St Louis County Library

"Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein is another great crossover YA book that will appeal to adults and teens alike. I listened to the CDBook during my commute to work, which made fighting traffic much more tolerable. The actors reading the novel were engaging and authentic (Scottish and English accents aren't easy to fake). I'd count it as one of the best audiobooks I've listened to.

It's difficult to recap "Code Name Verity" without giving away key plot elements. The book is a spy novel, but it's also about the unlikely friendship of two women during WWII. Maddie, is a working-class girl from Manchester with a penchant for fixing machines and ace navigational skills. Queenie is well-educated, beautiful and a member of the Scottish gentry. The two meet during the build up to the war when Maddie, a novice pilot, helps guide down a damaged German plane and Queenie provides translation services over the radio.

There's plenty of suspense and action, as well as poignant moments that will leave the listener reaching for a Kleenex. The post-script from the author provides interesting background on the roles of women during WWII, as well as other historical references mentioned in the book. "Code Name Verity" is a good fit for fans of historical fiction, friendship stories, WWII buffs or anyone in the mood for a page-turning read!

--Jennifer M., Headquarters