The chapters are short so as to not be too intimidating for young readers.  The characters are believable, and well-developed, so the reader becomes emotionally entanged The plot is gripping enough to keep the reader always wanting to read one more chapter.  The historical setting allows teaches while story-telling.  As an adult I was drawn in, and finished the book in 2 days, and learned a lot along the way, and I know I’ve got a lot of boys who are interested in war stories, so I’m looking forward to recommending this one to them.  It tells the story of a twelve-year-old boy coming of age in the midst of WWII’s Nazi-occupied France.  With his father stranded in England and his older brother in a Nazi prison, he is working to keep his mother and sister safe while also assisting the dangerous and secretive work of the underground resistance movement working to get downed airmen out of the country, under nazi noses, and back into the war effort. Along the way, he experiences personal growth as well, learning to place being proud of himself over worrying about the opinions of others.  Historical notes, timeline, and glossary in the back help place the story in historical context for students who may be unfamiliar with the time period.