Preteen girl looking at a cell phone with her parents

Personalized picks at your fingertips

Get the mobile app on iOS and Android

Get the app
Parents' Guide to

Code Name Verity, Book 1

By Mary Eisenhart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Plot-twisting, heart-wrenching, unforgettable WWII story.

Book Elizabeth Wein Historical Fiction 2012
Code Name Verity, Book 1 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all
age 14+

Based on 6 parent reviews

bookfriendly
bookfriendly Adult
September 29, 2015
age 13+

Wonderful Story, Has a Lot to Teach

This book made me laugh and it made me cry. It made me throw it across the room angrily and it also made me keep it next to my bed even after I finished it just to keep me company. :) It has been a long time since a book got all of those responses from me. Code Name Verity is a wonderful book. It's marketed as Young Adult fiction. I think it would be a good book for many adults to read, as well. This is not a children's book-there is some violence and death (after all, it is a war story about a POW). It can be a bit scary. There is no real romance, which is refreshing for a YA novel. My very favorite part of the story was the friendship between the two girls. I think it made me appreciate my best friend, who also happens to be my twin sister, a lot more! There is some swearing in this novel. (That is probably what bothered me the most-I'm going to cross the bad words out when I re-read this.) There is smoking, appropriate to the time period, and mention of alcohol. I'm not going to say "too much" because the smoking is a historical detail, the mention of alcohol really is mention, and as for language, it all depends on your opinion...I don't swear myself, but the few times the characters in this book did, they generally had a good reason (again, it's wartime). The story itself is wonderful. Great characters-I wish these people were real, so that I could be friends with them!-and an AMAZING plot that keeps you guessing right up to the end. (Not kidding. Crazy plot twists with this one-I love it.) And there's a lot to learn, a lot of moral questions raised. I'm not a teacher, but I bet this would be a great book for a class to read. HIGHLY recommended to both you and your children/your class. I'd say middle-school and above-mostly because there are some sad/scary bits that might be too much for elementary school kids (can't really elaborate without ruining those plot twists!) Have a great time reading this and thinking about it-I definitely did.
Sherri B.
Sherri B. Parent of 11-year-old
March 16, 2020
age 13+

Gripping historical fiction

I read this book because I love reading children's and young adult literature. Plus I teach middle school. I have two boys (11 and 13). There are mature themes here, so I would recommend this for kids 13+. In addition to a gripping story, kids will learn something about the time period. Characters are not perfect- more realistic.
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

It's 1943, and two teen girls become best friends when their unlikely skills prove valuable to the Allied war effort. As the book begins, the two of them, pilot Maddie and spy "Queenie," have been forced to crash-land in France. Queenie, having fallen into the hands of the Gestapo and been tortured for weeks, strikes a bargain -- information for a less painful death -- and writes for the Nazis the story of Maddie, herself, and their adventures. As the plot unfolds, nothing and nobody are entirely what they seem.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6 ):
Kids say (11 ):

Sure to land on many best-of-2012 lists, CODE NAME VERITY is well written, intricately plotted, full of surprises, and as harrowing as it is compelling. Maddie, Queenie, and some of the supporting characters are unforgettable and will stay with readers long after the last chapter has been read.

With a wealth of historic and literary detail, as well as an unblinking look at bad things happening to good people and heroic cleverness in the face of hopelessness, Code Name Verity will appeal to many adult readers as well as teens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about moral dilemmas: Does Maddie do the right thing?

  • How do you think Code Name Verity compares with other war stories you've read or seen on film?

  • How do you feel about espionage? Is it justified or not, depending on the rightness of your cause?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended book lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate