Code Name Kingfisher
Liv’s discovered a shocking secret about her family’s past – a secret her Bubbe has never shared with anyone. Until now.
Average Rating
What the Book is About
Eighth-grader Liv has more than enough to worry about. Her best friend is drifting away, a group of girls has started bullying her, and her beloved Bubbe's memory is fading. As Liv works on a family history assignment for school, she begins uncovering the remarkable story Bubbe has kept hidden for decades.
The novel shifts between present-day Liv and Nazi-occupied Holland during World War II, where young sisters Mila and Hannie are forced to leave their parents and hide with a non-Jewish family. Mila befriends Will (another Jewish child in hiding), while Hannie joins the Dutch Resistance and risks her life to helps move Jewish children to safety. Meanwhile, Mila struggles to survive in a world where simply being Jewish puts her in constant danger. As the Nazis tighten their grip on Holland, every decision could mean the difference between life and death.
Learning about the extraordinary courage of her family gives Liv a new perspective on her own challenges. This gripping, emotional novel weaves together two unforgettable stories about bravery, friendship, forgiveness, and the importance of remembering the people who came before us.
Jewish Content and Values
- Liv's grandmother survived the Holocaust as a Jewish child hiding in Nazi-occupied Holland.
- Liv remembers celebrating Shabbat dinners with her grandparents. Mila and Hannie's parents remind them that even if they must pretend not to be Jewish, they should never forget who they are.
- Jewish traditions such as leaving stones on a grave and saying zichrona livracha ("may her memory be a blessing") are included in meaningful moments.
- The book explores Jewish values including gevurah (courage), l’dor v’dor (from generation to generation), and the idea that saving one life can change the world.
Content Advisory
What the Book is About
Eighth-grader Liv has more than enough to worry about. Her best friend is drifting away, a group of girls has started bullying her, and her beloved Bubbe's memory is fading. As Liv works on a family history assignment for school, she begins uncovering the remarkable story Bubbe has kept hidden for decades.
The novel shifts between present-day Liv and Nazi-occupied Holland during World War II, where young sisters Mila and Hannie are forced to leave their parents and hide with a non-Jewish family. Mila befriends Will (another Jewish child in hiding), while Hannie joins the Dutch Resistance and risks her life to helps move Jewish children to safety. Meanwhile, Mila struggles to survive in a world where simply being Jewish puts her in constant danger. As the Nazis tighten their grip on Holland, every decision could mean the difference between life and death.
Learning about the extraordinary courage of her family gives Liv a new perspective on her own challenges. This gripping, emotional novel weaves together two unforgettable stories about bravery, friendship, forgiveness, and the importance of remembering the people who came before us.
Jewish Content and Values
- Liv's grandmother survived the Holocaust as a Jewish child hiding in Nazi-occupied Holland.
- Liv remembers celebrating Shabbat dinners with her grandparents. Mila and Hannie's parents remind them that even if they must pretend not to be Jewish, they should never forget who they are.
- Jewish traditions such as leaving stones on a grave and saying zichrona livracha ("may her memory be a blessing") are included in meaningful moments.
- The book explores Jewish values including gevurah (courage), l’dor v’dor (from generation to generation), and the idea that saving one life can change the world.
