Common Sense Media Review
By Julie A. Carlson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Emotional story of WWII teen pilot in concentration camp.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
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?
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
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Hyperion Books for Children
- Publication date : September 10, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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