01/16/2023
This suspenseful murder mystery by Wein (The Enigma Game ), set in 1937, centers a group of stellar young pilots competing in a European air race. Striving to promote peace during a period of international unrest, pioneering British female aviator Lady Firth organizes Europe’s First Youth Air Race, comprising 12 pilots aged 17–20 from 12 nations, flying over seven cities. Seventeen-year-old Stella North, Britain’s representative and the only female participant, hides her Russian origins, fearing exposure by the press as a stateless refugee. When one pilot disappears before the first leg of the race is completed, Stella believes she witnessed his murder in the sky. Each contestant—and their respective chaperone—is a possible suspect, and Stella, externally cool and collected, privately worries about potential sabotage to her plane. She also wrestles with misgivings about her competitors, each of whom represents a different facet of the imminent war. Danger and intrigue abound in this historically accurate aeronautic adventure, which boasts a large cast whose unusual and dramatically shifting dynamics make for a savory read. Major characters cue as white; one chaperone is a highly regarded Black aviator. A concluding author’s note details context regarding pre-WWII and aviation history, plus extensive source notes. Ages 12–up. Agent: Ginger Clark, Ginger Clark Literary. (Mar.)
★ 03/01/2023
Gr 6 Up— Wein's latest historical fiction entry displays a wonderful understanding of both the complexity of the interwar years in Europe and the complicated motivations of the human condition. Stella is a young pilot selected to represent Britain in Europe's first air race for young people, an effort to promote peace amid lingering resentments, the ongoing Spanish Civil War, and the rise of Nazism. She is the lone female pilot and must continually prove her skill as an aviator and her ability to navigate treacherous social situations under the ever-present newspaper camera lens. Set in August 1937, when most Europeans liked to believe that peace between nations was still possible, hopes for a friendly air race to inspire national camaraderie are shattered on the first day when Stella observes one pilot force another to crash into the English Channel. Wein skillfully intertwines the mystery surrounding the crash and the increasingly suspicious behavior of various race participants and officials with the escalating tensions induced by episodes of sabotage and unsportsmanlike actions, both in the air and on the ground. Wein's prose shines especially bright during her descriptions of the landscape from the air, particularly the lasting effects of trench warfare on the terrain of Europe and the dread of another war. Her thorough research and attention to detail make the era come alive for readers. Back matter includes an extensive author's note and brief bibliography of works that inspired this novel. VERDICT Fans of Wein's earlier works, Keith O'Brien's Fly Girls , and Steve Sheinkin's Born to Fly will greatly enjoy this novel. Highly recommended for all libraries.—Susan Catlett
2022-12-14
In late August 1937, Stella North, 17, is representing Britain by flying in a race against other young pilots to promote peace in Europe. As the only female flyer, and one who does not feel like a true Brit (she’s originally from Russia, having left as a 3-year-old refugee, but she keeps that fact hidden), she has a lot to prove. Racing from England to Belgium, Stella witnesses two planes nearly collide midair, with one flying away undamaged and one plummeting into the sea. Was it really murder? The competitors include a pilot representing Nazi Germany, an Italian who is a close friend of Mussolini’s son, a Jewish pilot from the Netherlands, and an anti-fascist pilot from France: Could one of them be trying to eliminate the competition? Unlikely alliances form as Stella and her fellow pilots try to solve the mystery and stay alive, all unfolding against the backdrop of an ever more frightening political landscape. The aeronautic and historical details woven into the story make for informative and fascinating reading. The ending will feel bittersweet, as readers know that many of these new allies will shortly be on different sides of a horrific war.
A thrilling, terrifying read. (map, competitors and destinations, author’s note, sources) (Historical mystery. 12-18)
A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book A CCBC Best Book of the Year A Horn Book Fanfare Pick An Odyssey Award Honor Audiobook A USBBY Outstanding International Book "A beautifully crafted novel soaring straight through the golden age of aviation into the darkening clouds of a coming war. A riveting, thought-provoking, page-turner."—Sharon Cameron, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Light in Hidden Places Stateless begins as an exhilarating trans-continental thrill ride and ends as a poignant plea for peace and understanding in the teeth of war ... Elizabeth Wein writes a top-flying adventure!" —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network Stateless is simply spectacular."—Sherri L. Smith, award-winning author of Flygirl Stateless is a soaring, immersive exploration of what it means to belong. I loved it."—Stacey Lee, New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl The Horn Book, starred review SLJ, starred review Kirkus Reviews Publishers Weekly
Praise for The Enigma Game : “Even if you’re not one for “war stories,” you’ll likely get caught up in the breathless thrill-ride of Wein’s newest World War II novel. [I]ts twisty plot, multivoiced narration, and poetic prose make it fly by . It’s an illuminating historical read and a realistic depiction of the costs of war.”
—New York Times Book Review The Enigma Game as a standalone thriller or as a prequel to Wein's 2013 Printz Honor book Code Name Verity ...The Enigma Game furthers Wein's streak of excellent historical fiction."—BookPage, starred review Kirkus Reviews, starred review * “Compelling and emotionally taut…Wein's story of unexpected friendship and empowerment during wartime is intelligent, compassionate and thrilling."
—Shelf Awareness, starred review School Library Connection, starred review The Horn Book, starred review School Library Journal BCCB PopSugar
Stateless is a soaring, immersive exploration of what it means to belong. I loved it.”
author of The Downstairs Girl Stacey Lee
* "A comprehensive, believable, and engaging page-turner that should not be missed.
starred review School Library Connection
A beautifully crafted novel soaring straight through the golden age of aviation into the darkening clouds of a coming war. A riveting, thought-provoking, page-turner.
#1 New York Times bestselling author of The Light Sharon Cameron
* "Gripping.... Readers will enjoy The Enigma Game as a standalone thriller or as a prequel to Wein's 2013 Printz Honor book Code Name Verity ...The Enigma Game furthers Wein's streak of excellent historical fiction.
Dramatic and informative.
Engrossing.
Stateless is a soaring, immersive exploration of what it means to belong. I loved it.
New York Times bestselling author of The Downstair Stacey Lee
* "Cleverly plotted...a rich work of historical fiction.
starred review The Horn Book
Elizabeth Wein does it again! You’re not going to want to miss a minute of this high flying game of cat and mouse. Stateless is simply spectacular.
award-winning author of Flygirl Sherri L. Smith
Moira Quirk narrates this suspenseful novel, set in 1937. Amid the Spanish Civil War and the rise of Hitler, teenager Stella North is conscripted into an air race to promote peace. Representing Britain, Stella is the only female competing with pilots from many different European countries. This particular setting allows Quirk to showcase a wide variety of accents: British, French, German, Polish, and Italian, to name a few. What she also brings is nail-biting tension and fierce emotions as North witnesses sabotage in the air that claims the life of a competing pilot. Why was he targeted, and who may be next? Quirk is relentless in her pacing as secret connections are uncovered and pilots strive to stay one step ahead of murder. L.M.G. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Moira Quirk narrates this suspenseful novel, set in 1937. Amid the Spanish Civil War and the rise of Hitler, teenager Stella North is conscripted into an air race to promote peace. Representing Britain, Stella is the only female competing with pilots from many different European countries. This particular setting allows Quirk to showcase a wide variety of accents: British, French, German, Polish, and Italian, to name a few. What she also brings is nail-biting tension and fierce emotions as North witnesses sabotage in the air that claims the life of a competing pilot. Why was he targeted, and who may be next? Quirk is relentless in her pacing as secret connections are uncovered and pilots strive to stay one step ahead of murder. L.M.G. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
