Code Name Verity *SPOILER*

I have just finished reading the YA novel Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. I must admit, I was slow to get into this book, but once I started Part 2, I finished the rest in one day.

The novel tells the story of two young women who both work for the RAF in Great Britain during World War II. Maddie is a pilot and Julie (Queenie) is a secret agent. The book is written in journal format from the points of view of both women though Julie tells much of her story in the third person point of view.

*SPOILER*

So Julie's story comes first. She has been captured by the Gestapo and is being tortured to turn over information. Her journals seem to reveal that she is giving up information and being mistreated by everyone around her. She also believes that Maddie has died in the crash. When Part 2 starts, Maddie reveals her story.

I didn't realize there were two parts on first read. Similar to Gone Girl, which I also recommend, adults only, the book uses the "Book of Lies" technique in the first part to reveal the truths in the second. It had me flipping back over pages in Part 1 to look for clues about characters and events.

If teaching this novel, I would focus on point of view and characterization. Since the characterization of some of the characters differ from Parts 1 to 2, I would ask students to analyze why Julie would describe the characters that way (particularly Engel and Penn). Conflicts and character motivations are mostly inferred throughout the text. It would be interesting to teach the novel and have students characterize each person in Part 1 and then revise their characterizations after hearing Maddie's story. It could definitely lead to a great conversation on differing points of views in a general sense. As with most historical novels, it also offers lessons on history and research throughout the reading.

While Part 1 was a bit slow for me with the technical flying information, the twists that come in Part 2 make it all work. It is a story of strong, brave women who have to overcome circumstances and gender stereotypes to realize their heroine potential. I really liked the fact that the driving relationship throughout the whole novel is a strong female friendship. As the novel nears its end, the bonds of friendship are really tested in a way that I hope never to know.