Title: Freedom’s Game | Author: Rosanne Tolin | Genre: Middle Grade | Publisher: Reycraft Books/Benchmark Education | Release Date: October 8, 2024 | ISBN: 9781478876199
Publisher’s Book Summary: Publisher’s Book Summary: Twelve-year-old Ziggy Wirth, originally from Germany, doesn’t know what to expect when he arrives at the Annemasse orphanage in eastern France. It is 1942, and the Nazis have conquered the northern part of the country. Annemasse is supposed to be a secret haven for Jewish children separated from their families, but Ziggy can’t help feeling that the worst is about to happen. Any adult around him could easily be a Nazi spy. Ziggy befriends Elka, a girl his age who has lived at Annemasse for three years and dreams of when she will be reunited with her family in Dresden. Along with the excitement of this new friendship comes the intrigue surrounding the mysterious, blond-haired new gym teacher, Georges Loinger. Is Georges a friend who can lead all the children to safety in nearby Switzerland? Or is he a spy luring them towards the Nazis?
When any mistake could be deadly, Ziggy and Elka are never sure who to trust.
My Thoughts: In this historical fiction middle grade novel, readers follow a tense, but hope-filled drama centering around two children escaping Nazi-controlled France. Suspicious 12-year-old Ziggy is wary of everyone and hesitant to trust anyone after his father was arrested and his mother was forced to send him to safety. But together with Elka, a young girl who is haunted by the night she was separated from her family in Dresden, helps to convince Ziggy that the only they will survive is to trust in Georges Loinger, the one man who can get them safely to Switzerland.
Based on little known heroes who saved hundreds of Jewish children, Freedom’s Game is a heart-wrenching book that highlights the courage and bravery that persisted during World War II. I especially appreciated the wealth of information in the Author’s Notes bringing additional poignancy to the story after I had finished. Skilfully told through the eyes of relatable young children, this story offers an opening for discussions about important historical events and would be a wonderful addition to classroom and school libraries.
About the Author: Rosanne Tolin was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and is the author of More Than Marmalade: Michael Bond and The Story of Paddington Bear, and Freedom’s Game. A respected journalist, her work has focused primarily on children’s publications. She was the creator of an ALA-notable website for kids, the managing editor of a children’s magazine, and a Hoosier State Press Award-winning feature writer. Rosanne lives in Chesterton, Indiana, with her husband. When not working, she can be found hiking with her dogs in the Indiana Dunes or Colorado’s Tenmile Range.
To learn more, visit https://www.rosannetolin.com.
https://www.instagram.com/tolinrosanne/
https://www.facebook.com/rosanne.tolin/
About the Illustrator: Vali Mintzi, the cover artist, is an illustrator of children’s books, a graphic designer, and puppetry designer. She was born in Romania and she graduated from the Bezalel Academy of Art in Jerusalem where she lives and works.
https://www.instagram.com/vali_mintzi/
Giveaway: Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a signed copy of Freedom’s Game!
Click here for the entry form: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/freedoms-game-by-rosanne-tolin-awareness-tour/. Good luck!
Freedom’s Game Virtual Book Tour Dates
| Monday, December 9, 2024 The Children’s Book Review Book Review of Freedom’s Game |
| Thursday, January 9, 2025 The Starlit Path Book Review of Freedom’s Game |
| Tuesday, December 10, 2024 @pagesforpaige Book Review of Freedom’s Game |
| Friday, January 10, 2025 Mrs Makes Reading Fun Book Review of Freedom’s Game |
| Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Cover Lover Book Review Book Review of Freedom’s Game |
| Thursday, December 12, 2024 The Fairview Review Book Review of Freedom’s Game |
| Friday, December 13, 2024 Life Is What It’s Called Author Interview with Rosanne Tolin |
| Monday, December 16, 2024 Deliciously Savvy Book Review of Freedom’s Game |
| Tuesday, December 17, 2024 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of Freedom’s Game |
| Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Country Mamas With Kids Book Review of Freedom’s Game |
| Thursday, December 19, 2024 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Spotlight on Freedom’s Game |
| Friday, December 20, 2024 Beth Anderson’s Blog Guest Post about Freedom’s Game |
| Tuesday, January 7, 2025 Writer with Wanderlust Book Review of Freedom’s Game |
| Wednesday, January 8, 2025 Q&As with Deborah Kalb Author Interview with Rosanne Tolin |
| Thursday, January 9, 2025 The Starlit Path Book Review of Freedom’s Game |
| Friday, January 10, 2025 Mrs Makes Reading Fun Book Review of Freedom’s Game |
| Monday, January 13, 2024 A Blue Box Full of Books Book Review of Freedom’s Game |
A sincere thank you to the author and publisher for a copy of this book. I reviewed this book in partnership with The Children’s Book Review. The opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.
Stephanie Ward 