In typical Palmer fashion, deep emotions are presented in deceptively simple and accessible language in this story of the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands. Reminiscent of Morris Gleitzmann’s “Once” series. The protagonist is a humble and likeable young girl, based on Audrey Hepburn’s younger life, who shows immense courage but is not immune to the fear and desperation which must have been the reality. Palmer’s research allows us to see the day to day deprivation & horror which is often lost in other stories which focus on glamour and ‘derring-do’, and to reach a much greater understanding of the plight of the occupied. And on top of that, it’s a page turner that is difficult to put down once you’ve started!

I love Tom Palmer's books. He has such a great way of bring historical periods to life with fantastic plots and characters that the reader really engages with. Resist does exactly this too. I loved the character of Edda, the young girl who bravely finds way to support the resistance of the German invasion in her home village in the Netherlands. She has such determination and I thought the balance between the gravity of her situation, her families struggle against starvation (both of which Tom does in a sensitive but factually realistic way) and the reader's need for her to overcome the struggles and help defeat the enemy was done very well.
The book left me wanting to know more about Audrey Hepburn- someone who up until now I had only known as a glamourous film star. Tom has such a clever way of taking a real event or person from history and weaving a page-turning story around them and this is exactly what he has done here. This is such a great book, full of historical truth, packed with believable characters and bursting with action. Definitely one to add to your own shelf and lend to your friends.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Having watched Tom Palmer’s World Book Day video and then heard that his new book was based on Audrey Hepburn’s time in the Dutch resistance, I really wanted to read this book.

The book is a recount of Edda’s (Audrey) teenage years and how she aided the resistance during World War II. The book is at its strongest when filling in the background detail of what life was like, living in an occupied country. I don’t think before I had appreciated just how hungry people the people were. It is a timely reminder of the impact war can have, but also highlights how difficult it is living in an occupied,war-torn country. Once again, a simple but fascinating story from Tom.

Love the Tom Palmer history books and this is no different. The subject and the fact that this is the start of a well known actress's life is just amazing.
Edda is recalled from a school in England at the start of the war (her name isn't Edda but this is what her mother decides to call her so that she doesn't stand out). She lives with her mother, two brothers, Grandpa and Aunt. One of her brothers runs off to hide so he is not take by the Germans. Her Uncle was taken and shot with other men from her village. She helps at the local hospital, where one of the Doctor's is involved in the Resistance. Edda gets involved delivering leaflets, she is horrified to find her mother's name on a leaflet as a possible Nazi collaborator. However, her mother supports Edda and they help the resistance, especially after Edda's other brother is taken. The war comes to their town when the Nazis take over Holland. The people have no food as this is taken from them, they begin to starve. One day, simply on the way to get food, Edda is captured with other girls but manages to escape. From then her family all hide in their cellar, only coming out at dawn to get water. It get worse until....

A book on the realities of occupied Netherlands during WW2, at times a stark read including those taken to work in German factories, the fate of collaborators, and a journey from restrictions to real hunger and a battle for survival. Also, the story of Edda (a.k.a. Audrey Hepburn) a young teenager doing what she can to help here family and the resistance movement, with moments of drama and peril.

An excellent book both as a story, portrayal of courage and growth, and as a glimpse into life and suffering during the war.

This is just an excerpt. My full review can be found here: https://thebooksintheirhands.wordpress.com/2022/04/27/resist-tom-palmer/

I LOVED this book!

Resist tells the story of the brave, ordinary civilians who secretly supported the Dutch resistance during WW2. Edda, a young girl of just fifteen, is one of them. She’s volunteering at a hospital when her colleague Dr ‘t Hooft, an important figure in the resistance, asks her to deliver illegal newspapers for the cause. When we join Edda for her first few deliveries, she is almost immediately stopped on her bicycle by a level-crossing barrier. She is panicked when a pair of German soldiers approach her, suspicious of her bag. She’s surely caught, so how will she react? No spoilers here!

We see how it takes from her family (a brother in hiding), her body (calories in rations are counted down like a death sentence), and her freedom (run-ins with German soldiers become commonplace). At every chance, our heroine reacts with resolve and beauty – even with rifles aimed at her, she claims to be simply picking wildflowers for her ill mother’s bedside and offers some for the solider to take to his mother. Smartly portraying an innocent child, whilst actually putting her bravery and intelligence to work, she thinks of the solider “He looked like a child now. The mention of his mother had changed him.”

As the brutality of war dominates the story, Edda’s peaceful resolve grows, in strength, to meet it. Her character was well developed and natural, making it easy to get to know Edda well. I was desperate to see what would happen to her by the end of the book and emotional when I got there!

Resist is a moving story which we should all share in remembrance of the unsung heroes of the war. And it’s made even more phenomenal when you realise who inspired Edda’s character… I was blown away!

Tom Palmer has done it again with another piece of brilliant historical fiction that you cannot put down once you start. A truly fascinating story, which I was amazed to discover was based on the early life of Audrey Hepburn, about the Dutch resistance movement in World War 2. As always with Tom's novels, you feel you are watching through a window into the past. You feel everything the character's feel from the oppression living under German occupation to the desperation with very little food or fuel. I always learn so much from reading Tom's meticulously researched books.
I love Barrington Stoke books because they are so accessible to all without putting limits on subjects or depth.

I really enjoyed it. I loved the inspiration for it and how it focuses on the role of the Dutch resistance in WWII as well as experience of civilians under occupation.

Resist tells the story of Edda, a 15-year-old girl who lives in the Nazi-occupied village of Velp in the Netherlands. Despite being frightened for herself and the fate of her family, the book focuses on the small (and big) ways Edda and other locals resist the oppression of the occupying forces.

Written in simple language, and exceptionally fast-paced, Resist did at times feel shallow, as it read (a lot) like, "this happened, and after that, this also happened". Although this means it would likely be an excellent read for a reluctant reader who enjoys something to be constantly happening, I would have personally preferred to have seen more description and conversations between Edda and the other characters, as this would have added depth to the characterisation and plot. This would have, in my opinion, taken this book from 3 to 4 stars.

This surface-skimming means that whilst Resist touches on potentially sensitive topics, including death, starvation, and displacement due to war, it does not do so in graphic detail. The aim is definitely to educate, rather than entertain the reader. There is one (brief) mention of a character seeing a dead body, but other than that, it focuses more on the experiences of the local people living under Nazi occupation. As such, this book would be suitable for most readers aged 12+, and so I will definitely be adding this to my high school library.

(I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.)

Resist by Tom Palmer is a middle grade book that is expected to be published on August 4th 2022. I don't even know how I did not notice this before starting the book, but it was apparently inspired by Audrey Hepburn's early life and her experience during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II. It's literally the first line in the description of the book, but I somehow managed to miss it until now, when I started writing this review. Anyway... Leaving aside the fact that I did not know this (very) important piece information while reading this, I still enjoyed it a lot as a historical fiction work heheh

Edda is a young girl living in the nazi-occupied Netherlands. As she sees how her life gradually changes and she loses parts of herself, she tries to help the resistance however she can, showing how corageous she truly is. Although Edda is hungry, traumatised and living in constant fear, she still hopes for a future where her family and country get to be free again.

I know there are many books about WWII, but I feel like this one gives an interesting perspective. I definitely would have loved this novel as a tween/teen and I really enjoyed reading it now as a young adult! It's fast-paced, compelling and very touching. I believe this book is especially suitable for young people interested in learning about these topics, who maybe -instead of watching a documentary or reading a text book- can learn about history through the eyes of someone like them.

This story of resistance occupation seems strangely relevant considering what is going on in the world right now and it felt weird not to mention it. This is also a very different situation and I don't mean to compare, but I would like to encourage people to stay informed and help however they can. Let's not let history repeat itself! Never again.

Resist is a fast paced, gripping and powerful little novel set in the Netherlands during WWII. 14 year old Edda is doing her part to support the resistance and trying to make sense of the chaos of war going on around her. It would make a great book to study in the classroom as presents different perspectives and would offer much opportunities for quality discussion. The use of simpler language make it accessible to a wider readership while still maintaining a high level of interest.

A fantastic war time read. The story has an interesting perspective being based in the Netherlands in WW2 and based on the resistance that was put up against the Nazis. I feel in love with the characters and had a year in my eye towards the end. Highly anticipated and another must read!

Tom Palmer has done it again, this is another fantastic book about a less well known aspect of WW2 and woven a brilliant story around some key facts.
Set in Holland towards the end of WW2 this looks at a small community near Arnhem and looks at how the stalled offensive by the Allied armies had a devastating effect on the area.

The tale all hangs around one young girl's family and their experiences but the added hook here is that this young girl is in fact based on Audrey Hepburn.

Palmer has a way of telling intricate, and sometimes complex ,stories in accessible ways so that they are suitable for readers who have dyslexia and other issues but that at the same time are gripping reads for adults and able readers.

I can't wait to buy a finished copy to see the extra notes that accompany Palmer's books.

Resist is a gripping story of the people in the Netherlands who were held captive by the Second World War. In the story, fifteen-year-old Edda lives with her grandfather, aunt, and mother in Velp, Netherlands after her uncle was killed, her oldest brother goes into hiding to avoid conscription, and her middle brother is kidnapped and sent to Germany to work in war factories. Edda funnels her fear and anger into resistance efforts. She delivers the secret newsletter of the resistance to other patriots, scavenges for food to keep her family alive, dances at secret fundraisers to support the resistance, and even aids a downed pilot while he waits for evacuation. Through her experiences, she symbolizes the grit and fortitude of the resistance who fought in small and silent ways to maintain their lives and culture.

Resist is an interesting story that will keep readers’ enthralled. Edda does read as a younger child than she is. I was surprised when I read that she was almost sixteen. Her character feels young and sheltered, more like a ten to twelve year old. Otherwise, this story has the high stakes, meaningful complication, and intense plot development to keep readers interested. Just as importantly, it showcases Edda’s perseverance, strength, and courage in the face of a terrifying enemy. I love the themes and the exemplary qualities of Edda in this story, and I would definitely incorporate this book into a study of WWII, the Holocaust, or patriotism and the home front.

This is a compelling read about how bravery and resistance comes in many different forms, regardless of age. I went into it mostly blind and had no idea it was inspired by the childhood of Audrey Hepburn.

The book realistically depicts life in Velp during World War 2, which I feel is a more uncommon perspective (compared to stories set in France, Germany and Poland) but no less important. Starvation, frequent bombings and living in constant fear are just some of what civilians had to endure.

Despite its promising start, the second half of the book was a letdown for me. I thought the book would focus largely on resistance efforts on the part of a teenage girl, but that wasn't the case. Rather, it provides a glimpse into the suffering that people went through day-to-day during the war.

The Tom Palmer/Barrington Stoke combination once again has a powerful smash hit on their hands. I love how Palmer's books always consider your non typical War/Holocaust POVs and this is another astonishing example of that.

This is historical fiction at its best, set during World War II in the village of Velp near Arnhem. 15 year old Edda is frightened and increasingly hungry, but she shows immense courage in undertaking small actions of resistance against the Nazi occupiers. Like most Dutch families, Edda’s has been traumatised by the war: her uncle was killed by the Germans as retribution for the actions of saboteurs; her brother Alex is in hiding because Dutch young men were abducted and sent to work as virtual slave labour in Germany; her other brother Ian is 17 so should be safe – but is he? And why is Edda’s mother on a list of locals that are ‘not to be trusted’? This is a story of resistance in the face of occupation which seems especially timely given recent events in Ukraine.

My husband is Dutch and we lived on the outskirts of Arnhem for 2 years in the 1990’s. I heard stories about the war years which match closely with events in the book. My mother-in-law was 12 years old in early 1945 and during the ‘Hongerwinter’ (Winter of Hunger), she walked miles to a farm to get some eggs for the family. On the way back, she dropped one. She was so hungry that she licked it from the pavement. Her younger brother died of malnutrition that winter. My father-in-law’s mother was a German living in the Netherlands, and when the Nazis came on raids, she invited them in for ‘kaffee und kuchen’, pretending to be welcoming so that the neighbours would have time to hide their ‘onderduikers’ (people in hiding). I also knew the term ‘moffen’ (a derogatory term for a German soldier occupying the Netherlands) and heard repeatedly – even 50 years after the war! – that ‘moffen’ stole Dutch people’s bikes. Because we lived in Arnhem and are keen historians, I am very familiar with the Battle for Arnhem, having visited the Airborne Museum at Hartenstein many times (on a side note, the movie ‘A Bridge Too Far’ would be an excellent supplement to this novel for secondary school age students). All this is to say that the novel ‘speaks true’ to me, and shows evidence of meticulous research.
One thing I didn’t realise while reading (as I hadn’t read the blurb in advance) is that this novel is loosely based on the childhood story of Audrey Hepburn! After reading, I looked up Velp on Wikipedia and saw that the famous people from Velp included Hepburn; it was only then that I put two and two together, as Edda is the character’s Dutch name, with Audrey as her English name. This added bonus to the story makes me want to read the novel over again after doing some additional research into Hepburn’s family.

I am an English and History teacher at a secondary school, and also the Literacy Coordinator and a Reading Intervention Specialist working with struggling and reluctant readers. In every facet of my work, Resist is incredibly useful. Not only does it subtly teach history, it is also a Barrington Stoke novel, meaning that it is accessible for the reluctant and struggling readers I work with. Palmer is a genius at using crisp, clear language to create vivid scenes and evoke tension, so with my English teacher’s hat on, it is also top-notch.

Highly recommended.

I knew I had to read this as soon as I saw it was inspired by Audrey Hepburn, and I knew it would be fantastic because Tom Palmer always is. I wasn’t wrong! Heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time, this book deals with sensitive historical subjects carefully, educating and entertaining in a way only Palmer can. I will definitely be adding this to my school library.

This is the forst book that I have read by this author but it certainly won't be the last. I really enjoyed this book. As a child I craved books that were historical fiction but not classics - although I loved those too - that were about or based upon someone living who had experienced a historical event. The fact that this books is based upon a well known actresses experiences during the second World War would really have appealed to me as a child - it appealed to me as an adult - and I think it would appeal to children now too.
The book was full of such rich descriptions and vivid imagery that it was easy too imagine how hard it would have been living in that time and it was so accurately described that I could have jumped into the pages mysefl. It had obviously been very well researched without coming across as fact overload.
I have read many books set during World War Two and this is one of the best I have read.

What a fantastic read! Set towards the end of World War 2 in Nazi occupied Netherlands, Edda has become part of the resistance and puts her own life at risk to support the cause. Her character is inspired by Audrey Hepburn's experiences during the war. It's great to read historical fiction that is so well researched and at the same time completey accessible to the target audience. The character of Edda is instantly likeable - so brave and so kind. A hero that it's easy for any child to empathise with. The vivid descriptions of the settings take you away to the place and the time - the desperate hunger of rationing, the fear of the war never ending and not knowing who can be trusted. I would be happy to recommend this book to children from Year 5 upwards and can't wait to get it into our school library!