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Parents' Guide to

Rose Under Fire: Code Name Verity, Book 2

By Julie A. Carlson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Emotional story of WWII teen pilot in concentration camp.

Book Elizabeth Wein Historical Fiction 2013
Rose Under Fire: Code Name Verity, Book 2 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 3 parent reviews

S S.
S S. Adult
June 14, 2019
age 16+

Common Sense Should Update Two Categories

How is this rated no language or sexual content? Language includes s**t and f*** and b**ch. Sexual content includes slang and other references to rape/assault on pages 189 and 190. Again on page 330. Most of the cursing is near those sections as well. That being said, I think this is a good book. I learned a lot about concentration camps. I’ve read other historical fiction about them, but this went into more details and things I didn’t know or remember. I also loved the analogy between life and the four forces involved in flight. I would recommend this book to adults or high school students who are ready for heavy content (I really felt the weight and long term affects of the atrocities in this book)
tjwinford
tjwinford Adult
April 30, 2019
age 17+

Deceived parent

My child was required to read this book in 6th grade. I feel it is inappropriate for school reading material. The language of this book is inappropriate for school teaching. Our schools do not allow swearing in the classroom so why should it be allowed in their reading material. It also discusses sexual content and I feel that is also inappropriate to be reading about in school.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Set during World War II, ROSE UNDER FIRE tells the story of teenage American pilot Rose Justice. Ferrying planes across Europe for the U.S. military, Rose falls into enemy hands and is soon a prisoner at the notorious Ravensbruck concentration camp. There, she gradually learns about the Holocaust going on in the background; she also befriends a varied group of women, and they help one another survive.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (2 ):

More about the friendship of the prisoners than the historical events themselves, Rose Under Fire still vividly portrays the mundane and brutal details of concentration camp life. Rose's story and spunky narrative voice will keep readers turning the pages late into the night to find out what happens. Some emotional connections are very powerful; have a box of tissues handy.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about World War II prison camps and why they remain such a popular theme for books, movies, and more. What other POW stories do you know about? Are they all historically accurate? Were any members of your family prisoners of war?

  • What challenges does Rose have to face as a female pilot at a time when women rarely have such jobs?

  • How does poetry help Rose survive terrible experiences?

Book Details

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