5th 6th 7th 8th grade
A01=Margi Preus
ages 10 11 12 13
Author_Margi Preus
award winning author
based on a true story
based on true WWII story
best kids novels
books about courage under tyranny
books about French Resistance
books about moral courage
books about smuggling refugees
books about teens in the Resistance
books for fans of Lois Lowry
books for tweens
books like Number the Stars
books like Village of Secrets
Category=YFT
child heroes World War 2
children's historical fiction WWII
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forging documents in WWII
forging papers WWII fiction
france
french
French teens WWII fiction
heroic teens WWII stories
historical fiction about WWII resistance fighters
historical fiction for kids
historical fiction novels
holocaust
jewish history
Jewish refugees WWII novel
Jewish WWII fiction for middle grade
jews
kids fiction recommendations
Margi Preus WWII novel
middle grade books WWII
middle grade Holocaust fiction
middle school
nazi occupation
newbery
nonfiction books best
novels about youth activism
novels for boys
novels for girls
novels for kids
rescuing Jews WWII story
resistance
Resistance fiction for kids
resistance fighters WWII kids book
second world war
Stories for young readers
Top-rated children's fiction books
Trending fiction titles for kids
true stories of youth courage
true story WWII novels
tweens
Village of Scoundrels
war stories
world war ii
World War II survival stories
wwii
WWII fiction for tweens
WWII historical fiction for kids
WWII novels for young readers
YA books about bravery
YA books based on true events
Product details
- ISBN 9781419782541
- Dimensions: 140 x 210mm
- Publication Date: 22 Jan 2026
- Publisher: Abrams
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Paperback
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In Village of Scoundrels, Newbery Honor recipient Margi Preus tells the incredible true story of a group of French teenagers who helped save refugees in WWII.
Based on the true story of the French villagers in WWII who saved thousands of Jews, this compelling novel tells how a group of young teenagers stood up for what is right.
Among them is a young Jewish boy who learns to forge documents to save his mother and later goes on to save hundreds of lives with his forgery skills. There is also a girl who overcomes her fear to carry messages for the Resistance. And a boy who smuggles people into Switzerland.
But there is always the threat that they will be caught: A policeman is sent to keep an eye on them, German soldiers reside in a local hotel, and eventually the Gestapo arrives, armed with guns and a list of names. As the knot tightens, the young people must race against time to bring their friends to safety.
“Preus conveys the tales of heroism and resistance of the village teens with a story that is filled with suspense and intrigue . . . Readers will be inspired by these teens that stood for what is right and who, through their actions, saved the lives.” —School Library Connection (Starred Review)
Based on the true story of the French villagers in WWII who saved thousands of Jews, this compelling novel tells how a group of young teenagers stood up for what is right.
Among them is a young Jewish boy who learns to forge documents to save his mother and later goes on to save hundreds of lives with his forgery skills. There is also a girl who overcomes her fear to carry messages for the Resistance. And a boy who smuggles people into Switzerland.
But there is always the threat that they will be caught: A policeman is sent to keep an eye on them, German soldiers reside in a local hotel, and eventually the Gestapo arrives, armed with guns and a list of names. As the knot tightens, the young people must race against time to bring their friends to safety.
“Preus conveys the tales of heroism and resistance of the village teens with a story that is filled with suspense and intrigue . . . Readers will be inspired by these teens that stood for what is right and who, through their actions, saved the lives.” —School Library Connection (Starred Review)
Margi Preus is the author of the Newbery Honor book Heart of a Samurai and other books for young readers. Her books have won multiple awards, landed on the New York Times bestseller list, been honored as ALA/ALSC Notables, selected as an NPR Backseat Book Club pick, chosen for community reads, and translated into many languages. When not writing, Margi enjoys traveling, speaking, and visiting schools all over the world. At home in Duluth, MN, she likes to ski, hike, paddle, or sit quietly with a book in her lap.
