members of the French resistance and it’s up to them to keep him hidden from the Nazis. But how long will they be safe?
‘If the fires go out, we have let these animals win. And we will not let them win.”So, we must keep the fires burning’
One of my favourite genre’s of book is definitely historical fiction. This is a heartwarming story, exploring how the most unlikeliest of friendships can be formed in the bleakest of times. You are introduced to how every day life was affected for those occupied under the Nazi rule, being stripped of their everyday freedoms. Bali Rai’s writing is a perfect balance between simplicity and truth for children to grasp the realities of these events during WWII. Both the main characters, Joelle and Mohinder, are truly inspiring and show such bravery during a time where peril is found around every corner. I love the fact the the book also provides a basic introduction to Sikhism, explaining the basic principles for children to understand. In addition, the cover artwork of this book is stunningly illustrated.
‘The past shapes us. It makes us who we are. It cannot be undone. All we have is what we make of tomorrow’
It is always so important for each generation to continue to learn about the events of World War Two – in the words of Bali Rai ‘All we have is what we make of tomorrow’ – and this book would be a perfect introduction. Though, please be aware when giving this story to some children, as there mention of death throughout the story, including some violence.
‘Mohinder’s War’ is published on 11th June 2020 and is part of Bloomsbury Flashbacks, which offer dramatic stories set in key moments of history, for introducing children to historical topics.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback via NetGalley
May 24, 2020
It’s always difficult deciding how to introduce children to the harshness of history but I feel that Bali Rali strikes the balance perfectly. He tells stories with just the right about of truth in them to let children learn with daring characters that walk straight out of the page and into our hearts. The pairing of an Indian RAF pilot and a French teenager is glorious and yet heart-breaking at times.
Whilst this book features the brutal attitudes of the Germans of the period, I liked that it focused highly on the resistance and how French nationals rebelled at great cost. This is something is which not seen too much in children’s literature. A lot of children may not be aware that there were Indian participants fighting for & with the British forces and through the heroic Mohinder, they will begin a journey of historical discovery that will hopefully stay with them for a long time.
The jacket design is beautiful and I hope it will help in catching people’s attention on displays in bookshops.
I received a copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review
Whilst this book features the brutal attitudes of the Germans of the period, I liked that it focused highly on the resistance and how French nationals rebelled at great cost. This is something is which not seen too much in children’s literature. A lot of children may not be aware that there were Indian participants fighting for & with the British forces and through the heroic Mohinder, they will begin a journey of historical discovery that will hopefully stay with them for a long time.
The jacket design is beautiful and I hope it will help in catching people’s attention on displays in bookshops.
I received a copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review
February 15, 2021
The brutality and hardship during the Nazi occupation of France made this a high drama, fast-paced story, and saved us from the common teenage angst and self-centeredness of many YA novels. Joelle is a 13-year-old girl who discovers a crashed RAF pilot the Nazis are searching for. You’ll probably be like me and not be able to put the book down until you’ve finished it, all in one sitting. Conveniently for the plot, Joelle has learned English from her British mom. She and the pilot can understand each other.
This is an entertaining book and doesn’t spare us many of the grim details of war. It made me realize how lame YA books were when I was 10-14, and why I pretty much jumped from Nancy Drew to adult novels before I reached high school. YA is so much better now that a few books have held their own against my adult reading.
This is an entertaining book and doesn’t spare us many of the grim details of war. It made me realize how lame YA books were when I was 10-14, and why I pretty much jumped from Nancy Drew to adult novels before I reached high school. YA is so much better now that a few books have held their own against my adult reading.
June 27, 2021
I find stories with a war theme uncomfortable (they are supposed to be I guess) and this book was me expanding my reading for #PGCEprep. The threat and action in it has some YA themes but the writing is much simpler and the violence isn’t graphic in the way that YA novels can be. Even with simpler writing the characters are full and it would offer a read that has complexity on different levels without necessarily being difficult to read. It is also about #hiddenvoices of the 1.5M Indian volunteers who joined the war effort in WW2 on behalf of Great Britain.
June 10, 2020
A Middle-grade book that tells the story of an underrepresented perspective of the second world war. A book that explores a part of that time that British schools seem to miss. Not only introducing kids to France and India's role within the war but also gives great insight to Sikhism. A great fast-paced story for a younger audience.
July 21, 2020
I am a SUCKER for a WW2 story. This is just brilliant. Bravery, resistance and humility. Mohinder is a wonderful character and I loved the talk of Sikhism in this. God. What a poignant story. I love the way it was set up and told. I don’t think I’d be as brave as Joelle in the face of all of that!
May 20, 2021
A good story, and a useful one as it covers a minority group who fought for the Allies in WW2. Mo is a lovely character, as is Joelle, and their friendship is delightful to watch. However, I think my 11 year old would find some of it too distressing to read, so am not sure what age range it is aimed at really? Still worth a read, but with caution for younger children.
March 31, 2021
Good to read a WWII story from the perspective of a French child and the inclusion of a Sikh RAF pilot. The author didn't sugar coat or hide from the brutality of the war and the courage of the Resistance but I thought the ending was a bit rushed.
June 13, 2021
I’m really excited by the new wave of stories bringing lives and contributions of people from the empire to life. This story was lovely and well written. The only reason I didn’t give it a higher score is because it began and ended quite abruptly and I think more nuance could be added in.
September 16, 2021
Fabulous short story about an Indian Sikh RAF pilot shot down in France and how he escapes back to Britain with the help of a 12-year-old girl. Would have been five stars but fr the very abrupt ending.
January 3, 2025
First read of 2025. Just read this book in one sitting in preparation for the next term with my year 6 placement class. Rai highlights the significance of the “forgotten” Indian soldiers throughout WW2, constantly referring back to the Sikh morals and beliefs of real-life soldier Mohinder Singh.
December 22, 2020
Very heartwarming and full of different emotions; sadness, suspense and happiness. I loved it!
April 1, 2023
Very readable. Pacy and captivating.
October 28, 2021
really lovely read. a nice one for diversity in WWII which I'll be using at school
February 4, 2022
Amazing!
I loved everything and the DRAMA!!!!!!! I recommend this a LOT. Please read this unless you are into YA fiction.😊😊😊😊😊😊
I loved everything and the DRAMA!!!!!!! I recommend this a LOT. Please read this unless you are into YA fiction.😊😊😊😊😊😊
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews