Editors’ note: Sharon High seniors enrolled in Honors Advanced Print & Digital Journalism are writing reviews of books available in the Sharon High School Library catalog. Sammy O’Reilly shares his opinions about a novel that focuses upon the events surrounding D-Day during World War II. We timed Sammy’s book review to coincide with Memorial Day weekend to remember and honor those who died while serving in the U.S. Military.

D-Day is known to many as the day of a massive ground-scale invasion of German-occupied France during World War II. This day was a fight for freedom and peace when people across the globe helped the daunting task of D-Day to succeed. In Allies by Alan Gratz, their collective effort is put on full display.

Alan Gratz is no stranger to writing compelling historical fiction for young readers, like his successful novels Refugee and Projekt 1065. In Allies, Gratz weaves together a cast of young, courageous characters who are thrown together by the events of June 6, 1944. The novel’s mix of fast action and emotional depth skillfully depicts what is arguably history’s most pivotal battle.

The novel follows four main characters fighting in the battle of Normandy, including Dee, a young American soldier; James, a paratrooper dropped in prior to the invasion; Samira, a young French resistance fighter; and Henry, a medic during the land invasion at Omaha Beach. Gratz masterfully crafts these characters to showcase the different perspectives that were present at this crucial moment in history. The novel switches between points of view over forty chapters, each character’s narrative escalating in tension as they progress through their respective missions. 

Sixteen-year-old Dee, who has signed up for the army illegally, admits to being terrified at the thought of battle. Similarly, paratrooper James finds himself anxious at being dropped into enemy territory with low odds of survival. Samira, meanwhile, is only a child, thrown into the French resistance after German guards take her mother. Through their eyes, we see the bravery needed to confront war and the toll it takes on each of them. The novel demonstrates how every soldier, resistance fighter, and civilian associated with WWII was united in the fight for freedom. 

In addition, Gratz’s imagery throughout the book, especially during the chaos of D-Day, makes the reader feel drawn into the fighting. He masterfully articulates the characters’ feelings prior to putting their life at risk: “He closed his eyes and held on to his seat for dear life. Poom-poom-poom-poom. German anti-aircraft shells exploded in the sky all around him.” Gratz conveys the fear of preparing for battle through vivid descriptions, capturing both the physical and emotional landscape of war.

Another standout quality of Allies is Gratz’s writing style. His prose is direct, making the novel easy to read, but he also infuses it with emotional depth. The action sequences are fast-paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, while quieter moments of reflection allow for character development. Gratz doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of war, but centers the violence as background noise. The main characters all experience and observe the horrors of war, but they survive with minimal injuries. When violence is described in the novel, it is often brief and non-graphic, allowing for an easier read. 

However, some of the pacing and character development in the novel is a little hiccuped. Jumping between characters presents a problem for the reader; as a result, some characters don’t seem to have been given the chance to be fully developed. While Dee, James, and Samira are well-rounded and complex, a few of the secondary characters are more one-dimensional. For example, Dee’s friend Sid doesn’t experience much development throughout the novel. Other than his Jewish identity, Sid does not add as much to the novel as Dee, and it feels like a missed opportunity that the relationship between these two soldiers is not explored more.

Allies is a well-narrated historical novel that will satisfy the appetite of young adult and adult readers alike, despite a few flaws. It has a set of characters that display bravery, while the themes are just as compelling as the action. I would recommend the book for anyone looking for a balance between fast-paced historical fiction and an exploration of the complexities of war and human connections.

ALLIES

By Alan Gratz

Scholastic Press, 307 pp., $17.99

*Cover image from alangratz.com