The War Outside, Monica Hesse
The War Outside, Monica Hesse
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.49

The War Outside

Author: Monica Hesse

Narrator: Allison Hiroto, Christie Moreau, Monica Hesse

Unabridged: 7 hr 55 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/25/2018

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

New from Monica Hesse, the bestselling and award-winning author of Girl in the Blue Coat--an "important" (New York Times Book Review), "extraordinary" (Booklist, starred review) novel of conviction, friendship, and betrayal

"A must-read for fans of historical fiction." --Ruta Sepetys, #1 New York Times bestselling author

It's 1944, and World War II is raging across Europe and the Pacific. The war seemed far away from Margot in Iowa and Haruko in Colorado--until they were uprooted to dusty Texas, all because of the places their parents once called home: Germany and Japan.

Haruko and Margot meet at the high school in Crystal City, a "family internment camp" for those accused of colluding with the enemy. The teens discover that they are polar opposites in so many ways, except for one that seems to override all the others: the camp is changing them, day by day and piece by piece. Haruko finds herself consumed by fear for her soldier brother and distrust of her father, who she knows is keeping something from her. And Margot is doing everything she can to keep her family whole as her mother's health deteriorates and her rational, patriotic father becomes a man who distrusts America and fraternizes with Nazis.

With everything around them falling apart, Margot and Haruko find solace in their growing, secret friendship. But in a prison the government has deemed full of spies, can they trust anyone--even each other?

About Monica Hesse

Monica Hesse is a feature writer for the Washington Post. A finalist for a Livingston and James Beard Award, she is also the author of Girl in the Blue Coat. She lives in Washington, DC.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jessica on July 18, 2018

I received an ARC of this book for free from TheNovl in exchange for an honest review. Since I received an ARC, my quotes from the book are tentative. Last month I read a different YA novel about German American internment and was beyond disappointed by it. When I saw that TheNovl was offering a cha......more

Goodreads review by Terrie's on July 29, 2018

Just Another Book Bitch's ALWAYS SPOILER FREE REVIEW First things first... I believe this is a book everyone should read and absorb. I think it should be on every school reading list. While it is fiction, it's based on enough fact that will catapult the reader back in time to a horrific, (an......more

Goodreads review by Jen on March 08, 2025

Although I’ve read a lot of historical fiction surrounding WWll , I had never read one based on the perspective of US citizens of German and Japanese descent relocated to US Internment camps. This book follows the story told in multiple perspective of two teens and their experiences within the camp,......more


Quotes

Praise for The War Outside:A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2018A 2019 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults PickA 2018 BCCB Bulletin Blue Ribbon TitleA 2019 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
"Once again, Monica Hesse delivers an incredibly compelling and beautifully researched novel. The War Outside vividly brings readers into an underrepresented and dark period of American history. A must-read for fans of historical fiction."—Ruta Sepetys, #1 New York Times bestselling author

* "...superb....A satisfying and bittersweet novel, perfect for those who enjoyed Markus Zusak's The Book Thief."—SLJ, starred review

"Monica Hesse takes a setting we think we understand and shifts it in an important way...a tightly plotted exploration of the consequences of fear."—The New York Times Book Review

* "...an extraordinary novel of injustice and xenophobia based on real history."—Booklist, starred review

* "...a moving book that successfully describes an unjust aspect of U.S. History"—Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "Keeps readers guessing through the final pages."
BCCB, starred review

* "Teens and adults interested in WWII books, especially situations that haven't been written about extensively,will want to experience this story."—SLC, starred review

"Monica Hesse's The War Outside pierces the heart with its exceptional story of family, friends and country...Riveting and meticulously researched, this story reverberates with authentic voices as it explores adolescent growth under dreadful circumstances."—BookPage

"timely...[Hesse] again uses a well-researched historical backdrop to tell a powerful coming-of-age story."—The Washington Post

"Hesse's books are like time machines-vehicles that help us explore our past."—Mashable