Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gripping story of real teen resisting Nazi occupation.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
UPRISING, based on real people and events, tells the story of Lidia, who was 12 years old and visiting her grandfather's farm in the Polish countryside when the German army invaded Poland in 1939. She and her family make their way back to their home in Warsaw, where they watch their world crumble around them as they endure more and more restrictions with less and less food. As the occupation drags on and Lidia learns more about the horrific things the Nazis are doing, she realizes she can't sit back and do nothing. Inspired by resistance fighters she sees in the Warsaw Ghetto, she decides to join the underground resistance. But how long can they hold out against the enemy? And how do you keep going even when you know you can't win?
Is It Any Good?
This is a gripping and suspenseful story based on real events and people that doesn't gloss over the Holocaust but gracefully lets the reader understand what's happening. Big kids and tweens will relate to Lidia and she learns the importance of doing what's right, no matter the chances of success.
A lot of supporting characters aren't well developed, so their actions often seem random, hard to understand, and lack emotional impact. Mostly brief and vague descriptions of Warsaw make it hard to picture as anything except generic. But the pictures and author's note at the end can help readers connect more personally to the people and places depicted. And through the tragedies and difficulties, positive messages and admirable actions shine through.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about characters who model courage and perseverance in Uprising. Which ones are good examples of these character strengths, and why?
How does teamwork help the members of the underground resistance like Drill, Elephant, Cello, and Halama?
Sometimes learning about things that happened a long time ago, especially violent events, can be scary and hard to understand or think about. What helps you feel better when you learn about terrible events?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Activism , History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Press
- Publication date : March 5, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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