A really interesting read. I really enjoyed it and think it will be a brilliant addition to our school library and to recommend to students studying WWII for wider reading

Mohinder’s War is a thrilling World War 2 adventure story set in occupied France. It’s 1941 and Mohinder Singh’s plane crashes. Mohinder (Mo) is an Indian pilot attached to the Royal Air Force. He’s found, wounded and in hiding from the Nazis, by 13-year-old Joelle Breton. Her parents are members of the Maquis – the French Resistance – and they take him in. However, it’s a life fraught with danger and it’s not long before the family are betrayed. Mo and Joelle must now fight for survival. They flee from Joelle’s village and begin a dangerous journey across France together.

I really enjoyed Mohinder’s War. It’s a short book – only 155 pages – and this suits the fast pace of the story. There’s plenty of drama and action and it makes for an exciting and tense read.

The book’s themes of war and resistance are powerfully and sensitively explored. Particularly potent are the descriptions of loss: the loss of Joelle’s childhood, her family and home; and the loss of a country to an occupying force. I was especially struck by Bali Rai’s evocative descriptions of occupied France – the deserted, ransacked towns and villages, the fields with crops left to rot, and the “shroud of despondency and hopelessness” over everything (page 101).

Another important aspect of the book is the inclusion of Sikh traditions and beliefs. Mo’s noble character and behaviour is firmly shaped by his Sikh faith and moral code. He shares some crucial wisdom with Joelle during the course of the story. There’s an older French woman too who also imparts her valuable philosophy: “That’s the thing about life […]. We can never go back. The past shapes us. It makes us who we are. It cannot be undone. All we have is what we make of tomorrow.” (page 126).

Mohinder’s War is a powerful book that explores friendship, bravery, loyalty and betrayal and shows us what humankind is capable of – both good and bad.

It’s always difficult deciding how to introduce children to the harshness of history but I feel that Bali Rai 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 enjoyed this book. It depicts Mohinder Singh, a Sikh and British pilot as a man with great wisdom and humanity. Some of this comes from his religion and some from his life experiences. Joelle the French girl shows a maturity beyond her years, but I suspect that war does 'age' one.

There is adventure aplenty in the book. It is written at pace and all seems so believable. The descriptions of place and people are good and not laboured. The ending was a little abrupt, but perhaps the reader needs to fill in the gaps.

‘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

I spotted a new @balirai title in #Netgalley & obviously had to read it asap. Published next month by @BloomsburyEd, Mohinder's War is a thrilling #WW2 story of an Indian RAF pilot who crashed in occupied France. It doesn't pull it's punches!#UKMG