When Hitler invaded Poland, Virginia Hall was traveling in Europe. Which was dangerous enough, but as fighting erupted, instead of returning home, she headed to France. In a country divided by freedom and fascism, Virginia was determined to do her part for the Allies. An ordinary woman from Baltimore, Maryland, she dove into the action, first joining a French ambulance unit and later becoming an undercover agent for both the British Special Operations Executive and the US Office of Strategic Services.
Working as a spy in the intelligence network, she made her way to Vichy, coordinating Resistance movements, assisting in Nazi sabotage, and rescuing downed Allies. She passed in plain sight of the enemy and soon found herself being hunted by the Gestapo. But Virginia cleverly evaded discovery and death, often through bold feats and escapes. Her covert operations, efforts with the Resistance, and risky work as a wireless telegraph operator greatly contributed to the Allies' eventual win.
"A detailed, thoroughly researched, and engaging story about Virginia Hall, a much-forgotten but vitally important figure in U.S. and British history.... Mitchell pulls readers into Hall's story in a compelling narrative that does not skimp on facts. There is plenty of historical detail given as context, to frame Hall's life as a spy, but also to inform readers about life in occupied France and give a fuller picture of the war." — Kristyn Dorfman, School Library Journal
Recommended Age | 12 and up |
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Author | Don Mitchell |
ISBN | 0545936128 |
Publication Date | Mar 26, 2019 |
Publisher | Scholastic Nonfiction |
Language | English |