Stolen by Night

by Steve Watkins

THE OCCUPATION.

THE RESISTANCE.

THE WORLD AT WAR.



On May 10, 1940, the Nazis begin their march across Europe, and within weeks, France has fallen. At first, Nicolette's world seems more or less the same despite the occupation. But as the months pass, the Third Reich tightens its hold on France and it becomes clear just what is at stake.



Nicolette is drawn into a growing resistance movement, determined to do her part to fight back. It's a deadly secret she'll have to keep from everyone, including her family. Nicolette's own father works for local law enforcement, which is now under Nazi control, and who knows what might happen if anyone found out she joined the Resistance. But as Hitler's empire grows, no one can escape the horrors of war. Including Nicolette.



One night, she vanishes without a trace, taken from the street by Nazi soldiers and declared an enemy of the state. Soon, Nicolette finds herself confronting the very heart of Hitler's plans, bearing witness not just to the atrocities, but also to the courage, bravery, and hope that can emerge in even the darkest times. And it is in these small but powerful moments that Nicolette realizes her greatest weapon against the to live, so she can tell the world the truth of what happened. But can one girl survive what was designed to destroy so many?

Genres: Historical Fiction, War, Historical

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2023

About the author

Steve Watkins is the author of the young adult novels Stolen by Night, On Blood Road, Juvie, What Comes After, and Great Falls, as well as the middle-grade novels Down Sand Mountain, Sink or Swim, and the Ghosts of War series, including The Secret of Midway, Lost at Khe Sanh, AWOL in North Africa, and Fallen in Fredericksburg.

A former professor of journalism, creative writing, and Vietnam War literature, Steve is the cofounder and editor of Pie & Chai, a monthly magazine that you can find and read online at pieandchaimagazine.com.

Reviews

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written for 12 and up, this is another informative and spine-chilling account of WWII France after the Nazi occupation in May 1940 and the French Resistance.

I didn't know about Nacht und Nebel (NN) camp aka Konzentrationslager Natzweiler-Struthof in France that detained male political prisoners. This was one of the secret camps that rarely rounded up and held Jewish prisoners. The only Nazi-run concentration camp on French soil.

The author has his main female character dressed as a boy transferred and detained to NN, which never happened. Nevertheless, this events, the capture, and imprisonment was terrifying.

I'd say, it's a book suitable for anyone over 12 who wants to know more on the topic. Be certain to read the Author's Historical Note.

Thanks to the BookLoft of German Village (Columbus, OH) http://www.bookloft.com for an ARC to read and review.

[Joe Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is an excellent book that vividly tells the story of Occupied France and the only NAZI concentration camp in France during WWII. It's a painful story to tell and you feel the pain and anguish of those that live it. The back story at the end of the book is vital to the book and really ties it together in one way. Yet, in another way, drops the book from 5 stars to 4 in my eyes by pointing out something that couldn't have happened in the real concentration camp yet is a central part of the book. Makes me wish the author would have made a change that would have kept faith with the camp. Still, this subject is an important aspect of WWII that I didn't know and the whole world should. Through this book they can.

[Kidlitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harrowing and gritty, but over reliant on coincidences and convenient twists of fate. The ambiguous ending lent veracity to a grim tale of what happened to the Resistance fighters of France if they were caught, so kudos to Watkins for not providing a fairy tale ending all too common for the spate of recent World War Two novels.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unflinching story of a French Resistance fighter’s experiences in a nazi concentration camp. Brutal.

My heritage is largely German and I have wonder what I would have done had I been around during WW II. A story such as this? Hits close to home with me.

[J. S. Seebauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was okay. The beginning was quite excellent... and the end was very good. The connection between the two felt wrong.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic middle grade book. The two parts between the resistance and then labor camp were done beautifully. You could feel how she felt.

[Silas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written WW2 novel has you staring at a wall for a few hours after you finish it, and I believe that to be a fact. This is one of the few that had me like that.

[Patty V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed book. Enjoyed the book except for ending.

[Brooklyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best WWII books I've ever read

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is so sad why is this book so sad