Victory

Resistance #3

by Carla Jablonski, Leland Purvis (Illustrator)

The final installment in Carla Jablonski’s Sydney Taylor Honor-winning Resistance trilogy.

World War II thunders to a conclusion in this third and final installment of Jablonski and Purvis’ critically-acclaimed historical trilogy. As the Allied Forces move to retake France from its Nazi invaders, siblings Sophie, Paul, and Marie Tessier must risk their lives once more and journey into the belly of the beast: Paris. They are on a mission to deliver top-secret intel for the Resistance movement . . . they are its youngest agents.

A perfect mix of deft emotional storytelling and hairraising, historically accurate wartime adventure make this final chapter of the Resistance Trilogy the most satisfying yet.

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

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2012

About the author

Carla Jablonski is the author and editor of dozens of best-selling books for teenage and middle-grade readers. She grew up in New York City, where she attended public schools and the Bronx High School of Science. She has a BA in anthropology from Vassar College and an MA from NYU's Gallatin School, an interdisciplinary program for which she combined playwriting, the history of gender issues in 19th Century Circus, and arts administration. "I wanted to write the play, contextualize the play, and learn how to produce the play for my degree," she explains. "I think I may have been the happiest graduate student at NYU -- I SO loved working toward my thesis."

While still in graduate school she supported herself as the editor of The Hardy Boys Mysteries. "When I interviewed for the job they asked me if I'd ever read the Hardy Boys as a kid. 'No way,' I scoffed. 'Those are BOY books! It was Nancy Drew for me!' Luckily my future boss had a sense of humor. She hired me after I promised I'd read the books if I got the job."

She has participated in the renowned Breadloaf Writers' Conference as well as Zoetrope's All-Story highly competitive writing workshop held at Francis Ford Coppella's resort in Belize. She has taught writing for the children's market, as well as "cold-reading" skills for teachers as part of Project:Read. Several of her books have been selected as part of the Accelerated Reader's program.

She continues to work freelance as an editor for publishers and for private clients, even as she writes novels and creates new series. She also has another career (and identity!) as a playwright, an actress, and a trapeze performer. "I try to keep the worlds separate," she explains about her multiple identities. "The different work I do has different audiences, so I want to keep them apart. But they're all me -- they're all ways of expressing what I'm thinking and feeling -- just in different mediums."

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is trilogy is a quick read about the German occupation of France. In this final book, we see the liberation of France thanks to the US troops. The interesting thing was that people were dancing in the streets rejoicing while a street over there were German soldiers still fighting and shooting people. I can see why the French were so ready to be free of the occupiers. Toward the end, it has a panel at night when the lights of the city are back on and everyone finds it so pretty. They hadn't had lights in over 4 years.

I think this has been an important story. How does one stand up for injustice or wrongs? Do you cower in fear, or risk your life? Do you lose hope and befriend the Germans or keep hope and struggle? These are complex issues characters are dealing with.

I felt like this book was rushed and a lot happened in a panel or two. This could have had several more volumes to really tell the story. The Nazis aren't just about white supremacy. They are also about war and being cold. I have been learning about the Koch brothers and they were raised by a Nazi nanny. Their father made his fortune off the war and Nazi. The ideas they have put into our politics are Nazi ideas. They are at war with a system that works together and is not about the individual. This story makes me wonder if this is happening all over again. If so, it will be a terrible time for all of us accept the robber barons.

Anyway, this story has a good ending after years of hardship. I hope we don't have to go through that kind of terror and horror ourselves.

[Reading is my Escape · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resistance series  
 
This is a great middle-grade graphic novel series on the French resistance during World War II. Kids play their part and there is danger, but it is not overwhelming. My son brought this series home from his school library. He loved it and wanted to share it with me. I love when he does that!!

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's the central value of this trilogy, which is directed at a tween or YA audience? That it teaches kids to dissent when bad things are going on, when they know things are wrong. Occupy is one form of such inspiration. Much of literature does not deal with our political relationship with the world at all, much less young people's political relationship to such events. So in a sense this book gets to be a hopeful model for how kids can stop being passive and bored and pop culture-dazed and actually engage with the planet. An old fashioned, sixties hippie thang? I hope to god not. The story here is of two families in rural France during the Occupation, by Nazi Germany, over the few years when the French people had to decide what to do about it all. And it shows kids getting involved in every way possible to undermine the Vichy regime? Is it naive, idealistic, over simplistic? That is what you will associate with comics for kids, right? And maybe it is hopelessly optimistic about what kids can do facing a totalitarian regime.. but it is also incredibly respectful of what kids can do in the world. Makes it clear they have to be politically active and involved for the planet to survive. This trilogy is to be credited for careful research that does NOT make Occupation/Resistance simple, since Resistance/Collaboration seem to be easy to sort out for some history books, after the winners and losers seem clearly defined, but in the process, as events unfold, nothing is clear, and many voices clash as the debates ensue. So as opposed to a paragraph or two in a history book on Resistance to the Nazi regime which typically looks like large scale moral paralysis, this comic book version, even one for kids, makes it clear that things were and still very complex: the French were not all saints, the German occupiers were not all monsters, there are human beings in wars bound up with complex decisions and loss and grief and rage. Jablonski is not making a tract about resistance but creating literature about all the different ways people live in war, and if she is pushing any agenda it is to be involved, to be active, to take a stand in any small way you an against tyranny. These and books like it should be read in school. The humanize history, make it more complex than just facts and stats and dates. It's lived history, as we live it and could live it, as actors and not just spectators. There ARE some issues that I have the book, that said: many of the kids are blond and look a little too much alike and this gets confusing.... and we don't get deep enough with enough for my taste... surely you might want more historical context.. . we get a good idea of what is going on, and the emphasis is on young people and principled action, so you can;t have it all! What you have is sharp, insightful, intelligent, passionate, well written, with lovely drawing and coloring...

[Vinayak Hegde · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork is fantastic and slick in this last book of the series. Though I felt the story is weak and a little far-fetched such as German soldier helping the resistance. The buildup to the liberation of France is also hurried and a little abrupt.

The emotions on the faces and the coloring in this 3rd part is quite well done, especially the panels on facing pages with important conversation. The storyboarding is much more professional and well edited. They give you a felling of watching a movie with action scenes drawn out well.

[dirt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of what makes the Resistance series so enjoyable is the blurring of who is good and who is bad, the idea that history is not so clean cut. I wish these graphic novels existed when I was in middle school. These books definitely make history more interesting and relatable than text books and every issue of Readers Digest published since the 60s (My 6th grade teacher kept them all [those Humor in Uniform columns were truly an education in itself]).

[Madeleine R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this is the best book of the series. It follows the freedom of France from German rule by the help of the US, and Paul and his families part in that war. I liked this book a lot better than the other two, as for once there seemed to actually be some sense of anticipation in the tone of the book. But I do think this series was rushed, and that even one more volume or even just extra pages in each would've really helped to expand the story and make it much more enjoyable. Plus, the art has improved slightly from the last book which helps to make it readable.

This book takes place in the rural and poor town Paul and his family lives, but also in Paris where the final fight is going on. It really has a change in the tone from just anticipation to the climax of the fight when the bullets start to fly in the streets of Paris. One thing the book isn't bad at is opening the world up and showing us some small details, even if all the world development was very rushed. I'd say read the book if you've read the first two- it's better, and provides a decently satisfying, if unremarkable, ending to an interesting concept that could've been executed better.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Victory, Book 3, the talented team of Carla Jablonski and Leland Purvis will bring their graphic novel trilogy about kids working in the French Resistance during World War II to its conclusion when it is published on July 17, 2012.

Victory begins after the Nazi occupation of France and one month after the allied invasion of Normandy. For the first time, victory seems to be a possibility for the allied forces, but tensions are also running very high. As Nazi losses increase, so does their cruel treatment of their victims. And now, to make matters worse, there is infighting among the different resistance groups.

Paul Tessier has just gotten himself arrested by the Milice (a paramilitary group of Frenchmen formed by the Germans to do their dirty work) to find out what cell another resistance worker is being held in. When he is freed, Paul hurriedly reports back to his friend and fellow resistance worker Jacques with the information.

Meanwhile, Paul's older sister Sylvie is still dating a German soldier in order to get information from him about Gestapo plans. When the soldier tells her that the Gestapo is going to search in the Jura Mountains for the Marquis, a group of resistance fighters, she immediately reports back to Jacques and Paul. Trouble is, however, it looks like Sylvie is beginning to fall for the German soldier, which could be a real problem.

Paul and Jacques now want the resistance workers to arm themselves with stolen German weapons. Since they only have a few weapons, they decide to sabotage a trains using what they have and manage to get more of from the Germans on the train. In retaliation and believing the citizens of this small southern French town know who attacked the train, the Nazis begin to execute 10 townspeople every hour until someone turns the saboteurs in.

While all this is going on, Marie, Paul's younger sister, has been deeply depressed about their father, who is missing in a German POW camp, and their Jewish friend and former neighbor Henri, whom Paul and Jacques helped to escape to Paris earlier, where he was reunited with his parents that everyone had believed to be dead. While out walking in the woods, Marie finds a downed allied airplane with a wounded pilot. She gets Paul to help her hide the pilot so his wounds can be taken care of. The pilot was on a mission to deliver a message to resistance fighters in Paris from DeGaulle in London about the direction he wants the resistance to go in now that the Germans are losing the war. Naturally, Paul and Jacques volunteer to complete the pilot's message, arriving in Paris just in time participate in the Battle of Paris that ultimately leads to its liberation from its German occupiers and the return of Charles DeGaulle. But not before a few surprises for Paul.

Victory is every bit as exciting, informative and well done as the previous two volumes, and every bit a well written as Resistance and Defiance. This story, like it predecessors, is full of intrigue, adventure, danger, and suspense. Altogether these excellently done graphic novels give an interesting perspective on a part of World War II most people don't really know about and would probably not like to think about their kids participating in - young peoples involvement in resistance movements throughout Europe. But it makes you realize how incredibly brave these young people were in the face of such odds.

Leland Purvis has also continued to produce exceptionally well detailed drawings perfectly matched to the text and Hilary Sycamore's coloring only adds to the over effect of the graphics.

All in all, the Resistance trilogy is well worth reading and should be appeal to the most reluctant readers.

[Dani Shuping · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the final battle. World War II is drawing to a close and the allied forces are moving to retake France from the Nazi’s. Paul, Marie, and Sylvie Tessier continue fighting for the Resistance in their own way. Paul’s drawing almost land him in jail, but he is saved by Lucille’s father. Sylvie continues to date the young German solider next door and getting information that is saving lives. And Marie...Marie finds a downed place and a young man badly injured. She nurses him back to health and discovers that he has important information for the Resistance movement in Paris. Paul must take yet another journey into the heart of Paris in the hopes of helping end the conflict for once and all.

The entire trilogy is perfect from beginning to end and is great for all ages. Carla has crafted a story that helps the reader understand history, what the time period was like, not only for the resistance but some members of the Nazi party as well and that they too were human. This is displayed even more clearly in this final chapter where we see the conflict within Paul's family that is torn over lost memories, things they've had to do to survive, and choices they made to live. I think what I like most about this series are the memorable characters that Carla creates, especially with Marie. Through the course of three books we see how she grows and matures to help the resistance, and yet...in many ways is still just a young girl wanting her family back again. It’s hard not to connect with the characters and allow us to see the war through their eyes, their reasons for choosing what they do and don’t do.

Leland continues to create beautiful artwork for the series, I especially enjoy the charcoal drawings by Paul that aid the resistance. I love the contrast between the two mediums that it creates to the rest of the story. One of my favorite things about the artwork though is the details that can be found in the lines. The lines around their eyes, they mouths, even their hands that give them character and makes them come alive. I especially like the scenes when they are out in the fields at night. It feels like we’re with them under the starry skies, can feel the wind blowing against us, and the grass rustling quietly beside us.

I highly recommend every book in this series, its absolutely perfect for helping readers understand this aspect of World War II and would also be helpful in discussing conflict in family during war times. 5 out of 5 stars

[Ariel Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I like best about this trilogy is its unflinching look at how nothing is black and white, especially when living through war. As the author noted in the afterward of the first book, "History as lived is anything but clear! There is no way to watch the events unfold and make decisions based on somehow knowing what the outcome will be. Living history is messy, filled with missteps, confusion, mistakes, and choices made on the fly, in the moment, on the spot - with consequences that can be unpredictable and unintended." She goes on to point out the pressures that the French were under during WWII: external ones (like "physical threats, lack of food, disappearing neighbours") and internal "fear, family loyalty, national pride, belief systems") and that these circumstances affected people's actions. I am thrilled to see this acknowledgement that people do the best they can under their own personal circumstances, especially in a genre with judgement so often based in hindsight.

These books address the questions of what counts as resistance, and what counts as collaboration with the enemy? When is a war actually finished? Who are "the good guys"? What are the effects of war on kids, adults, relationships, the land itself? What good can kids do, in the face of an occupying army?

The three Tessier kids have grown up over the course of these three books. They all behave in age-appropriate ways in their relationships and in the context of the ideas and realities of war. The art reflects their changing ages in the best way possible - a bit at a time, like the way Marie's hair grows longer and Paul grows taller - and the writing does, too. Paul's more cynical, cranky and capable over the course of the three books.

Engrossing, entertaining, "educational" in the best sense.

[Liviania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just begun my CYBILs reading - don't worry, I wrote this review long before it was posted - and I've already been introduced to so many amazing books I wouldn't have discovered on my own.

Carla Jablonski and Leland Purvis's Resistance trilogy tells about the French Resistance through three episodes in the lives of Sylvie, Paul, and Marie Tessier. In this final graphic novel, Marie rescues a downed pilot and Paul travels to Paris to deliver new codes just in time for liberation. It's not entirely friendly to new readers - some old friends return and certain tragic events won't have as much weight without familiarity with the characters.

What I love about VICTORY and its predecessors is the moral ambiguity. It's pretty easy to say Nazis bad, French Resistance good. But the Resistance wasn't a monolith and sometimes their actions got bystanders killed. And the French, living under Occupation, were often doing their best to survive. Even the Germans had families back home that they wanted to return to.

Purvis's art is a touch messier than I usually prefer, but he does manage to make the large cast look distinctive and his art has a nice sense of movement. Purvis also has a good sense of perspective and often uses interesting angles to liven up scenes.

VICTORY is short, but affecting. With a World War II story, there's no guarantee that the protagonists will be all right. But you want Paul and his sisters to pull through because they're risking so much to do what's right. I definitely had a few moments of nail biting when reading VICTORY.

Fans of CODE NAME VERITY and VIOLINS OF AUTUMN will enjoy VICTORY. Jablonski and Purvis took an interesting chapter of history and told it with compassion and verve.

[Kelsey Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victory
This is the untold tale of the French resistance, but it is also the untold story of how kids were also involved in this part of history. It is the amazing tale of the strength kids showed during this time.

Text to Self:
I think this shows an amazing tale of courage that kids showed. I think this is something that I do not know if I would have had the strength to do if put in the same situation. I think the kids showed the most courage that any one could do especially when faced against potentially losing their life over it. I wish I could have some way I could relate with that strength the children showed when going up against the Germans, but I do not.

Text to Text:
Often times we read about the Diary of Anne Frank, but this time it was interesting to hear the diary of the kids from the French resistances. This is a part of history that is hard to understand for everyone. I also am surprised the great courage that was shown by all the kids during this time. Anne Frank showed courage to be who she was no matter who said otherwise and Paul and Marie showed courage in standing up against the Germans in their own way.

Text to World:
I think the moral of this story is courage. Although, I hope that nobody has to be put in a situation where they are faced with making that kind of decision over life and death, but courage to maybe stand up for a friend when they are being bullied. I think this is a lesson that all kids can relate to, especially those that are in upper elementary classes/middle school. This is a part of history, but it is also a lesson that can be taught to children throughout the decades.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resistance is an excellent trio of graphic novels about one French family during World War II, living in the "free" part of France during German occupation. There is the artist son who is in his early teens, the social daughter in her late teens, and the isolated prepubescent daughter, along with their mom and aunt. Their absent POW dad impacts their dynamics.

Over the course of the three books, Resistance, Defiance, and Victory, each member of the family goes from mildly resentful to fully and dangerously involved in the resistance movement. None intends to get involved at the start and each takes his or her own path getting there, for many different, complicated reasons. Life is uncertain in an occupied state, for loyalties, motives, and honesty are always in doubt, even among friends, neighbors, and families. Everyone has secrets, trust is always a risk, and someone hostile is always near. This is not an easy or simple story, but it is a moving and realistic one.

My only real complaint was with the illustrations--I often had trouble determining facial expressions and body language, which should be some of the most important information communicated by the pictures in a graphic novel. This often left me awkwardly feeling as though I were missing part of the story, and I had to piece things together from the dialogue and context as much as I was able.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: Next (and last) book in the trilogy.

This is the final installment in this stellar trilogy about the resistance movement in occupied France. This third book brings us up to the last days of occupation and the final liberation of France. Tensions run high in the Tessier household as we see many different ways in which people did their part to survive and resist. The entire household is vocally fed-up with the aunt's collusion with the Germans. Sophie is torn between her feelings for her German "boyfriend" as a person while she uses him to gather information. Paul is frustrated with his inaction and becomes more actively involved in the Resistance with drastic life and death results. The mother is becoming friendlier with the Germans to obtain sources for her family's survival and faces accusations from her children. Marie, the youngest, feels helpless, until an injured Allied airmen falls onto their property and she finally feels fulfilled with her part in the war effort. Everything comes to a grand climax as Paul goes to Paris to deliver an important message from DeGaulle and meets someone from the past. Excellent volume, reads nicely as a standalone as well. Both starts and finishes with short essays on factual events to place the story in history. Fantastic ending to this trilogy.

[Penny Linsenmayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final book in this trilogy was perhaps the best of the three -- I appreciated that the illustrator has made obvious efforts to age the children characters appropriately (it was 1940 or 1941 in the first book and is meant to be 1944 in this one). Marie in particular has obviously grown up considerably in both appearance and in her actions. I thought the conflict Sylvie faced with her involvement with German soldier Erich was complex and thought-provoking -- though she instigated the relationship to gain information for the Resistance, she came to care about him on some levels (though she clearly was not in love with him). This was an uncommon path for the author to take: to have shown Sylvie having a change of heart because she had unwittingly fallen in love with Erich would have been a much more predictable outcome. Showing a platonic or even slightly romantic relationship on her end was much more subtle. Though I thought it far-fetched that Paul would have connected with his friend Henri in Paris as the liberation was underway, I enjoyed where the story took Paul in terms of his involvement with the resistance and his exposure to the various conflicts within the Resistance movement.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this final installment of the Resistance trilogy, the story of the French resistance as WWII comes to a close, is told through three young Tessier siblings (Paul, Marie and Sylvie), who while not old enough to really participate in the Resistance, find their own way to make things happen. While the art is amazing, and the plot line interesting -- youngsters working to gather and provide intelligence to the Resistance -- sometimes the history is lacking. Admittedly, this is not a history text, and readers will definitely glean a lot of history in the reading, it is probably teh only imperfection this reader can find. While the book can be read on its own, reading the previous two will better place the Tessier siblings and provide further history and background for the reading of this book. also, having the opening pages set the scene for the reader, and the author's note at the conclusion of the book, serve to provide some of the history missing in the novel itself. Readers who found themselves fascinated by the Maus graphic novels, which are much darker due to the subject matter alone, will be drawn to these as well.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victory completes the Resistance trilogy. The Tessier siblings have each been doing their part for the French resistance, but they are now about to embark on their most dangerous mission yet. This final installment takes us to the streets of occupied Paris where information critical to the success of the Resistance is needed. All three siblings make their way to Paris where they are reunited with their old friend, Henri. The tides of war are turning, but how long will it take for Paris to be truly out from under the German's heels?
Overall, this is a lovely trilogy that highlights the efforts put forth by ordinary people under extraordinary circumstances. There is not a ton of YA fiction out there that details the role of the French during WWII and the graphic novel format makes this era of history that much more accessible. Readers may be surprised to learn that kids their age were indeed playing their own part in fighting the Germans.

[Raina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series makes me sad. It DOES get better as it goes along - as you get to know the characters. But it does not achieve what it wants to be. It feels contrived and not like the high adventure historical fiction it could be. Here's a piece of a review I wrote for another source:

Although the topic is fascinating and unique for this audience, there is a contrived feeling to this series. It feels just a little too dogmatic. The reader never truly connects with the characters, and the illustrations, though in beautiful full-color, feel amateurish and uneven. Purvis excels at drawing places and does not excel at drawing people. Unfortunately, there are a lot of human figures in this story. Although this topic is important and worth covering in an adventure-style historical fiction graphic novel like this, hopefully many other cartoonists will follow and be more successful at using this format to its greatest extent.

[Suzanne Bhargava · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Resistance trilogy is a great set of graphic novels to read if you're interested in the French resistance.

I particularly liked how the authors presented the moral dilemmas faced by those working for the resistance- weighing up the actions vs the Nazi retaliation. Do you do nothing while things get worse? Or do you take action, risking the lives of your family and innocent neighbours?

The artwork, I thought was very good, especially the use of the main character's sketches dotted throughout the stories - they provided a visually interesting contrast, and also became an important plot device.

I'd recommend this mainly to middle grade readers, though people of most ages really could enjoy it. I enjoyed it (though I wish it had gone more in depth into the complexities of the resistance movement - this was more of a great introduction) and my seven year old had just finished reading the first one and plans to read the other two now.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the final book in the Resistance trilogy and the stakes are higher than ever. The Tessier family are all in the resistance and doing their part in some way. Sylvie is dating a German soldier in order to gain information. Marie has found an injured pilot and they are hiding him from the Germans and the collaborators in their town. Paul travels to Paris on a dangerous mission and is reunited with Henri. This book really shows how fragmented the resistance movements were and how some of them did not agree with giving Charles de Gaulle power over them or credit for their successes. However, the Americans are in the war and the tide is changing. The Germans are on the run, but are still determined to create as much death and destruction as possible before leaving. This has been a really good series showing the French resistance during WWII, not a subject that is often covered in literature for this age group.

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read _Resistance I told everyone who would listen about it. The plot, characters, and artwork all wonderfully came together to create a memorable story that quickly grabbed me. efiance wasn't as instant, but it still a solid continuation.

With Victory, once again I am blown away with a historical and emotional punch! The Tessier family is living on the fumes of hope but with conflicting rumors and policilcal tension trust (and lack thereof) is wearing everyone down. Mrs. Tessier and Aunt Celia "fraternize" with Nazis to keep food on the table, and all the children continue to collect and move information for the Resistance.

The tension held me in Victory- very much like the first book. I still really like the fact that everyone is smart but that may not keep them alive. Freedom, the ultimate goal

[Jennifer Mangler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reviewing all three volumes - Book 1: Resistance, Book 2: Defiance, and Book 3: Victory - together because that's how I read them. They tell one story from beginning to end. I especially loved how the graphic novels captured the complexity of living under occupation as well as the complexity of the resistance movement. People on the same side disagreed and didn't get along and resented each other. It wasn't just "good guys" and "bad guys," and it wasn't always easy to see who was who. Each person had incredibly difficult decisions to make in order to survive and live by her/his own conscience. The novels also really captured the overall sense of fear and mistrust of living under occupation, never knowing who you could trust. I really enjoyed all three graphic novels immensely.

[Derek Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the final book in the Resistance trilogy ends with loose end (somewhat) neatly tied and with an upbeat note -- and I wouldn't expect otherwise -- Jablonski doesn't end things too cleanly...and much to the book's and series' benefit. The "Author's Note" at the end, and as in all the books of the trilogy, places the tale within a historical context. Just as important, it also sets her story within a moral context, complicating any easy or simple reading. As I've thought with the other books, this is one that is definitely subject to be younger and older reader appreciation and analysis.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review contains spoilers

The final book in the Resistance trilogy. I really enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy but was disappointed in the last one. It felt hurried and too many things were happening in this book.

The coincidental meeting in Paris between Paul and Henri was too much for me and I felt like the author was trying to tie everything up in a neat bow.

Overall, a good trilogy, but this is the weakest book.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final installment in Jablonski's Resistance trilogy was just right. It concluded all of the characters' story lines, kept the action going through the end, and completed the plot arc that the first book started. I liked this one as well as the first- it taught me about the French Resistance's part in defeating the Nazis and does so in an interesting way with great characters and story.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last of a WWII trilogy, this graphic novel is less about plot or characters than about conflict within the French Resistance and the liberation of Paris. The art is clear, the story is easy to follow even without having read the first two volumes---but it all seems driven by an informational Purpose. In light of that, the absence of any historical back matter is a weakness.

[amy boese · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this - it was good attempt at telling the story of a complicated and very controversial time in France. However, the story lost me a few times (I confess I didn't read the first two books) and the art wasn't as expressive as it could have been. A good book in a sea of graphic novel historical fiction flops.

[Ania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teachers, please add the Resistance trilogy to your resources while studying WWII!
The theme of this trilogy is very serious: WWII. There are many students very interested in the war and social history of conflicts. I think Jablonski and Purvis deserve our attention as they created a very interesting book for teens and keep questioning readers on ethical issues like war, sacrifice, humanity.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of the trilogy, Victory, is the culmination of the story of a family who has worked for the French Resistance during World War II. The bravery finally felt real because the tension and fear were well portrayed. I still felt that the art work could have contributed to the story more, but over all I thoroughly enjoyed this last selection.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

this wrapped the series up nicely. probably with more positives than most families at the time lived through. again i wasn't aware of degaulle's role from exile in trying to coordinate the resistance since there were so many different factions. i like learning this way - now if i can get some of my students to try it.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

All three books in this series would be a great way to introduce upper elementary and middle school readers to the French Resistance during World War II and the nuances that were involved in surviving day-to-day. I really found myself invested in the Tessier family and their exploits and fates by the end of the series.